Khitam Abu Bader: 'Violence is never the answer'

Khitam Abu Bader: 'Violence is never the answer'

Author: 18Forty December 16, 2024 Duration: 1:01:16
Violence is never the answer for Khitam Abu Bader. That's why she tries to fight for peace.
Khitam is helping to build Ma'oz Darom South by promoting regional development in the Negev, collaborating with local leaders, and empowering communities. She has extensive experience in leadership and youth development, previously directing the Raidat Leadership Program for Women at Desert Stars and the Arab sector activities of Krembo Wings for youth with and without disabilities.
The Bedouin social activist finds herself in a complicated position with Israel's military campaign in Gaza: As a person dedicated to creating a shared society in Israel, and as a Palestinian and Arab woman, Khitam mourns Jews, Israelis, and Palestinians. She constantly tries to emphasize our "shared humanity" in the hopes for coexistence.
Now, she joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including what Zionism is for her, how October 7 affected her, and whether peace is possible.
This interview was held on Dec. 11.
Here are our 18 questions:
  1. As an Israeli, and as a Bedouin, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
  2. Can you share more about your experience of October 7?
  3. How have your religious views changed since October 7?
  4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
  5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
  6. What kind of work do you do to create a shared society?
  7. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
  8. What do you see when bringing Arab and Jewish students together?
  9. What is Zionism for you?
  10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
  11. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
  12. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
  13. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
  14. What does the world misunderstand about Israeli society?
  15. What is a book you think everyone should read about Israel?
  16. What do you wish the world knew about the Palestinian and Bedouin communities in Israel?
  17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
  18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel?

What does it mean to live a meaningful life? How do we navigate doubt, find purpose, or understand suffering? 18 Questions, 40 Mystics explores these profound human inquiries through a distinctly Jewish mystical lens. Hosted by Rabbi Benji Levy, this series from 18Forty engages in deep, personal conversations with a diverse global community of thinkers-including rabbis, kabbalists, artists, and teachers-each deeply immersed in mystical tradition. The format is elegantly simple yet expansive: eighteen core existential questions posed to forty different voices, yielding a rich tapestry of perspectives drawn from ancient wisdom and contemporary experience. Listeners will encounter discussions that weave together spirituality, daily practice, and the inner dimensions of faith known as pnimiyut. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about the practical and soulful insights that arise when earnest questioning meets lived spiritual knowledge. Whether you're well-versed in Jewish texts or simply curious about the intersection of mysticism and modern life, each episode offers a unique point of reflection and inspiration. The conversations are intimate and revealing, designed not to provide monolithic answers but to illuminate the many paths toward understanding. Tune in for a journey that is as much about the questions we all share as it is about the diverse, thoughtful responses from those who have dedicated their lives to contemplation. This podcast serves as a rare gateway into the minds and hearts of today's leading mystical practitioners.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 74

18 Questions, 40 Mystics
Podcast Episodes
Shlomo Katz: 'Today's idol worship is self-persecution' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
To Rabbi Shlomo Katz, the song of Torah is the most natural gateway into Jewish mysticism. A spiritual disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo believes that our greatest challenge today is that we lack the courage to…
Tonia Chazanow: 'Every soul has a story' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
Tonia Chazanow believes everyone deserves to have access to Jewish mysticism because it is a tool through which each person can discover and understand the divinity in their own life and help others find theirs.Tonia Cha…
Ora Wiskind: 'The presence of God is everywhere in every molecule' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
As someone who has always been “anti-rational,” Dr. Ora Wiskind finds a world of deeper connection in Jewish mysticism. In particular, she is drawn to the study of Hasidism as a pathway to integrating spirituality into d…
Moshe Idel: ‘The Jews are supposed to serve something’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:18
Professor Moshe Idel has always been curious about what he doesn’t know – it’s what drew him to the world of kabbalistic manuscripts, and ultimately it is what led him to become a philosopher of Jewish mysticism. Moshe I…
Shais Taub: ‘God gave us an ego to protect us’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
Rabbi Shais Taub’s study of mysticism began with a deep dive into the book of Tanya. Now, he believes that mysticism serves as a practical guide for everyday life, one founded in spiritual principles. Rabbi Shais Taub is…