EVENT POSTPONED: Please note this event has been postponed to a later date this fall. Keep an eye on Happenings emails for a new date coming soon.

Join us for this in-person facilitated event designed to strengthen the relationships in our community through dialogue about October 7th and the ongoing war in Gaza. In our community, as in many other Jewish communities and families, we recognize there are different perspectives about the ongoing hostage and humanitarian crises happening amidst the conflict. By developing a better understanding of the values and experiences underlying our perspectives, we will deepen our mutual respect for one another and strengthen the ties that bind us together. 

The conversation will be facilitated by Cam Scott, a volunteer with Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org), a national organization leading a cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. Braver Angels volunteers lead workshops and other events that are designed to create a safe space for people to discuss differences of opinion on specific issues in a way that creates better understanding and connection.

The Goal: To help those who differ on Israeli-Palestinian relations better understand one another's views and find common ground.

This is for you if:

• You affirm that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and is the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people.
• You affirm the equal worth and dignity of all people, including both Israelis and Palestinians.
• You have strong views that lean towards one side of the divide on this issue.
• You welcome a chance to explain your views to someone on the other side who will listen to you on this issue.
• You are open to listening respectfully and learning something from someone who differs from you on this issue.
• You are okay with following a structure for the conversations aimed at making them as productive as possible.

We recognize there are nuances to this issue, and you will not be asked to defend a position but rather to share your views. Please consider joining us in this safe space for meaningful conversation.

Note this event is for members of Har Shalom only.

When completing the registration below, please answer the following question: Do you support the current policies of the Israeli government regarding the war with Hamas, or do you feel that a different approach is needed?

Cam Scott, MDiv, is a Braver Angels volunteer and an advocate of civil discourse, working to do his part to heal and strengthen our communities and our democracy. As an ordained minister and former Congressional aide who has spent over 15 years in legislative advocacy roles for non-profit organizations, Cam has partnered with elected officials across the political spectrum to accomplish public policy goals on behalf of cancer patients and their families, and on behalf of young parents facing significant adversities. Cam supports the work of bringing people together across differences, not with the expectation that we will all agree, but that we can disagree peaceably and honor our common humanity.

Cam currently serves as Senior Government Affairs Manager for the National Service Office (NSO) for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First, overseeing the state government affairs team and building policymaker support for these two programs and the families they serve. Before joining the NSO in 2018, Cam spent 14 years with the American Cancer Society, advocating for public policies to reduce death and suffering due to cancer. Prior to that, Cam served as co-pastor of a church in Washington, D.C. and worked as legislative director for a member of Congress.