The Wall Between

The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other
A book talk and conversation with Raja Khouri & Jeffrey Wilkinson

Thursday June 13th, 7pm
Canadian Memorial United Church - corner of Burrard St. & West 15th Ave, Vancouver
Live-Stream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/mdSR_o62EoE?si=4wNZHQLwc048NzRa

Vancouver Friends of Standing Together is proud to host a conversation with Jeffrey Wilkinson and Raja Khouri, authors of the recently published book, The Wall Between: What Jews & Palestinians Don't Want to Know About Each Other (Olive Branch Press, 2023).

The Wall Between (www.thewallbetween.org) is about the wall that exists between Jewish and Palestinian communities in the Diaspora. For most Jews, Israel must exist; for Palestinians, the historic injustice being committed since 1948 must be reversed. Neither wants to know why the Other cannot budge on these issues.

The wall is up. Amidst the current grief, trauma and pain, and the intense expressions of distrust and enmity between the Jewish and Palestinian communities in the Diaspora, what can be done to build ally-ship between these communities to further justice and peace? A lot, according to Raja and Jeff.

You are invited to join the authors in a frank conversation about what we can do to reduce polarization between communities in conflict, and how to navigate two groups of victims holding competing narratives, multiple truths, and binary beliefs.

We want to acknowledge that this event is taking place on the Jewish festival of Shavuot and recognize that this may limit the ability for some to attend. It was an unavoidable scheduling conflict and not meant to be in any way disrespectful or exclusionary. We hope those who are able, will join us in the holiday's spirit of learning together.

EVENT INFORMATION:

In person ticket sales end Thursday June 13th at 2pm. After that time, only live stream tickets will be on sale. 

We will gather together, in person and online, to hear Raja Khouri and Jeffrey Wilkinson give their book talk, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other.

DATE AND TIME: Thursday June 13th at 7pm
LOCATION: Canadian Memorial United Church (corner Burrard and West 15th Avenue in Vancouver)
LIVE-STREAM LINK: https://www.youtube.com/live/mdSR_o62EoE?si=4wNZHQLwc048NzRa


WHAT TO EXPECT

You may hear views that make you uncomfortable, and you may have long-held ideas challenged, but please come with an open heart and the expectation of a better way – a third way, as modelled by our friends Jeffrey and Raja. These conversations can be difficult and painful – but the fact that we can have them is also profoundly hopeful.


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The Questions and Answers (Q&A) portion of the evening will be done digitally. Please bring your smartphone with you to access the Q&A forum via QR code. The Q&A forum can also be accessed with this link for those who prefer to avoid QR codes and for folks attending virtually: https://app.sli.do/event/bZS6CAePjaegcLEXbTcs4Q

We will also offer index cards and pencils for those attending in person who might prefer to write their questions down.

We will NOT be able to accommodate an open mic, or have an open chat online, or be able to monitor that space.

SECURITY

Safety is our top priority. We expect a safe space for everyone and will have a zero-tolerance policy for attempts to disrupt the event. No flags, posters, placards, etc., will be permitted. 
You may be asked for ID at the door, so please be sure that you bring it with you. Please leave large bags and backpacks at home—they may be subject to search if brought into the event.


EVENT DETAILS

THE LOCATION OF THIS EVENT IS CANADIAN MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH at the corner of Burrard and West 15th Ave in Vancouver.
(Your ticket may say St. Anselm's Anglican Church if you purchased it before we changed the venue - please do NOT go there).

The church itself doesn't have a street address so it's a bit confusing. The legal address will take you to the Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace. The actual church building is just across the lane from there. The main entrance to the church is on 15th Avenue, just west of Burrard. The wheelchair-accessible entrance is via the side door on the west side of the sanctuary.

There is some parking, including accessible parking in the lot next to the Centre for Peace (off 16th Ave). There is also ample 2-hour free parking on-street, but please observe parking regulations.
For those attending virtually, you can access the event here: https://www.youtube.com/live/mdSR_o62EoE?si=4wNZHQLwc048NzRa

We will be starting promptly at 7:00pm, so please do not be late.

We are grateful that you’ve chosen to spend the evening with us and hope that it will inspire you in the rugged pursuit of peace, justice, equality and empathy.
Peace,
Vancouver Friends of Standing Together

Huge THANKS to our sponsors for helping make this important event happen:

Ahmadiyya Mosque: www.ahmadiyya.ca/
Canadian Memorial United Church: www.canadianmemorial.org/
Canadian Race Relations Foundation: crrf-fcrr.ca/
JSpace Canada: www.jspacecanada.ca/
Limmud Vancouver: www.limmudvancouver.ca/
NCJWC Vancouver: www.ncjwvancouver.org/
St. Anselm’s Anglican Church:www.stanselms.ca/
Vancouver School of Theology: vst.edu/

Vancouver Friends of Standing Together recognizes with gratitude that our work takes place on traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Coast Salish people. We are so thankful to the Indigenous people who have cared for these lands and waters since before any of us called it home. We hold our hands up to their remarkable resilience, resistance and strength in the face of ongoing dispossession and oppression. As settlers here, we recognize the systemic privileges we have benefited from, and are committed to working towards reconciliation and decolonization.