In today's fraught climate, it can be intimidating to navigate conversations with family, friends, and colleagues—especially when you don't see eye to eye—while maintaining respect and curiosity rather than defensiveness. But understanding someone doesn't require agreeing with them.

Creating Connection in Challenging Times is a four-part reading and discussion series designed to help Beth Israel members navigate hard conversations about Israel/Palestine with empathy and openness. Each session explores one of four themes—home, safety, people, and obligation—through a shared text or short film, followed by guided practice in active listening. By focusing on how we hear one another, even when we disagree, this program offers practical tools for building understanding and strengthening relationships.

Each session will be at the Minnie Brown Center on the following dates and times:

November 13, 7:00 pm
December 11, 7:00 pm
January 15, 7:00 pm