In this episode, Avraham Burg speaks with Mustafa Akyol, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC, where he focuses on the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity. The pair speaks about Akyol’s upbringing in Istanbul, his career as a journalist and author, and the place of both Jesus and Moses within the Quran and Muslim thought. Throughout, Akyol explores the lengthy history between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, highlighting the many ways that these religions and cultures have impacted each other, both positively and negatively. Akyol also addresses the modern history of Islam and its various moves towards and from liberalism, emphasizing the similarities between this theological journey and those taken by both Christianity and Judaism.

With gratitude to the production team - Daniel Schwake, Gabriel Mitchell, Ben Wallick, Nathan Steinmeyer and David Turjman for making Jerusalem Talks possible.

In this episode, Avraham Burg speaks with Gabriel Reynolds, Professor of Theology at Notre Dame, about his personal and academic journey from suburban Connecticut to becoming a leading scholar of Islamic studies and Comparative Theology. Reynolds shares how his roots in the region, travels to the Middle East, and academic curiosity led him to study the Quran from a historical-critical perspective, emphasizing its engagement with Biblical traditions. They also explore the theological and sociopolitical complexities of Islam’s relationship with Christianity and Judaism, the integration of Muslims in the West, and the evolution of Western Islam, particularly in the United States. Throughout, Reynolds highlights the importance of interreligious understanding grounded in human dignity, while acknowledging deep theological differences between faith traditions. 

With gratitude to the production team - Daniel Schwake, Gabriel Mitchell, Ben Wallick, Nathan Steinmeyer and David Turjman for making Jerusalem Talks possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg meets Sr. Maureena Fritz, a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, professor emerita at the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael's College, Toronto, and the former director of the English Language Sector of the Ratisbonne Pontifical Institute in Jerusalem to discuss her life's journey: from growing up in Canada, pursuing a career in education, relocating to Jerusalem, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg sits down with Alexandra (Ali) Mauritsen, a Notre Dame alumna who spent a year working with the children of refugees and migrant workers at The Saint Rachel Center in Jerusalem. Together they discuss Ali’s diverse background, world travels, and early encounters with global health care systems that encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine. They also talk about Ali’s relationship with her faith, exploring how her Catholic upbringing influenced her philosophy on life. Finally, they reflect on Ali’s transformative visits to the Holy Land, her evolving understanding of the mosaic of identities in the Holy Land,  and her belief in the power of compassion and trust in the abundance of God.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg joins Fr. Anthony Giambrone, who serves as Vice Director of the École Biblique, a research institute for biblical and archeological studies in Jerusalem. They explore the spiritual and historical significance of Jerusalem, contrasting it with Rome and Fr. Giambrone’s American upbringing. Fr. Giambrone reflects on Jerusalem’s duality (its humanity and divinity) and the relationship between Jerusalem's raw reality and spiritual depth. The conversation covers topics such as the universal aspects of Christianity, the humanity of Jesus, and the experience of being a Christian transplant in the Holy Land. Finally, they discuss Fr. Giambrone’s personal spirituality and the importance of interfaith dialogue.

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.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg speaks with Dr. Rivka Karplus, a family physician and an internal medicine and infections specialist. They talk about Dr. Karplus’ unique upbringing and her journey from a Jewish background to her embrace of Catholic tradition and membership in Jerusalem’s Hebrew-speaking Catholic community. Dr. Karplus describes the fabric of this minority community and how it functions within a majority Jewish culture. They talk about Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the misunderstandings that many Jews and Israelis have about Christian faith. Finally, they address the intersection of Dr. Karplus’ faith and professional work.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg visits the House of Grace in Haifa to speak with its director, Jamal Shehadeh, about the center's transformative work. They talk about Jamal’s parents - who founded the House of Grace as a rehabilitation center for released inmates - as well as the center’s core philosophical approach. As a Palestinian-Israeli Christian with Swiss heritage, Jamal reflects on his experience as an outsider to both communities and how he has come to embrace all elements of his identity in order to foster dialogue and build bridges. Towards the end of the conversation, they address the challenges of rising violence and the need for more spaces like the House of Grace that prioritize compassion, trust, and dignity.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg sits with Prof. Mouna Maroun, who serves as Rector at the University of Haifa and is a professor of neurobiology. They talk about the interplay of identity, memory, and the role of faith and tradition in shaping her Maronite heritage. Professor Maroun reflects on the emotional and communal aspects of her identity, emphasizing how shared experiences, family rituals, and oral history preserve traditions within her community.  Their conversation also delves into Moana’s expertise on memory and discusses her perspective on how memory could contribute to resolving conflicts in the Middle East.

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.

In this episode of Jerusalem Talks, Avraham (Avrum) Burg engages with Bishop Rafic Nahra, an auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, to discuss his unique role in the Holy Land. Bishop Nahra reflects on his journey, which spans multiple cultures, languages, and religious communities. The conversation explores the bishop's mission of fostering coexistence, interfaith dialogue, and love. He emphasizes the Catholics church’s commitment to education, service to all communities, and rejecting hatred while navigating the complexities of being a Christian minority in Israel.