Sami Shalom Chetrit is a man of many crafts. University professor and scholar, author of several poetry, fiction and theory books, documentary filmmaker and educator, Chetrit was born in Morocco and grew up in Israel, and is now based in New York. His diverse background and exceptionally critical mind has led him to ponder the many, often conflicting elements making up his identity. This tension is well reflected in his writing: Throughout his work, Chetrit offers a trenchant analysis of the political history of the Mizrahim (Sephardi Jews) in Israel — in terms of ethnicity and class struggle — as well as Israeli culture, the education system, and the Jewish-Arab conflict.

Playlist:

Fairouz – Sa’altak Habibi (I Asked You My Love)

Amir Lev – Sami

Zohar Argov – Yam Shel Dmaot (A Sea of Tears)