Interfaith Mediator
In these challenging political times, let us aspire to be the solution we want to see in the world. I believe that through fostering trust and dignifying discourse between communities and people of all backgrounds we can co-create equitable and peaceful solutions that honor our unique stories.
Because of my background as a dialogue facilitator in working with age-diverse groups of Jews, Israeli Arabs, and Palestinians, I have robust experience mediating across interfaith and intercultural divides through conflict resolution models with national and bi-national sensitivities.
My identity as an Israeli-American allows me to be a “living bridge” between Jews and non-Jews and supports me in helping marginalized people connect in nuanced and empowering ways with the majority, instilling in them a sense of belonging.
Out of my facilitation work, I went on to create “Mabad- Mibad” (Together and Beyond), an emerging young adult Arab-Jewish community composed of East and West Jerusalemites. In response to mass-firings and economic instability among young adults during the COVID-19 crisis, we equipped Jewish and Arab youth with social, entrepreneurial, and professional tools to carve their own place in the workforce while deepening their neighborly relationships through connective conversations and grassroots social activism for a shared society. As part of the community’s growth, I was the Initiator and Co-Director of an Innovative Social Hackathon in November 2020 where I designed and directed entrepreneurial training, inviting large diverse groups to meet, think together, and collaborate on innovative social and technological products. I then created partnerships with several NGOs and one of the biggest Venture Capital firms in Jerusalem, highlighting entrepreneurial collaboration as a means for developing sustainable, mutual relationships across political divides.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Yonatan has a gift in creating and leading a safe, brave and creative space between a diverse cohort of people. I mentored Yonatan in directing and producing a Social Hackathon for Arabs and Jews from East and West Jerusalem promoting social and technological solutions for challenges within their respectful communities and Jerusalem during Covid19. I witnessed how Yonatan organized an emerging young adult interfaith community encouraging a wide range of professional and personal partnerships and collaborations. Yonatan directed, produced and organized the Social Hackathon in an inspiring and astonishing way with much thought about the follow-up and support for all the young entrepreneurs. I whole-heartedly recommend Yonatan for any position that gives him the ability to shine as a visionary entrepreneur and leader, community organizer and experiential educator.
“Yonatan is the type of friend and colleague you want to have. He is an energetic and inspiring cross-cultural leader. Goal-oriented with a big heart. As a member of Together & Beyond's cross-cultural entrepreneurial community, I took part in the successful Social Hackathon for East & West Jerusalemites, Yonatan fundraised and directed. I won together with my colleague 1st place and was mentored and received business consultation from him. Yonatan is a highly motivated social entrepreneur who empowers individuals and communities alike. I truly recommend learning, working, and becoming his friend. Bless & Thank You Yonatan.”
“As a non-Jewish person, I have always felt included and connected to the wonderful people in Rabbi Yonatan’s Circle. Rabbi Yonatan created a space for open dialogue, nuanced perspectives, and mindfulness. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you, Rabbi Yonatan, and the people I met through your circle, who feel like a second family to me.”
Prisha Batra, Class of 2026
Graduate of Johns Hopkins University
“I had a wonderful time at the interfaith events Rabbi Yonatan organized and steered with the Muslim students at Johns Hopkins. It was particularly special to see them pray and then listen as they explained aspects of their faith and practice, drawing contact points between Judaism and Islam. In fact, this was the most rewarding aspect of the evening—seeing ways in which we approach life and spirituality from similar perspectives.”
Benji de Almeida Newton
2nd-year PhD student in Near Eastern Studies
Johns Hopkins University
“I am grateful to you, Rabbi Yonatan, for the different interfaith events we had this semester. They gave me the opportunity to learn and create friendships with individuals from other cultural and religious backgrounds that I had not met before. These included the interfaith Iftar, the interfaith/Reformed Passover service, and the men’s dinner and night of learning. I especially felt that these events were important given all that has transpired over the past few years, both on and off college campuses. Further, they were reflective and gave me the chance to learn more about Jewish traditions and meet new people within the Jewish community. They were also just a great time!”
Jason Shumsky
Class of 2026
The Johns Hopkins University