The Dialogue Project’s mission is to build trust, compassion, and partnerships among people who experience bias, hostility, and tension relating to the conflict in the Middle East.

We work in communities where Palestinians (Muslim and Christian), Israelis and Jewish Americans, other Arab and Muslim citizens and new immigrants live and work alongside long-time residents of all other ethnicities. Here in New York, unlike the Mid-East, we have no barriers to dialogue except the barriers we hold within ourselves.

Our ultimate goal is to move from personal empowerment to community empowerment, by enabling people to use dialogue skills to address areas of intergroup conflict.

What we do is simple and creates a space for non-violent alternatives to conflict. We establish guidelines for hearing and conversation. Through tools including “mirroring” exercises, speaking from the “I”, role play, and Playback Theatre (a vehicle used worldwide in areas of conflict), we learn the art of reflective listening—a way to exchange ideas and experiences while suspending prejudices and judgment. Despite holding opposing views, we are developing trust and deep affection for each other every day, as we learn to humanize the “other”. We also challenge deeply held assumptions (our own and others), and develop skills that allow us to be agents for positive social change on our block, at the workplace and in our communities.

We do not debate or negotiate settlements, though we do examine our different ideas about how to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Our three main program areas include:

1. Mid East Dialogues
2. Public Educational Forums and Interfaith Teach Ins.
3. SPEAKING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

Since March of 2001, The Dialogue Project has been actively engaged in creating authentic social transformation through sustainable monthly Dialogue Circles. The population served through programs is approximately 40% Arab and non-Arab Muslims (immigrants and citizens), 20% people of color and other immigrant communities, and 40% long-term residents and citizens, both white and of color.

The Dialogue Project originated as a response to the noticeable estrangement that had manifested between neighbors and co-workers in Brooklyn after the violence of the Second Intifada erupted in the Middle East amongst Palestinians and Israelis. A downtown Brooklyn teaching hospital with many Muslim, Jewish and Arab students and staff reported outbursts aimed at “damned Arabs.” A teacher in a Cobble Hill school reported that the Israeli flag had been torn off an exhibit he had prepared for International Day. Everywhere people were speaking with suspicion about “them” and the “other.”

In answer, Ms Kannry, collaborating with other community and faith leaders, convened a first public Dialogue in March 2001, drawing over 150 Muslim and Christian Arabs, American Jews, Non-Arab Muslims, Palestinians, Israelis and others. “Dialogue” filled a need in the community to understand personal reactions to world events, and offered a way to address deepening tensions and fears that were being felt close to home.

We are now six years old and you can learn about our ongoing activities and the hundreds of people who are engaged in active listening and dialogue throughout this website.