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Natalie Baruch is a Network Israel Fellow involved with ACHOTI, a feminist organization. She developed workshops on the perspectives of Mizrahi Jewish women in Israel and Muslim women in Germany.
1. Natalie Baruch, you are involved with ACHOTI, a feminist organization in Israel founded by Mizrahi Jewish women that campaigns for social justice. How did you get involved? And what are you committed to?
I became involved with ACHOTI because I strongly identify with its vision – giving voice to women from marginalized groups, especially Mizrahi women, and promoting social and economic justice. As a social activist, I felt this was the place where I could contribute and be part of a collective of Mizrahi women working for women from all communities in Israel, including Bedouin women, Ethiopian women, and others. I am committed to creating spaces where women can speak for themselves, share their experiences, and influence public discourse and policy. For me, feminism is not an abstract idea – but a principle of equality, solidarity, and building bridges across different communities.
2. Israeli civil society has been under great pressure from many sides for years. Following the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7 and the ongoing war in Gaza: What challenges are you facing, and how could German civil society help?
Civil society in Israel has been under pressure for many years, but since October 7 the situation has become even more complex. On the one hand, we are dealing with deep trauma, grief, and helplessness. On the other hand, civil society is expected to fill the gaps left by the state – to support those displaced from their homes, to fight for human rights, and to keep dialogue alive even in times of polarization, while still believing in peace and shared life. German civil society can help by showing solidarity with activists in Israel who continue to struggle for democracy, equality, and peace – even when it is difficult. Support can come through partnerships, knowledge exchange, and amplifying the voices of those who are often left out of the conversation.
3. This spring, you received a short-term scholarship of EVZ Foundation to collaborate with the Maimonides Educational Institute in Ingelheim. Together, you developed workshops exploring the perspectives of Mizrahi Jewish women in Israel and Muslim women in Germany. What was your impression of the understanding and cooperation between the Jewish and Muslim communities?
The workshops we developed together with the Maimonides Educational Institute showed me how much potential there is in meetings between Jewish and Muslim women, when they take place with honesty, creativity, and solidarity. We discovered that despite different histories and identities, our experiences as women have many common points – in facing discrimination, in maintaining a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, and in the struggle for recognition. The dialogue was not always easy, but it was real. My impression is that cooperation is not only possible but also essential – and it requires patience, trust, and the willingness to listen deeply to one another.
I left the meetings with the feeling that such encounters can lay the foundations for a more inclusive civil society. Beyond cultural exchange, they give us tools to reimagine solidarity across borders – between Jews and Muslims, but also between women from different backgrounds who understand that their struggles are intertwined.
