Galeet Dardashti on reviving Middle Eastern Jewish culture through music

Even though Galeet Dardashti grew up in an Ashkenazi household, she knew she was different. Her family's culture, background and music didn't feel or sound like that of other Ashkenazi Jews. But it wasn't until she took a trip to Israel in college that she realized what it meant to be Mizrachi. Not only did she have roots in Iran, but her grandfather was the most famous Jewish singer in Iranian history, known as the "Nightingale of Iran".

That revelation led Dardashti, a singer and anthrolpologist, to learn more about Middle Eastern and North African Jewish culture. She became the first woman in her family to carry on a legacy of distinguished Persian musicianship, and created a six-episode documentary podcast with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and PRX about her grandfather's journey.

On today's episode of Rivkush, The CJN's podcast spotlighting noteworthy Jews of colour, Dardashti—who will be the artist-in-residence at Beth Tzedec in Toronto, hosting mulitple performances this month—emphasizes the need to recognize diversity within Jewish identities, especially in North America, where Ashkenazi culture often dominates the narrative.

Credits

• Host: Rivka Campbell
• Producer: Michael Fraiman
• Music: Westside Gravy

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