Jewish Panelists
Scholar – Rabbi Dr. Reuven Firestone
Rabbi Dr. Reuven Firestone was educated at Antioch College (BA 1974), the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Hebrew Union College (M.A. in Hebrew literature, 1980, rabbinic ordination 1982), and New York University (Ph.D. Arabic and Islamic studies 1988).
Clergy – Julia Knobloch
Julia Knobloch is a poet and rabbinical student in her fourth year at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles. Her life’s narrative so far has been about the search for a permanent home where to grow roots, and she is particularly interested in the significance and concept of place in Judaism.
Community Leader – Jonathan Jacoby
Jonathan Jacoby is Director of the Nexus Task Force, a study group comprised of leading academics and practitioners that analyzes issues related to Israel and antisemitism. Jonathan was the founding director of Israel Policy Forum, a leading independent, nonpartisan think tank/advocacy organization.
Christian Panelists
Scholar – Dr. John Barton
John Barton is co-host of the NetVUE podcast, Callings: Conversations on College, Career, and a Life Well Lived. He serves as director of the Center for Faith and Learning at Pepperdine University, where he also has faculty appointments in the religion and philosophy division.
Clergy – Rev. Dr. Prichard
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Prichard is a Presbyterian minister who has served congregations in California, Indiana, and Scotland. A graduate of Occidental College, she earned her doctorate in Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Community Leader – Gabriel Meyer
Poet-journalist Gabriel Meyer is an award-winning foreign correspondent who has lived and worked throughout the Middle East, the Balkans, and East Africa. He was especially acclaimed for his coverage of the first Palestinian intifada and of the Bosnian war.
Muslim Panelists
Scholar – Dr. Hadi Qazwini
Dr. Hadi Qazwini is a scholar, educator, and community leader. He currently serves as a Chaplain at The Claremont Colleges. For the past 20 years, he has educated audiences across the globe on a wide range of topics related to Islam and Muslims.
Clergy – Dr. Ahmed Soboh
Dr. Ahmed Soboh is the Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Yorba Linda. He is also Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an umbrella organization of over 70 Islamic institutions and centers in Southern California. He is a founding member of the Inland Empire Interfaith Committee for Peace in the Middle East.
Community Leader – Aziza Hasan
Aziza Hasan, named an influencer by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, is the Executive Director of NewGround. She has extensive experience in program management and coalition building. An experienced mediator and conflict transformation practitioner, she has co-facilitated multiple groups.
Master of Ceremony
Father Alexei Smith
The Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, a Greek Catholic priest, has served as Ecumenical and Inter-religious Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles since November 2000. As such he directs the Catholic Church’s relations with all other faith traditions in Los Angeles.