Making a Place: In Conversation with Michael Twitty and Nate Looney
Monday, Mar 31, 2025
Monday, March 31 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
Livestream
$15 Single Lecture
Join award-winning culinary historian Michael Twitty and Nate Looney for a thought-provoking conversation on identity, belonging, and inclusion within the Jewish community. Through the lens of history, personal narrative, and lived experience, Twitty and Looney will explore how Jewish spaces can be more inclusive of diverse backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives. Their dialogue will highlight the intersections of race, culture, food, and identity, offering insights into fostering community and connection in today’s world.
About the Speakers
Michael Twitty is an award-winning culinary historian and food writer, specializing in African American and Jewish food traditions. He is the author of the acclaimed books The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South, which won the James Beard Foundation Book Award, and Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew. Twitty’s work explores the intersections of food, culture, and identity.
Nate Looney is Director of Community Safety & Belonging at The Jewish Federations of North America. A social entrepreneur, diversity strategist, US Army veteran, and urban farmer, Looney has dedicated his career to advancing equity and inclusion in Jewish spaces. He serves on the National Young Farmers Coalition’s Policy Setting Committee, Dayenu’s Advisory Council, and boards including Jewish Multiracial Network, Urban Adamah, and JQ International.
This timely conversation will challenge, inspire, and provide actionable insights on making Jewish communities more welcoming and representative of their full diversity.
