Voices of Understanding (VOU) is led by Sam Kalish and Kenan Khatib, best friends and next-door neighbors from Mercer Island, Washington. Sam, who is Jewish-American, and Kenan, who is Palestinian-American, have grown up learning from one another’s backgrounds and experiences. Together, they recognized the growing dehumanization of the “other” and the lack of meaningful dialogue among people engaged in conversations about Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East.
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, Palestine, or the Middle East – 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.
As best friends, Sam (who is Jewish-American) and Kenan (who is Palestinian-American) became frustrated with what they saw was the dehumanization of Israelis and Palestinians by all sides. Sam and Kenan also noticed the complete breakdown in the ability for anyone to discuss issues relating to Israel, Palestine, or the Middle East. They saw that anyone who did want to speak about the issues were often unfairly labelled “pro-genocide,” “self-hating Jew,” “pro-Hamas,” or “anti-semitic.”
Started initially by Sam’s older brother, Alex, Sam and Kenan now lead Voices of Understanding to create safe and inclusive spaces where young people with different ideas on Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East 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, Palestine, or the Middle East – 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.
Recently, Voices of Understanding has piloted a program to provide facilitated conversations on other important topics, such as abortion, transgender rights, climate change, gun control, and the U.S.-Iran conflict.