Beyond the Stereotype: A Berlin Author’s Quest to Reveal the Vibrant Culture of Mizrahi Jews.
Zehava Khalfa, an Israeli-Libyan writer based in Berlin, uses her work to shed light on the often-overlooked culture of Mizrahi Jews. She recounts her family’s history in Libya, where her wealthy grandfather suffered under the Nazi regime before the family fled to Israel to live in a strictly religious, isolated village. Khalfa highlights that the rich traditions of Jews from Arab lands remain largely unknown, even to many within the Jewish community in Germany. Living in Berlin allowed her to redefine her own religious practice, such as attending synagogue, which was strictly reserved for men in her childhood environment. Through her cultural programs, she aims to bridge these knowledge gaps and foster a deeper understanding of her Mizrahi heritage
all interview at Jüdische Allgemeine
Writing, Trauma, and Jewish-Arab Heritage
Zehava Khalfa discusses her experience living as an Israeli author in Berlin, emphasizing her deliberate decision to continue writing in Hebrew to preserve her authentic voice. She explains that while the German language initially posed a barrier, it ultimately forced her to more sharply define her identity and origins while living abroad. Khalfa addresses the “invisibility” of Mizrahi (Jewish-Arab) history in Germany and views her work as an attempt to fill this gap in the cultural memory. She describes writing as a process that allows her to process the trauma and silence of her Libyan ancestors and place them into a new context. Finally, she highlights that Berlin has become a place of encounter for her, where she can forge connections between different diaspora groups through projects like the “Middle East Union.”
all interview at Parataxe Symposium