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Culture is the collective set of beliefs, values, practices, symbols, and behaviors a group shares, shaping their identity and way of life. Culture has been the foundation of our behavior since infancy and shapes our personality. It includes all the elements that unite us as a group. Whether we like certain aspects of it or not, it is part of who we are until we choose to change a behavior rooted in it. We can only do this by being aware of it, identifying its origin, and working on how to change it.
Many people idealize or glorify their cultural identity. But can we think critically about culture without feeling offended or hurt? When the majority of a group behaves in a specific way, is it genetic or a result of education? How deep are these traditions, and do they still make sense today? Can we change behaviors that were reasonable in the past but no longer serve us?
These questions guided me as I chose to tell a humorous story about Moroccan men based on personal observations in the environment I grew up in. While it’s not a scientific study, I described patterns of behavior I’ve noticed throughout my life and shared them with the readers, most of whom are from the United States. But can sharing this description even be understood by people from American culture who have never met a Moroccan Jew?
When Mark and Samantha, who come from entirely different cultural backgrounds, discussed this on their show, their unfamiliarity with Israeli and North African culture led to unexpected reactions. They thought my story was meant to provoke, but it wasn’t. It was an attempt to explore how cultural behaviors shape perceptions and reactions. We still have a long way to go in this journey of cultural exploration if we want to open ourselves to cultures we don’t know.
Building something intangible, like the ideas behind my work, can be hard to articulate. That’s why I value Mark and Samantha’s deep dive into my stories. It helps refine my vision for the broader audience reading and listening to The Liat Show. Shout out to Mark, who noted that even when my ideas seem scattered, they spark necessary conversations. We need to talk about culture constructively, acknowledging both its strengths and flaws. Critiquing aspects of culture that weigh on us mentally for generations isn’t easy, but it’s essential for growth.
While some of the audience is trained and brainwashed to follow writers who focus on one topic, others find it fascinating to read about a variety of topics. They love the surprise of discovering what will pop up on their feed in the morning and are impressed that my knowledge spans many domains.
The series of stories about the history of Tel Aviv’s architecture during the British Mandate, musicians who shaped the Israeli music culture like Berry Sakharof and Rami Fortis, the culinary fusion of Jewish traditions that shaped Israeli food culture, and signature dishes like schnitzel and Burekas might look like a mess. But this mess is my life and reflects the chaos in Israeli minds, juggling survival, existence, and achieving noble goals. The music journey and life of Ofra Haza, or even standalone posts on how history shapes the Arab world today, might seem scattered or like I’m jumping from one topic to another. But there is a method to this madness. These are pieces of a larger puzzle I’m building with the audience, setting the stage for something bigger. This format encourages imagination rather than feeding a pre-defined visual vision. We all need to remember how to use our imagination to find solutions instead of creating more problems.
Mark and Samantha raised a crucial point: Can I accept criticism? While it’s never easy to hear, I welcome it because it drives progress. I’d love to hear your thoughts on their discussion and what you think about The Liat Show. How would you describe it to someone who has never heard of it? Try to notice the difference between recommending it and just describing it. I’m curious to know how you’d describe it, and I welcome you to share your thoughts in the comments or DM me.
To read the blog post they talk about, click the link: One Day, Maybe We'll Meet Again.
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Liat
In this journey, I weave together episodes from my life with the rich tapestry of Israeli culture through music, food, arts, entrepreneurship, and more. I write over the weekends and evenings and publish these episodes as they unfold, almost like a live performance.
Each episode is part of a set focused on a specific topic, though sometimes I release standalone episodes. A set is released over several days to make it easier for you to read during your busy workday. If one episode catches your attention, make sure to read the entire set to get the whole picture. Although these episodes are released in sets, you can read the entire newsletter from the beginning, as it flows smoothly, like music to your ears - or, in this case, your eyes.
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