Key to healing riven communities? Getting people together. - Harvard Gazette

Rabbi Getzel Davis and Muslim Chaplain Khalil Abdur-Rashid are collaborating to mend the rift between Jewish and Muslim students at Harvard brought on by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Historically, these groups shared a bond, evidenced by joint celebrations and meals, but recent tensions have strained relationships. Committed to reconciliation, they have been meeting weekly since November to share experiences, deepening their friendship while navigating the pain felt within their respective communities. Their partnership emphasizes the power of personal relationships in fostering dialogue and understanding amidst conflict.

Given the divisions that were forming on campus, we knew that we had to be in relationship with each other. We supported each other as colleagues and worked to bring together our communities, both of which are still in very difficult places and feeling a lot of alienation and a lot of fear.

The thing that really drew me to Khalil was his deep care for his community and psychological training which is something we both share. We also speak a lot about the deep commonalities in experiences.

Read at Harvard Gazette