Amoun Sleem - Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem

Between the Lion and the Stork you'll find the gypsies of Bab Hutta...Amoun Sleem was born and raised in this neighbourhood, and she lives there to this day with the families of her five brothers and four sisters. When I first met Amoun in January 2025, it was four miles north of Bab Hutta in the district of Shuafat at the “Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem.” In the following interview she describes her journey. From anger at the discrimination which cut short her own education, to developing a program that transforms the lives of women and girls in a community where female illiteracy is 80%.After a brief catch-up, the conversation continued as recorded.#domari #jerusalem #hopefortheholyland #pilgrimsofhope #ethicaltourism #babhutta #burjalluqluqIf you would like to learn mo9re about the work of the Domari Society and support their work, please click here:https://www.domarisociety.com/support-a-programTimestamps00:00 - Introducing Amun Sleem and the Domari Society00:43 - The Dom people’s history and roots in India01:42 - On the word "Gypsy" and why it is still used03:09 - Dom, Roma, and Lom: related but distinct groups04:18 - Living between Palestinian and Israeli societies06:01 - How many Dom people live in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza07:16 - Dom neighborhoods in and around Jerusalem08:34 - Crossing checkpoints from Shuafat and Qalandia09:55 - Residency, citizenship, and identity in Jerusalem10:49 - Life in Bab Hutta near Lions Gate13:50 - Growing up in a mixed neighborhood in the Old City15:53 - School discrimination and dropping out as a child18:15 - Returning to education to build a better future18:38 - A large extended family living together in the Old City19:40 - Marriage within the community and more recent intermarriage20:29 - Religion in the Dom community21:35 - Jobs, unemployment, and limited career paths23:37 - Why Amun founded the Domari Society26:12 - Building the nonprofit and opening the center27:10 - Programs for women, children, and struggling families29:31 - Skills training that helps women earn from home30:46 - The Domari language as a spoken-only language32:10 - Cultural differences in look, weddings, and traditions37:47 - Family history in the same neighborhood for more than 120 years39:42 - The community’s historical movement through the Middle East40:21 - A young woman from tutoring to law school42:25 - Why men in the community struggle with addiction and low opportunity44:29 - Summer camp, school supplies, and children’s activities45:59 - The impact of war, COVID, and funding cuts49:32 - Tourism, visitors, and how they used to support the center51:34 - Amun’s message to listeners in the UK and USA52:23 - Travel limits and the need to raise awareness53:25 - What would happen if the community center closed54:42 - Domari food, hospitality, and cultural sharing56:21 - Final thoughts on visiting Jerusalem and supporting the communityNotable quotes"We are one of the most discriminated society in the Holy Land.""In the place of anger, I turn it to a place where I can really make bridges between us and between others.""If we close this community center, it's mean the gypsies not exist in the Holy Land."