Mar 30 2025 38 mins
Join host Zahyr Lauren – aka The Artist L. Haz – as they talk with Palestinian-Syrian culinary phenom and social justice warrior REEM ASSIL about harnessing community power for protection, standing firm in the stories of her people, and food as a force for liberation.
Based in Oakland, California, Reem is the founder of nationally-acclaimed Reem’s California, a bakery and restaurant that builds community across cultures through the warmth of Arab bread and hospitality. She has garnered an array of top accolades in the culinary world – including James Beard finalist for “Outstanding Chef” (2022) and semifinalist for “Best Chef: West” (2018 and 2019), Thrillist’s 2018 “Chef of the Year,” Food & Wine’s “Top 10” list, and many more.
Reem was featured in an episode of Rosario Dawson and Offside Production’s scripted series Normal Ain’t Normal, and the same year released IACP award-winning cookbook Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora.
Before dedicating herself to a culinary career, Reem spent over a decade as a community and labor organizer.
→ Follow Reem on Instagram – @ReemsCalifornia – and check out the gorgeous zine 18 Million Rising just released: Food is Resistance: For the Love of Bread with Reem Assil
→ Join us in supporting the Palestinian-led, community-based work of Gaza Mutual Aid Solidarity – with whom Reem works closely
→ See our site for links to the people, places, and resources featured in this episode
________________________________________
TheSolidarityIndex.com
Tune in to THE SOLIDARITY INDEX on your favorite podcast platform, keep up with us on Instagram, and sign up for The Solidarity Index newsletter to receive new episodes direct to your inbox.
CREDITS
THE SOLIDARITY INDEX podcast is produced by State of Mind Media
Hosted by Zahyr Lauren aka The Artist L.Haz
Created and produced by Jen Bell, Shalva Wise, Stina Hamlin, and Zahyr Lauren Audio editing and production by Stina Hamlin
Audio mix by Matt Gundy and Raquel Saldivar
Logo and identity design by Marwan Kaabour
Art direction, website and additional design by Jen Bell
THEME SONG
Until Everybody Is Free by Bella Cuts – featuring the voice of Maya Angelou
Released on Common Groove (2023)
All proceeds from download/streaming go to the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation...