EP#185 | GUEST | Empathy & Activism: A Jewish Student's Perspective on Gaza
📄 Episode Overview
In Episode #185, Ray Doustdar interviews 21-year-old Jewish peace activist Elijah Kahlenberg, offering a powerful conversation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Elijah shares his personal journey, from his diverse Jewish heritage to forming the Atia movement on college campuses. The episode explores the impact of youth-led activism, the complexity of Zionism, and the transformative power of empathy.
🌟 Key Takeaways
• Elijah's unique Ashkenazi and Sephardi background shaped his worldview on the conflict.
• Atia, the student group he co-founded, fosters dialogue between Jews and Palestinians.
• Empathy, historical understanding, and mutual recognition are key to peace.
🧠 Summary
Elijah Kahlenberg, a Jewish college student and activist, uses his life story to challenge traditional narratives around Israel and Palestine. Growing up with contrasting Jewish family histories, Elijah sought out Palestinian voices in high school, which led to deep, transformative conversations. In college, he co-founded Atia, a student organization that brings together Jews, Arabs, Zionists, and anti-Zionists to engage in honest dialogue and build community.
Through initiatives like campus peace events and dialogue circles, Atia promotes free speech and empathy. Elijah also shares his firsthand experiences with the Gaza protests at the University of Texas, describing violent police responses and media manipulation. His commitment to truth and justice has earned him recognition in major outlets like Al Jazeera and MSNBC.
🔎 Practical Tips
• Seek firsthand perspectives from those directly affected by conflict.
• Encourage open conversations on divisive topics through respectful dialogue.
• Use digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram to elevate suppressed voices.
📚 Research Spotlight
The "New Historians" in Israel, such as Ilan Pappé and Benny Morris, used declassified Israeli archives to challenge conventional narratives about the 1948 Nakba. Their work provides academic grounding for understanding Palestinian displacement and the roots of ongoing conflict.
❓ FAQ
Q: What is Atia and how is it different from other student movements?
A: Atia combines the Hebrew word for "future" with the Arabic suffix for "our" to mean "our future." It's the first U.S. college movement focused on bridging Jewish and Palestinian students through open dialogue, free speech, and peacebuilding.
⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps
• 00:00 – Opening & Welcome
• 02:30 – Introducing Elijah Kahlenberg
• 07:15 – Elijah's Family History & Jewish Identity
• 13:40 – First Dialogue with a Palestinian Peer
• 18:20 – Launching Atia: Vision and Growth
• 25:45 – Atia's Impact and Peacebuilding Model
• 31:10 – Gaza Protests & State Violence at UT Austin
• 45:00 – Media Narratives and Student Repression
• 50:30 – Zionism vs. Anti-Zionism Explained
• 01:02:45 – Generational Shifts & TikTok's Role
• 01:17:20 – Elijah's Media Appearances & Goals
• 01:26:10 – Final Reflections: One Family Vision
🧱 Final Thought
Peace starts with seeing one another as family, not as enemies. Elijah's story reminds us that the most radical act in conflict may simply be to listen.
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