Episode 92.

Jews had lived in Libya since the third century BCE, but 1967 marked their final expulsion from the majority Muslim country. Raphael Luzon was a child at the time and fled with his family. Like many, they went to Italy. Overnight, his environment changed. Gone were his Jewish, Muslim and Catholic classmates. Gone was the exchange of holiday greetings with Muslim neighbors. But all was not lost. Those relationships had planted a seed, and that seed grew. Over the decades since university, Raphael has used his religious and cultural knowledge, along with his Arabic, Italian and English, to work in journalism, management, and interfaith dialogue. Within this latter sphere, he has brought high-level religious leaders like the Dalai Llama and Catholic cardinals together for constructive interfaith discussions. In this conversation, you’ll hear stories of success, disappointment and perseverance. Especially in these trying times, it's good to be reminded that connection is possible and what it takes to reach that goal.

Highlights:

• Upbringing as an Orthodox Jew in Libya.
• Instances of "gentleman hypocrisy" and the challenges of integrity in public.
• Overcoming challenges and finding common ground through religious literacy, sacred texts and mutual respect.
• The importance of timing and recognizing when constructive dialogue can occur.
• Participants must be a believer and open-minded, not seeing their religion as the ‘right’ way.
• Ongoing initiatives like MENA 2050.
• Libyan unity and justice effort.

Bio:

Raphael was born in Bengasi, Libya. Thrown out of Libya after a bloody pogrom during the “Six Day War”, in 1967 he moved to Rome, Italy, where he lived for 27 years. He then lived in Israel for 6 years, and for the last 24 years, he's lived in the UK.

He completed a degree in Political Science at University of Rome, then worked for 16 years in diplomacy dealing with Organization, Press and Information, Commercial and Economics, and Administration. He was also a press correspondent in Italy, for Israeli newspapers and media, including Maariv and Hadashot and the Israeli Radio Galei Zahal. In Israel Raphael was active in journalism & management. He has also worked for some years as a producer of RAI, Italian TV and I managed to build up the Jerusalem office.

Raphael was as Manager of a company dealing with Judaica items, books, crafts and silver gifts. He is currently a freelance journalist and analyst regarding the Middle East and Arab world.

Raphael’s major interests include politics, movies, reading, opera, oriental music, travelling, computers and interfaith dialogue.

Social Media links for Raphael:

• Website – https://rluzon.net

Transcript on Buzzsprout

Social Media links for Méli:

• Website – the Talking with God Project
• Meli’s email
• LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
• Facebook – Meli Solomon

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.