Religious leaders and activists from New York’s Jewish and Presbyterian communities traveled together to Israel to learn first-hand about the complex world of the Middle East.

AJC’s New York Chapter and the Auburn Theological Seminary sponsored a week-long mission, which was sparked by the national Church vote to explore divestment from companies doing business in Israel. The group listened to the diverse opinions of leaders such as Dr. Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, Dalia Rabin, daughter of the late Prime Minister, and the head of the Catholic Church in Israel, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah. “Participants came home committed to becoming partners in the quest for peace,” said Diane Steinman, Executive Director of the New York Chapter.