Searching the Sacred | 10 Women, 3 Traditions

Step into the lives of ten remarkable women who appear in the Quran, Hebrew Scriptures, and Christian Bible, and discover the threads that connect us across faiths.

In each episode, faith leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions come together to explore these stories through personal reflection, insight, and curiosity.

Our conversations are not about finding the “right” interpretation but about listening, wondering, and sometimes experiencing a little “holy envy” for the beauty and depth in another tradition’s story.

Join us as we illuminate the women who shaped sacred narratives—and perhaps see faith, each other, and ourselves in new ways.

Guests on Today's Episode:

Maria Khani: Maria Khani is a Syrian educator, lecturer, and author based in Southern California. She is a proud mother of three children—two sons and one daughter with whom she cofounded A Country Called Syria in 2012, a nonprofit traveling museum and set of art events showcasing the history and culture of their homeland.

For 15 years, Khani served as the Senior Muslim Chaplain in the Los Angeles and Orange County jails, providing educational and spiritual services to incarcerated Muslim men and women. She also works as a public speaker, lecturing on Islam and Muslims at educational, community, interfaith, and governmental institutions, as well as an educator on analytical Quran studies.

Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm: Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm brings a love for ongoing, serious, deep Jewish learning and spiritual growth to her role as Senior Rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation. Over the course of the last 10 years, she has served in various roles at Beth Jacob, including Rabbi-Educator and Assistant Rabbi. Prior to working at Beth Jacob, she was the rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Rock Island, IL. Rabbi Tamar received her Rabbinic Ordination and Masters in Jewish Studies from Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Boston and graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology, and a certificate in Women’s Studies. She lives in St. Paul, MN, with her spouse and two daughters. Together they enjoy cross-country skiing, watching women’s basketball and eating pizza. beth-jacob.org

Rachel Pieh Jones: Rachel Pieh Jones has written about life at the crossroads of faith and culture for the New York Times, Runners World, and more. Her work is influenced by living in the Horn of Africa, raising Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Somaliland and Djibouti for over twenty years. She holds two Masters degrees, is a current PhD student in Intercultural Studies, and works as a ghostwriter and developmental editor. Rachel is the award-winning author of six books including Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus." www.rachelpiehjones.com

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This is a 40 Orchards podcast.

At 40 Orchards, our mission is to create circles for all people to wrestle through biblical texts, so that— together— we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good.

We search through the lens of sacred possibility; assuming there is more to be discovered, questioned, and applied as we listen for how God is still speaking.

You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40Orchards.org

Our opening music is by LesFM

Our closing music is by NCR Music Vibes

Additional music is by Three Music and Scott Holmes Music

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Searching the Sacred | 10 Women, 3 Traditions

Step into the lives of ten remarkable women who appear in the Quran, Hebrew Scriptures, and Christian Bible, and discover the threads that connect us across faiths.

In each episode, faith leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions come together to explore these stories through personal reflection, insight, and curiosity.

Our conversations are not about finding the “right” interpretation but about listening, wondering, and sometimes experiencing a little “holy envy” for the beauty and depth in another tradition’s story.

Join us as we illuminate the women who shaped sacred narratives—and perhaps see faith, each other, and ourselves in new ways.

Guests on Today's Episode:

Fozia Bashir: Anse Fozia Bashir is a Ribaat Graduate (Class of 2024), Rabateen teacher, and women’s learning circle leader in Austin, Texas. She’s passionate about creating women-led spaces for learning and spiritual growth. A devoted mom and a GIS analyst, she brings a global background and a love for homeschooling, fitness, and the outdoors to everything she does. https://www.rabata.org

Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm: Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm brings a love for ongoing, serious, deep Jewish learning and spiritual growth to her role as Senior Rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation. Over the course of the last 10 years, she has served in various roles at Beth Jacob, including Rabbi-Educator and Assistant Rabbi. Prior to working at Beth Jacob, she was the rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Rock Island, IL. Rabbi Tamar received her Rabbinic Ordination and Masters in Jewish Studies from Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Boston and graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology, and a certificate in Women’s Studies. She lives in St. Paul, MN, with her spouse and two daughters. Together they enjoy cross-country skiing, watching women’s basketball and eating pizza. beth-jacob.org

Rachel Pieh Jones: Rachel Pieh Jones has written about life at the crossroads of faith and culture for the New York Times, Runners World, and more. Her work is influenced by living in the Horn of Africa, raising Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Somaliland and Djibouti for over twenty years. She holds two Masters degrees, is a current PhD student in Intercultural Studies, and works as a ghostwriter and developmental editor. Rachel is the award-winning author of six books including Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus." www.rachelpiehjones.com

____

This is a 40 Orchards podcast.

At 40 Orchards, our mission is to create circles for all people to wrestle through biblical texts, so that— together— we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good.

We search through the lens of sacred possibility; assuming there is more to be discovered, questioned, and applied as we listen for how God is still speaking.

You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40Orchards.org

Our opening music is by LesFM

Our closing music is by NCR Music Vibes

Additional music is by Three Music and Scott Holmes Music

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