A Weekend of Middle East Dialoguing: April 9-11, 2005This was truly a "storied" weekend for those of us who told our personal stories and practiced hearing the stories of others. It was an experience in dialoguing, as Jews, Muslims and Christians came together on Saturday evening at the San Luis Obispo Public Library, and then again on Sunday afternoon at Cal Poly, to learn how to tell and listen to "the other side of the story." Being heard is what it's all about.
The dialoguing process was demonstrated to us by an American Jew, Robbie Franco, who had lived in Israel for 15 years, and Elias Botto, a Palestinian American who was born and raised in Jerusalem before coming to America in 1986. With this demonstration under its belt, people in the audience were then asked to pair off and try it out for themselves. This they did, with infectious enthusiasm.
Founded 12 years ago by Len and Libby Traubman, the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo has spawned Dialogue groups in homes and on college campuses around the country to promote a way of getting past the finger-pointing and blaming that have kept the world embroiled and embattled over the Middle East conflict. The Group's mission: "We are 30 Jews, Palestinians and supportive others dedicated to meeting monthly in each other's living rooms, hearing one another's stories, practicing compassionate listening, and envisioning our shared future. In Dialogue, we seek to promote a model for healing, creativity, and cooperation for Palestinians and Jews in Israel and Palestine, and for other peoples worldwide."
At the invitation of our friends, Phyllis and Bill Davies, the Traubmans came to town this weekend with Robbie and Elias, and we had the privilege of hosting the Traubmans in our home while they were here.
These few photos capture some of the memorable moments and people of our weekend dialoguing. [Double-click on each photo to enlarge it.}http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-12-Dialogue-13/19564474_SPFFT-Ti.jpghttp://nick.smugmug.com/gallery/480414_hBkhf/2005-04-12T13:40:43ZCopyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugLen Traubman, a retired pediatric dentist and descendant of Russian Jews, co-founded the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo in 1992 with his wife, Libby. Their vision ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Len Traubman, a retired pediatric dentist and descendant of Russian Jews, co-founded the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo in 1992 with his wife, Libby. Their vision ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564475_AJR8W" title="Len Traubman, a retired pediatric dentist and descendant of Russian Jews, co-founded the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo in 1992 with his wife, Libby. Their vision ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-1/19564475_AJR8W-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="Len Traubman, a retired pediatric dentist and descendant of Russian Jews, co-founded the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo in 1992 with his wife, Libby. Their vision ..." title="Len Traubman, a retired pediatric dentist and descendant of Russian Jews, co-founded the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo in 1992 with his wife, Libby. Their vision ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-02-22T09:41:51ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-1/19564475_AJR8W-Th.jpgLibby Traubman, a retired clinical social worker who was raised a Presbyterian, has a long history of involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian public peace effort, pre-dating her co-founding o ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Libby Traubman, a retired clinical social worker who was raised a Presbyterian, has a long history of involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian public peace effort, pre-dating her co-founding o ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564477_kqod2" title="Libby Traubman, a retired clinical social worker who was raised a Presbyterian, has a long history of involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian public peace effort, pre-dating her co-founding o ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-1a/19564477_kqod2-Th.jpg" width="116" height="150" alt="Libby Traubman, a retired clinical social worker who was raised a Presbyterian, has a long history of involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian public peace effort, pre-dating her co-founding o ..." title="Libby Traubman, a retired clinical social worker who was raised a Presbyterian, has a long history of involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian public peace effort, pre-dating her co-founding o ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-07-12T18:55:54ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-1a/19564477_kqod2-Th.jpgSunday morning breakfast at home gave us a chance to spend quality time with these two wonderfully warm and committed people.<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Sunday morning breakfast at home gave us a chance to spend quality time with these two wonderfully warm and committed people.</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564481_7Wwpv" title="Sunday morning breakfast at home gave us a chance to spend quality time with these two wonderfully warm and committed people."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-2/19564481_7Wwpv-Th.jpg" width="150" height="83" alt="Sunday morning breakfast at home gave us a chance to spend quality time with these two wonderfully warm and committed people." title="Sunday morning breakfast at home gave us a chance to spend quality time with these two wonderfully warm and committed people." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:29:59ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-2/19564481_7Wwpv-Th.jpgIt's Sunday afternoon, and the "Fab Four" is being introduced to faculty, students and the general public at Cal Poly .<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />It's Sunday afternoon, and the "Fab Four" is being introduced to faculty, students and the general public at Cal Poly .</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564484_AR5zf" title="It's Sunday afternoon, and the "Fab Four" is being introduced to faculty, students and the general public at Cal Poly ."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-3/19564484_AR5zf-Th.jpg" width="150" height="63" alt="It's Sunday afternoon, and the "Fab Four" is being introduced to faculty, students and the general public at Cal Poly ." title="It's Sunday afternoon, and the "Fab Four" is being introduced to faculty, students and the general public at Cal Poly ." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:40:11ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-3/19564484_AR5zf-Th.jpgThe Dean of the College of Liberal Arts makes some opening comments, after which Libby and Len add their own comments before introducing the main event: a dialoguing demonstration between E ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts makes some opening comments, after which Libby and Len add their own comments before introducing the main event: a dialoguing demonstration between E ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564485_cUkht" title="The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts makes some opening comments, after which Libby and Len add their own comments before introducing the main event: a dialoguing demonstration between E ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-4/19564485_cUkht-Th.jpg" width="150" height="75" alt="The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts makes some opening comments, after which Libby and Len add their own comments before introducing the main event: a dialoguing demonstration between E ..." title="The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts makes some opening comments, after which Libby and Len add their own comments before introducing the main event: a dialoguing demonstration between E ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-02-22T09:44:32ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-4/19564485_cUkht-Th.jpgHaving been shown how to do it, it was now the turn of everyone in the audience to pair-up with someone else they didn't know, and, for 15 minutes, to tell their own stories to each other. M ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Having been shown how to do it, it was now the turn of everyone in the audience to pair-up with someone else they didn't know, and, for 15 minutes, to tell their own stories to each other. M ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564487_5cD6K" title="Having been shown how to do it, it was now the turn of everyone in the audience to pair-up with someone else they didn't know, and, for 15 minutes, to tell their own stories to each other. M ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-5/19564487_5cD6K-Th.jpg" width="150" height="75" alt="Having been shown how to do it, it was now the turn of everyone in the audience to pair-up with someone else they didn't know, and, for 15 minutes, to tell their own stories to each other. M ..." title="Having been shown how to do it, it was now the turn of everyone in the audience to pair-up with someone else they didn't know, and, for 15 minutes, to tell their own stories to each other. M ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:38:26ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-5/19564487_5cD6K-Th.jpgMonday morning, Phyllis and Bill Davies had a farewell breakfast in their home for the San Mateo foursome and local hosts. Here, we're sharing observations and insights on the experiences of ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Monday morning, Phyllis and Bill Davies had a farewell breakfast in their home for the San Mateo foursome and local hosts. Here, we're sharing observations and insights on the experiences of ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564489_3KGsa" title="Monday morning, Phyllis and Bill Davies had a farewell breakfast in their home for the San Mateo foursome and local hosts. Here, we're sharing observations and insights on the experiences of ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-6/19564489_3KGsa-Th.jpg" width="150" height="112" alt="Monday morning, Phyllis and Bill Davies had a farewell breakfast in their home for the San Mateo foursome and local hosts. Here, we're sharing observations and insights on the experiences of ..." title="Monday morning, Phyllis and Bill Davies had a farewell breakfast in their home for the San Mateo foursome and local hosts. Here, we're sharing observations and insights on the experiences of ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-02T11:04:10ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-10-Dialogue-6/19564489_3KGsa-Th.jpgBill Davies, Robbie Franco and Elias Botto<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Bill Davies, Robbie Franco and Elias Botto</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564493_BKgDU" title="Bill Davies, Robbie Franco and Elias Botto"><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-7/19564493_BKgDU-Th.jpg" width="150" height="83" alt="Bill Davies, Robbie Franco and Elias Botto" title="Bill Davies, Robbie Franco and Elias Botto" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:43:33ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-7/19564493_BKgDU-Th.jpgAnother shot of the discussion following breakfast.<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Another shot of the discussion following breakfast.</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564495_P5pTi" title="Another shot of the discussion following breakfast."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-8/19564495_P5pTi-Th.jpg" width="150" height="71" alt="Another shot of the discussion following breakfast." title="Another shot of the discussion following breakfast." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:45:08ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-8/19564495_P5pTi-Th.jpgMore of the same<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />More of the same</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564497_jNLdN" title="More of the same"><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-9/19564497_jNLdN-Th.jpg" width="150" height="72" alt="More of the same" title="More of the same" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-02T11:11:57ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hb-Apr-11-Dialogue-9/19564497_jNLdN-Th.jpgBefore leaving, Monday morning, Phyllis insisted that we pick some Fava beans from the garden. Phyllis and Bill have long histories in the field of agriculture, and are ardent advocates of ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Before leaving, Monday morning, Phyllis insisted that we pick some Fava beans from the garden. Phyllis and Bill have long histories in the field of agriculture, and are ardent advocates of ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564500_EbuoK" title="Before leaving, Monday morning, Phyllis insisted that we pick some Fava beans from the garden. Phyllis and Bill have long histories in the field of agriculture, and are ardent advocates of ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-10/19564500_EbuoK-Th.jpg" width="150" height="112" alt="Before leaving, Monday morning, Phyllis insisted that we pick some Fava beans from the garden. Phyllis and Bill have long histories in the field of agriculture, and are ardent advocates of ..." title="Before leaving, Monday morning, Phyllis insisted that we pick some Fava beans from the garden. Phyllis and Bill have long histories in the field of agriculture, and are ardent advocates of ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:39:49ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-10/19564500_EbuoK-Th.jpgLibby watches Bill and Phyllis harvesting some choice Fava beans<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Libby watches Bill and Phyllis harvesting some choice Fava beans</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564504_bbY5F" title="Libby watches Bill and Phyllis harvesting some choice Fava beans"><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-11/19564504_bbY5F-Th.jpg" width="150" height="111" alt="Libby watches Bill and Phyllis harvesting some choice Fava beans" title="Libby watches Bill and Phyllis harvesting some choice Fava beans" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-06-03T14:27:36ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-11/19564504_bbY5F-Th.jpgA final glimpse before everyone scatters for home.<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />A final glimpse before everyone scatters for home.</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564506_N7Pqr" title="A final glimpse before everyone scatters for home."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-12/19564506_N7Pqr-Th.jpg" width="150" height="121" alt="A final glimpse before everyone scatters for home." title="A final glimpse before everyone scatters for home." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-02-22T09:42:53ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-11-Dialogue-12/19564506_N7Pqr-Th.jpgMonday's Trib carried the following front-page story of the Cal Poly Dialogue:
THE TRIBUNE
LISTENING IS THE WORD IN MIDEAST EXCHANGE
When Elias Botto was invited to join the Jewish- ...<p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com">Nick Alter</a><br />Monday's Trib carried the following front-page story of the Cal Poly Dialogue:
THE TRIBUNE
LISTENING IS THE WORD IN MIDEAST EXCHANGE
When Elias Botto was invited to join the Jewish- ...</p><p><a href="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/480414_hBkhf#19564474_SPFFT" title="Monday's Trib carried the following front-page story of the Cal Poly Dialogue:
THE TRIBUNE
LISTENING IS THE WORD IN MIDEAST EXCHANGE
When Elias Botto was invited to join the Jewish- ..."><img src="http://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-12-Dialogue-13/19564474_SPFFT-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Monday's Trib carried the following front-page story of the Cal Poly Dialogue:
THE TRIBUNE
LISTENING IS THE WORD IN MIDEAST EXCHANGE
When Elias Botto was invited to join the Jewish- ..." title="Monday's Trib carried the following front-page story of the Cal Poly Dialogue:
THE TRIBUNE
LISTENING IS THE WORD IN MIDEAST EXCHANGE
When Elias Botto was invited to join the Jewish- ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-07-12T18:29:17ZNick Alterhttp://nick.smugmug.comhttp://nick.smugmug.com/Events/A-Weekend-of-Middle-East/hc-Apr-12-Dialogue-13/19564474_SPFFT-Th.jpg