How difficult is it in a climate of mistrust and anger to advocate this social responsibility?
MS: Your question shows that you are familiar with the difficulties that any social activist faces in their everyday activism. “Mimizrach Shemesh” is really a special institute trying to bring the theological and religious experiences of the Mizrahi Jews into the act of social change. For instance it re-constructs the world of the liturgical music of the Piyut (http://www.piyut.org.il) from the distant past to today’s scene. It isn’t the only place for Mizrahis to re-connect to their heritage – it is a place for every Jew and non Jew to sit together and learn melodies that sing to God almighty. After you learn, sing and rejoice together, you can use this social and cultural power to bring political change. SM: The title of the letter is, “A new spirit.” Explain the significance of this title. MS: Well, Ezéchiel Rahamim, a close friend, a talented author, scholar and the initiator/ entrepreneur of the letter thought that we should look for “New Spirit” in terms of universalizing our ide
