Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker shares his personal and ancestral journey as a modern-day Bene Israel man living in Israel. From synagogue melodies to family recipes, and his travels in India and around the world to document a history before it disappears - Eliaz reflects on what it means to honour multiple identities in a world that often demands we choose just one. His story spans continents and generations, challenging assumptions about Jewishness, ethnicity, and belonging.

Our Guest

Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker is a historian, writer, and artist based in Israel. His work explores heritage, identity, and cultural memory. He has authored several books and continues to document the stories of the Bene Israel community through writing, teaching, and public speaking. A special bonus clip and article is on our Substack.

Key Topics

• Race & Recognition: The tensions and questions Eliaz has faced around his appearance and background in different spaces
• Tradition & Resistance: Why Eliaz insists on preserving accents, melodies, and rituals that others might dismiss or forget
• Culture Through Food: From Passover samosas to homemade chai, Eliaz shares what's on his plate.
• Pluralism & Belonging: A powerful story about being told to “just be Jewish” and how Eliaz responds by embracing his whole identity

Your Guide

Short definitions of terms and traditions mentioned in this episode:

Bene Israel: one of the largest and oldest Jewish groups originating from India. Bene Israel translates to ‘children of Israel’ in Hebrew.

Matza: Unleavened bread eaten during Passover

Melida: A Bene Israel ceremonial gathering often held to honour milestones or life events (Recipe here)

Eliyahu Hanavi / Hanabi: Elijah the Prophet, a central figure in Jewish tradition and to the Melida ceremony

Want to learn more? Listen to previous episodes where we discuss identity.

• S2E1: Discussing diverse Jewish national identities with Yaacov Yadgar 
• S2E7: “Being Seen Matters” with Yaffa Judah - another Bene Israel experience

References & Resources

• A video with Eliaz explaining more about Bene Israel heritage on his Youtube channel

Find us elsewhere, here!

Show credits

Host / Producer: Eylan Ezekiel

Post-production: Communicating for Impact

Artwork: Emily Theodore

Music: Aleksafor utransndr Karabanov

Sound effects: Serge Quadrado

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