Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser believes that it’s important to listen to and engage with other perspectives.
That’s why he’s inviting Ahmed Alkhatib, a Palestinian American humanitarian activist, to speak at Temple Emanuel in Kensington on Sept. 5.
Alkhatib is the founding head of Realign for Palestine, an Atlantic Council program that aims to challenge violent extremism, divisive narratives and hatred through policy and action. The project focuses on promoting nonviolence and a two-state solution, according to the organization’s website.
On Sept. 5, Rosenwasser will moderate a Q&A session with Alkhatib in which the activist will discuss his life growing up in Gaza City, immigrating to the United States and founding an organization focused on “advanc[ing] a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
When Rosenwasser saw Alkhatib’s posts on social media a year ago, he thought the activist’s takes were thoughtful and nuanced in light of the Israel-Hamas war: “My first impression was, ‘Wow, this guy is really brave, really courageous.’”
“In light of everything going on in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank today, people should be nuanced and thoughtful,” Rosenwasser said. “I was really moved and impressed by his clear advocacy on behalf of the Palestinian people without unnecessarily demonizing Israel.”
The rabbi appreciated that Alkhatib was “very willing” to critique the Israeli government and also “very willing” to critique Hamas.
“This is … I think someone who really believes in a better future for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” Rosenwasser added. “And unfortunately, there’s not that many voices like that out there right now.”
He reached out to Alkhatib in the summer of 2024, and the two had a conversation to plan the speaking event. Rosenwasser hopes to learn more about Alkhatib’s background and how the activist speaks to both Israelis and Palestinians who have differing perspectives.
“And what can we, as a liberal Jewish congregation, do to support him?” Rosenwasser asked.
Rosenwasser acknowledged that a discussion related to the Israel-Hamas war isn’t easy. But he said the solution is to listen.
“I think we do our best to remember — at least in my community — we all have the same goal, which is a better, more peaceful future for Jews, for Arabs, for Israelis, for Palestinians, and we maybe have different perspectives on how to get there,” he said.
He draws the line, however, at “extremes” in either direction.
“I’m also OK with saying that certain perspectives are not welcome here,” Rosenwasser said. “If you believe Israel is illegitimate or has no right to exist, this is not the community for you. At the same time, if you believe Israel can do no wrong and the Palestinians should be wiped off the face of the Earth, this is also not the right place for you.”
But engaging in meaningful dialogue is healthy, according to Rosenwasser.
“I think it’s fine to agree and disagree and challenge each other,” Rosenwasser said. “I enjoy being challenged. I feel like I’ve learned a lot from my teachers, my congregants.”
He added that he’s visited Israel twice since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
“I just think we can’t ignore the issue,” he said. “I don’t think it’s wise for us to disengage right now. I think we need to be there, and we need to stand strongly in the middle. You can be pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian at the same time; there doesn’t need to be a conflict between the two. … I don’t think living side by side in peace should be controversial.”
This event aligns with Temple Emanuel’s history of welcoming diverse perspectives.
“As a liberal Zionist synagogue that believes in the existence of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic homeland for the Jewish people and also wants to see Palestinians living in their own state side by side with Israel in peace, we try to lift up these voices,” Rosenwasser said.
Last year, Temple Emanuel hosted two representatives from the West Bank-based nonprofit organization Roots, which aims to foster dialogue and, eventually, trust between Israelis and Palestinians, for a Shabbaton.
“We had two of their representatives, a Palestinian man and an Orthodox rabbi, come to Temple Emanuel just about one year ago, and I think they really inspired people,” Rosenwasser said. “They taught us that there are a lot of truths out there; there’s a lot of misinformation, and you have to try to listen to other perspectives and angles, even if you don’t agree with them, even if they make you uncomfortable.”
He added that members of Temple Emanuel seem to “want to hear those kinds of messages.”
The Temple Emanuel community is also launching a book club this year through which members will read books by both Israeli and Palestinian authors.
“My goal is [that] everyone is uncomfortable at some point,” Rosenwasser said. “I think you need to really try to understand the conflict and the history and context.”
He looks forward to the conversation with Alkhatib, which he said will go “beyond the sloganeering and bumper stickers and TikToks” — the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict can’t be boiled down into mere “sound bites.”
“I’m hoping he’ll inspire us,” Rosenwasser said of Alkhatib. “Things look dire right now, but perhaps there’s a way out. I hope he’ll inspire us to keep learning and hearing from different perspectives and to keep challenging one another.”
