August 26, 2024 — New York
Jews once lived in North Africa and the Middle East for millennia and became part of the social fabric of their homelands. Some suffered the indignities of antisemitism and discrimination. Others thrived, but longed for the day they could return to Israel.
There were some 800,000 Jews in these regions after World War II. Barely a decade later, most of them were gone.
This pivotal but little-known piece of history is the focus of The Forgotten Exodus, an award-winning podcast from American Jewish Committee. The second season debuted today. Additional episodes will be released weekly through Sept. 23.
After the war and through the 1950s, Jews left or were forced to flee their homes in North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran. Many came to Israel, where their descendants, known as Mizrahi—referring to Jews who once lived throughout the Middle East and North Africa—are the majority of the Jewish population.
“Whether their ancestors were seeking opportunity, making Aliyah, or fleeing hatred, and regardless of whether they stayed or eventually left, all of our guests this season explained why they have a deep reverence and gratitude for Israel,” said Forgotten Exodus host Manya Brachear Pashman. “Their family stories of resilience and courage offer important lessons about what Israel means for the Jewish people, especially as Jews around the globe have faced more antisemitism since October 7.”
In this season’s first episode, writer and influencer Hen Mazzig spoke about his Tunisian heritage and recounted stories his grandmother told him about crying tears of joy after arriving in Israel by boat.
“And they were so happy, and they were crying because they felt that finally after generations upon generations of oppression of living as a minority that knows that anytime the ruler might turn on them and take everything they have and pull the ground underneath their feet, they are going to come to a place where they are going to be protected. And maybe they will face hate, but no one will hate them because they're Jewish,” Mazzig said on the podcast.
“I always feel like I am living the dreams of my grandparents, and I know that my grandmother is looking from above and I know how proud she is that we have a country, that we have a place to be safe,” he added.
The Forgotten Exodus has received top awards and honors from the Webby Awards, the American Jewish Press Association, Religion Communications Council, and the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts. When season one debuted, it was rated the top Jewish podcast in the U.S. on Apple Podcasts.
Both seasons of The Forgotten Exodus are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
