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The Magician of Casablanca: A Sephardic Woman's Quest to Save Lives in WW2
Discover the little-known history of Nelly Benatar, Morocco's first female attorney, who transformed bureaucratic red tape into life-saving magic during World War II's darkest hours. Beyond the familiar backdrop of the film Casablanca, follow one extraordinary woman's courageous journey from wartime rescue missions to post-war humanitarian work, confronting issues of refugees, immigration, and identity that remain relevant today.
Podcasting since 2025 • 6 episodes
The Magician of Casablanca: A Sephardic Woman's Quest to Save Lives in WW2
Latest Episodes
6. More Exhilarating than Fear
The finale jumps ahead to a very different Casablanca in the 1960s. Nelly reflects on the aftermath of the war and the Holocaust; on the long reach of the Middle East troubles and Israel's statehood; as well as Moroccan independence, postcoloni...
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Episode 6
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38:29
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5. Into the Wilderness
After Operation Torch, Nelly Benatar's humanitarian mission expands to liberating Spanish political prisoners and other victims of fascism from Vichy’s forced-labor camps. While Roosevelt and Churchill plot “unconditional surrender” at the famo...
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Episode 5
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35:52
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4. Torch in the Dark
The war finally engulfs Casablanca as a massive Allied military operation catapults Morocco from the fringe of the conflict to its blazing center. In the shadows, legendary performer Josephine Baker continues her secret work for the Resistance,...
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Episode 4
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35:29
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