Can a Rabbi and an Imam Ever Be True Friends?

The Rabbi and The Imam Live at London's JW3

In this special live recording from JW3 in London, Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy sit down for a raw, honest, and deeply moving conversation about what it actually takes to build a bridge across a historical divide, with Q&A session with the audience at the end. The event took place 26 April 2026, just three days before the knife attacks a couple of miles away in Golders Green, which have shaken so many who live or have friends there, and the much wider community. Listening back now, there is something very moving about hearing a rabbi and an imam on stage together, in a room full of people, choosing to sit with difference rather than walk away from it. You can also watch this conversation on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/KKaunN7a47M This is a Mark Schweiger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schweigermark/] and Larchmont Productions [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipberman/] co-production. If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What does the Quran Actually Says About Jews? A Rabbi and an Imam Break It Down

In the last episode Imam Nasser Kurdy and Rabbi Dovid Lewis discussed a specific ‘Hadith,’ a narration cited by extremists that suggests Muslims and Jews are destined to be enemies.  The response from listeners raised more questions than it answered. So in this episode, they go deeper and examine what mainstream Islam actually teaches about how Muslims should relate to non-Muslims - particularly Jews - in times of both peace and conflict, and the answers may surprise you. This is a Mark Schweiger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schweigermark/] and Larchmont Productions [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipberman/] co-production. If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can a Rabbi and an Imam Ever Be True Friends?

When a newspaper article [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/17/rabbi-and-imam-brothers-admit-oct-7-nearly-drove-them-apart/] about the Rabbi and the Imam's interfaith work and friendship went public, most of the response was positive. But buried in the Facebook comments was something darker: a stranger claiming that the Imam could not wait to take the Rabbi somewhere to be butchered, with the remark followed by a smiley face. Rabbi Dovid shared the comment with his wife. She stopped what she was doing, looked up at him, and said: "So you're now going to go and sit in a studio with this guy? With a man whose faith, honestly and theologically, believes you have a responsibility to kill him?" That question sits at the heart of this episode. Does one religion really mandate the death of the other? If so, what does it mean for their friendship? Rather than brushing the comment aside, the Rabbi and the Imam use it as a chance to examine one of the most misunderstood and weaponised narrations. What We Get Into: The Comment Itself The exact words, the immediate emotional reaction, and why Dovid says: "It only takes one. And the person is still dead. It does not matter whether or not he was misrepresenting his faith." The Hadith That Extremists Love to Quote Nasser traces the origin of the quote, its context as an end‑of‑times prophecy, and delivers a direct verdict on its relevance today. Al‑Wala Wal‑Bara, Allegiance & Disassociation Nasser clarifies the distinction between friendship and total allegiance, and why the two are not the same thing. Judaism's Red Lines Dovid explains which theological positions would constitute a genuine barrier in Jewish law. Politics Poisoning Religion They examine how the conflict in the Middle East does not just colour geopolitics; it colours how people read their own scripture, and how dangerous that is. This podcast was filmed in a studio in south Manchester and is now available to watch here on our new Youtube channel [https://youtu.be/QbwyKqbwvgw] This is a Mark Schweiger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schweigermark/] and Larchmont Productions [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipberman/] co-production. If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Policing Protests and Hate Crime in Manchester: The Chief Constable Unfiltered

In this exclusive episode, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joins Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy to discuss the major way in how UK forces are policing protests related to the Israel-Hamas war. Following a pivotal joint statement issued with Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in December 2025, police strategy has shifted. Sir Stephen explains why certain chants and slogans - previously tolerated at pro-Palestinian marches - may now cross the threshold into hate crime or public order offences. They explore how this new approach aims to balance the democratic right to protest, with the urgent need for community safety, specifically addressing the rising fear of antisemitism within the Jewish community and maintaining community cohesion for all, including the Muslim community. This conversation dives into the "why" behind the change: How police now assess the context and intent of language like "globalise the intifada". The warning that enforcement will be more "decisive" against hate speech. The reality of policing London and Manchester during a time of heightened terrorist threat. Key Topics Discussed: 00:00 - Introduction: Policing protests in a time of global conflict. 05:12 - Hate Crime Legislation: How police determine if language is criminal. 12:45 - Community Safety: Is the fear in the Jewish community justified? 18:30 - Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: Where is the legal line? 24:10 - Context and Intent: Why it matters when policing marches. 31:00 - Extremism: How a small minority hijacks legitimate causes. 40:15 - Community Cohesion: Are we losing the middle ground? This podcast was recorded in a studio in south Manchester and is now available to watch here on our new Youtube channel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQt-rZ3N7M] This is a Mark Schweiger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schweigermark/] and Larchmont Productions [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipberman/] co-production. If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Big News: Why the King Honoured This Imam

A mysterious letter arrived at the end of last year New Year with huge news from the King. In this special episode, we reveal why Imam Nasser was awarded an MBE and what this recognition means for the future of Muslim Jewish dialogue. From a local initiative to visiting the House of Lords and Buckingham Palace, join Rabbi Dovid and Imam Nasser as they discuss this incredible milestone and ask you to help shape their next conversation. This is a Mark Schweiger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schweigermark/] and Larchmont Productions [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipberman/] co-production. If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.