LimmudVan ’15

After spending several years working on a PhD focusing on Israeli-Palestinian bridgebuilding in Vancouver, I earned a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Hebrew University’s Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace Research. My research “came to life” with opportunities to observe and participate in bridgebuilding dynamics involving Israelis, Palestinians and international groups. While I always felt that I was “pushed and pulled” in different directions depending on which facet of the conflict I was exposed to, hearing the personal stories expressed by both sides changed everything. I was able to listen to the damaging narratives that shaped lives and the interactive processes that helped individuals reclaim their dignity. I realized that human beings could reach one another (even momentarily) within these “in between spaces” and “re-situate” their perspectives/worldviews. While I understand the broader structural and ideological constraints involved in realizing “peace”, my experience in Israel taught me an important lesson; when individuals can step back from their collective identities and really be present with “the other”, tremendous growth can be realized.