In the program “We Came to Israel – Israelis Tell Their Stories of Immigration and Absorption,” broadcast on Reshet Aleph, Menachem Perry hosts Nissan Aviv. We present the complete program, divided into eight parts. Enjoy!
In the first part, we hear songs by Nissan and discuss the community and the Aramaic language. We also hear about Nissan himself, who was born in Urmia in 1928. The program also discusses Issachar Ben-Hacham Mashiach, Nissan’s grandfather, and Abraham Sfani, his father, among others.
In the second part, they discuss life in Urmia, the Passover traditions, the preparation of matzah, and the blood libels.
In the third part, there is a conversation with Shoshana Varsano, a listener.
In the fourth part, they discuss Purim as it was celebrated in the community, Tu BiShvat, and some Nash Didan foods.
In the fifth part, there is a conversation with a female listener from Saqqez. They discuss schooling, the meaning of Israel and Jerusalem, and the decision to immigrate to Israel.
In the sixth part, there is a conversation with Rosa Amit (Penchasianov) and Shlomo Efrati, both natives of Urmia.
In the seventh part, we hear a song and a conversation with Sarah Tamir, a native of Urmia who immigrated in 1922. She was the granddaughter of “Sheikh Rafael,” who went to visit the graves of holy men in the 19th century and thereby received that title. The program also speaks with Yosef Levy from the Shapira neighborhood, whose family immigrated from Tiflis.
In the eighth part, Nissan continues the story of his immigration to Israel. They also discuss the Aramaic language and performances in Lishan Didan.