All Things Palestinian Canadian: Recent Episodes
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Nur Watad from CJPME dives into the realm of what it means to be Palestinian living in Canada. She explores all aspects of Palestinian culture and art as well as history and politics to encourage Palestinian pride and engagement. Nur will frequently be joined by Palestinian guests to shed insight and perspective on new and thought-provoking topics. This podcast is a project of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East - CJPME (www.cjpme.org) - and seeks to advance its mission to empower all Canadians of all backgrounds to promote justice, development, and peace in the Middle East.
In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla, and Tom are joined by Chris Gazaleh, Palestinian-American muralist, activist, and community organizer. Using different mediums like ink, paint, and digital illustrations, Chris uses powerful symbols and imagery to advocate for Palestinian human rights and social justice. Listen in to learn about Chris’s art, his inspiration, and his efforts to use art to advocate for Palestinian justice and liberation.
Links:
- To learn more about Chris and his work, visit his website here
- Follow Chris Gazaleh on Instagram
- Check out the Clarion Alley Mural Project here
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Tayla and Tom are joined by Heifa Odeh, Palestinian-American chef, recipe developer and food blogger. Founder of the blog Fufu’s Kitchen and author of the recent cookbook, Dine in Palestine, Heifa seeks to celebrate and preserve traditional Palestinian dishes and recipes. Listen in to learn about Heifa’s expression and celebration of her Palestinian identity and culture through food.
Links:
- Check out Heifa’s blog and explore all the different Palestinian and Middle Eastern recipes here.
- Purchase Heifa’s cookbook Dine in Palestine: An Authentic Taste of Palestine in 60 Recipes from my Family to Your Table here.
- Follow Heifa’s Fufu in the Kitchen on Instagram.
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Mirna Bamieh, Palestinian chef, artist and founder of the Palestine Hosting Society - a cultural and social project that seeks to reclaim and revitalize Palestinian food practices and dishes. Listen in to learn about Mirna’s commitment to celebrating the Palestinian identity, culture, and heritage through food.
Links:
- Check out the Palestine Hosting Society founded by Mirna here and visit her website to explore her other art projects and initiatives
- Watch Mirna talk about the origins of the Palestine Hosting Society its importance here
- Follow the Palestine Hosting Society on Instagram.
- Learn more about how Mirna researches and hosts a table here
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Farah Nabulsi, Palestinian-British filmmaker and human rights advocate. She has written and produced four short films including Today They Took My Son and Nightmare of Gaza. Her most recent short The Present has won over 50 International awards for its powerful portrayal of the daily struggles faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Listen in as we discuss The Present, her inspiration, and her efforts to use film to share the Palestinian experience under Israeli occupation and apartheid system.
Links:
- To learn more about Farah and her work, visit her website.
- Check out the online resource Oceans of Injustice, named after Farah’s first film which deconstructs the economic, social, and political aspects of Israeli occupation here.
- Read more about Farah’s upcoming film The Teacher.
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Darin Sallam, Palestinian-Jordanian writer, director and filmmaker. Her most recent film, Farha, follows a young-girl’s traumatic experience during the Nakba. Despite obstacles in producing the film, Farha has been extremely well-received, especially among Palestinians for its realistic depiction of the devastating events of the Nakba. Listen in as we discuss Farha, her inspiration, and her efforts to use film to share important Palestinian stories and experiences.
Links:
- Check out this article for insight about Farha and Palestinian cinema.
- Read about the historical events of the Nakba that inspired scenes in Farha.
- Hear more from Darin about producing Farha despite the obstacles here.
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Rafeef and Tayla are joined by Mayoun Odeh, Palestinian entrepreneur and co-founder and director of “NISAA”, the first Arabic radio station in the Middle East that is run by women for women. Launched in 2010, NISAA’s mission is to transform the perception of “women’s role in society by highlighting their social engagement, successes, and creativity.” Maysoun has worked to help inform and inspire Palestinian to assert their rights and empower themselves.
Links:
- Check out the NISAA FM, co-founded and directed by Maysoun.
- Watch Maysoun talk about the aim of NISAA as a social enterprise and the importance of empowering women here.
- Read about how NISAA radio station helps empower Palestinian women in a patriarchal society but more restrictively under Israeli occupation.
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, Tom, Rafeef and Tayla are joined by Vivien Sansour, the Palestinian-American founder of the Palestine Heirloom Library – a cultural and social project that works with farmers and advocates to recover and conserve threatened crop varieties. Through her art and storytelling, Vivien advocates for greater social engagement with Palestinian agriculture, heritage, and culture. Currently working on an autobiographical book documenting her work on seeds in Palestine and around the world, Vivien weaves together her personal experiences and research, making her work both a cultural and political act.
Links:
- Check out the Palestine Heirloom Library, and Traveling Kitchen founded by Vivien.
- Buy seeds from the Heirloom Seed Library here.
- Watch Vivien talk about the origins of the Palestine Heirloom Library and its importance here
- Read about Vivien’s efforts to revitalize and conserve Jadu’l, a watermelon variety unique to the city of Jenin.
- Desires to support Vivien’s work can be directed to this email address, arts.and.seeds@gmail.com.
Subscribe to this podcast and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do
In this episode, Rafeef and Tom are joined by Nasser Jaber, the Palestinian-American co-founder of the Migrant Kitchen - a social enterprise in NYC which showcases the stories and cuisines of immigrant chefs. Nasser arrived in New York from Ramallah in 2001 hoping to make it big on Wall Street; but ended up being one of the city’s most influential restauranteurs. His journey as an advocate for marginalised communities, refugees, and immigrants is just beginning.
Links:
- Check out The Migrant Kitchen, co-founded by Nasser
- See also “The Migrant Kitchen Initiative,” an international charity lifting-up the most vulnerable members of the world’s communities
- Read Nasser’s story at The Migrant Kitchen here
- Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we’re joined by Najat El-Taji El-Khairy, a Palestinian-Canadian artist who has created a unique art form combining her interests in both embroidery and porcelain painting. Najat’s art has been exhibited in various venues throughout North America, the Middle East and Europe. Najat has made it her mission to immortalise, protect and preserve the art of Palestinian embroidery. As she describes it, she’s, ‘Painting her way home, one stitch at a time.’
Links:
Find Najat’s Website here and her Instagram account here; and see a collection of Najat’s amazing artwork here.
Order Najat’s book, Palestinian Heritage … Worth Celebrating!, from the Musée des métiers d'art du Québec (MUMAQ) here.
See Najat’s full written responses to CJPME’s podcast questions.
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we’re joined by Wafa Ghnaim, an award-winning Palestinian researcher, educator, author and tatreez expert living in Washington, DC. Her book, titled, Tatreez and Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Diaspora was published in 2018 and documents the stories and meanings behind the Palestinian embroidery motifs that were handed down to Wafa by her mother, Feryal Abbasi Ghnaim, an award-winning artist herself. Join us as Wafa shares the story of moving from embroidery circles with her mother and aunts, to being the first ever Palestinian embroidery instructor at the Smithsonian Museum.
Links:
Wafa’s Tatreez and Solidarity Website, https://www.tatreezandtea.com/
Buy Wafa’s book, Tatreez and Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Daspora
Article about Wafa Ghnaim in Vogue Magazine
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we’re joined by Rana Nazzal, a Palestinian-Canadian artist living between Palestine, Ottawa and Toronto. Among other things, Rana’s powerful art explores Palestinians’ relationship with the land, and the themes of Palestinian memory and loss. In addition to her art, she is also an activist and campaigner on grassroots issues including not only Palestinian human rights, but also climate change, Indigenous rights, and more. Join us as we talk to Rana about her art, and how it’s an expression and extension of her activist roots and passion.
And Rafeef Dajani joins ATPC to co-host her first podcast.
Links:
- See Rana Nazzal’s Website, https://www.rananazzal.com/
- See a photo tour of Nazzal’s exhibition, 1/1000th of a Dunam
- Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
As we launch our first ATPC episode for 2023, we note that we sadly said goodbye to Nur Watad in December, as she made the decision to move on to new career challenges elsewhere. But we are thrilled to have lined up a very articulate and capable new co-host in the meantime, Ms. Rafeef Dajani. Rafeef has been a friend to CJPME for several years, and more importantly, an ardent participant in the global Palestine solidarity movement. So this is our chance to introduce Rafeef, and have her talk a bit about her journey up until this point.
In this episode, we’re joined by Fida Jiryis, Palestinian author currently living in Ramallah. Jiryis grew up in Lebanon and Cyprus, the daughter of famed Palestinian thinker and leader, Sabri Jiryis. As her family fled Israel’s oppression and wars, Jiryis’ life has spanned the full spectrum of the Palestinian people’s forced fragmentation: in Israel, the West Bank and the diaspora. Her writings include several collections of Arabic short stories; a contribution to the book, Kingdom of Olives and Ash, a Washington Post bestseller; and Amputated Tongue, an anthology of Palestinian literature. Her most recent book, Stranger in My Own Land describes her and her family’s remarkable life journey which is, in many respects, the story of Palestine.
Our lead host, Nur Watad was unable to be present, so ATPC’s backup host, Thomas Woodley, interviewed Ms. Jiryis.
Links from this podcast:
- Obtain a copy of Jiryis’ most recent book, Stranger in My Own Land on Oxford University Press, or Amazon
- Jiryis was also a contributor to Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we’re joined by Rimah Jabr, a Palestinian play wright and theatre director based in Toronto who is currently pursuing her PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies at York University. Rimah’s career arc is far from ordinary: after studying and working in accounting for several years, Rimah finally had her breakout opportunity at age 30, and found herself at Belgium’s Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound. There, while she earned her Masters degree, she wrote and directed a number of plays. With her late start, Rimah is making up for lost time with an ambitious vision which includes her most recent co-production, “Broken Shapes,” with visual Artist Dareen Abbas, which premiered earlier this month and runs through Dec. 4th at The Theatre Centre in Toronto!
Links:
- To Learn more about Broken Shapes
- Purchase tickets to watch Broken Shapes
- Rimah’s ThisGen podcast
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we are joined by Wafa Alzaghal, Palestinian-Canadian President & CEO of The Canadian Arabic Orchestra. Wafa grew up playing the Qanun, also known as the dulcimer, after being inspired by his father’s love for classical Arabic music. Wafa co-founded the Canadian Arabic Orchestra in 2014, and has been busy touring Canada with a repertoire of both Western and Eastern tunes. Join us for a conversation with Wafa to hear about his motivation to establish the Canadian Arabic Orchestra, and his experiences presenting to Canadian audiences.
Learn more:
- Website of The Canadian Arabic Orchestra
- Website of Canadian Arabic Conservatory of Music
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we are joined by Dalia Elcharbini, Palestinian-Canadian contemporary artist and international exhibitor based in Toronto. While Dalia’s artistic style is distinct and unique, she frequently infuses it with symbolism and memories of Palestine. Listen in as we discuss her art, her inspiration, her Palestinian identity and her efforts to use art to help children impacted by war.
Links:
- Dalia Elcharbini’s Instagram
- Dalia Elcharbini’s Website
- Our Stars School Foundation Website
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we are joined by Serene Husni, a video editor, mentor, writer and translator. A Diasporic Palestinian and immigrant from Jordan turned Canadian settler, she calls herself “a displaced human existing between multiple cultures, languages, and locales.” She creates most of her own work in her mother tongue, Arabic. Freely available to watch online, her latest film “Brown Bread & Apricots” (2020) talks about the importance of the pantry in her father’s exiled Palestinian family. The film won the Qayrub Award for “Best Canadian Short Film” from the Toronto Arab Film Festival in 2022. She is also co-writer and co-editor of the recent feature documentary Eulogy for The Dead Sea (2022), directed by Polina Teif. Serene holds an MFA in Documentary Media from the Toronto Metropolitan University.
Learn more:
Check Serene's Work
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this episode, we are joined by Saeed Teebi, a writer and lawyer based in Toronto who has recently released a highly celebrated book of short stories entitled, “Her First Palestinian.” Teebi’s book is a collection of stories about diaspora Palestinians struggling to find their place as immigrants to Canada. It is also one of five books shortlisted for the $60,000 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for Fiction this year. The title story in the book, "Her First Palestinian," was also shortlisted for the 2021 CBC Short Story Prize. Teebi was born to Palestinian parents in Kuwait and has lived in Canada since 1993.
Purchase Her First Palestinian
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian from Nazareth who is currently completing a degree in Interreligious and Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology in Canada. Prior to coming to Canada, Shadia studied International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, as well as Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College in Ireland. She has worked for over 10 years in policy initiatives and peacebuilding in various organizations, both local and international, working with both Palestinians and Israelis. Through her academic and professional work, Shadia seeks to amplify the voices of Palestinian women and create open discussions about the struggles that they face. Much of her work revolves around reconciliation, identity and political mobilization with a certain focus on Palestinian Christians.
Women Behind The Wall Podcast
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Abeer Barakat is a Palestinian lecturer of English at the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza and is a PhD candidate at the University of Putra Malaysia. Abeer is an activist for the Palestinian cause and has done amazing activism work in the field of female empowerment and has provided mothers and children impacted by attacks on Gaza with continuous psychological support. She as well has published a number of academic articles about the Palestinian-Israeli media discourse. Abeer is also apart of Rose2Rose, a Malaysian women NGO that is working for the support of the Palestinian women and children, through education and is a part of MyCARE Malaysia which is a Humanitarian Aid Non-profit organization. In this episode, Abeer joins Nur and Tom to talk about the work she initiated when it comes to providing psychological aid and empowerment to Gazan citizens, its impact, and how Canadians can offer help.
Learn more:
Abeer Barakat's Academic Work
Donate to Rose to Rose
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Nyla Matuk is a Palestinian-Canadian who has a love for poetry and the arts. She has published a poetry chapbook and two acclaimed books of poetry: “Sumptuary Laws” and “Stranger.” Nyla is also the editor of an anthology of poetry “Resisting Canada” a collection of poems by mostly indigenous writers. She has more recently written about her own often traumatic experiences as a Palestinian growing up in Canada in the newly published “Advocating for Palestine in Canada, Histories, Movements, Action.” Join us as we discuss Nyla’s personal journey, and how she found her own unique place advocating for Palestine through poetry and art.
- Link to Fernwood Publishing’s Advocating for Palestine in Canada, where Nyla describes her personal journey of Palestine advocacy
- Link to Nyla’s poetry chapbook Oneiric, her books of poetry Sumptuary Laws, Stranger and her anthology of poetry Resisting Canada.
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Shawky Fahel came to Canada in the 1960’s and started his first business in 1979 with a $1000 loan and nothing more than a few carpet and paint supplies. Based in Waterloo, ON, Shawky became successful businessman, political activist and philanthropist who has received innumerable awards over the years, both at the local and national level, for his various contributions. Yet amidst all this busyness and success, he has remained committed to improving the lives of Palestinians, both in Palestine and in the diaspora in Canada. His most recent philanthropic gesture – one that we’ll discuss during our conversation – was a donation of $100,000 to launch a Foundation for Palestinian Studies at the University of Waterloo.
Learn more:
- Foundation for Palestinian Studies Website
- Foundation for Palestinian Studies at the University of Waterloo Website
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Malak El Batroukh, a Palestinian-Canadian based in Waterloo has just launched an exciting new community project called Sporas (Scattered.) Through this project, Malak aims to make Palestinian culture and tradition more accessible to diaspora youth. In this episode, we talk to Malak about her vision for Sporas, and her broader work as a activist for Palestinian rights and freedom.
Learn more:
· Sporas Instagram page
· Announcement of Malak's undergraduate fellowship from CJPME
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In this special Nakba edition, lawyer James Kafieh joins the conversation. Kafieh has advocated for the rights of Palestinians and Arabs in Canada his whole life, leading both the Canadian Arab Federation and the Palestinian Canadian Congress at various points. Kafieh was born in Canada to Palestinian parents who were among the first Palestinian refugees to emigrate to Canada. Raised as a second generation Canadian, the son of immigrants, hear how his understanding of his Palestinian identity, and the Nakba has evolved over time.
Links from this podcast:
Palestinian Canadian Congress
Canadian Arab Federation
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Like many Palestinian Canadians, Grace Batchoun came to Canada as a young person, and had to find her way in a new country, with two new languages. But she never forgot her Palestinian roots, and two decades after arriving in Canada, she co-founded Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). In this episode, Grace joins Nur to talk about her Palestinian identity, her vision and work for Palestinian human rights, and the challenges she faced along the way.
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Ramadan began on April 2nd, and Palestinian Muslims join other Muslims across Canada in spiritual reflection, in acts of charity, and in gathering in community. In this episode, Nur and Tom are joined by Dr. Munir El Kassem to talk about Ramadan, and how it can strengthen the ties of heritage, history, and identity among Muslim Palestinian-Canadians. Dr. El Kassem also describes what Ramadan traditions are unique to Palestinians, and how being an ethnic minority in North America influences Ramadan observances.
Links from this podcast:
Dr. El Kassem on Instagram
Dr. El Kassem's Website
Dr. El Kassem on TikTok
Dr. El Kassem on YouTube
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In the late 2000s, the Al Asala Dabke group was formed in London, Ontario. Al Asala, is an Arabic word that translates to "authenticity" in English, which is exactly what Al Asala dabke represents, and more! Al Asala is a dynamic group of young people who infuse authentic Palestinian folkloric dance with Canadian influences for a largely digital audience. Through their creativity and media savvy, they have created an huge platform for themselves across Canada, North America, and worldwide. Their energetic videos showing off Palestinian dance steps at weddings and other events– have won them fans in the hundreds of thousands around the world. Today, two members of Al Asala, Omar Hassouneh and Wassef Yasin, join us to talk about their experiences with Al Asala, and their broader vision for this vibrant dance troupe
Links from this podcast:
Al Asala on Instagram
Al Asala Dabke on Tik Tok
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
In 2021, Sarah El Naffar, social media content creator on Instagram and Tik Tok, started using her lifestyle platform to raise awareness on what’s going on in Palestine. She took it upon herself to make her younger audience understand the challenges faced by her country of origin, especially in light of Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and the events that followed in May, 2021. Sarah joins Nur and Tom to talk about her experience as a Palestinian Canadian influencer speaking about Palestine on her social platform, and what she encountered along her journey.
Links from this podcast:
· Sarah El Naffar on Instagram
· Sarah El Naffar on Tiktok
Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to CJPME to support the work that we do.
Welcome to the All-Things Palestinian Canadian Podcast, a project of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. Together, we will dive into the realm of what it means to be Palestinian living in Canada. We will explore all aspects of Palestinian culture and art, as well as history and politics to encourage Palestinian pride and engagement. We will frequently be joined by guests to shed insight and perspective on new and thought-provoking topics regarding Palestine, and Canada!