Mediterranean Recipes and Rhythms: with Ariel Lazarus, Nissimmi Naim-Naor, and Samuel Torjman Thomas

Ariel Lazarus, Nissimmi Naim-Naor, and Samuel Torjman Thomas discuss their diverse Mediterranean Jewish roots spanning Morocco, Gibraltar, and Libya. The guests detail how family histories are preserved through heritage words, explaining how unique dialects like Llanito and Tripolitanian Arabic pronunciations shaped their identities. They describe their upbringing as deeply infused with ancestral traditions, carrying forward heirlooms like chraime recipes and Andalusian piyyutim. Through their respective arts in food and music, the trio celebrates convivencia and the dynamic quality of Jewish culture. They conclude by discussing the vital social aspect of preserving and sharing these tangible and spiritual heirlooms.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.