Building a Just Society: Adi Maoz at Sadaka Reut

Adi Maoz is the Jewish Program Director at Sadaka Reut, a joint Arab-Jewish youth movement based in Jaffa, Israel. Ms. Maoz has worked as a group facilitator on a number of projects both with Sadaka Reut, "Peace Now," and multiple Palestinian / Israeli seminars. She is one of many accomplished staff members at Sadaka Reut, which continues to be a dynamic force in realizing political and social change in Israel through the promotion of a binational, multicultural and egalitarian society based on social justice and solidarity. Ms. Maoz joined me live over the phone from Israel to discuss her role as a group facilitator and the Jewish Program Director in work related to Palestinian / Jewish coexistence. She gives an interesting cross section and analysis of Israeli society, particularly the divide between Jewish and Palestinian cultural narratives, as well as a critique of the current political situation.

You can learn more about Adi Maoz and Sadaka Reut at www.reutsadaka.org.

Photo: Sadaka Reut, www.reutsadaka.org

Journalism, History, and Israeli Society: Gershom Gorenberg

Gershom Gorenberg joined me this week on CrossTalk to talk about his experience as a journalist and historian as well as his perceptions of politics and religion. Gorenberg is an American-born Israeli journalist, historian, and blogger. He focuses on the interaction of religion and politics, currently lives in Jerusalem, and serves as a senior correspondent for The American Prospect. Mr. Gorenberg has most recently published "The Accidental Empire: Israel and the Birth of the Settlements, 1967-1977" which is a comprehensive investigation into Israel's post-1967 history with a focus on Israeli settlement in the lands captured during the Six Day War. Mr. Gorenberg also wrote "The End of Days: Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount," which investigates the central role of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem in creating messianic narratives and determining global religion and politics. Gorenberg blogs at South Jerusalem (www.southjerusalem.com) a progressive, skeptical blog on Israel, Judaism, culture, politics, and literature.

Photo: www.southjerusalem.com

Palestinian Hip Hop: Tamer Nafar from DAM

Tamer Nafar, of the first ever Palestinian hip hop group, DAM, joined me this week while on his 2010 North America tour. Nafar founded DAM in 1999 with his brother, Suhell Nafar, and their mutual friend, Mahmoud Jreri. The group is based in Israel, and raps in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. DAM's lyrics deal with issues ranging from the crisis of identity facing Palestinian citizens of Israel to Israel's defensive strategy during the Al-Aqsa Intifada to the 2008-2009 conflict between Israel and Hamas. DAM's rap certainly holds artistic value, however Nafar stressed that their music also serves as the "CNN of the streets," addressing social and political issues in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Nafar hopes to see Arabic rap grow as a means of expression among Palestinian youth and inspire action to address the many pressing issues in Israel and the Territories.

You can learn more about DAM and listen to their music on their website, www.dampalestine.com and on their myspace page, www.myspace.com/damrap

Photo: Courtesy of www.dampalestine.com