About this episode

Rawan Osman shares her transformative journey from viewing Israel as an enemy to embracing Judaism through education and dialogue.

In this episode of IsraelCast , Steven Shalowitz speaks with Rawan Osman about her extraordinary personal journey and the experiences that transformed her understanding of Israel, Judaism, and the Middle East. Growing up in Lebanon and Syria, Rawan was taught to view Israel and the Jewish people as enemies. She shares how an unexpected encounter with members of the Jewish community led her to question those beliefs, setting her on a path of research, self-discovery, and ultimately, conversion to Judaism. The conversation also explores the impact of October 7, the future of the Abraham Accords, the possibility of peace between Israel and its neighbors, and the challenges posed by rising extremism and misinformation. Through her unique perspective, Rawan offers a compelling look at the power of education, dialogue, and personal relationships to challenge deeply held assumptions and build a more hopeful future.

People in this episode

Host: Steven Shalowitz

Guest: Rawan Osman

Topics covered

• personal journey
• Israel
• Judaism
• Middle East
• peace
• extremism
• education

Keywords

• Israel
• Judaism
• Middle East
• peace
• extremism
• education
• dialogue
• self-discovery

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Jewish community, Abraham Accords

Places: Lebanon, Syria, Israel

More episodes of IsraelCast

• Judge Roy K. Altman on History, Evidence, and the Law · June 24, 2026 · 50 min
• The History They Don't Teach: Melissa Brodsky on Truth, Propaganda, and Israel · June 11, 2026 · 47 min
• Strength After Survival: Sarri Singer on Trauma, Healing, and Resilience · May 27, 2026 · 51 min
• War, Intelligence, and the Future of Israel: A Conversation with Yaakov Katz · May 13, 2026 · 51 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the IsraelCast podcast page.