Israel360: Diverse Perspectives on Israel Explored in an Atmosphere of Respect

Please join us for this ongoing series about Israel. The topic for May is “Sharing Life Stories: Bridging Our Perspectives on Israel.” The discussion will be facilitated by Israeli Elad Vazana.

Elad is in Portland through May, after which he returns to Israel where he is a Tour Guide for Social Change,Program Developer and Leadership Trainer, and Mediator and Dialogue Facilitator.

Elad’s family is here while his wife, Iris Erez, is an artist-in- residence at Reed College for the spring semester. They will return home to Israel, where Elad guides multi-narrative tours for

social change.

“For 15 years, I have cooperated with diverse Middle East organizations creating and leading successful, person-to- person engagement of Arabs and Jews,” says Elad.

In Portland and the Pacific Northwest, Elad is offering speaking engagements and workshops for quality listening and experiencing that “an enemy is one whose story we have not heard.”

Elad speaks from Israeli experiences growing up the son of Moroccan immigrants and as an IDF tank commander carrying pains of war. Drawing on those experiences, he facilitates empathic

interfaith and cross-cultural, trust-building workshops and tours.