In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg sits down with Reverend Fr. Iyad Twal*, the executive vice president at Bethlehem University and a professor of theology. Together, they look at Fr. Twal’s Jordanian roots, his deep connection to the Holy Land, and his mission of keeping hope alive. Their conversation explores topics such as the challenges facing Christian communities in the Middle East, the role of education in fostering interfaith dialogue, and the importance of preserving cultural and religious identity. They also talk about the value of experiencing the Holy Land firsthand in order to understand the “geography of salvation”. They conclude by discussing the role of major themes, such as justice, reconciliation, resilience, and hope, within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

*On December 17, 2024, Fr. Iyad was appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Jordan.

With gratitude to the production team - Daniel Schwake, Gabriel Mitchell, and Avrum Burg - as well as Eli Krogmann and David Turjman for making this season of Jerusalem Talks possible.