Who Jew Think You Are

Recorded live at Jewish Book Week in March 2026, this conversation brings together two writers whose books map Jewish histories that rarely make it onto the festival circuit. With a sold-out crowd at Kings Place in London, Samantha Ellis and Jordan Salama talk about language, loss, food, family archives, and what it means to carry more than one Jewish story at once.Our GuestsSamantha Ellis is a playwright, journalist and author, the daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees. Her books include How to Be a Heroine and Take Courage: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life. Her latest, Chopping Onions on My Heart (published in the US as Always Carry Salt), explores Judeo-Iraqi Arabic, a language on the verge of extinction, and what we can and cannot pass on to our children. She also worked on the first two Paddington films.Jordan Salama is an award-winning writer whose journalism at The New Yorker covers migration, culture and the environment across the Americas. His second book, Stranger in the Desert, follows his great-grandfather's trail as a Syrian Jewish travelling salesman in the Argentine Andes in the 1920s, beginning with a binder of family history discovered in his grandfather's basement. Jewish Book Week is London’s longest running literary festival, hosted by the Jewish Literary Foundation. It attracts award-winning authors and thinkers every year for an exciting programme of debates, talks, and performances at Kings Place, London and online. Find out more here. Key TopicsArab Jews: why the term matters, why it's contested, and what it opens upJewish futures: a generational shift in who is telling these stories and why nowYour GuideJudeo-Iraqi Arabic: the Jewish dialect of Arabic spoken by Iraqi Jews, now critically endangeredKubba shwandar: Iraqi Jewish dumplings of lamb and rice, cooked in a sweet and sour beetroot sauceTurcos: the name given to Arabic-speaking Ottoman immigrants in Latin America, Jewish and Christian alikeWant to learn more?Samantha Ellis appeared previously in Season 2: S2E5 Endangered, Not Erased Explore related conversations on Iraqi/Sephardi identity:S3 E2 Plural and Partial with Linda Dangoor S2 E9 Echoes of Aden at the Table with Claudia Mendoza S1 E6 Other Within the Other with Carol IsaacsSupport the podcast!To help keep this project going:You can make a one-off donation of as little as £5 at Buy Me a Coffee,  Or subscribe on Substack 

Our GuestLinda Dangoor is a designer, painter and ceramicist, and the author of two cookbooks. Flavours of Babylon (first published 2011) celebrates the recipes of her Baghdadi Jewish heritage. Her second book, From the Tigris to the Thames (Green Bean Books, 2025), is part memoir, part cookbook, tracing her journey from Baghdad through Beirut, London, Ibiza and Paris. Praised by Yotam Ottolenghi, Claudia Roden, Giles Coren and Nigella Lawson - and Eylan (!). Linda studied painting and graphic design at the Central School in London and is a member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.Website: lindadangoor.com  |  Recipes: lindadangoorcooks.com  |  Instagram: @lindadangoorcreativeliving Key Topics•       Food as identity: Why Linda argues food belongs to the place it comes from, not just the community that cooks it, and why she resists the label 'Jewish food'•       Fear and concealment: What it meant to be Jewish in mid-century Baghdad, the word Israel banned at Passover, and the cost of decades of keeping Jewish identity quiet•       Nostalgia versus memory: The distinction Linda draws between looking back with longing and simply saying how it was Your GuideShort definitions and terms referenced in this episode: •       Babylonian Jews: A Jewish community from Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) who trace their origins to the exile of Judahite captives to Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Distinct from Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities, though often grouped under the broader Mizrahi label•       T'beet: A traditional Iraqi Jewish Shabbat overnight dish. Recipe here•       'Our identity is at once plural and partial': A phrase from Salman Rushdie's 1982 essay Imaginary Homelands, published in the London Review of Books.  Want to learn more?Explore past episodes that also reflect on displacement, Baghdadi Jewish heritage, and food as identity:•       S2E5: Endangered, Not Erased with Samantha Ellis: Iraqi Jewish refugee heritage and the author of Chopping Onions on My Heart•       S2E9: I Tick a Lot of Boxes with Shelley Silas: Baghdadi Jewish and Indian identity, playwright•       S1E6: Other Within the Other with Carol Isaacs: Iraqi Jewish heritage and The Wolf of Baghdad References and Resources•       From the Tigris to the Thames by Linda Dangoor (Green Bean Books, 2025)•       Flavours of Babylon by Linda Dangoor (Green Bean Books)•       Linda Dangoor's recipes at lindadangoorcooks.com•       Imaginary Homelands by Salman Rushdie, London Review of Books, 7 October 1982•       Nigella Lawson's Cookbook Corner review of From the Tigris to the Thames

About This EpisodeDaniel Jonas (guest from S2) got in touch having listened to every episode of "Who Jew Think You Are?"He had questions - 4 of them - just in time for Passover. Questions about the assumptions and biases Eylan has, and what he’s learned from two seasons of conversations.This is the result: an episode where the host becomes the guest, and is held to account for views on faith, Zionism and liberal values; testing blindspots, and exploring together the evolving sense of what a broader Jewish identity can mean.About Daniel JonasDaniel Jonas has Iraqi-Indian Sephardi heritage and brings a background in corporate innovation and interfaith dialogue to his engagement with Jewish tradition. He thinks seriously about Judaism as a legal and ethical framework, and about what honest inquiry requires. He appeared in Season 2 (S2E3: ‘Everything needs to change’).Key TopicsThe assumptions baked into the podcast Jewish essentialism: if everything can be Jewish, is anything Jewish?Zionism: what the word still means, and where Eylan actually standsDoes this podcast matter?Referenced in the episodeThe Guide for the Perplexed Maimonides. Daniel cites it as the origin of honest inquiry within JudaismRabbi Louis Jacobs ‘Judaism does not have a systematic theology’The Lindy EffectMonty Python’s Life of Brian ‘the most Jewish film ever made’Past episodes referencedS2E4 Unity Through Diversity (Dr Isaac Amon)S2E6 Dream and Still Rise (Michael Lomotey)S2E2 A Persian Perspective on Nationalism and Identity (Professor Yaacov Yadgar)S1E9 British Black Jews (Kenneth Awele Okafor)

Spring is in the air and Eylan has news about Season 3.Thank you for subscribing, and for your support of the podcast!You'll get the new episodes arrive as they arrive from April, lucky you.If you know someone who is Jewish, Jew'ish, or Jew-Curious why not share this podcast feed with them, so they can join us in the Jewniverse!There are articles, extras and a community space on Substack - so why not find us there too.The audio was recorded at Lye Valley Nature Reserve in Oxford - which is well worth the visit any time of year - but especially in Springtime!(By the way, next time I record a trailer, I won’t end so many sentences on a rising intonation, or uptalk. It was pretty cringy listening back)

In the Season 2 finale, host Eylan Ezekiel pauses to reflect on the journey of Who Jew Think You Are? - from its origins as a personal quest for connection, to a broader exploration of Jewish futures.  Reviewing the contributions of guests across the season, Eylan discusses how the events of October 7th shifted the conversation from recovery to reckoning, the generational divides around Zionism and identity, and how the provocation that "everything needs to change" acts as a guide for future conversations.About the HostEylan Ezekiel is a writer, producer, and the creator of Who Jew Think You Are?. Drawing on his own Indian-Jewish heritage, Eylan created this space to amplify Jewish voices from the margins - exploring how colonialism, nationalism, and migration shape not only who we are, but who we want to be.Key TopicsThe Pivot: How guest Daniel Jonas’s assertion that "everything needs to change" became the anchor for this podcast’s future.October 7th & Its Aftermath: Navigating the intense pain and polarisation within the community.Generational Shifts: Analysing recent data showing how younger Jews are finding new political homes.Looking Ahead: How Season 3 of Who Jew Think You Are? will focus on re-imagining Jewish futures, solidarity, and new frameworks for belonging.Your GuideShort definitions and terms referenced in this episode:Ashkenormativity: The assumption that Ashkenazi (European) culture and history is the standard Jewish experience.Ubuntu: A Southern African philosophy often translated as "I am because we are."Chevruta: An approach to study in which a pair of students analyse, discuss and debate a text.Halakha: The collective body of religious laws derived from the Torah.Want to learn more?Dive into the full conversations featured in this episode by starting at the beginning of Season 2, or going back to Season 1!References & ResourcesJewish Policy Research - The end of two party politics? (JPR): The institute behind the data cited regarding young Jews and their shifting views on Zionism and political affiliation.Jewish Policy Research - Two years after the October 7 attacks: British Jewish views on antisemitism, Israel and Jewish life: The report into wider generational shift in attitudes.

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.Our GuestClaudia 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.Key TopicsHeritage & Memory: Growing up between Ashkenazi and Adeni influencesFood & Identity: Tamarind, fenugreek, and overnight breads as cultural markersFamily Histories: Stories of escape from Aden and the importance of oral historiesRepresentation: Why Mizrahi and Sephardi voices matter in education and leadershipYour GuideShort 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 JewsTalbis: A henna and candle tradition from across Yemenite Jewry - also used at weddings.Hilbeh / H’oba: A fenugreek-based condiment popular in Adeni Jewish cuisineWant to learn more?Explore past episodes that also reflect on identity, race, and Jewish belonging:S2E5 – Unity Through Diversity with Dr Isaac AmonS2E4 – Everything Needs to Change with Daniel JonasReferences & ResourcesSephardi Voices UK – Oral history project chronicling Mizrahi and Sephardi Jewish experiencesThe Jewish Leadership Council - organisation representing the UK Jewish communityBoard of Deputies Report on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community (2021)

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.Our GuestEliaz 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.Key TopicsRace & Recognition: The tensions and questions Eliaz has faced around his appearance and background in different spacesTradition & Resistance: Why Eliaz insists on preserving accents, melodies, and rituals that others might dismiss or forgetCulture 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 identityYour GuideShort 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 PassoverMelida: 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 ceremonyWant 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 experienceReferences & ResourcesA video with Eliaz explaining more about Bene Israel heritage on his Youtube channel

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.Our GuestAs 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.Key TopicsBelonging without Tokenism: Finding a synagogue community that embraces diversity and dialogueShabbat as Wellbeing: Why switching off is “the greatest environmental move”Your GuideShort 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 portionPluralism: The act of embracing multiple perspectives and truths within a communityWant to learn more?Explore past episodes that also reflect on language, memory, and identity:S2E6 – Endangered, Not Erased with Samantha EllisS1E10 – British Black Jews - a conversation with Kenneth Awele OkaforReferences & ResourcesMichael Lomotey’s Dvar Torah For Parashat Tazria-MetzoraDr Louis Gordon – Scholar of philosophy and Jewish studies; writes on anti-Blackness and pluralismDr 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

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.Our GuestSamantha 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.Key TopicsLanguage as Identity: How Judeo-Iraqi Arabic shaped Samantha’s worldview and what it means when a language is no longer passed onExile & Silence: Why some family stories are left untold and what it means to speak anywayGenerational Trauma & Healing: How memory, ritual, and storytelling can carry both pain and repairFood & Inheritance: From black eggs to aubergine sandwiches, how food brings connection across generations — and why recipes may outlast languagesYour GuideShort definitions and terms referenced in this episode:Judeo-Iraqi Arabic: A historically spoken dialect of Arabic used by Jews in Iraq; now highly endangeredBlack eggs (brown eggs): Eggs slow-cooked overnight with onion skins, often served for ShabbatRosh Hashanah Seder: A New Year ritual practised in some Mizrahi communities, involving symbolic foods and blessingsSofér: A Jewish scribe who writes and repairs Torah scrollsWant to learn more?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 GamlielReferences & ResourcesSamantha Ellis, Chopping Onions on My Heart: On Losing and Preserving Culture (2025), Chatto & WindusOxford School of Rare Jewish Languages – Offers online courses in Judeo-Arabic and other endangered Jewish languagesSarah Sassoon, Shoham's Bangle (2022). Kar-Ben Publishing – A children’s picture book about an Iraqi Jewish family’s migrationKeith Kahn-Harris, Everyday Jews: Why The Jewish People Are Not Who You Think They Are (2025). Icon Books