Connecting hearts across the Israeli Palestinian conflict
Listening from the Heart is a transformative program offering a chance to engage in meaningful dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a human perspective. Mor Ynon and Layla Alsheikh will facilitate the program.
The program is brought to us by American Friends of the The Parents Circle - Families Forum. The PCFF is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of more than 700 bereaved families who have lost a close family member to the conflict. Rather than revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.
Workshop: We start with lunch and a peace education workshop. Through compelling videos of personal narratives from bereaved Israelis and Palestinians, Listening from the Heart seeks to generate empathy and cultivate understanding and compassion by challenging binary and simplistic views with more thoughtful and empathetic alternatives. Please fill out this form if you would like to take part in the workshop.
Presentation: Following the workshop is a presentation bringing together two bereaved members to share their stories of loss and their unique choice of reconciliation rather than revenge.
Mor Ynon is based in Tel Aviv. On October 7, 2023, her parents, Belha and Yaakov, were killed in their home in Moshav Netiv Ha’Asara by Hamas. The pain of losing them was a wake-up call and a reminder to pursue peace with a commitment to equality, justice, and security for everyone. Mor worked in global high-tech for 25 years, developing strategies and performance measures. Today she serves as the Israeli co-Chair of the Parents Circle Board.
Layla Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Layla joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.
