In November 2005, Josh Vander Velde (’04) co-led an “Encounter Tour” of more than 50 American, Canadian, and British rabbinical students and Jewish educators to Bethlehem, where they met with Palestinian peace activists, including Kroc alumni Zoughbi Zoughbi (’89) and Yousef Al-Herimi (’92). The trip participants, most of whom are studying in Israel for the year, met with Zoughbi at Wi’am, the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center, which he directs. Zoughbi, a Christian, engaged the group in difficult questions, surprising them by beginning his presentation by asking what the word “Palestinian” brought up for them, getting stereotypes out on the table. He then took the group on a tour of the Israeli-built wall that surrounds Bethlehem, emphasizing its impact on daily Palestinian life. The Israeli government has argued that the Wall is necessary to prevent terrorist attacks. Palestinians and Israeli peace activists have countered that the Wall confiscates too much Palestinian land and makes Palestinian daily life impossible.

Later in the day, Yousef, who is Muslim, spoke to the group as part of a panel of Palestinian peace activists sharing their personal stories. He described how, even after the Israeli army demolished his house when he was a young man, he continued on a path of religious tolerance and dialogue. He emphasized how his personal relationships with Jews (such as with his dentist when he was younger) have contributed to his advocacy for peaceful coexistence.

Most of the trip participants chose to receive Palestinian home hospitality for the night, a first-time experience for virtually all of them. One rabbinical student commented, “The most powerful part of the trip was staying overnight at a Palestinian family’s house... Here was a family that was removed from the rhetoric and politics, just living their lives 20 minutes from my own life. I heard their thoughts on daily life, the difficulties and the joys (a recent wedding, a new grandchild). I found myself connecting to their struggle, one human being relating to another. Returning to Jerusalem, I wondered: Is there any way to keep this family in mind in my prayers? How can I pray the traditional liturgy and think about a Palestinian family trying to make a life for themselves in Bethlehem?”

One outcome of the trip is that Josh and six other trip participants have begun studying Islam with Yousef once a month in Bethlehem. Josh, who is studying Hebrew and Jewish religion in Jerusalem, is leading similar groups of students to Bethlehem and Hebron this spring. Zoughbi notes, “Dialogue between open-minded people is a timely response to the terrible things happening in the world. The dialogue of religions and cultures is replacing the dialogue of ignorance.”

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Home > Publications > Peace Colloquy > Issue 9, Spring 2006 > US and Palestinian alumni work together in inter-religious education