Everything has changed
By Hela Lahar
The Times of Israel/The Blogs
July 30, 2024
Hela Lahar serves on the Engagement Committee of Heart of a Nation and is an American-Israeli non-profit executive with extensive experience in facilitating dialogues and designing programs, notably in the complex landscape of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Currently serving as the CEO of Tech2Peace, Hela is a certified dialogue facilitator with RTT, she possesses expertise in Jewish education, international program leadership, cross-cultural work, and grassroots organizing. With a master's in diplomacy and security studies, Hela is committed to fostering a deep understanding of cultural nuances and a global perspective while adeptly navigating diverse environments.
“When faced with the stark choice between a life shadowed by conflict or the pursuit of a hopeful, albeit challenging, path to peace, my resolve crystalizes—I unhesitatingly choose the path of hope and reconciliation, every time and with even greater conviction.
“Starting on October 7th, and with the Gaza War raging since, we’ve delved into the heart of challenging dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians…
“Our ability to collaborate, learn, and openly discuss our most profound wounds, as individuals rather than symbols of national entities, at the same time feeling the safety and security of being asked to fully show up rather than check our identities at the door, has cultivated a level of trust and mutual recognition. This foundation of understanding and shared commitment to a community that addresses everyone’s needs is a bond too precious to forsake…
“We’ve made a deliberate, conscious choice to prioritize building bridges over perpetuating conflict. This choice is not made in denial of our national identities but stems from them, not by overlooking our grievances but by championing our peoples’ right to a future filled with economic stability, opportunity, and the prospect of raising future generations in an environment of safety and security…
“Everything has changed, and we extend an invitation for you to discover this alternative with us. Experience the allure of hope, and you’ll find yourself an eager advocate for this pragmatic path forward…"
About Heart of a Nation
Empowering the next generation of American, Israeli, and Palestinian change-makers to embrace better, together.
אנחנו מכנסים הוגים מובילים, פעילים חברתיים, ומחוללי שינוי לעתיד, אמריקאים, ישראלים ופלסטינאים, המחויבים לשיפור החברות שלהם.
نحن أمريكيون وإسرائيليون وفلسطينيون نبني ونكوّن روابط من أجل التعلم والتفكير والمشاركة معًا حتى نشجع الحلول التقدمية بشأن القضايا التي تهمنا جميعًا.