In this episode, Dovid and Nasser discuss the difficulties of showing empathy between Muslims and Jews, especially during times of conflict. They share their own experiences and explain how personal pain can make it hard to recognise the suffering of others. Drawing on lessons from their faiths, they highlight the value of compassion and respect for others, and offer advice on how listeners can develop empathy towards people from different backgrounds.

This is a Mark Schweiger and Larchmont Productions co-production, supported by the Cardinal Partnership Foundation.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com

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

Zionism is a deeply complex and contested word, which acts as idea, a movement and a label.

For many Jews Zionism represents the fulfilment of a centuries-old longing for self-determination, safety, and a homeland in Israel.

It has served as a unifying force, giving a sense of purpose, identity, and collective belonging. For these people, Zionism is a source of pride and connection—spiritually, culturally, and historically.

At the same time, Zionism is a source of profound division—between Jews and non-Jews, Israelis and Palestinians, and even within Jewish and broader communities.

Its association with nationalism, the founding of the State of Israel, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict makes it a flashpoint for political, religious, and ethical debates.

For Palestinians and many others, Zionism is linked to displacement, loss, and ongoing struggle, while for some Jews it has come to mean different things depending on their relationship to Israel and diaspora life.

In this episode The Rabbi and The Imam discuss the origin of the word Zionism, how its meaning has evolved through the centuries - from its ancient religious roots to modern political manifestations - and what it means to both of them today.

On this journey Nasser explains why his upbringing initially made him an anti-Zionist, Dovid tries to distinguish between religious and political zionists, and both discuss how the idea of Zionism has been weaponised by all sides in this conflict.

Links to topics mentioned in the show

Roots

This is a Mark Schweiger and Larchmont Productions co-production, supported by the Cardinal Partnership Foundation.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com

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

In episode two, Imam Nasser Kurdy and Rabbi Dovid Lewis explore the roots of their connections to the land at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, questioning whether an attachment to a land is about ownership, heritage or spiritual longing. They discuss what it means to care so deeply about a place neither was born in, and how faith and religion have shaped their perspectives as a pro-Palestine Muslim and a pro-Israel Jew - both living in Manchester. Can a sense of belonging be shared by different peoples with overlapping histories?

This is a Mark Schweiger and Larchmont Productions co-production, supported by the Cardinal Partnership Foundation.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com

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