Office of thePresident
Meeting the Moment: Community in Dialogue
Meeting the Moment: Community in Dialogue is a new initiative launching in fall 2024 that expands the College’s ongoing commitment to amplify the collective knowledge, tools, and resources of our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. The College-wide Initiative promotes new and renewed ways of critically thinking about and engaging with one another on issues that impact the College community, and the smaller communities therein, both individually and collectively, through dialogues, education, and responsive engagement.
Meeting the Moment aims to centralize and highlight ongoing efforts, programs, and resources within our communities, and encourages ethical engagement and responsive dialogue on complex local and global issues. We invite our community to learn together by encounters with a range of perspectives, experiences, and narratives, and meet each of us where we are.
This Initiative features a series of planned programs, including facilitated discussions on collective grief and resilience; workshops addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and bias; civic action and engagement; and a plenary session featuring acclaimed Campus Read author James McBride with a discussion about complex relationships in shared community. Events under Meeting the Moment also include programs that began in 2023-24 (e.g., “Dinner with 12 Strangers”) and others that launched in earlier years (e.g., Community Vigils) as well as new dialogic opportunities listed below.
All programs are open to the Haverford campus community (students, staff, and faculty) only unless otherwise noted.
Community Dialogues
Dialogues on Grief and Resilience
Dialogues on Grief and Resilience is a series of facilitated discourse among faculty, staff, and students through the experiences of collective grief and journey towards resilience, particularly in the context of the current geopolitical landscape and historical narratives. Each session is designed to cultivate a compassionate space for discussing how such a challenging environment can impact personal and communal experiences of immense loss and building agency. Dialogues on Grief and Resilience are open to all members of the College Community.
Dialogue on Collective Grief and Heart Work
Monday, September 16
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
DC Bryn Mawr Room
Dialogue on Collective Resilience in Times of Crisis
Wednesday, October 9
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
DC Bryn Mawr Room
Dialogue on Finding Meaning and Purpose
Monday, November 11
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
DC Bryn Mawr Room
Dialogue on The Role of Care in Strengthening Communities
Monday, December 2
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
DC Bryn Mawr Room
Active Voice Dialogues: Israel and Palestine
Tuesday, September 24 (for Faculty and Staff only) 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 25 (for Students only) 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Lutnick 200
The Active Voice Dialogues invites faculty, staff, and students to engage in open, honest, and critical inquiry and responsive dialogues with one another about critical issues. Facilitated by Soliya, an international organization that promotes high-impact inter- and cross-cultural dialogues, members of the College community will have the opportunity to explore skill-building in navigating emotions and narratives, while engaging in conversations about the impact of longstanding tensions on the lives of those who call this land home. The sessions are open to members of the College community, and RSVP is required.
Active Voice Dialogues: Critical Inquiry and Conflict Resolution
Thursday, November 14 (for Faculty and Staff only) 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15 (for Students only) 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Lutnick 200
As part of the Active Voice Dialogues , faculty, staff, and students are invited to engage in skills-based facilitated dialogue on activism through critical inquiry and conflict resolution. Facilitated by Soliya, an international organization that promotes high-impact inter- and cross-cultural dialogues, these sessions will focus on developing essential skills while exploring critical issues. The sessions are open to members of the College community, and RSVP is required.
Dinner with 12 Strangers
Dinner With 12 Strangers is a program that is part of the Active Voice initiative fostering discourse among faculty, staff, and students on complex and intersectional issues. Join us for facilitated conversations and shared understanding as we explore the themes of social identities and political views. This series is open to all members of the College Community and RSVP is required.
Dinner with 12 Strangers: Race, Religion, and Community
Thursday, September 5
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
President’s House
Dinner with 12 Strangers: Interfaith Community & Learning
Tuesday, October 22
6:30–8:30 p.m.
President’s House
Dinner with 12 Strangers: Engaging in Democracy
Wednesday, November 13
6:30–8:30 p.m.
President’s House
Active Voice Dialogues: Facilitator Training and Groups
Facilitator Training: Monday, January 13 to Friday, January 17
10:00 a.m..–3:00 p.m.
Dialogue Groups: Spring Semester, TBD
Lutnick 200
As part of the initiative, Active Voices Dialogue, we are recruiting and training a number of faculty, staff, and students to become Dialogue Facilitators. The training will be held over the course of a week, January 13–17. Starting in Spring 2025, groups of 8-10 participants will meet to engage in critical conversation, ethical inquiry, and thoughtful engagement with one another.
Community Gatherings
Community Vigil: Remembering Oct 7
Monday, October 7
8:00–9:00 a.m. Quaker Meeting
4:30–5:00 p.m. Kaddish and Mincha
5:15–5:45 p.m. Prayers of Lamentation
5:45–6:15 p.m. Open Reflections
6:15–7:00 p.m. Maghrib
Founders Great Hall
We invite you to join us for a vigil to remember the lives lost and those affected by the horrific attack on October 7, 2023. This gathering will provide a space for the College community to come together in solidarity, mourning, and reflection.
Community Grief Space: Remembering Ongoing Loss and Trauma
Tuesday, October 8
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Labyrinth
12:00–1:00 p.m. Sound Bath
Founders Great Hall
We invite you to join us for a grief space to remember the ongoing loss and impact of the horrific attacks visited on Palestinian people. This gathering will provide a space for the College community to come together in solidarity, mourning, and reflection.
Trainings and Workshops
Antisemitism Explained: What is antisemitism and who does it impact?
Tuesday, September 10
4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Stokes Auditorium
Join us for an essential workshop led by the Diaspora Alliance, an organization dedicated to strengthening the values of a multi-racial, pluralistic democracy by confronting anti semitism and its instrumentalization. This workshop will provide an overview and in-depth exploration of antisemitism, Jewish identity, and the challenges faced by diasporic communities. We will also delve into ways that antisemitism is weaponized across the political spectrum to undermine civil society and advance harmful political agenda and social relationships.
![Diaspora Alliance logo](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MtM_Diaspora-Alliance-logo.jpg)
Interfaith Learning & Community Series
Friday, September 20 (for Students only) 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Monday, September 23 (for Faculty and Staff only) 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Multicultural Center (Stokes 106)
Join Interfaith Philadelphia for the Navigating Difficult Conversations workshop, designed to equip students with skills for engaging in sensitive and challenging dialogues. This workshop will focus on practicing deep listening, understanding personal biases, and fostering empathy and curiosity in conversations. Participants will learn techniques for facilitating honest exchanges and inviting meaningful dialogue through conflict.
![Logo with text Interfaith Philadelphia in black and a globe shape made with different colors to the left of the text](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_Interfaith-Philadelphia_Logo_480x360.jpg)
Islamophobia and the Oval Office with Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher
Monday, September 23
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Lutnick 200
Join us for in-depth exploration of racism and contemporary Islamophobia in the U.S. presidential politics through an workshop facilitated by Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher examining the impact of Barack Obama’s presidency and analyzing how Executive Orders were utilized by Presidents to address or perpetuate these issues. Learn about how political rhetorics and executive actions have shaped perceptions and policies on Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism.
![Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher in a green sweater smiling for the camera](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_Ameena_480x480.jpg)
Antisemitism 101 with Anti-Defamation League
Monday, September 30
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Dining Center, Bryn Mawr Room
Antisemitism 101 will examine Jewish identity, the history of antisemitism and persistent antisemitic myths, tropes and stereotypes. This presentation and Q & A will also focus on current-day antisemitism and the impact of antisemitism on Jewish people, particularly on college campuses.
![ADL logo](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MtM_ADL-logo.jpg)
Legal Landscape: Palestine and Contemporary Islamophobia with CAIR and ACLU
Tuesday, October 1
4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Stokes Auditorium
Facilitated by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Philadelphia, the workshop will examine the differences between public and private institutions in addressing Islamophobia, focusing on key legal cases and challenges. The event will also highlight why organizing around the Middle East is a crucial battleground in combating contemporary forms of Islamophobia. Join us as we engage in a deeper inquiry about legal frameworks and activism.
![CAIR Philadelphia logo, with text CAIR in blue and Philadelphia in orange](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_CAIR-Philadelphia-logo-web_480x360.jpg)
Understanding Anti-Semitism and the Jewish Experience with Project Shema
Wednesday, October 30
2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
![Logo with text Project Shema](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_project-shema.jpg)
Civic Engagement and Action
Voter Registration Drive
September TBD
October TBD
November TBD
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
GIAC
As part of our commitment to fostering civic engagement, Haverford hosts voter registration drives throughout the year. These events are a vital opportunity to actively participate in shaping our community by completing your voter registration form and learning about the voting process – including mail-in ballots and location elections. Political Science faculty and student volunteers will assist you throughout the process.
![Logo of state of PA with text PA Online Voter Registration overlayed](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_PA-Register-Online_480x360.jpg)
Digital Security for Election Activists
Thursday, September 12
4:30.–6:00 p.m.
Lutnick 232
Learn digital security for protecting oneself while remaining civically engaged. This training will teach you concrete skills and strategies to protect your accounts, your communications, your devices, and your sensitive personal data, as well as an awareness of legal issues and shielding oneself from online harm. Facilitated by 18 Million Rising, we will share best practices, favorite apps, and Q&A with an experienced security and privacy researcher.
Local, State, and National Impact of the 2024 Election
Friday, November 1
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Lutnick 200
We invite you to a panel discussion on the importance of upcoming elections and their broader implications for our communities. This event will feature local activists and community leaders who will offer insights into their constituencies and communities that they work with, election impacts on local, state, and national issues, and strategies for coalition building.
Election Day GOTV
Tuesday, November 5
South Lot and campuswide
Open to the public. Join us on Election Day for a fun and engaging Get Out the Vote (GOTV) event right here on campus! Activities will include tabling with non-partisan voting information, sidewalk and classroom board chalking, food trucks, etc.
![Red background white text that says Vote: your vote counts and your voice matters, depicting a pencil marking an x in a box](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_red-vote-design_480x480.jpg)
Post-Election Day Programming
Wednesday, November 6
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multicultural Center (Stokes 106)
In the wake of Election Day, the Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team invites you to join our annual Post-Election Community Space.. Whether you seek meaningful conversation with compassionate staff, a quiet and meditative moment with a snack, or creative outlet alongside community members, our space is open for you to drop in as needed. We are here to support each other as we navigate the emotions and actions that follow the election.
Talks and Panels
Book Talk: A Conversation with Wendy Pearlman
Monday, September 9
4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Stokes Auditorium
Join us for an evening with Wendy Pearlman, author of The Home I Worked to Make: Voices from the New Syrian Diaspora. In this deeply moving account, Pearlman, a political scientist and author of We Cross a Bridge and It Trembled, draws on a decade of interviews with hundreds of displaced Syrians and traces their movement through several life stages (e.g., “leaving,” “seeking,” “belonging,” and if they eventually manage to feel at home somewhere new, simply “living.”) Tracking her subjects' evolving emotions, Pearlman uses their experiences to shed light on the idea of home and the haunting rumination of what it means to belong somewhere.
![Author Wendy Pearlman](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_Wendy-Pearlman.jpg)
Campus Read: James McBride
Tuesday, September 17
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Marshall Auditorium
Open to the public. Those with Haverford IDs will be given priority access at 6:30 p.m. The Library's Benston Distinguished Speakers Series presents a reading, discussion, and Q & A with author James McBride. McBride’s book, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was selected by faculty and Senior Staff in the Antiracism Curriculum Development Working Group, in conversation with the Provost, the Dean of the College, Student Leaders in the Customs Program, and the Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access. It was chosen from a shortlist of nominations by committee members and the campus community that included recent fiction and non-fiction titles. Learn more about this event.
![/sites/default/files/Office/President/James McBride in a hat and cream colored shirt against a sepia background](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_mcbride_james_480x480.jpg)
Book Talk: A Conversation with Maya Wind
Tuesday, November 12
4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Stokes Auditorium
Join us for an evening with Dr. Maya Wind, a scholar of Israeli expertise and militarism. In her latest book, Towers of Ivory and Steel, Dr. Wind explores the complex role of Israeli universities in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Drawing upon extensive research, she examines the intersections of academic institutions with broader societal issues and debates concerning education and human rights. Dr. Wind is a Killam Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia and doctoral graduate of Social and Cultural Analysis Department at NYU.
![Headshot of Maya Wind in a black sweater against a dark olive green background](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_Maya-Wind_square.jpg)
Reading Rainbow: Finding Your Community
Friday, December 13
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Founders Great Hall
The Office of Academic Resources (OAR), Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), and the Libraries, in collaboration, invite you to the 10th Annual Reading Rainbow. Now a part of the What Matters to Me & Why series, this annual panel discussion features faculty, staff, and students discussing how influential books have shaped their lives. The theme this year is: “Finding Your Community”, inspired by the Campus Read, Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Each panelist will share their personal connection to a book that resonates with the theme, followed by a Q&A session.
![Event attendees sitting in a circle having a discussion](/sites/default/files/Office/President/MTM_Reading-Rainbow_Patrick-Montero_480x360.jpg)
Community Proposals
Members of our campus community are invited to propose additional events and activities to take place beginning in January and through the spring semester, aimed at:
- Deepening comprehension of pressing local, national, or global issues
- Facilitating discourse, contextual understanding, and community-building efforts
- Building religious and cultural literacy, intergroup communication, and collective long-term resilience
- Exploring the issues and impacts of the 2024 Presidential Election, and mobilizing voting power
Proposals for events or opportunities that examine diverse viewpoints, perspectives, or historical interpretations are encouraged. Funding for these programs will be awarded based on the degree to which they address the listed goals. To submit a proposal, please complete the application form.
Submit a Funding ProposalCommunity Care and Response
Stay up to date on the College’s response and resources in relation to Israel-Gaza.
Restorative Practices
Facilitates conversations about misunderstanding, conflict, and harm, and mediates harms or disputes in a restorative way.