In this episode, Jen has a conversation with Kevin Vollrath, an American Christian who has spends time with Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem. Kevin shares about his experiences in the West Bank for the past three years and how he’s seen violence against Palestinians rise since October 7th, 2023. They also discuss disability in the context of the Israeli occupation, and unpack the acute threats and violence wielded against Palestinians living in refugee camps in the West Bank. Kevin also reflects on how his experiences in Palestine have shaped his faith and the calling he feels to continue bearing witness to the struggles of Palestinian communities. 

Kevin Vollrath is a PhD Candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary in Religion and Society. His dissertation research focused on experiences of disability under occupation in Bethlehem. Based in Israel/Palestine for the past three years, has also worked in advocacy and education.

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Resources

"Crowded West Bank refugee camp is the most tear-gassed place in the world," Mondoweiss

The Right to Maim: Debility, Capacity, Disability, Jasbir Puar

In this episode, co-host Abeer has a conversation with Courtney Reeve, a Canadian doctoral student at Durham University, UK, currently residing in the Occupied West Bank to conduct her research with Musalaha, a faith-based organization. They explore a range of topics, including Courtney's firsthand experiences during and after October 7th, her deep insights into the trauma faced by Palestinians, and pathways to reconciliation in Palestine rooted in faith and biblical context. They delve into her pivotal research, "Divine Encounters Amidst War and Occupation: An Immersive Theological Ethnography of Reconciliation Practice at Musalaha," and discuss her impactful work with the organization. Additionally, Abeer and Courtney examine the influential role of film and cinema as educational tools about the ongoing situation in Palestine. This episode offers a unique personal perspective that resonates deeply with the challenges and hopes of those on the ground. Don’t miss this compelling and insightful discussion that shines a light on personal stories and professional studies in the quest for understanding and peace.

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Show Notes:

https://musalaha.org/

In this episode Daniel has a conversation with Thandi Gamedze, a South African poet and educator. They discuss the Kairos Document, which was released by South African theologians in 1985 in response to the theologies of violence and discrimination by the apartheid state and South African church. They also reflect on the impact of that document and its relationship to the Kairos Palestine document, which was released in 2009. In this episode, Thandi recites some of her beautiful poetry that interweaves biblical language with the demands for justice in South Africa and Palestine. You don’t want to miss this episode!

Thandi Gamedze is a South African educator, a writer, and a poet. She works across churches, universities, and NGOs in South Africa, and is driven by a deep commitment to critique and reimagine a world that is just, nurturing, and kind.

Here are the Kairos document and the Kairos Palestine document. We highly encourage you to read these two important documents.

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In this episode, Daniel has a conversation with Mennonite pastor Amy Yoder McGloughlin. They discuss the history of the Mennonite church, and the role that Mennonite theology plays in shaping her advocacy and peace work in Palestine-Israel. 

Amy Yoder McGloughlin is a Mennonite pastor living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the traditional lands of the Lenape people. She received her theological training at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, now known as United Lutheran Seminary. Amy has been actively involved in Community Peacemaker Teams in the West Bank since 2013, and with Mennonite Action since it began in November of 2023.

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In this episode, co-host Jen has a conversation with writer, educator, and activist Azmera Hammouri-Davis. This conversation explores the harms of Christian nationalism and theologies of supremacy, and delves into the scriptures that call us to enact justice and love. Azmera shares about her intersecting identities as a Black Palestinian Christian, poet, and musician, and the ways her faith has shaped her journey of being in solidarity with Palestinians and heeding what Palestinian Christians are calling the Western church to live out.

Azmera Hammouri-Davis, M.T.S is a faith-based writer, poet/MC, educator and independent scholar-practitioner from Kea’au, Hawai’i. She is the proud daughter of a Palestinian-American mother and Black German father and has been teaching and learning the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira for over fifteen years. She is an organizer with the Black Christians for Palestine Network, is a Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference MICAH Ministry Fellow, and founder of Transition Turn Up, a coaching & consulting company that helps  people expand their capacity to experience love, joy and healing even amidst life's difficult turns. In 2016, she founded  Break The Boxes, a popular education organization committed to raising critical consciousness by centering creative expression, and wisdom across faith traditions and generations. She holds a Master of Theological Studies in African/American Religions from Harvard Divinity School and a dual B.A. in Visual & Performing Arts and Social Sciences Psychology from the University of Southern California.

You can learn more about Azmera on her website and follow her on Instagram @azmerarhymes

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Black Christians for Palestine

Lenten Series with Freedom Church of the Poor

US Campaign for Palestinian Rights

Christianzionism.org

In this episode we hear from father David Neuhaus a Jewish-background South African Jesuit priest who is also an Israeli citizen. Fr. Nauhaus shared with us his background of growing up as a Jew in apartheid-era South Africa, and his journey moving to Israel and being transformed by his encounters with both Israelis and Palestinians. This is a very insightful and powerful conversation that you don’t want to miss! 

Fr. David Neuhaus, S.J.,  is a Jesuit priest who teaches Scripture in Israel and Palestine. He has been a long-term member of the Holy Land Catholic Church's Justice and Peace Commission. From 2009 until 2017, he was Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew-speaking and migrant Catholics in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Born in South Africa of Jewish German parents during the apartheid era, he has lived most of his life in Israel and is an Israeli citizen. 

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Article:

As war begins again in Holy Land, Jesuit David Neuhaus hopes Christians can be instruments of peace | America Magazine

In this episode, Jen has a conversation with

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Show Notes:

“Stop! Make space for lament” (article, 2021)

“Being our neighbour’s keeper by lamenting injustice: a Palestinian Christian reflection” (lecture at Christ at the Checkpoint, 2022)

“A prayer of lament and hope” (short devotion, 2023)

“Palestinian Arab undergraduate students’ transition to Israeli higher education: a mixed methods study” (journal article, 2024)

Haaretz article on Palestinian singer, Dalal Abu Amneh

In this episode, Daniel and Jen have a conversation with Anton Deik, a Palestinian Bible scholar, about the biblical understanding of justice and its relationship to mission and evangelism. Anton challenges the prevailing understanding among some Christians that social and political issues are not part of the gospel, and provides a compelling biblical case for the interconnectedness of justice with faith and spirituality, particularly through the ministry of Christ and the Great Commission. 

Anton Deik is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, and is a member of the networking team and board of directors of the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation, lecturer in Biblical Studies with Bethlehem Bible College, and research associate with the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence in the United Kingdom. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen where he researches biblical and Graeco-Roman conceptions of justice.

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Show Notes:

Blood Brothers, Elias Chacour

Justice and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation, Naim Ateek

Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible Through Palestinian Eyes, Mitri Raheb

This is a rich conversation Daniel and Jen had with Matthew Vega, a Black-Mexican theologian at the University of Chicago. Topics discussed during the conversation include an exploration of black theology, the history of black solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, and theodicy--how we can make sense of God's presence in the midst of immense suffering.

Matthew Vega is a PhD Candidate at the University of Chicago Divinity where he is researching theology, race, and class. You can follow him on IG @collegepopout.

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The Cross and the Lynching Tree, and Black Theology and Black Power, James Cone

Freedom is a Constant struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement, Angela Davis

The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race, Willie James Jennings⁠

Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God, Delores Williams⁠

In this episode, Abeer and Jen have a conversation with Shadia Qubti, a Palestinian Christian scholar and activist. In the conversation, Shadia shares about her experience being Palestinian with Israeli citizenship and the challenges and barriers that Palestinian women often face. We also discuss the Western church’s role in peacebuilding, practices for decolonizing solidarity, and the idea of seeking positive, constructive peace.

Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian Christian who has worked in peace-building and advocacy initiatives for 15 years. She is particularly focused on amplifying the voices and perspectives of women and other minorities in various ways, one of which was in the Women Behind the Wall podcast, which she hosted previously. Shadia was born and raised in Nazareth. She studied International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College in Ireland. Shadia recently completed a second MA degree in Interreligious and Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, where she completed her thesis, "A Theological Conversation between Palestinian and North American Indigenous Understandings of Land." Shadia is currently working as the Community Engagement Animator at Trinity Grace United Church in Vancouver, Canada. You can follow Shadia on IG @shadiaqubti (where she will share her Master’s Thesis upon request). 

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Show Notes:

Women Behind the Wall Podcast

“Do Not Be Afraid–A Palestinian Reflection on Advent,” Shadia Qubti, Sabeel Cornerstone

“Palestinian Christians reflect on a Christmas like no other,” Shadia Qubti and others, Canadian Mennonite Magazine

“Land and People,” Andrea Smith in A Land Full of God

Galtung Institute for Peace Theory and Peace Practice“Timeline: Israel’s Attacks on Gaza Since 2005,” Al Jazeera (including the 2014 War)