Ecosystems of Compassion Part II will be a continuation of the conversation that Becky Field began on November 15. We will explore the role of compassion in the pursuit of social justice, not only for those with whom we're politically or spiritually sympatico, but for those with whom we vehemently disagree. With democracy fraying and our social fabric disintegrating, is it possible to embrace the humanity of our most zealous opponents without compromising our own values? Is there any point in trying? After sharing several of his own experiences with the power of compassionate listening to bridge ideological divides, Joel will invite attendees to reflect on whether and how compassion has - or could - inform their own relationships with social justice.  

Joel Berman is a retired family physician and a certified facilitator for The Compassionate Listening Project. During his four journeys to Israel and Palestine between 2015 and 2019, and his journey to Alabama in January 2020, he recorded and transcribed more than 40 listening sessions that form the basis for public presentations designed to humanize the “other” and invite local audiences to recognize the common humanity and shared values of people across geo-political divides.