Brhan Leibman: The Untold Story of Ethiopian Jews, Identity & Survival.

In this episode of Podcast Portugal, Justin West speaks with Brhan Leibman about the extraordinary history of the Ethiopian Jewish community, the dangerous journeys through Sudan that inspired The Red Sea Diving Resort, and the modern realities of identity, migration, race, and belonging in today’s world. Brhan shares personal reflections on heritage, storytelling, social media, and preserving culture while navigating life between multiple worlds — Ethiopian, Jewish, African, Israeli, and global. This is a powerful and deeply human conversation exploring one of the lesser-known migration stories of the 20th century. Together, Justin and Brhan discuss the real events behind the rescue operations that brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, the sacrifices families endured, and why many people still know so little about this history today. The conversation also explores the role of social media in shaping identity and public discourse, especially during times of global conflict and polarisation. Brhan speaks openly about representation, online activism, cultural preservation, and the responsibility of telling stories with honesty and dignity in the digital age. From ancient Ethiopian traditions to modern Israel, this episode offers a rare perspective on resilience, memory, and what it means to belong in an increasingly divided world.