Peacemaking Amid Polarization: An Introductory Workshop Experience
The Workshop
Using the Israeli-Palestinian crisis as a case study, this interactive workshop explores a holistic approach to peacemaking amid polarization by engaging participants in the political, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of conflict transformation. Through presentation, reflection, discussion, and a perspective-taking exercise, participants will examine why political agreements alone often fail, the foundational narratives that shape our views, and how fear, anger, and grief can be transformed into empathy, trust, and compassion. The workshop invites participants to consider how deep healing and shared moral or spiritual vision can support more lasting reconciliation and partnership.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This event will not be recorded. Please join us live.
The Facilitators
Vanessa Avery
Dr. Vanessa J. Avery, PhD, Executive Director of the award-winning non-profit Sharing Sacred Spaces, Inc., is leading efforts around North America to depolarize, undo bias and misunderstanding, and bring people together in trust and solidarity across differences. Vanessa is known for her work supporting leaders across the country through her Peacemaking Amid Polarization (PAP) series focused on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis – the only vehicle to support leaders in depolarizing efforts in the months following October 7th and the war in Gaza; and she shares from her expertise in grassroots interreligious engagement – a blossoming movement bringing diverse religious congregations together in solidarity through a focus on shared humanity. Vanessa is also Lecturer in Interfaith Engagement at Yale Divinity School; a Fellow at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace; author of numerous articles on Rene Girard, Hebrew Bible, world religions, interfaith understanding, and religion, (non)violence, and peace; and a long-time member of The Colloquium on Violence and Religion (COV&R). You can read more about Vanessa's speaking engagements at www.vanessajavery.org
Yehezkel Landau
Dr. Yehezkel Landau, a dual Israeli-American citizen, is an interfaith educator, leadership trainer, author, and consultant working to promote Jewish-Christian-Muslim engagement and Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding for more than 40 years. While living in Jerusalem he directed the OZ veSHALOM-NETIVOT SHALOM religious peace movement during the 1980's, and from 1991 to 2003 he co-founded and co-directed the OPEN HOUSE Center for Jewish-Arab Coexistence and Reconciliation in Ramle. From 2002 to 2016, Dr. Landau was a professor of Jewish tradition and interfaith relations at Hartford Seminary, where he held the Chair in Abrahamic Partnerships and directed the BUILDING ABRAHAMIC PARTNERSHIPS training program for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He lectures internationally on interfaith relations and Middle East peace issues, has authored numerous journal articles, co-edited the book VOICES FROM JERUSALEM: JEWS AND CHRISTIANS REFLECT ON THE HOLY LAND (Paulist Press, 1992), wrote a Jewish appraisal of Pope John Paul II’s trip to Israel and Palestine in 2000 for the book JOHN PAUL II IN THE HOLY LAND: IN HIS OWN WORDS (Paulist Press, 2005), and authored a U. S. Institute of Peace research report entitled HEALING THE HOLY LAND: INTERRELIGIOUS PEACEBUILDING IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE Dr. Landau earned an A.B. from Harvard University, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a D. Min. from Hartford Seminary. Additional information can be found at www.landau-interfaith.com, and Dr. Landau can be reached at yehezkel@landau-interfaith.com
Further Opportunities
If you are interested in deepening your peacemaking work and further building the skills discussed in this QSS, you may want to attend the 2 1/2 hour in-person Workshop on Peacemaking Amidst Polarization in Chicago, offered as a Pre-Conference Workshop on July 8 at the Chicago Loop Synagogue in conjunction with The Colloquium on Violence and Religion Annual Meeting. Sign up here.
Learn about other Sharing Sacred Spaces events here.
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