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Ep 41: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel & Mazi Melesa Pilip (Part 2)

In this powerful second installment of Influential Origins on hmTv, host Alan Mindel continues his in-depth conversation with Mazi Melesa Pilip — IDF veteran, community leader, mother of seven, and public servant.

Mazi shares her extraordinary journey from a 12-year-old Ethiopian immigrant arriving in Israel, to becoming a gunsmith in the elite IDF paratroopers division. She opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in the military, the deep friendships she formed across cultures and religions, and her academic path through Haifa and Tel Aviv Universities.

Together, Alan and Mazi tackle difficult truths — from the horrors of wartime gender-based violence to the misconceptions about Israel’s diversity and democracy. Mazi discusses her move to the U.S., finding home in Great Neck, raising a large family, and the shift in her political values shaped by real-life experience and a commitment to safety, law enforcement, and fighting antisemitism.

This episode is a moving reminder of resilience, integrity, and the enduring power of community and truth.

Part 3 coming soon — don’t miss the conclusion of Mazi’s remarkable story.

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