Interfaiths: From Porto to Miami: Jewish Identity, Campus Climate, and the Path to Dialogue
Interfaiths · Iqbal Akhtar
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Show Notes
In this episode of Interfaiths, we sit down with Jason, an undergraduate student at Florida International University, to explore the diverse textures of modern Jewish identity. Jason shares his unique backstory growing up in Porto, Portugal—a city where he was often the only Jewish person his age—and the culture shock of moving to Miami’s vibrant, highly visible Jewish community.
The conversation delves into the realities of student life post-October 7th, including:
- The Diaspora Experience: Contrasting the tight-knit, reviving community of Porto with the expansive Jewish life in South Florida.
- Campus Climate: A candid discussion on the rise of antisemitism, including a firsthand account of aggressive protests at FIU and the distinction between political speech and hate speech.
- Zionism & Identity: How students navigate the complexities of connection to Israel alongside political nuance.
- The Imperative for Dialogue: Why Jason believes that despite deep divides, Jews and Muslims have a responsibility to act as ambassadors for their communities.
Join us as we discuss how shared values—like the belief that saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity—can help embolden the peaceful majority to bridge the gap during difficult times.