00:00:00: Welcome to a new episode of MENA Talk.

00:00:11: My name is Yasmin Arimi, I'm a journalist at MENA Watch and i am delighted to welcome today Brian Liebmann from Israel.

00:00:20: Brian is an educator trainer and influencer who works extensively on issues like anti-semitism diversity and inclusion.

00:00:29: nice to our audience, your personal and professional background.

00:00:37: Yeah sure so thank you first of all for welcoming me in into this TV show and I'm very excited!

00:00:46: And Thank You For giving my unique voice to be heard.

00:00:52: My name is Berhan Liebman.

00:00:53: i live in Jerusalem and was born in Ethiopia.

00:01:02: You know, my father used to tell me about his life in Ethiopia as a Jewish man and how much effort he was doing to maintain his Jewish Life.

00:01:12: And now that I grew up on these stories About My Identity, about my heritage of all my own people But i grew up like very complex identity Who am I first?

00:01:29: Am i an Israeli woman.

00:01:31: First, am I Jewish first and my black first?

00:01:34: like what is the major identity?

00:01:36: that called brand And had a lot of scenarios in my life that shape this identity.

00:01:45: and October seventh happened and I see on social media The rising and the burst of anti-semitism showing humble of what happened on October seventh.

00:02:01: They just attacking us they sharing lies and misinformation.

00:02:07: And I was thinking to myself wow, um opening my Instagram.

00:02:13: And I See one story that One of my friends died in the On October seventh and also one of my friend is missing.

00:02:28: You start to worry and you started to get the shock and fear.

00:02:32: And all of this uncertainty Emotions, yeah, I'm thinking to myself what's going to be next?

00:02:39: Am I are we're gonna live?

00:02:41: Are We Going To Die like?

00:02:43: is This Is The End Of The World Right Now?

00:02:47: and I'm opening my Instagram and then i'm seeing That I Brun the Ethiopian Jewish Woman!

00:02:57: I am a white colonizer And I get comments like go back to Africa This is not your place.

00:03:05: You're not belong here.

00:03:07: and i understood that someone else Is telling my own story.

00:03:13: Someone else deciding me, deciding for Me?

00:03:16: What is the Story That people need To know about me?

00:03:21: ?

00:03:23: And I started to share The history & heritage of Ethiopian Jews.

00:03:31: So I will create a unity among us, among Jews and non-Jews.

00:03:37: Among communities in the Jewish community And to bring more Tolerance and love!

00:03:48: Of course that... To say you are not going to share my story?

00:03:53: I'm the one who's gonna share my stories..I am The One Who is Going to Decide what i'm Gonna do.

00:03:58: so I started to share content about Ethiopian Jews and how Ethiopian jews were celebrated Passover in Ethiopia.

00:04:07: What are the differences?

00:04:08: In the holidays, i also got recently married five months ago And I also shared like what is our unique traditions that we're doing Why We Are Doing This?

00:04:21: To show...to Show The World Who Are The Ethiopian Jews?

00:04:27: who are the Bethesda?

00:04:29: And I also started to do talks, two groups that came to Israel like Jewish organizations and also flew to the States with organizations.

00:04:41: To speak about Ethiopian Jews... ...and am i doing this on my social media online events?

00:04:51: That's what shifted me!

00:04:53: and no one will share my own story.

00:04:58: I'm the one who's going to tell you, Who am i?

00:05:03: And that is what Im here for today!

00:05:08: The most unique thing about your Instagram account is also that you are a very empowerment and constructive person so it´s very positive And I think it's also something we can catch on in this talk here, but maybe you could explain shortly about the diaspora community of Israel and that Jewish people are not white colonizers.

00:05:32: Maybe just open a little bit and share your experiences with

00:05:37: us?

00:05:38: Yeah sure!

00:05:39: So...I'll do history recap so after Jews were here in Israel for thousands of years and then we had two temples so both of them are not existed anymore.

00:05:58: And after each one of the destruction of the temple, We were exiled!

00:06:04: We're going to the diaspora some of the tribes where it's going to Rome like when or to Babylon a different type of the history where Jews were expelled from their own land outside Israel.

00:06:23: Now in nineteen forty seven, Jews came back and rebuilt Their nation.

00:06:30: so Jews come from Europe.

00:06:34: Jews came from Africa.

00:06:36: Jews came From Asia to Israel To rebuild their Nation.

00:06:43: now people think it's It's like white people who is coming to a land and Conquer it, and like displacing the Palestinians.

00:06:57: But its not true.

00:07:00: Its Jews coming back to their homeland And they were doing this in legal actions such as buying lands and Such as staying here in Israel and coming...and coming Back To Their Home.

00:07:15: Now Doesn't mean that I believe that Palestinians should be displaced from Israel.

00:07:21: We should find a solution of living together as one civilization because they also have connection to the land.

00:07:29: For Ethiopian Jews, this story is little bit different.

00:07:33: They were exiled before the first temple destruction and then went from Israel.

00:07:44: The story.

00:07:45: if you ask the people, the elders in my community they will say to you that we came from the tribe of Dan and the tribe or the tribe Of Judea.

00:07:57: And We were...from Israel..we went south To Egypt ..and From Egypt ...We went through a denial river to one of their sources which is Tana Lake Which Is In Ethiopia .And then They Were In Ethiopia for for a hundred of years.

00:08:19: Now, the way Ethiopian Jews practiced Judaism was different than the rest of the diaspora Jews and Jewish communities were practicing.

00:08:34: If I'm talking too much let me know because i can speak for hours.

00:08:37: so if you want to say something or please feel free

00:08:43: You can go on.

00:08:44: It's interesting, I think the background is important to understand what you're doing.

00:08:49: so we should go and there are so much misinformation.

00:08:53: So...I think it's important.

00:08:56: And they developed a unique tradition well They preserved.

00:09:02: A unique tradition was that he was ancient.

00:09:12: We call it Torah, we called it Orit.

00:09:17: Now when we came to Israel... ...we needed to face a lot of challenges and differences between how we preserve the Judaism.. ..and how other Jewish communities were preserving it now And that's the history of it.

00:09:36: The dream my family was always to return to Jerusalem.

00:09:42: In our community girls that they named after the name Jerusalem, we call them Yerus or Jerusalem because this deep desire and Deep connection That we have for Jerusalem.

00:10:02: For the Jewish nation for Israel And The yearning to return into that one day We will be here in the land and that's what happened?

00:10:12: It's a fulfillment of thousands of years of a dream that finally came true.

00:10:18: Would you say the diaspora perspectives in Israel contribute also constructively to political debates or make a difference on some points and political daily decisions?

00:10:33: From what I know, The Jewish Community is playing significant role in strengthening Society here.

00:10:44: they donating a lot of money to programs Here that the government does not fund.

00:10:52: For example, I know Jewish organization in this state The Jewish Federation of Philadelphia who funds program.

00:11:00: That helps Ethiopian Jewish Israeli students To go to university and escort them along the way throughout all the way.

00:11:12: so They will do this jump, like financial and they'll be the first generation of high education.

00:11:23: Even though education was also existed in Ethiopia but not as paper going to high school or schools.

00:11:37: The wisdom is measured different by connecting to earth, connecting to God.

00:11:43: Connecting to the community.

00:11:46: so that's like one note I wanted to say.

00:11:49: and they have a significant role And also They had a significant Role By not hiding who they are and Not afraid from showing their Jewish identity.

00:12:02: i feel Like because because the Jews are surrounded by non-Jews, The automatic response is to hide who I am in order to integrate and be accepted.

00:12:16: But as long you're not going to accept yourself no one will accept You!

00:12:29: One of the significant roles for Jewish community in the diaspora that they need to do Is to adopt back their Jewish pride their Jewish identity and it can come in various ways if its like maintaining holidays, connecting to the Creator.

00:12:51: Connecting with your Jewish community.

00:12:54: understanding what is you role of this world?

00:12:57: To be light for others...to help others..to be there....to work for unity.

00:13:06: And I believe, like once you say yeah i'm Jewish.

00:13:11: Okay some people will not accept it and we'll hate you.

00:13:14: Some people won't accept.

00:13:15: but the source is to accept yourself and that identity and understand that comes with responsibility That responsibility also between us and non-Jewish communities.

00:13:36: At the beginning, I also introduced you as like an educator because you are traveling D.U.S and talking about this topic on U.S colleges could tell us a little bit more.

00:13:50: what motivates to do that?

00:13:52: What was your way of going so far in trying to educate?

00:13:58: Was it the seventh of October or something different?

00:14:02: So i went through delegations certain organizations.

00:14:08: each time was a different organization and my target was to bring truth, To bring my own perspective.

00:14:18: And to bring me the presence of Me break a lot of stereotypes Of who is a Jew?

00:14:25: Because A lot people think that Jews are only white or Jews Are Only Ashkenazim because That's The Majority of the Jewish communities in the States and also I guess in the diaspora, not familiar with Europe or Germany.

00:14:39: but that's what people think.

00:14:41: And when they see me it is hard for them to comprehend like how?

00:14:47: Who are you really?

00:14:49: You live in Israel.

00:14:51: What your Jewish and the presence of me says?

00:14:55: yes i'm Jewish The Jewish story still untold.

00:15:01: And they are much more diverse, like most of Israelis aren't Ashkenazi here in Israel.

00:15:08: They come from the Middle East countries and North African countries such as Algeria, Libya or Ethiopia.

00:15:16: There's even more Jews that will be coming God willing From other Jewish communities like Tanzania, Madagascar.

00:15:27: There's still more Jewish communities that says, hey we're Jews and want to go back home.

00:15:33: So We are in the process of bringing back The tribes, the Jewish community is home.

00:15:41: And I came with this mindset That i wanted to bring unity and have discussion.

00:15:47: When went some universities I went Washington Square Park And I had talks with Afro-Americans about a lot of stereotypes that they have, About Jews and Israel.

00:16:06: A lot of things...I disagreed With them and explained it to Them.

00:16:10: And a Lot Of Things.. I said okay That was wrong!

00:16:13: The specific video you watch online on Charedi's Spitting On A Christian?

00:16:19: That is

00:16:20: Wrong!!

00:16:20: But most of Charedim or people that I know have no problems with Christians.

00:16:27: And then they're like, oh!

00:16:29: I need to check it and look for more... Then bring another topic in a new one.

00:16:34: And i felt the Afro-Americans were feeling comfortable speaking with me and willing to speak with me more.

00:16:47: That opened up conversation To get to know each other and to say, listen this is wrong or this not true.

00:17:00: Or I'm living in Israel so...I know that you can do XYZ And like a lot of stereotypes they have about Ethiopian Jews They got sterilization by the government The writing on the pain from their community That there was misinformation got injection of depopulvera.

00:17:26: So it's a contraceptive injections that women get, and there were miscommunications if they want to get that or if that is the right thing for their body.

00:17:40: like no one communicated with them about other options.

00:17:44: And thats sad things that the government was doing.

00:17:49: I'm not saying that it's...I am NOT like a person who will say, oh the Israel government is perfect.

00:17:55: And of course for the Israeli government no there were some mistakes That Israel Government was doing.

00:18:04: and doesn't mean this isn't my home because in one family you can argue with your mom or with dad but its still your home.

00:18:16: We are making changes to take Truth and to manipulate it too something that is totally different in order to make us Not look good, but also.

00:18:28: It's not helping the community.

00:18:29: if you were very careful and thoughtful And really want to do a change Maybe you would donate money for the Jewish, for Ethiopian Jewish communities.

00:18:40: maybe You will do advocacy for the Ethiopian-Jewish community here in Israel or in the diaspora But it's coming from a place that there is a Jew hatred and Israeli Hatred Benefit.

00:18:53: So so that was like one of the things I also spoke about It And i went to Texas, Los Angeles New York and also mid-west countries.

00:19:08: And the target is to bring unity, like... To bring misconceptions a lot of people think about me Like oh you live in Israel so You probably pro BB Nataliao.

00:19:18: I'm like Oh!

00:19:18: You're living in the States?

00:19:19: Probably pro Trump?

00:19:21: No not pro Trump.

00:19:22: So how do guess that i am pro bb.

00:19:26: What gives you this?

00:19:28: It's bringing things down.

00:19:31: just have communication that.

00:19:36: sometimes it's frustrating, it's tiring because some people don't want to listen.

00:19:41: Some people would just scream on you.

00:19:43: they're full of hatred especially young people.

00:19:47: I found in more easy-to-speak with people who are more adults and They had the information that they got.

00:19:52: but they were able To have a conversation with me where with others Especially at the young generation or in universities It was difficult too Have a conversation.

00:20:02: I didn't think we should speak to them because they're full of hate.

00:20:06: And if someone hates you, there is no way to skip that gap or close the gap.

00:20:11: but what can do is strengthen Jewish identity and not be afraid supporting your own people in supporting the nation of Israel.

00:20:21: Younger people are often informed via internet like TikTok Instagram Reels YouTube Shorts.

00:20:31: I think that's one problem.

00:20:32: They have the most narratives about a really misguided Israel, would you say like social media has influenced way over the last years how they are also how the media speaks about Israel?

00:20:50: First... You can see on social media there're tons of pages who promote true hatred and probably had funding because they're big, big pages.

00:21:04: I'm talking like for example the Eye of Palestine and sometimes there's spreading misinformation.

00:21:11: even that newsletters The newsletter.

00:21:14: in this date i think There was a New York Times That Was Taking A Picture And Apparently It Was AI Of A Baby.

00:21:23: That it'S Not True.

00:21:24: So...and Its Already Gone.

00:21:27: Like Seven Million People Already Saw It They Are Going To Continue With Their daily life.

00:21:32: They're not going to check if it's true or if it is not, so It's definitely in the favor of Jew-hatred and anti-Semitism In every aspect.

00:21:43: And you can see how the hatred goes when Israelis are going outside a country they facing hate they facing anti-semitism.

00:21:55: If like its bad treatment at hotel Or restaurants Jews are the only people who are attacked or being Jews.

00:22:05: Like for example, you will not see someone attack Russian or Ukrainian just because there is a war between Russia and Ukraine.

00:22:16: but if Israel has been attacked Or If There Is A War Here?

00:22:22: Jews in London Will Be Probably Attacked Jews In Texas Will be Attacked!

00:22:27: Jews Need To Hide Behind Fences.

00:22:30: I'm not saying Israel is perfect.

00:22:32: We do have our own things that we need to improve, but this deep Jew hatred that it's designed through the social media and makes people hate Jews without even knowing them... It makes Jews in a diaspora be less protected.

00:22:49: if its in universities or synagogues they need protection.

00:22:53: If its going outside for walk.

00:22:57: one of these solutions Move to Israel.

00:23:02: second if you don't want it to move your whole life to israel not be afraid of who You are and do not hide.

00:23:09: Your identity like I remember when i was in I think, Ohio Like we were at university And We Were Opening a Table Where Israelis Ask Us Anything.

00:23:23: And there was a student that came to us and he is taking his necklace, it's David Starr who took this off.

00:23:34: He said thank you for being here.

00:23:37: now I'm going be more proud of myself.

00:23:39: then went into the class This experience like unity.

00:23:43: we are here with each other.

00:23:45: We need do more events especially when they have different politics political opinions and different approaches of Judaism, you know within the Jewish community there is a lot diversity.

00:24:00: And sometimes we need to come together to do events... ...and see how to do things together!

00:24:08: Also to do event with non-Jews communities that are interested or curious and show them yeah And especially Jewish education from a very young age.

00:24:22: It should be accessible, it should be reachable and that every Jew no matter what his financial situation Should have a Jewish education.

00:24:32: then he will feel more connected.

00:24:34: Talking

00:24:35: about your online world you are very present on Instagram like with twenty two thousand and up followers.

00:24:43: What kind of criticism or backlash are you facing and how do you typically respond?

00:24:49: Are your just blocking, ignoring.

00:24:51: Or Do You think like...you go into a dialogue.

00:24:55: I

00:24:56: remember uploading video with my husband And people say No!

00:25:00: You're from Europe She's from Ethiopia Do have a genealogy called proof Of that.

00:25:07: They don't accept colored people in Israel.

00:25:10: You end up from Israel.

00:25:11: honey.

00:25:13: Ethiopian black woman thinks thinking she is native to Palestine.

00:25:19: God's chosen toilets, emoji of shit and thrown up Modern day slavery for blacks.

00:25:34: And the list go on!

00:25:41: What are you doing with your comments?

00:25:43: Are normally deleting?

00:25:45: No because I don't want spend energy in that.

00:25:49: if someone is writing me like in my DMs, a message and I got also on my email.

00:25:55: Like uh... i'm from Iran.

00:25:57: we're gonna kill you or something threatening?

00:26:00: Im just blocking!

00:26:02: And im also blocking for my DM's but it fits under comments..i am living there so people will see how much theres no way of conversation when one side dehumanize each other.

00:26:16: they can do whatever he wants support them, which they are cursing and say us unless than humans.

00:26:26: And that just shows who there really are?

00:26:30: I remember it was like in one moment...I think two years ago when i opened tiktok and got so much hate but in tons..and wow!

00:26:43: It affects me makes me sad.

00:26:45: people don't like me did my inner work and I also Balanced it because they get all so positive DMs, and positive comments.

00:27:00: But wow you strengthen my Jewish identity.

00:27:02: Hey i'm sending your regards from Jamaica?

00:27:04: I didn't know this.

00:27:06: Wow if I am from Australia And I wasn't aware about the Ethiopian-Jewish heritage.

00:27:11: So It's balanced its balancing the negative The negative comments that I'm getting on.

00:27:20: a lot of them are.

00:27:21: But like if you will go to their profile, You would see that it's not a real person or there is like tomato in the profile picture Or something random.

00:27:32: If its a person So then I'm having conversation In the comments Just ignore him Or just trying To have a conversation at DMs.

00:27:44: And yeah everything has price.

00:27:47: and if The prices are being seen It also get hate.

00:27:51: but the price of being seen, it's also to influence and to transform people.

00:27:57: To feel dignity and to feel belongingness that they have home And some will say those stuffs as well.

00:28:07: You're a very constructive person, so how do you personally navigate through moments like that when there is the video which responds with so much hate against what?

00:28:19: What's your inner channeling and doing.

00:28:22: What are your solutions about

00:28:28: it?".

00:28:30: I'm sharing this.

00:28:37: to guide me and show what I need in every step.

00:28:46: And look at the bigger picture, once i have that big of a picture and im influencing people and I know Im transforming peoples opinions and bringing more unity.

00:29:05: thats whats needed to be focusing on.

00:29:08: Do you have, like the feeling that the discourse around younger globally connected audiences will shape next year's again?

00:29:20: Or do think we are at a point?

00:29:22: because you said also move to Israel is one solution.

00:29:26: That Israel don't has any possibility?

00:29:30: stop all online hate coming from Iran and so on.

00:29:36: Russia.

00:29:37: Do you think there is a solution about that?

00:29:39: Is it going to be like positive outreach or lost?

00:29:45: I'll give what i think.

00:29:47: The anti-Semitism, It's not rational and its response for Jews being disconnected from themselves.

00:29:54: I believe the more we will have less inner conflicts and inner doubts and inner fears About ourselves about our identity and we will go to heal those parts.

00:30:09: We will see more peace and more tolerance outside.

00:30:13: That's from my spiritual perspective And the inner work that I am doing.

00:30:17: so The more II heal part of myself then needs Peace than needs certainty.

00:30:25: they need Serenity, they need love they need compassion.

00:30:31: and I find it within myself And I know it's like a little bit woo-woo answer, but that is how i see It.

00:30:39: Maybe we will see less anti-sympathism and less hate because We are connected to ourselves and we know who we Are.

00:30:47: part of the things Is To Know Who are The Jewish People.

00:30:52: What Is Your Background?

00:30:55: What Is The Background Of Indian Jews?

00:30:58: what Is The background Of Ethiopian Jews?

00:31:02: Jews, like Persian Jews who were forced to convert it into Islam.

00:31:07: What is the story of Tanzanian Jews?

00:31:11: So we don't know that and You're not belong here, you don't belong there.

00:31:23: No I belong there because i know what is the source and in the thousands of years of connection that have to this land from a father-to-a son... And it goes and traces back into the twelve tribes we are part of big family.

00:31:40: We need remember that!

00:31:42: Not individuals but nation or civilization.

00:31:45: More strengthening within than just focus on on all the noise outside.

00:31:51: If you could encourage the audience to adopt one mindset or approach when engaging with... All these topics we were talking about, what would it be?

00:32:02: In order to get to know yourself You have to give space and time in a day When you live everything And focus ten minutes Or maybe twenty Maybe thirty minutes On your self About thoughts.

00:32:18: what is the reflection that you have towards other people or toward Israel, your Jewish neighbor and synagogue?

00:32:30: What do you think about it?

00:32:31: Do you love it?

00:32:32: Just reflect.

00:32:34: Once you reflect then you will pop out from your mind answers to questions within myself, how do I change my Jewish community?

00:32:53: How to do a change with other Jewish communities or Israel.

00:33:00: And the more you're connected yourself he will feel less hate from outside.

00:33:04: The hate just reminds that you need love your self and accept yourself know-yourself.

00:33:09: That's daily homework.

00:33:10: It is easy for us to do something else outside and to run through this person into that mall onto this movie, except of just sitting with myself.

00:33:24: And so do the inner work.

00:33:26: but it's in a word is the fastest way to change.

00:33:30: thank you so much for the valuable insights.

00:33:32: on your time brown we will just link your profile and people can also Get a view on the Instagram, I think.

00:33:40: On your TikTok as well.

00:33:42: if you want to... If you're interested in MinaTalk then also follow us on YouTube.

00:33:47: Thank you so much for today and thank you Bran And see you next time.

00:33:54: There you will find daily news, current reports and extensive scientific background analysis on the history of the MENA region.

00:34:11: Visit our website as well!