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)

In this episode, Daniel has a poignant conversation with pastor Jason Miller, founder and lead pastor of South Bend City Church. The conversation reflects on the American church's responsibility towards what's happening in Palestine-Israel, and considers some better ways for us to move forward.

Pastor Jason Miller is an advocate for artists and peacemakers, his work beyond South Bend focuses on cultural headwaters and conflict zones, where he serves an international constituency of leaders. He holds a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame. His first book, When the World Breaks, was released in August of 2023. It explores the Beatitudes as paradoxes of transformation. For more, follow Jason on IG @jasonadammiller or check out jasonadammiller.com.

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Show Notes:

South Bend City Church's podcast

When the World Breaks, Jason Miller

The Telos Group

Considering the dark season of pain and lament that Palestinian Christians are going through during Christmas this year, we decided to release this bonus episode that features a sermon by Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac titled "Christ in the Rubble." The sermon was delivered during a special Christmas service called "Christ in the Rubble: A liturgy of Lament" that was held on December 23rd of this year at the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

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In this episode, co-hosts Abeer and Daniel welcome Rabbi Alissa Wise, an active community organizer for justice and a Lead Organizer of Rabbis for Ceasefire. 

Rabbi Wise offers a compelling look into her journey, revealing the intricate layers of her identity as a Jewish rabbi. She eloquently unpacks the subtleties of progressive Jewish advocacy, shedding light on the often-overlooked impact of Christian Zionism on the ongoing crisis in Palestine-Israel. Her rich experience and steadfast commitment to peace furnish the discussion with profound insights, enhancing our comprehension of these multifaceted issues.

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Show Notes:

Rabbi Alissa Wise 

Jewish Voice for Peace

Rabbis for Ceasefire

Rabbis for Human Rights