Hear another narrative of the Israel-Palestinian conflict

The next topic for the Conversation Cafe series is likely to generate just that. 

Steven Finkleman, a long-time Kelowna resident and former president of the Okanagan Jewish Community, will offer his perspective on the current Israel-Hamas conflict now gripping the Middle East. 

Finkleman’s presentation will highlight overlooked historical details of the region and conclude with a hopeful vision rooted in the shared values of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 

‘We have more in common than we think’ is the poster tagline promoting the event, taking place Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Metro Hub, 1265 Ellis St. in Kelowna. 

June Forman, organizer of the Conversation Cafe, said Salim Munayer, executive director and founder of Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation, which has been supporting a forum for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians since 1990, came to Kelowna to speak last year, and she wanted the opportunity for the public to hear another perspective on the Middle East conflict. 

“The purpose behind the Conversation Cafe is to invite dialogue and invite multiple perspectives to be discussed on the given issues we face,” said Forman. “I’m not saying this kind of event will solve problems that exist, but it can open the hearts and minds of people.”

Forman added that despite the Middle East being so far away from Canada and inviting the ‘Why should we care’ relative to our own country, Forman says the globe is truly interconnected more so than ever before in history due to technological advances. 

“We can’t each know everything or be invested in every conflict going on around the world, but we can take the opportunity to look at the roots of those conflicts and draw parallels and insights into how we deal with conflict in our own country and our own lives,” she said. 

Tickets for the event are $21/person, available online at https://bit.ly/narrative_tickets.  Light apples will be offered to the audience.