Episode 68: Challenging the Criminalization of Refugees in Australia August 24, 2012

On August 3 August 2012, owner and publisher of the Australian Jewish News, Robert Magid, printed an op-ed presenting a glaringly racist portrayal of refugees and asylum-seekers. The piece chastised the Australian Jewish communities for demonstrating empathy toward those seeking refuge in the country. In response, the Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) initiated an open letter to Magid.

Malcah spoke with Jordy Silverstein, an executive member of the AJDS to learn more about the debate taking place. Listen to the show here.

More info:
RISE: Refugees Survivors & Ex-Detainees
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition
Jews For Refugees
The Cross Border Collective

Episode 67: Save Darfur vs Sudanese Refugees in Israel August 12, 2012

Tune in to radio613’s latest edition of our series on Jewish Racism & Jewish Anti-Racism. The show features information and analysis about the contemporary oppression of African asylum-seekers in Israel. We interview Lia Tarachansky, independent journalist with The Real News Network and hear from Natalina Kirba, a Sudanese asylum-seeker living in Israel since 2006. The show wraps up with comparisons between Israel and Canada’s current anti-immigrant & anti-refugee regimes.

With music by Nomadic Massive (“Afrika Malik El Umma”) and Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird (“Dumai”).

Airdate: July 16, 2012

Listen to the show here.

To learn more about the struggles of migrants in Israel, check out:
B’nai Darfur
Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel
African Refugee Development Center
Lia Tarachansky’s The Real News report about the beginning of deportations of South Sudanese from Israel

Episode 66: Rhythm in Flame and Jewish anti-racist blogging June 28, 2012

Tune-in to another great episode of your favourite Jewish politics/culture/religious practice radio show and podcast!

In the first half of the show, radio613’s friend and comrade Nomi shares their beautiful Shabbat poem “Rhythm in Flame” set to music, and speaks with Avi about their poem, yeshiva studies, shabbat and training as a sofer.

During part two of the show, we kick off a new series of interviews, conversations and analysis about Jewish racism & Jewish anti-racism. We will be exploring several historical and contemporary moments of Jewish racism and/or anti-racism to deepen our understanding of the dynamics between Jewishness and racism and our commitment to confronting racism in our communities and religious practices. In this first installation of the series, we speak with Erika Davis from the blog Black, Gay and Jewish.

Listen to part1 of the show with Nomi.

Listen to part 2 featuring the interview with Erika Davis.