On the tenth episode and season finale of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski sits down with Rachel Leah Jones, an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker who blurs the lines between art and activism.

"I feel like I'm making a film, which, you know, clearly it's, not about me, in any obvious sense, but it's very much about my political self. It's also about me as a citizen. These are my public representatives. They represent what I would like to see this place transform into," shares Rachel, offering a glimpse into the deeply personal nature of her work.

A long-time activist, Rachel's films, including the Emmy-winning "Advocate" about human rights lawyer Leah Tsemel, delve into core issues of identity and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In conversation, Rachel discusses what it was like to pause and think for the past year and how her current projects like Podium, a look at speeches given by the Palestian members of the Knesset over the years, has particular relevance to these times.

Please enjoy this episode and remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/
• Albi: https://albi.org/
• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/
• Rachel Leah Jones webpage: https://www.homemadedocs.com/
• Rachel Leah Jones' Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/homemadedocs/vod_pages

On the ninth episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski sits down with celebrated Palestinian-Israeli actor and playwright Ala Dakka. Dakka comes from a Muslim family in a village in the north of Israel, but grew up in a Jewish community in Beersheba, Israel. He started as a musician but quickly transitioned to acting and, most recently, writing and directing. He is known for his many roles in TV and films. He has gained international recognition for his portrayal of Bashar Hamdan, a Palestinian boxer - one of the leads of the third season of the hit Israeli TV series "Fauda." In a vulnerable conversation, Dakka steers away from a clear ideology or outlook and shares with us a level subtlety often not seen in the West and, instead, shares his doubts and wonder.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/
• Albi: https://albi.org/
• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/
• Ala Dakka's webpage: https://aladakka.com/
• Ala Dakka's socials: https://www.instagram.com/aladakka/?hl=en

On the seventh episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski sits down with acclaimed Israeli author Etgar Keret. Keret also shares his insights on the complexities of modern society and the power of storytelling to challenge the status quo.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/
• Albi: https://albi.org/
• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/
• Etgar Keret's webpage: https://www.etgarkeret.com/
• Etgar Keret's socials: https://www.instagram.com/etgar_keret/

On the sixth episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski speaks with two members of System Ali: Musician, actress, writer, rap and spoken-word artist Samira Saraya and poet, rapper, and accordionist Neta Weiner. System Ali is a Palestinian-Jewish band that has emerged as a powerful cultural force for community building and social change. Together they share what life has been like since October 7th and why they have been on an "emergency tour" ever since.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/
• Albi: https://albi.org/
• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/
• System Ali Homepage: https://www.systemaliband.com/music-eng
• Semira Saraya's socials: https://www.instagram.com/saraya.samira/
• Neta Weiner's socials: https://www.instagram.com/Netaweiner/
• Links to pieces used:
  • System Ali - "No Place Like Jaffa"
  • System Ali - "Mashlamachut? meh shlomch achot? - How Are You Sister?"

This week on Make Art Not War, in light of the election, we're stepping away from our usual format to bring you something special. A live conversation between our executive producer - Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief of The Forward, and writer Adam Mansbach author of "The Golem of Brooklyn." It's a raw, honest look at what storytelling, identity, and a little humor can mean in a moment as charged as this one. We hope this dialogue inspires some reflection—and maybe even a few laughs—as we all brace for whatever comes next.

Learn More:

• You can check out their conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlOUi3KrwB0
• And Adam's new book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737057/the-golem-of-brooklyn-by-adam-mansbach/

On the fifth episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski speaks with Addam Yekutieli, also known by his pseudonym Know Hope. Addam is a prominent Israeli conceptual artist renowned for his socially conscious street art and immersive installations. His projects aim to foster intuitive and empathetic connections and explore the possibilities and re-imagination of larger social and political realities. Addam discusses making art in and out of Israel since October 7th and the ensuing conflict.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/

• Albi: https://albi.org/

• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/

• Curated List: https://albi.org/institute/flagship-impact-artists/

• This Is Limbo Homepage: https://thisislimbo.com/

• Addam Yekutieli's socials: https://www.instagram.com/thisislimbo/

On the fourth episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski talks to Noam Shuster-Eliassi. Noam is a Persian-Jewish-Israeli comedian, performer, and peacebuilder. Noam discusses how growing up in Neve Shalom (Wahat al-Salam), a mixed Jewish-Arab community in Israel, led her to create comedy that is a form of cultural activism, and how she's dealing with the shrinking space for self-expression in Israel.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/

• Albi: https://albi.org/

• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/

• Curated List: https://albi.org/institute/flagship-impact-artists/

• Noam Shuster-Eliassi.: https://www.instagram.com/noam_joon/?hl=en

• Links to pieces used:

• • Noam Shuster at the Wilbur Theater

  • How One Woman Is Using Comedy to Speak Up About Palestinian Rights | The New Yorker Documentary

On the third episode of Make Art Not War, host Libby Lenkinski talks to Mira Awad, a prominent Arab-Israeli singer-songwriter, actress, television host, and political activist.

Mira discusses the "artivism" that has shaped her entire career, how it has guided her during the past year, and her unwavering commitment to bridging divides and promoting coexistence.

Please enjoy this episode and, remember, art is subjective. We hope you will listen with an open mind, and share with your networks.

Learn more:

• The Forward: https://forward.com/
• Albi: https://albi.org/
• The Podcast: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/
• Mira Awad: https://www.miraawad.co/
• Links to pieces used:
  • Excerpt from Mira speaking Tight Rope TED X Talk
  • Hamze Awawde & Magen Inon at Christiane Amanpour's show CNN
  • There Must Be Another Way