Alex Kalish is a high school junior hailing from Washington state, whose journey toward advocacy for peace and understanding was sparked by a pivotal moment in Israel on October 7, 2023. Witnessing the aftermath of conflict, Alex was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions – fury, anger, and confusion. Amidst the chaos, he discerned a fundamental failure of leadership on all sides, leading to immeasurable pain, loss, and destruction.
However, what struck Alex most profoundly was the dehumanization pervasive on both sides of those interested in issues related to Palestine and Israel. It was this realization that fueled his determination, along with his neighbor, Kenan Khatib, to make a difference, to bridge the divides, and to foster genuine dialogue and understanding.
In response to this urgent need, Alex founded Voices of Understanding, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together youth from all sides of the conflict. With a mission to facilitate open discussions, mutual sharing, and active listening, Voices of Understanding seeks to empower the future generation to transcend barriers and cultivate empathy and compassion.
Kenan Khatib is a dedicated student at Mercer Island High School and a passionate advocate for open dialogue and understanding across diverse perspectives. He co-founded the organization Voices of Understanding alongside Alex Kalish, with the goal of creating a space where individuals from different backgrounds and viewpoints can come together to discuss complex and sensitive issues, particularly those surrounding the Israel and Palestine conflict.
Kenan’s vision for the organization is rooted in the belief that meaningful conversation is essential for building bridges and fostering empathy. He is committed to ensuring that young people, especially those with differing views, have a platform to engage respectfully, learn from one another, and work toward constructive solutions.
Through Voices of Understanding, Kenan strives to promote a culture of inclusivity, peace, and dialogue within his school community and beyond.
A peacebuilder and leader, Hamze Awawde is committed to inspiring and empowering youth to create change. He previously served as the Regional Manager of the Palestinian Delegation for Hands for Peace. Hamze also recruited young participants for skill-building and conflict resolution programs with YaLa Young Leaders, where he developed the YaLa Online Academy, YaLa Press, and YaLa Social Media channels.
Most recently, Hamze organized and recruited 130 young activists from the Middle East and Africa for a 6-week online leadership course and coordinated an online Facebook for Journalists program with the International Center of Journalists. Hamze earned an MA in Global Community Development from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Birzeit University in Ramallah.
Banan, an Arab-Israeli, was born in Nazareth and grew up in Upper Galilee in Israel. Banan received a B.S. degree in physics, and did graduate studies at the Technion Institute of Science and Technology in Haifa, Israel. Banan was a physics teacher for undergraduate students, and an
Education Program coordinator interfacing with Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 2008, Banan moved to the US, where she raised two children and volunteers at the local schools. Banan is currently works in data analysis and development, and is hopeful for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Jadd Hashem is the Vice President and Palestinian Head of Dialogue for Atidna International, grassroots, college campus-based peace and open dialogue initiative which seeks to solidify Arabs and Jews as cousins, one unified family, and not enemies.
Born in Dallas as a Palestinian-American, Hashem has been active in local politics while campaigning for the total equality of Palestinians in Israel/Palestine.
Elijah Kahlenberg is the founder and current leader of Atidna International. Leading both the Atidna International non-profit and an individual Atidna chapter at the University of Texas at Austin.
Elijah has personally overseen and led various joint dialogues and peace events between Jewish/Israeli and Arab/Palestinian students.
Elijah hopes to dedicate his life to the mission of unity and reconciliation between Jews/Israelis and Arabs/Palestinians, two peoples that he truly believes are one family.
Sadia Akram is Programme Director for Forum for Discussion of Israel and Palestine (FODIP). She was recently the recipient of the national BEDSA award for bringing Jewish and Muslim women together through sports.
Her previous positions include being Senior Governance Manager for Trafford Housing Trust’s flagship development, Limelight in Old Trafford. She has a background in community cohesion and engagement. Her experience has been managing community related projects and implementing engagement techniques with communities.
Sadia is also a practitioner on building good relations and a Director for Good Relations Oldham – a programme to develop better relations between
different communities across the North West. Sadia holds accreditation in Conflict Awareness and Resolution, Mediation and Philosophical Enquiry.
Sadia has an extensive background of working in civic and social organisation, having worked with local housing and interfaith bodies in the Manchester area for over 10 years. She also has post graduate qualifications in Housing Practice and Policy and teaching English as a foreign language. Sadia’s focus in recent projects with FODIP have been for women and young people.
Daniel Mezistrano currently serves as the 100th Grand Aleph Godol (Teen International president) of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO).
BBYO is a Jewish teen movement that aims to help Jewish teens develop their identity and leadership skills.
Daniel supports cross-cultural dialogue and is excited to assist Voices of Understanding in its mission to encourage dialogue on issues related to Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East.
