Everyday Peacemaking

[Virtual Immersion] Palestinian-American Peacemaker & Telos President - Greg Khalil

This Virtual Immersion features a conversation between Greg Khalil (@eternalvagabond) of @thetelosgroup and @jerswigart. It includes remarkable analyses of this current moment in Israel & Palestine, what made it both predictable and preventable, and the outcomes that global power brokers are pursuing. They discuss the power of language to shape realities that either move us toward or away from one another. They challenge us to break agreement with image management, performance, and platform-building if we want to be a part of ushering in a world of mutual flourishing. The conversation culminates with Greg issuing a prophetic call to American Christians to live into the extraordinary and very distinct power and influence we have to promote human security by demanding our own leaders defend human rights.
02:29 Greg intro
10:33 Unpacking this current moment
15:13 Jerusalem
24:05 Problematic Evangelical Theology
26:00 Use of language
36:01 US American Christians
49:03 Closing Reflection

The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.

Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

Learn more about Telos: telosgroup.org

 

Pondering Advent: Expectation Amidst Despair

Osheta and Jer wrestle with Advent and how it exemplifies our posture as Everyday Peacemakers. Osheta explores the gift of pondering as Mary did, waiting in expectation for God’s restoration. Jer confesses deep feelings of despair and discouragement as the violence seems to be winning. Together, they rediscover the deeper truth that in our world obsessed with power, the Advent story reminds us that true strength lies in vulnerability and that Christmas was always about powerlessness.

Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

 

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

 

[Virtual Immersion] Bereaved Mothers Robi Damelin (Israeli Jew) and Layla Alsheikh (Palestinian Muslim)

This special Virtual Immersion conversation is with two peacemakers, Robi Damelin (Israeli Jew) and Layla Alsheikh (Palestinian Muslim), bereaved mothers who share their stories of loss, reflect on the current horror in Israel and Palestine, and encourage us forward on the journey from revenge to reconciliation. Robi and Layla are members of the Parents Circle – a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.

This live conversation was held on November 13, 2023, in partnership with Feast World Kitchen, a Spokane-based nonprofit renowned for its elevation of immigrant chefs and former refugees. Feast took center stage on November 12 in a stirring act of solidarity. Five local chefs, united by their Israeli-Palestinian heritage, crafted a menu featuring traditional recipes from both cultures, showcasing unity amidst the turmoil in Israel and Gaza. The day’s proceeds were dedicated to the Parents Circle. The Parents Circle and Global Immersion have partnered in immersion experiences for American faith leaders in Israel/Palestine, empowering them for the vital work of peacemaking.

Here are five quick links to resources mentioned in the conversation.

1. 1. Parents Circle Jam Session, a collaboration of Israeli and Palestinian mothers and chefs: https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-communities_eng/pcff-women_eng/jam-session_eng/
2. 2. New York Times article by Nicholas Kristof featuring Parents Circle: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/opinion/israel-palestine-war-family-loss.html
3. 3. NPR Interview featuring Parents Circle: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/11/05/1209976575/israel-hamas-war-hope-empathy-personal-stories
4. 4. CNN article featuring Robi and Layla: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/15/us/iyw-israeli-palestinian-hth/index.html
5. 5. An upcoming conversation on Israel/Gaza at Whitworth University in Spokane (11/30 @ 7p): https://forms.whitworth.edu/calendar/event/detail/4152
6.  

Here are the five next steps offered in the conversation:

1. 1. Host a viewing and/or share this conversation.
2. 2. Contact your Member of Congress to demand a ceasefire with this script: https://www.telosgroup.org/advocacy-call-script-call-your-member-of-congress-now/
3. 3. Reach to your Jewish and Muslim kin in your communities.
4. 4. Invest in and subscribe to organizations like Parents Circle, Feast, and Global Immersion that are training peacemakers, mobilizing healers, and incubating dreams.
   - Parents Circle: https://parentscirclefriends.org/donate/
   -Feast: https://www.feastworldkitchen.org/donate
   -Global Immersion: https://globalimmersion.networkforgood.com/projects/206880-support-global-immersion
5. 5. Grow a more holistic, pro-human understanding of and response to the violence in Israel and Palestine by listening to other voices in our Virtual Immersion featuring peacemakers embedded in the trenches of this war on Global Immersion's Instagram and the other “Virtual Immersion” conversations in our podcast feed: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
6.  

The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.

[Virtual Immersion] Jewish Historian and Theologian Jared Goldfarb

In our second Virtual Immersion conversation, we delve into the profound realms of Jewish trauma with Jared, a Jerusalem-based Jewish historian and theologian. Through his personal narrative on October 7th, Jared provides insights into the pervasive fear that extends throughout the Jewish community, exacerbated by the ongoing violence in Gaza—a consequence he attributes to the collision of unaddressed trauma and unchecked power.

Throughout our discussion, we explore various peacemaking themes. Jared emphasizes the influence of language in either reinforcing or dismantling oversimplified binaries and false equivalencies. We delve into the delicate balance between urgency and grief, contemplating how to navigate this tension effectively. We underscore the significance of speaking truth to power and advocating for societal change within our respective traditions, fostering engagement rather than disengagement.

Our conversation also touches on the paradoxical nature of attempting to eradicate an ideology with the very violence that gave rise to it. We highlight the imperative of cultivating a more comprehensive, pro-human understanding and approach in the face of crises. Finally, we speak to the power of acknowledging one’s fallibility—the recognition that we are never entirely right and are inherently prone to error.

The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers who are embedded within the trenches of this war.

Follow Global Immersion on IG: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
Support our work: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/

Bridging Ideological Divides Amidst Power Differentials

Osheta and Jer delve into the challenges of bridging ideological differences when power differentials are at play. Osheta shares a challenging personal experience that kicks off the conversation, sparked by their interaction in Episode 2 where Jer shared a story about bridging differences with his dad.

 

They consider how to move beyond mere thought experiments to grasp the impact of our ideology on individuals from different social locations. Peacemaking is ultimately framed as a process of transformation where each party commits to becoming a better, more holistic, flourishing version of themselves. Key takeaways from this episode include recognizing power imbalances, prioritizing understanding the pain of others, and learning to move at the pace of trust.

 

This conversation is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing discussions about the Israel/Gaza conflict in light of the power differentials involved.

---

Listen to the episode a few weeks ago when Jer shares about bridging differences with his dad, which sparked the conversation in this episode:

https://globalimmerse.org/blog/navigating-deep-disagreement-with-loved-ones-everyday-peacemaking-podcast-s5-ep-2/

 

Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org

Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate

 

Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

[Virtual Immersion] Palestinian Peacemaker & Pastor Munther Isaac

The first conversation as part of our Virtual Immersion into the Israel/Gaza war is with Palestinian pastor, scholar, and peacemaker Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, one of the most profound voices in global Christianity on the crises in Israel/Palestine.

 

We explore his personal experience of what is unfolding, the importance of language in how we speak truth to power and change to society, the unfortunate history of “truth-less Christianity,” and very practical steps each of us can and must take toward “costly solidarity.” Munther concludes by inviting us to follow the Jesus who broke agreements with reputation, platform, power, and comfort in order to usher in restoration.

May God give us the courage to abandon any construction of Jesus that endorses the use of any violence to accumulate and protect our comfort, our safety, our abundance, our agenda.

The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers who are embedded within the trenches of this war.

Munther's Blog: https://christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu/munthers-blog/
Follow Global Immersion on IG: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
Support our work: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/

Softening Our Certainty: Reflections on the Israel-Gaza War

In this deeply personal and prophetic conversation, Jer shares his experiences being on the ground as war broke out in Israel and Palestine. Osheta creates a safe space for Jer to reflect on the situation now in Israel and Gaza. Together, they delve into the complexity of the conflict, seeking to move beyond the dismissive phrase “It’s complicated.” By exploring the roots of pain and trauma that have led to ongoing violence, they encourage a deeper understanding of the conflict and speak to the intimate role of U.S. American Evangelicals in it.

 

Call Your MOCs (Telos Script): bit.ly/telosscriptmoc
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

From the Field: Immersed in the Deep South

In our first “From the Field” episode, the leadership team of the Journey of Hope cohort sat down for a conversation as their immersive experience in the Deep South concluded. They reflect on the profound impact of this immersion into the stark realities of institutionalized and structural racism, sharing some truly transformative moments. The conversation extends beyond this specific journey as they explore the broader significance of immersive experiences to the formation of Everyday Peacemakers. They discuss not only the value of carefully curated immersions like the one undertaken by the cohort but also how immersion can become a regular practice within our local contexts.“From the Field” episodes are recorded on location.

These episodes are a periodic part of our relaunched Everyday Peacemaking Podcast format.

Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

Navigating Deep Disagreement with Loved Ones

Jer recounts the journey with his dad through political, theological and ideological disagreement that came to a head in one particularly revealing conversation. Osheta and Jer delve into the lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of adopting a humble posture, prioritizing understanding over being understood, and embodying one’s beliefs instead of resorting to empty rhetoric. Their practical conversation offers a range of ideas and insights applicable to anyone looking for a hopeful way forward in strained relationships where the divides seem only to be widening in the face of difference.

Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Live Conversation with David Gushee: https://bit.ly/gusheeworkshop
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com

When You Fail at Rest

Osheta’s in a funk! Despite her best intentions, her attempts to rest in the summer were hijacked, and she’s starting the fall feeling depleted. She processes her frustration with Jer, and in the process, they surface surprising insights about befriending feelings of jealousy and disappointment. They dig deeper into approaches to sabbath rest and grapple with the particular difficulty Osheta faced in trying to disconnect as the primary parenting partner. Ultimately, they circle back to how Everyday Peacemakers can plan for and protect rest as a way of life.

Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Live Conversation with David Gushee: bit.ly/gusheeconversation
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com