The Nightingale of Iran – To develop and implement a media education initiative that will engage learners around the topics of Jewish diversity, Persian Jewish history, Zionism, assimilation, and antisemitism.

In which Jewish spaces can this initiative be implemented? And to which demographic is it geared (age, etc.)

We are excited that this initiative contains elements geared toward multiple demographics.  Part 1 is the creation of a more traditional curriculum around our podcast, The Nightingale of Iran, tailored for 8th-12th grade classrooms, after-school Hebrew education, college students and adult education classes. Part 2 involves live performances to engage community leaders, change makers, educators, and diverse Jewish audiences to raise awareness on the themes in the podcast and accompanying curriculum. Part 3 is a media campaign to expand the reach of our podcast for all ages, broadening the audience for the important themes within it.

What makes media education impactful?

Media education, which utilizes audio and video content, has the power to break down barriers to understanding in unparalleled ways.  We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from listeners all over the world — Jewish, non-Jewish, Iranian (some in Iran), Ashkenazim, MENA Jews — who were inspired by what they learned from The Nightingale of Iran, particularly on difficult topics like Ashkenormativity, Zionism, antisemitism, and Jewish diversity.  Hearing compelling and moving stories about real Jewish people speaking and singing in their own voices enables deep and transformative learning and engages attention and memory in significant ways. 

What is most meaningful to you both about your heritage?

We didn’t grow up with Persian culture, so we’ve had to find ways to connect to this heritage.  For Galeet, the way in has been through music—studying Persian singing with master teachers; learning Persian Jewish songs, and to chant from the Torah with Persian te’amim from our father; creating, recording, and performing her own musical projects; and recently leading High Holiday services as Persian hazzan.  For Danielle, writing The Nightingale of Iran became a journey leading toward new parts of her Iranian identity.