From Calcutta to Philadelphia: Baghdadi-Indian Language and Identity with Rahel Musleah

Rahel Musleah, an award-winning journalist and educator, discusses her roots as a Baghdadi-Indian Jew from Calcutta. Rahel details the history of her name, explaining how the Arabic pronunciation ‘Musleah’ contrasts with the Hebrew ‘Matsliach’ due to her family's Iraqi origins. She describes her linguistic upbringing as primarily British English, yet deeply infused with Hindustani and Judeo-Arabic heritage words like awafi and kabrowed. Through leading heritage tours to India and preserving her father's Baghdadi melodies, Rahel celebrates her multifaceted ancestry. She concludes by emphasizing her dedication to passing down these unique, blended traditions to her grandchildren.Heritage Words – conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives – is produced by the HUC Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect.Host and producer: Sarah Bunin BenorAssistant producer: Kyle Elbaz FingerhutEditor: Avishay ArtsyVideo editor: Talia EhrenbergTheme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.