In this episode of Abrahamic Voices, hosts Chen Yaakov Kupperman and Mayan Eden sit down with Bezalel Stauber, founder of the Plukt initiative and director of programs fostering dialogue between Israel’s Haredi and Arab communities. Stauber shares his personal journey from growing up in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox society to creating platforms that encourage critical thinking, cultural understanding, and cooperation across divides. The conversation explores his educational background, the evolution of the Haredi community, and the ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion in Israel through open dialogue, shared learning, and mutual respect.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:
• How early life in Jerusalem shaped Bezalel’s views on faith, education, and society.
• The founding of Plukt and its role in building healthy public discourse within Israeli society.
• Why meaningful contact between Haredi and Arab communities is vital to Israel’s social fabric.
• How language, culture, and curiosity can bridge long-standing divides.
• What future initiatives aim to foster cooperation and understanding between diverse populations.

In this episode of Abrahamic Voices, hosts Mayan Eden and Chen Yaakov Kupperman discuss the importance of bridging cultural divides through language and shared experiences. They reflect on their inspiration for starting the podcast, their experiences at a tolerance conference in Abu Dhabi, and their vision for fostering understanding among diverse communities. The conversation emphasizes the significance of cultural fluency, the role of language in building relationships, and the need for open dialogue that transcends political divides. The hosts invite listeners to engage with the podcast and share their thoughts, aiming to create a welcoming space for all perspectives.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:

• Why Cultural connections are essential for understanding and peace.
• Why Language learning fosters relationships and trust.
• The cultural similarities rather than politics.
• Exploring shared histories can help bridge divides.
• Cultural fluency is crucial in building connections.

In this episode of Abrahamic Voices, hosts Mayan Eden and Chen Yaakov Kupperman switch into Hebrew (with plenty of Arabic and English along the way) to unpack how language shapes identity, connection, and courage. They revisit the Abu Dhabi tolerance conference where Jews, Muslims, Druze, and friends sat together in solidarity—including a minute of silence for October 7 victims—and share how those moments inspired this show’s mission. Chen describes Blender, their language‑and‑culture community, and why immersion (learning Arabic in Arabic / Hebrew in Hebrew) builds real understanding.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:
• Why language feels like a “suit”—you show up a little differently in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
• How immersion‑first language learning (not translation) accelerates empathy and cultural fluency.
• How public stands—like calling antisemitism a crime—and gestures of solidarity can reset norms.
• Why real change is long‑term, relationship‑driven work, not quick debates or viral clips.

In this episode, host Michael Peres speaks with Chen Yaakov Kupperman, Founder of Blend.Ar, and Mayan Eden about practical pathways to Arab–Jewish engagement, discuss language education as a tool for day‑to‑day cooperation, lessons from recent regional travel, the role of people‑to‑people initiatives alongside state agreements, and how October 7 shaped personal priorities and public dialogue.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Arabic–Hebrew immersion programs facilitate trust and productive interaction.
• What on‑the‑ground exchanges in the Gulf suggest about normalization beyond formal accords.
• Why sustainable progress requires civil society buy‑in, not only government treaties.
• Ways social media dynamics influence perceptions and what responsible use can look like.
• How post–October 7 experiences are informing community outreach and education efforts.
• Practical steps individuals can take to broaden cross‑cultural contact in daily life.

In this episode of Abrahamic Voices, hosts Mayan Eden and Chen Yaakov Kupperman sit down with Rabbi Dr. Aharon Ariel Lavi, Managing Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center, to explore why interfaith diplomacy is essential to resolving conflicts rooted in myth, identity, and sacred narratives. From his home near the Gaza border, Rabbi Lavi recounts October 7 and shares how religion—often part of the problem—must also be part of the solution.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:
• Why conflicts framed as myths and identities can’t be solved by interests alone—and how ideas have consequences.
• How “connection before correction” builds trust first, enabling honest theological dialogue later.
• What happens when rabbis and imams study each other’s sources (Quran/Bible, Judeo‑Arabic texts) and discover profound overlaps.
• How language learning (Arabic/Hebrew) opens cultural mindsets and improves peacemaking.
• Why social media is a double‑edged sword that can amplify either polarization or peace.
• Rabbi Lavi’s message to both communities: religion is here to stay—so it must be part of the solution.