Deepening Our Conversations on Israel & Palestine 

Host: Kehilat Sukkat Shalom
Date: December 17th, 2023 
Time: 4pm-8pm (a light dinner will be served with time for shmoozing)
Location: Clintonville*
*Address to be emailed the day before the event
Questions: Jodi Kushins - Sukkat Shalom Board Chair and Lay Leader - jodiekushins@gmail.com

Since October 7, it’s gotten harder and harder to have civil conversations about Israel & Palestine with people who don’t share our views. For some Jews the issues of the day are black and white, for many others they are a rainbow of grays. Either way, you’ve likely felt uncomfortable at some time since this round of conflict began - when you are with Jewish friends who see and feel things differently, with non-Jewish friends asking your opinion, when you find yourself questioning some of your long-held teachings and beliefs. You may feel reluctant to share your point of view at the same time as you feel compelled to do so.

In this interactive gathering we’ll open space for dialogue about current events in Israel/Palestine. Our time together will be built around the Work that Reconnects (WTR) spiral for reflection - Grounding in Gratitude, Honoring our Pain for the World, Seeing with New and Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth. Jewish communities have been using WTR for decades to support conversations about environmental issues and anxiety around climate change. It also has usefulness for us in this moment. 

We’ll move through the spiral through song, storytelling, one-on-one dialogue, and group activities as we consider the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine, practicing deep listening to hear a range of perspectives on the issues at hand from others in the Central Ohio Jewish community, and envision ways that we can act (as individuals and klal Israel) for the welfare of those living in the region moving forward. As Joanna Macy and Molly Brown write in Coming Back to Life, their guide to the Work that Reconnects, “This is spirit work. It heals and it gives us hope, thereby empowering us on the way to a healing life.”

Shema Israel....Please join us with an open heart and open mind.

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Name
(one submission per guest please!)
 *
Email
Synagogue Affiliation
(please write "N/A" if you are not affiliated with a synagogue)
 *
How did you hear about this event?
 *
What do you hope to gain through this experience? 
(ie - connect with other Jews about current events in the Middle East, hear new perspectives, meet new people wrestling with events in Israel & Palestine)
What do you hope to take from this experience?
(ie - foster new relationships, tools for having courageous conversations about Israel & Palestine)
In order to maintain safe space for courageous conversations, all participants must agree to adhere to the following group guidelines:

KAVOD - RESPECT AND INCLUSIVITY

Respect for and Inclusivity of each person’s unique experience including, but not limited to, honoring preferred gender pronouns, recognizing Judaism is interpreted and practiced in many forms, we come from different socioeconomic classes and experiences, age is just a number.

SHMIRAT HaLASHON - CONFIDENTIALITY 

Stories may leave, names may not.

RAKHAMIM - CARE & COMPASSION 

Practice active listening and active presence.
Practice balanced participation - Step up consciously and step back to make space for others

EMET - HONESTY AND AUTHENTICITY

Practice openness and curiosity - Speak your truth in ways that honor the truth of others. (Use “I” statements to highlight you are speaking from your experience).
Practice self-care, tend to your needs, reach out for support if needed.
Do you agree to following the aforementioned guidelines? *
I would like to contribute a donation to support this event. Suggested donation $18-54. *
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