Connecting hearts across the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Listening from the Heart is a transformative program offering communities a chance to engage in meaningful dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a human perspective.
Through compelling videos of personal narratives from bereaved Israelis and Palestinians, and a comprehensive Facilitator’s Guide, Listening from the Heart fosters understanding, empathy, and reconciliation.
Listening from the Heart will:
- Generate empathy and cultivate understanding and compassion
- Challenge binary, simplistic views with more thoughtful and empathetic alternatives
- Diffuse tensions and polarization among communities
- Model a humanized and heart-centered approach for meaningful discussion
Discover what's included in our program
Listening from the Heart is a transformative educational program which offers a unique opportunity for communities to engage in meaningful dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a deeply human perspective.
Full-Length Video Testimonies
Recorded testimonies from bereaved Palestinians and Israelis, sharing their stories of loss and their journeys to reconciliation, and Q&A.
Downloadable Facilitator's Guide
A comprehensive guide with preparation and processing activities, and strategies for guiding difficult conversations.
Extensive Online Course
Online modules with options to interact with the content and activities either from at home or in person.
Proudly Endorsed By
Testimonials
"It was an honor hosting the Parents Circle at our International Social Work Caucus event at Columbia School of Social Work. Laila and Robi's stories and teachings are a testament to the extraordinary human capacity to hold space for the 'other' with compassion, even in the face of unthinkable pain. They reminded us of the freedom that comes with forgiveness. We must all learn from them."
Ariana Lehrer-Pinsker
Master's Student, Columbia School of Social Work
"This was a life-changing program for so many of our kids. The fact that we got so many to come out for an opt-in program at the end of a Thursday is remarkable – and shows how much they were hungering for something like this. And Robi and Laya were so wonderful. Honest, raw, vulnerable, and full of love and compassion. It was a beautiful afternoon and we know that our kids will be thinking about (and feeling) this for a long long time. Thank you for helping to make it happen. With profound appreciation."
Yoni Kadden
History Teacher at Gann Academy, Waltham, MA
"Parents Circle represents the best of humanity. Their commitment to a more hopeful future, their belief that reconciliation is a prerequisite for sustainable peace, and their reminder of our shared humanity are critically important lessons for each of us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Nicola Armacost
Mayor, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
"I invited the Parents Circle to speak in our village because there was so much divisiveness and contention surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and I knew they could offer a path to understanding. It was an extraordinary privilege to welcome such a special group to our community, and I am filled with gratitude for their visit and the message they left with us."
Theresa McCaffrey
Community Member and School Board Trustee, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
“It has already had a seismic impact on our community, and we are planning to keep the momentum going in several ways: next week, my peers and I are holding a second debrief space since the first one was so productive; the week after that, we are planting an olive tree on-campus to symbolize peace; and next year, we are forming a Dialogue Club to engage in the civil discourse and reconciliation that you modeled so beautifully for us. This has completely changed the trajectory of our school!”
Lick-Wilmerding High School
San Francisco, CA
“It was incredibly helpful for our university. Members from both 'sides' discussed their concerns in a very emotional though mostly constructive manner. They had not talked with each other before, would look away when passing each other in the residence hall, and thought about the other group that they celebrated civilians dying and believed of themselves that they were no humans. I am grateful for this space our university would have needed much earlier, and want to thank you deeply.”
St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD
“This is what our world needs. I see so many applications to these lessons in our world. We must find these ways to humanize each other and to notice the signs within ourselves when we are dehumanizing others or witnessing others dehumanizing or being dehumanized.”
Rotary Clubs of Michigan
“This was an amazing meeting. I really value the sincere, open and transparent conversations. This gave us a lot of insight into ways that we can support to change the narrative to creating peace and healing. Great structure. Even though it was a very sensitive conversation, it became teaching moment for us all.”
CASA
Washington, DC
"I learned so much from the two speakers. I felt their commitment to peace, understanding, cross-racial empathy, and compassion. Their stories were compelling and full of hurt and love. I felt such warmth coming from the speakers as they shared their stories. My level of understanding and empathy for the lived experiences for people in Israel/Palestine really increased a lot. It is such a different experience to read about it in the news or see it on TV than to listen to two people share their stories as my fellow human beings. Powerful. Educational. Instructive. Illuminating."
Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
McLean, VA
"Our student cohort had a lot of pent up feelings and words that hadn't been spoken before today that got released. Reintegration has proven difficult on top of the standard disagreements on the issue. While the conversation was difficult, the fact that it happened and many of the students with the strongest feelings had the opportunity to share them was needed and powerful. A first step to greater understanding. "
Minerva University
San Francisco, CA
"I think that there is nothing stronger or needed now than the voices for peace of bereaved families who have been hurt most by the conflict. I wanted to share that with our community and give a space for our alumni to come together and hear their voices. I knew this before the program but think this even more now, this is so so so important to show on college campuses!"
Camp Shomria / Hashomer Hatzair
Liberty, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this program for?
The Listening from the Heart program is designed for diverse audiences seeking to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through empathy and reconciliation. Various groups have used this curriculum to address the conflict’s effects in their communities, including:
- Community Leaders and Educators: Tailored for leaders, educators, and facilitators promoting peacebuilding initiatives.
- Students and Academic Institutions: Suitable for universities and high schools to integrate into their curriculum.
- Civil Society Groups and Advocacy Organizations: For groups advocating for peace and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian context.
- Towns and Cities: Accessible to the general public interested in understanding the conflict from a human-centered perspective.
- Workplaces: Employers and HR professionals can use it in diversity training and employee development programs to promote empathy, communication, and conflict resolution strategies.
Why use Listening from the Heart in the United States and Around the World?
Communities across the United States and globally have become embroiled in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fostering divisions and sometimes violence. This conflict’s impact has transcended borders, affecting college campuses, corporate boardrooms, local municipalities, NGOs, and political arenas.
Since October 7, 2023, these divisions have escalated, profoundly impacting American communities and intensifying tensions. When American communities adopt a binary, simplistic view of the conflict, they magnify its complexities and distort the narrative to fit American contexts, which may not accurately reflect the realities experienced by Palestinians and Israelis.
People outside Israel and Palestine will always have a limited understanding of the conflict compared to those living there. This external perspective often exacerbates the conflict’s impact rather than facilitating resolution. It’s ironic that Israelis and Palestinians, who have endured immense loss, are the ones advocating for peace. Outsiders must consider whether their actions and engagement help resolve or worsen the conflict.
The Listening from the Heart program can foster understanding, empathy, and constructive dialogue, addressing the polarization and divisiveness observed in the United States and worldwide.
What will Listening from the Heart accomplish?
The PCFF members are committed to reconciliation and peace despite having paid the highest price in the conflict. By sharing their personal stories, they provide a way forward for all. If they can do it, anyone can. Listening from the Heart aims to:
- Generate empathy and cultivate understanding and compassion
- Challenge binary, simplistic views with more thoughtful and empathetic alternatives
- Diffuse tensions and polarization among communities
- Model a humanized and heart-centered approach for meaningful discussion
Does Listening from the Heart take a side in the conflict between Israel and Palestine or one viewpoint?
This program is not about assigning blame, promoting one-sided narratives, fostering animosity, or perpetuating stereotypes. Instead, it fosters understanding, empathy, and constructive dialogue. It does not offer historical lessons on displacement, wars, or persecution, nor potential political solutions. It respects the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without oversimplifying its nuances.
The goal is to provide a nuanced, humanized perspective, highlighting the experiences of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who have chosen reconciliation.
The program does not force participants to adopt a specific viewpoint but encourages critical thinking, reflection, and open-mindedness. Ultimately, it aims to build bridges and promote peace.
How is the program used?
The Listening from the Heart program consists of five modules:
- Background for Facilitators: This introductory section is designed to orient facilitators to the history, guiding principles and pedagogical background of the program.
- Preparing for the Personal Narrative Exchange (PNE): This section is designed to prepare facilitators for the PNE. It includes preparation activities, strategies, and exercises.
- Presenting the Personal Narrative Exchange: This section includes the videos of the PNE, bios of the speakers and how to introduce and close the presentation of the PNE.
- Processing the Personal Narrative Exchange: This section includes activities and exercises to help participants process, reflect, and engage in a discussion with each other about the PNEs.
- Resources and Appendices: This section includes additional resources, maps, a glossary, and a bibliography.