Voices of Understanding (VOU) was started by Alex Kalish and Kenan Khatib, neighbors and friends in Mercer Island, Washington, one Jewish-American and one Palestinian-American. Both Alex and Kenan noticed the dehumanization of the “other” and lack of dialogue by those interested in issues related to Palestine and Israel.
Voices of Understanding organizes facilitated, confidential video conversations between high school students who may have different opinions, viewpoints, or perspectives about Israel, Palestine and/or the Middle East. The goal is to encourage safe, confidential, and respectful dialogue.
Our mission is to create safe, confidential, and inclusive spaces where young people with different ideas on Israel and Palestine can engage in open and respectful conversations, share their perspectives, and actively listen to one another without accusations of “anti-semitism” or “pro-genocide”. Voices of Understanding does not take a “side” or have a “position” on Israel or Palestine – the only stance it takes is that people should listen and try to understand a different perspective.
By facilitating meaningful group and/or 1-on-1 confidential video dialogues and promoting cross-cultural exchange, we aim to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges of empathy and compassion.
Alex Kalish, a Washington state Jewish-American high school student, was in Jerusalem on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. Immediately after that incident, his emotions were a combination of rage, confusion, and shock. Alex returned to the United States a few days later.
As time passed, Alex became frustrated with what he saw was the dehumanization of Israelis and Palestinians by all sides. This dehumanization was especially concerning because Alex’s next door neighbor, and close friend, was Kenan Khatib, a Palestinian-American. Alex and Kenan noticed the dehumanization but also the complete breakdown in the ability for anyone to discuss issues relating to Israel, Palestine, or the Middle East. They noticed that anyone who did want to speak about the issues were often unfairly labelled “pro-genocide,” “self-hating Jew,” “pro-Hamas,” or “anti-semitic.”
As a result, Alex and Kenan decided to start Voices of Understanding to create safe and inclusive spaces where young people with different ideas on Israel and Palestine can engage in open and respectful conversations, share their perspectives, and actively listen to one another without accusations of “anti-semitism” or “pro-genocide”. Voices of Understanding does not take a “side” or have a “position” on Israel or Palestine – the only stance it takes is that people should listen and try to understand a different perspective. Although today is the most difficult time to have conversations, it is also the most crucial time to have dialogue.