We are honored to host Dr. Sarah Bernstein and John Munayer of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue in Jerusalem. These presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions.
Holy War or Holy Peace: The Challenges Facing Interreligious Relations in the Holy Land Today
In light of current developments in Israel and Palestine, we will begin with a discussion about interreligious relations and the challenges facing interreligious peacebuilding in the Holy Land. As the polarization within the Jewish population threatens the stability of the state, what does this mean for the future of Jewish-Palestinian relations?
The Star and the Cross: Israel and the Christians of the Holy Land
Who are the Christian communities in the Holy Land? Why is Jewish-Christian dialogue in Israel so different from Jewish-Christian dialogue in the West? A fascinating overview of Israel’s complicated relationship with her Christian minorities will be shared, including an update about recent attacks against Christian sites and clergy and the efforts to combat growing extremism. This session will focus on the history, present and future of the Christian population in the Holy Land.
Coffee and breakfast pastries will be available in the morning and lunch is also included. The program will end with an optional liturgy in our Chapel.
Dr. Sarah Bernstein is the Executive Director at the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue. Dr. Sarah was born in the UK, with a background in law and mediation. Sarah has worked in the field of peace-building and coexistence work since 2000, specializing in interreligious dialogue. She was awarded her doctorate in Peace and Reconciliation Studies by Coventry University in England for her thesis on the theme of ‘Narratives of Belonging: Life Stories of Jewish-Israeli Women in Jerusalem.’ The Israeli editor of the book, “Women of the Book: A Jerusalem Collage”, Dr. Bernstein’s article on “Is ‘Interreligious’ Synonymous with ‘Interfaith’? The Roles of Dialogue in Peacebuilding” was published as a chapter in the book, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Contemporary Challenges and Themes (Pluto Press, 2012). Sarah sits on the Alliance for Peacebuilding Global Advisory Council on Effective Interreligious Peacebuilding, and is a founding Board member of the International Association of Spiritual Care. She lives in Jerusalem.
John Munayer is the Director of International Engagement at Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue. John was born and raised in Jerusalem. John has been involved in peace-building and dialogue initiatives from a young age. He continued to pursue relevant subjects in university, completing a master’s degree in International Relations of the Middle East from the University of Edinburgh, a master’s in Theology and Religious Studies: Building Interreligious Relations from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and a bachelor’s in Religion, Politics and Society from King’s College in London. John also researches, writes and lectures on Palestinian Christian identity, Palestinian Theology and Interreligious Dialogue.
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