Living Forward Conversations

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This month’s Living Forward conversation explores the most recent uprising in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as heard from the particular perspective of two Palestinians, and two others from our synod who have been engaging this conversation for decades. (see bios below)

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We have come to know the power of listening to one another’s stories. Each of us have a unique perspective, with a history that speaks truth to power, as well as truth to the testimony of being a person faith in today’s world.

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Moderator: Rev. Carol Jensen will be facilitating this timely conversation, and has been extensively involved in these conversations over the last 40 years. Carol also is co-chair of the Faith Action Network board.

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Guest Panelists:
Albert Asfour, was born in Jerusalem; a two-time refugee, and a lifelong Lutheran. His family was one of the first families to belong to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jerusalem once it became a Lutheran Church in 1948. He immigrated to the US in 1958 to pursue studies in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University and has been in the US since. He has served on his own church council, and the Southeast Michigan Synod as Vice President for 12 years. Currently he serves as the Vice President of ALAMEH (Association of Arab Lutherans of Middle Eastern Heritage). He is active with Kairos in West Michigan, Middle East Task Force in Southeast Michigan, PNW of the ELCA. He has organized and participated in youth trips to Palestine/Israel and board member of Bright Stars of Bethlehem.

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Born and raised in a conservative, Palestinian society, Tamar Haddad learned to think critically and question the given norms. She was hugely impacted by her involvement in many phenomenal leadership programs like MEPI - Student Leaders Program, International Women Leaders, and CGI U. This led her to publish her first book, “The Future of Palestine: How Discrimination Hinders Change,” and to start her non-profit, Yalla - Palestinian Student Leaders, that develops the leadership skills of up to twenty Palestinian undergraduates every summer in American and Palestinian academic institutions. Yalla also helps the students design and implement their projects that have a positive impact on the Palestinian community. Haddad raises awareness about Palestine through her participation in many events. In 2021, she was a panelist at a parallel event of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women.

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Dr. Rod Schofield is a former school district administrator (Director of Special Education); past Vice President of the Rocky Mtn. Synod, ELCA; past Chair of the former ELCA Division of Higher Education and Schools; former adjunct professor and Coordinator of Continuing Education at the University of Colorado; served on the PLTS Board for 12 years. Rod currently serves as the ELCA representative to the School Board of the educational institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL); board member of Opportunity Palestine; member of ELCA Peace Not Walls; organizes and leads groups to Israel/Palestine. Rod is a member of Christ Lutheran in Ferndale, WA and serves as a Life Coach.