Claudia Mendoza shares the story of growing up in northwest London with a Jewish identity shaped by both Ashkenazi and Adeni (Mizrahi/Sephardi) roots. From Shabbat tables filled with tamarind, fenugreek, and Arabic-inflected Hebrew, to vivid family memories of escape from Aden, Claudia reflects on what it means to carry multiple Jewish histories at once.

Claudia Mendoza is Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, and has worked for various think tanks as a Research Analyst, focusing on the Middle East with a special interest in Iran and the transitioning Arab states. She has a BSc in Biochemistry from University College London and an MA in Middle East Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She is an alumna of the Adam Science Foundation Leadership Programme.

• Heritage & Memory: Growing up between Ashkenazi and Adeni influences
• Food & Identity: Tamarind, fenugreek, and overnight breads as cultural markers
• Family Histories: Stories of escape from Aden and the importance of oral histories
• Representation: Why Mizrahi and Sephardi voices matter in education and leadership

Short definitions and terms referenced in this episode:

• Adeni Jews: A Jewish community from Aden (formerly a British colony, now part of Yemen), distinct from Yemeni Jews
• Talbis: A henna and candle tradition from across Yemenite Jewry - also used at weddings.
• Hilbeh / H’oba: A fenugreek-based condiment popular in Adeni Jewish cuisine

Explore past episodes that also reflect on identity, race, and Jewish belonging:

S2E5 – Unity Through Diversity with Dr Isaac Amon

S2E4 – Everything Needs to Change with Daniel Jonas

• Sephardi Voices UK – Oral history project chronicling Mizrahi and Sephardi Jewish experiences
• The Jewish Leadership Council - organisation representing the UK Jewish community
• Board of Deputies Report on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community (2021)

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Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker shares his personal and ancestral journey as a modern-day Bene Israel man living in Israel. From synagogue melodies to family recipes, and his travels in India and around the world to document a history before it disappears - Eliaz reflects on what it means to honour multiple identities in a world that often demands we choose just one. His story spans continents and generations, challenging assumptions about Jewishness, ethnicity, and belonging.

Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker is a historian, writer, and artist based in Israel. His work explores heritage, identity, and cultural memory. He has authored several books and continues to document the stories of the Bene Israel community through writing, teaching, and public speaking. A special bonus clip and article is on our Substack.

• Race & Recognition: The tensions and questions Eliaz has faced around his appearance and background in different spaces
• Tradition & Resistance: Why Eliaz insists on preserving accents, melodies, and rituals that others might dismiss or forget
• Culture Through Food: From Passover samosas to homemade chai, Eliaz shares what's on his plate.
• Pluralism & Belonging: A powerful story about being told to “just be Jewish” and how Eliaz responds by embracing his whole identity

Short definitions of terms and traditions mentioned in this episode:

Bene Israel: one of the largest and oldest Jewish groups originating from India. Bene Israel translates to ‘children of Israel’ in Hebrew.

Matza: Unleavened bread eaten during Passover

Melida: A Bene Israel ceremonial gathering often held to honour milestones or life events (Recipe here)

Eliyahu Hanavi / Hanabi: Elijah the Prophet, a central figure in Jewish tradition and to the Melida ceremony

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S2E1: Discussing diverse Jewish national identities with Yaacov Yadgar 
• S2E7: “Being Seen Matters” with Yaffa Judah - another Bene Israel experience

References & Resources

• A video with Eliaz explaining more about Bene Israel heritage on his Youtube channel

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Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Lomotey shares the story of growing up between Black, Ghanaian, British, and Jewish worlds, and how memories of Shabbat silence, Hebrew books, and family traditions shaped his sense of belonging.

As a young adult Michael Lomotey worked as a kosher larder chef in London, and moved on to be a farm mechanic in Ghana. Michael is of Ghanaian and English heritage and was raised on the sink estates of East and West Hull, learning resistance, class solidarity and activism there. He’s currently a doctoral researcher in the final stages of his PhD research at the University of Southampton, looking at how climate change impacts upon Black and marginalised communities. Impact is key to Michael, finding solutions that are emancipatory.

• Belonging without Tokenism: Finding a synagogue community that embraces diversity and dialogue
• Shabbat as Wellbeing: Why switching off is “the greatest environmental move”

Short definitions and terms referenced in this episode:

• Ahulԑ Tᴐlᴐ / nkantenkwan: Ghanaian Peanut Stew. Recipe here (thanks to Michael)
• Devar Torah: A short commentary or teaching based on the weekly Torah portion
• Pluralism: The act of embracing multiple perspectives and truths within a community

Explore past episodes that also reflect on language, memory, and identity:

S2E6 – Endangered, Not Erased with Samantha Ellis

S1E10 – British Black Jews - a conversation with Kenneth Awele Okafor

Michael Lomotey’s Dvar Torah For Parashat Tazria-Metzora

Dr Louis Gordon – Scholar of philosophy and Jewish studies; writes on anti-Blackness and pluralism

Dr Dina Lupin - Associate professor whose interests include environmental and human rights law, silencing, and epistemic injustice.

Rabbi John D. Rayner – Liberal rabbi whose writings shaped Michael’s reflections on Judaism as “an attitude to reality”

Lomotey (2024), Antiblackness in Flood Risk in Hull: The Afterlife of Colonialism, in Confronting Climate Coloniality, 2024, ed., Prof. Farhana Sultana.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003465973-14/antiblackness-flood-risk-hull-michael-lomotey

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Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samantha Ellis shares the story of growing up in London as the daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees and how language, food, and memory helped shape a strong sense of identity in a world that often didn’t understand it. From rediscovering her heritage through writing, to reflecting on what gets passed down (and what doesn’t), Samantha invites us into an honest and powerful conversation about exile, legacy, and the things that hold us together.

Samantha Ellis is a writer and playwright based in London. Born to Iraqi Jewish parents, Samantha explores themes of identity, loss, and cultural preservation in her work — most recently through her powerful memoir, Chopping Onions on My Heart.

• Language as Identity: How Judeo-Iraqi Arabic shaped Samantha’s worldview and what it means when a language is no longer passed on
• Exile & Silence: Why some family stories are left untold and what it means to speak anyway
• Generational Trauma & Healing: How memory, ritual, and storytelling can carry both pain and repair
• Food & Inheritance: From black eggs to aubergine sandwiches, how food brings connection across generations — and why recipes may outlast languages
• 
  

Short definitions and terms referenced in this episode:

Judeo-Iraqi Arabic: A historically spoken dialect of Arabic used by Jews in Iraq; now highly endangered

Black eggs (brown eggs): Eggs slow-cooked overnight with onion skins, often served for Shabbat

Rosh Hashanah Seder: A New Year ritual practised in some Mizrahi communities, involving symbolic foods and blessings

Sofér: A Jewish scribe who writes and repairs Torah scrolls

Explore past episodes that also reflect on language, memory, and identity:

S1E6 - Other within the Other with Carol Isaacs

S1E7 – Identity is Overrated with Ophira Gamliel

• Samantha Ellis, Chopping Onions on My Heart: On Losing and Preserving Culture (2025), Chatto & Windus
• Oxford School of Rare Jewish Languages – Offers online courses in Judeo-Arabic and other endangered Jewish languages
• Sarah Sassoon, Shoham's Bangle (2022). Kar-Ben Publishing – A children’s picture book about an Iraqi Jewish family’s migration
• Keith Kahn-Harris, Everyday Jews: Why The Jewish People Are Not Who You Think They Are (2025). Icon Books

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Isaac Amon shares how his diverse Sephardi, Mizrachi, and Ashkenazi heritage have shaped his sense of identity. From Istanbul to the American Midwest, Isaac reflects on how his family's stories, languages, food, and community influence his connection to Jewish life. 

Our Guest

Dr. Isaac Amon is an attorney and counselor at law, Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, and Director of Academic Research at Jewish Heritage Alliance, an educational platform dedicated to promoting the legacy of Sefarad, or Iberian Jewry.  Isaac is also Director of Academic Research at the Jewish Heritage Alliance, which aims to preserve and share the history of Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews. 

Key Topics

• Navigating Identity: How Isaac’s family history blends diverse Jewish roots, creating a rich but often challenging sense of belonging.
• Language and Culture: The role of multilingualism within Isaac’s family and how language shapes identity
• Challenging Normativity: The experience of living as a Sephardi Jew in predominantly Ashkenazi spaces and the ongoing struggle for inclusion

Your guide

Short definitions of terms mentioned in this episode:

• Ladino: A Judeo-Spanish language spoken by Sephardi Jews.
• Kaddish: A prayer recited in memory of the dead, with variations between communities.
• Burekas: Savory pastries filled with cheese, spinach, or potatoes, common in Sephardi and Mizrachi Jewish cuisines.
• Shakshuka: A dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, popular in Sephardi and Mizrachi cultures.
• Passover Brown Eggs: Eggs boiled in onion skins, a Sephardi Passover tradition.

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S2E1: Discussing diverse Jewish national identities with Yaacov Yadgar 
• S1E7: Languages and Identities challenged by Ophira Gamliel

References & Resources

• Jewish Heritage Alliance - An organisation preserving and promoting Sephardi and Mizrachi Jewish history
• ARTICLE “Five-Hundred Years in the Life of the Amon Family: From the surrender of Spain to the court of Suleiman the Magnificent and beyond, they were there” – Published, National Library of Israel Blog, December 2020
• VIDEO: “Crossroads of Sefarad: In the Footsteps of the Crypto-Jews,” created jointly by Jewish Heritage Alliance and ANU Museum of the Jewish People

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Daniel Jonas as our guide, we explore how Sephardi traditions merge with philosophy, language, and music to form a personal and uniquely ‘alive’ sense of Jewish identity.

Our guest

Meet Daniel Jonas, a corporate innovation expert, leader of interfaith dialogue, and prominent figure in London's Sephardic community—a path that has led him to explore his Iraqi-Indian heritage and the influence of Judeo-Arabic culture. 

Key topics

• Language and Identity: How language, particularly Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic, has shaped Daniel's Jewish expression.
• The Need for Change: Daniel advocates for systemic changes within communities and institutions to include the diversity of what it means to be Jewish.

Your guide

Short definitions of terms mentioned in this episode:

• Kippah / Yarmulke  - a brimless Jewish skullcap with variations in design and placement. Similar to a Kufi or Taquiya in Islam
• Amba - a delectable tangy mango pickle condiment of Baghdadi Jewish origin
• Reform Judaism - Jewish denomination that emphasises autonomy, and adapting to modern life.

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S1E1 The Big Three Origin Stories

References & Resources

• Los Desterrados - A London band with a rootsy take on the ancient folk music of the Sephardic Jews.
• Nahamu - an organisation dedicated to combating religious extremism within the Jewish community
• 3yin - a London-based ground-breaking band that performs the music of the Jewish communities of the Middle East and North Africa

Dive deeper into the Jewniverse

Subscribe to our Substack

Who Jew you think you are? 

Share your story

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2 is here! This trailer explains why the conversations in the podcast are so important. Now, more than ever.

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yaffa Judah reflects on growing up between worlds—navigating her Indian and English heritage, attending Ashkenazi schools while rooted in Bene Israel culture, and marrying into a Moroccan Jewish family. Yaffa shares how music, memory, and food have shaped her identity and how she’s working to create inclusive Jewish spaces for others.

Our Guest

Yaffa Judah is a community organiser, creative and educator passionate about celebrating Jewish diversity and creating spaces where all Jews feel they belong.

Key Topics

• Mixed Heritage: How growing up with Indian and English Jewish heritage shaped Yaffa’s understanding of what it means to be Jewish.
• Jew-ish in Ashkenazi Spaces: Yaffa reflects on being “an ethnic minority within an ethnic minority” and the experience of feeling othered.
• Celebrating Difference: From leading inclusive student events at university to sharing Bene Israel traditions today, Yaffa is actively widening the circle.
• Beyond the Norm: Yaffa explores how labels like “Sephardi” are sometimes used as a catch-all that doesn’t reflect the whole picture.

Your Guide

Short definitions of terms mentioned in this episode:

• Bene Israel - One of the oldest Jewish communities in India
• Selichot - Prayers recited during holidays with variations between communities
• Minhag “Everyone should feel welcome—even if they’re just Jew-ish”- A custom or tradition in Jewish practice
• Adani - community originally from Aden, Yemen, known for their unique pronunciation and liturgical style

Want to learn more?

Explore earlier episodes on Jewish identity and inclusion:

S2E1: Diverse Jewish Stories with Yaacov Yadgar

S2E4: Classical Sephardi Culture with Daniel Jonas - to follow soon

References & Resources

• Gate of Mercy Synagogue – the oldest synagogue in Mumbai, built in 1796
• JDC Entwine – A global service organisation where Yaffa led intercultural events

Illustrated Guide to a Jew in India by Solomon Devika – A fun visual storytelling project about Indian Jewish history

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply personal episode, Shelley Silas guides us through her intricate journey of Jewish identity, shaped by her unique heritage, family dynamics, and the profound impact of loss.

Our Guest

Shelley Silas is a playwright and storyteller whose work delves into the nuances of identity and cultural belonging. Her plays, including "Calcutta Kosher," reflect her diverse heritage and the challenges of navigating multiple identities.

Key Topics

• Multifaceted Identity: Exploring the intersection of Baghdadi Jewish heritage, Indian roots, and LGBTQ+ identity.
• Family and Loss: How significant life events, especially the loss of family members, reshape one's understanding of Jewish identity and cultural practices.

Your guide

Short definitions of terms mentioned in this episode:

• Sephardi - Jews descended from Iberia and the Spanish diaspora
• Ashkenazi: Jewish people descended from Germany and Northern France
• Mizrahi: Jews from the Middle East and North Africa
• Shul: Yiddish word for synagogue
• Kippah: A small skull cap worn by Jewish men

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S1E1 The Big Three Origin Stories
• S1E7 “Identity is overrated” with Dr Orphira Gamliel

References & Resources

• The Royal Literary Fund - Shelley Silas's profile and works, including "Calcutta Kosher"
• Jewish Museum London - blog entitled Understanding the Indian Baghdadi Jews

Dive deeper into the Jewniverse

Subscribe to our Substack

Who Jew Think You Are? Your turn! 

Share your story

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Professor Yakov Yadgar as our guide, we explore how nation-states, particularly Israel, shape and sometimes constrain Jewish identities while emphasising the importance of celebrating diverse histories and practices, especially those of Mizrahi heritage.

Our guest

Yaacov Yadgar is a Professor of Israel Studies at Oxford School of Global & Area Studies and Oxford Department of Politics & International Relations. Read more about his work.

Key topics

• Diversity of Identity: The importance of recognising Mizrahi histories and cultures to move beyond a Eurocentric view of Jewish identity.
• Nationalism vs. the Individual: How state influence creates tension between nationalised and localised Jewish practices, impacting personal identity.

Your guide

Short definitions of terms mentioned in this episode:

• Ashkenazi - Jewish people descended from Germany and Northern France
• Mizrahi - Jews from the Middle East and North Africa - this term has a complex history
• Sephardi - Jews descended from Iberia and the Spanish diaspora

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S1E1 The Big Three Origin Stories
• S1E7 “Identity is overrated” with Dr Orphira Gamliel

References & Resources

• Yadgar, Y (2024) To Be a Jewish State: Zionism and the New Judaism. NYU Press

Videos

• UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies (2024) To Be a Jewish State: Zionism as the New Judaism
• 
  

Dive deeper into the Jewniverse

Subscribe to our Substack

Who Jew you think you are? 

Share your story

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.