After the October 7 attack in Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, many Jewish and Muslim teens found themselves feeling isolated, unheard, and overwhelmed by the divisive discourse happening especially online. In Los Angeles, the MAJIC Council—Muslims and Jews Inspiring Change—offered a rare opportunity: a space for 20 high schoolers (10 Muslim, 10 Jewish) to engage in difficult conversations face to face.
Through guided dialogue, interfaith breakout groups, and community service projects, teens are learning to express grief, disagreement, and curiosity with mutual respect. They don’t always agree—but that’s not the point. “The goal is for everyone to walk away feeling like, ‘Someone understood my point of view,'” said a MAJIC alum. Students shared deeply personal experiences, from family members in Israel to stories of harassment in Gaza, and practiced how to navigate those tensions without losing their empathy.
The council helps students develop “conflict literacy”—tools to listen deeply, speak reflectively, and challenge their own assumptions. From tense conversations about Gaza to late-night pickleball games, the teens are building friendships rooted in empathy, not ideology. “We’re creating hope,” one current student said.
