In the final episode of Jerusalem TalksND's second season, 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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 talking about the role of major themes like 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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 the experience of being 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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 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 TalksND possible.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, 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.

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, Avraham (Avrum) Burg explores the personal journey of Bishop Jamal Khader, who previously served as patriarchal vicar for the diocese in Jordan and is currently the head of the dioceses of Djibouti and Somalia. During their conversation, they detail Bishop Khader’s identity as a Palestinian Christian, the physical and spiritual connection to the Holy Land, and the challenges of navigating interfaith dynamics between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. They also discuss the misuse of religion for political purposes, and the merits of social justice in Christianity’s mission. Finally, they talk about Bishop Khader’s efforts to serve the marginalized in Djibouti and Somalia, emphasizing education and poverty alleviation while addressing the remnants of colonialism.

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 TalksND possible.

In the first episode of Jerusalem TalksND’s second season, Avraham (Avrum) Burg is joined by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to discuss his responsibilities as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the challenges facing the Holy Land’s diverse Catholic communities. Then, they reflect on the Church’s transition in the region from political power to moral voice, emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue in the Holy Land.  They also talk about the Church's mission to bring hope, compassion and guidance to a troubled region while navigating its political and religious complexities. 

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 TalksND possible.

In this second season of Jerusalem TalksND, we will be exploring Catholic Perspectives on the Holy Land.

As Notre Dame’s representatives in Jerusalem, we often grapple with what it means to be a University defined by its Catholic character within our local and regional context. Why does the Holy Land matter to Catholics? What do Catholics abroad know about the Christian communities who live in this Land? How should that inform conversations about this place at a theological, social, and political level? The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has made these questions more relevant, which becomes evident in situations like today, not only for those of us who call the Holy Land their home but also for millions worldwide.

To illuminate some of these questions, we asked Avraham Burg, a faculty member at our center, to embark on an investigative journey that tries to give voice to the diverse Catholic community in the Holy Land.

We welcome you to join us on this quest. Our guests include leaders of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and two Bishops from his diocese. We will also encounter Catholics in the highest positions of Israeli and Palestinian academia and fascinating researchers, doctors, foreign students, and other key public figures. Each conversation helped us peel back another layer of this unique community, and we hope you find it equally enriching.

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 TalksND possible.