Beginning this spring, the Department of Religion is excited to host a series of online offerings that will include several opportunities for online engagement and learning. As part of the 150 Forward Strategic Plan, one of our key objectives is to expand Chautauqua’s convening authority year round. Through these online offerings, we aim to build upon Summer Assembly content and to create new and more expansive Chautauqua experiences.  

We are excited to announce two new offerings. A webinar entitled “Israel and Palestine: Dialogue and Relationships Across Divides with the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom” will occur next Tuesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. EDT. This webinar will be followed by a post-webinar discussion series hosted by the Department of Religion’s Melissa Spas and Rafia Khader. The two-session series kicks off Tuesday, April 2 from 3 to 4 p.m. EDT and concludes April 16. Stay tuned as we announce one more online offering beginning in April — you won’t want to miss it!

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Webinar — Israel and Palestine: Dialogue and Relationships Across Divides 

With the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom 

March 26, 3–4:30 p.m. EDT 

Featuring Atiya Aftab, 2022 Interfaith Lecture Series speaker and co-founder, and Roberta Elliott, President of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom 

How do we talk about what’s going on in Israel and Palestine? Five months into the current war, is Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7 still considered a defense after more than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed and the vast majority of hostages have not been released? How do we see what is happening there so differently? While the history of the current situation predates October 7, we find ourselves on opposite ends in a way we never have before. Either you are for Israel or for Palestine — there is no middle ground. Or is there? On Tuesday, March 26, join us for a conversation with Atiya Aftab, 2022 Interfaith Lecturer Series speaker and co-founder, and Roberta Elliott, President of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. Atiya is Muslim and Roberta is Jewish. While they may not agree with one another on every aspect of this issue, working from a firm foundation of friendship and respect, they have identified shared common values — what they emphasize when they dialogue. Join us as we learn how they do it and how the Sisterhood has applied techniques to create space for real dialogue between Muslim and Jewish sisters during this most difficult of times. Through deep listening and emphasizing shared values, these two pioneer leaders will model how to have difficult conversations across deep divides. 

This webinar will be hosted and moderated by Chautauqua Institution’s Senior Pastor Bishop Eugene Sutton, Vice-President of Religion Melissa Spas and Director of Religion Programs Rafia Khader. 

The webinar is free and open to all, but advanced registration is required. 

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Post-Webinar Discussion — Israel and Palestine: Dialogue and Relationships Across Divides 

With the Department of Religion’s Melissa Spas and Rafia Khader 

Tuesday, April 2 and 16 3–4 p.m. EDT 

Following the March 26 webinar with Atiya Aftab and Roberta Elliot, attendees can sign up for an optional two-session discussion series on Tuesday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 16. This discussion series will be led by The Department of Religion’s Vice-President, Melissa Spas, and Director of Religion Programs, Rafia Khader, who both have extensive experience leading online facilitated discussions across faith traditions.  

Guided by the Sisterhood Salaam and Shalom’s techniques to create space for real dialogue across divides, this discussion series will include recommended short readings, facilitated breakout conversations, and more.  

Free – but registration is limited to 26.