Dialogue/Not Debate about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict July 13, 2006

Would you like to have a constructive, respectful conversation with people whose views about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are different from yours--without arguing or debating? Are you interested in talking about your hopes, fears, questions, and dilemmas without being attacked or lectured?

The Jewish Dialogue Group invites Jews of all perspectives and backgrounds to an introductory community dialogue:

When: Thursday evening, July 13 -- 7 to 9pm
or Monday evening, July 17 -- 7 to 9pm
(please RSVP and let us know which you prefer)

Where: Children of Abraham
25 Washington Street, Brooklyn
(near the F train's York St station and the High St. Station on the A/C)

What: The dialogue will consist of small-group discussions that encourage people to share and reflect on their concerns, hopes, fears, convictions, and questions; listen respectfully to others; and explore their own and others' perspectives. We will use a format created by the Public
Conversations Project, a non-partisan organization that was founded in 1989 to foster dialogue about difficult issues. Please read below for more details about the workshop and terms for participation.

Who: The Jewish Dialogue Group is a non-partisan, grassroots community organization working to promote constructive dialogue within Jewish communities about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our board members, staff, and volunteers have many different political perspectives, and as an organization, we don't take positions on any issues. Since 2001, we have led nearly one hundred dialogues in synagogues, schools, and other venues throughout the Philadelphia area and New York. For more information, visit www.jewishdialogue.org.

Please RSVP: Space is very limited for this session! If you'd like to come, please let us know as soon as possible which date you'd prefer. Email [email protected] or call 215-266-1218. Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 11.

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WHAT TO EXPECT:
. The dialogue consists of facilitated small group conversations. Participants take turns responding to a set of questions, and then hold a facilitated discussion.

. The dialogue will be a structured conversation, not a debate, a negotiation, or a mediation. We will encourage people to explore their disagreements and their own areas of uncertainty or confusion. We will ask people to seek to understand these uncertainties and differences more fully, not to try to resolve or dismiss them.

. The dialogue will take place in an environment in which participants can speak and be spoken to in a manner that respects their shared humanity and fosters mutual understanding.

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
All participants will be expected to observe the following ground rules:
. Listen attentively.
. Speak honestly in ways that promote learning and genuine inquiry.
. Seek to understand each other.
. Refrain from explicit or implicit attack or persuasion.
. Omit language that any participant experiences as disrespectful.
. Treat what others say as confidential.

Official Website: http://jewishdialogue.org