In this episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer speaks with Thanh Nguyen, a Vietnamese American peacebuilder and researcher currently working with Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in East Jerusalem. They discuss how colonial histories and theological frameworks shape global understandings of justice in Palestine/Israel. Drawing from Thanh’s experience in faith-based organizing and decolonial research, the conversation explores how theology can be reimagined through the lens of justice, indigenous worldviews, and collective liberation.

For our Patreon supporters, Thanh shares one of her original poems reflecting on displacement, belonging, and resistance—and reflects on how art can become a powerful tool in movements for justice and healing. To access this extended conversation and others, consider supporting us on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Thanh Nguyen is a peacebuilder and researcher working at the intersection of religion and development. Currently a Project Coordinator at Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in East Jerusalem, she leads strategic partnerships, hosts educational programs, and supports peacebuilding delegations to Palestine/Israel. As a first-generation Vietnamese American whose own history is situated in colonial war, Thanh’s peace work prioritizes subaltern knowledge, resistance to historical amnesia, and indigenous political perspectives. While pursuing a B.A. in political science and international peace studies at the University of Notre Dame, she explored issues of religion, secularity, and coloniality. Her research, commitment, and leadership earned her the Kroc Institute’s 2023 Peter Yarrow Award in Peace Studies. Beyond her academic and advocacy work, Thanh is also a poet and writer, with work on colonial displacement and belonging featured in Re:Visions Magazine, Silk Road Review, Decolonial Passages, and independent film/art productions. Moving forward, she aims to continue merging scholarship, activism, and storytelling in her pursuit of collective liberation.

If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide⁠⁠

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Across the Divide partners with ⁠⁠Peace Catalyst International⁠⁠ to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.

Show Notes

https://www.peacecatalyst.org/blog/2024/9/12/meet-2024-rick-love-young-innovator-award-recipient-thanh-nguyen

https://thedecolonialpassage.net/2024/03/23/a-song-about-living/

https://subalternarchives.substack.com/

https://sabeel.org/

This episode is a live-recorded conversation that Across the Divide held as an event for the local community in Cincinnati, OH on May 29, 2025. The conversation explores the intersections between faith and activism across religious traditions. In it, Jen has a conversation with three local faith leaders and activists–Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Because this episode was recorded during a live event, the audio and video quality may vary from our typical episodes.

It was a joy to collaborate with the Cincinnati Palestine Solidarity Coalition on this event, a local Cincinnati-based coalition that comes together in solidarity with the struggle for justice, liberation and self-determination of Palestinian and all oppressed people in the world. Special thanks to Mike Madanat and Kristen Annette for helping envision and coordinate this conversation. We are very grateful to the Church of the Advent in Walnut Hills, a curious and creative Episcopal community, for hosting this event. A very special thanks to Megan Suttman and Jacob Taylor for making all of this happen.

The recorded Q&A with the panelists from this conversation is available as a bonus clip for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.

The speakers you hear from in this episode are:

Rev. Abby is a Presbyterian pastor who has mostly served outside traditional congregations and has mostly worked for Catholic organizations... mostly in Cincinnati.

Moshe is a community organizer from Cincinnati and a co-founder and prayer leader for Shema Cincinnati, a pluralistic community of Jews who are working to develop community, religious practice, and political action beyond Zionism, in service to a Judaism rooted in solidarity, compassion, and liberation.

Lena is a Palestinian American health education specialist and co-founder of SILA, a streetwear brand that celebrates identity, resistance, and connection. She was born in the US and raised in Palestine, and is a member of the Cincinnati Palestine Solidarity Coalition.

Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.

Show Notes:

https://linktr.ee/cincypalestinesolidarity

https://www.adventcincy.org/

https://linktr.ee/ShemaCincinnati

https://silamovement.com/collections/for-palestine

In this episode, the finale of the Touring the Holy Land Series, Jen has a conversation with Saleem Anfous. As they reflect on the tourism series as a whole and the importance of these conversations in the current context, Saleem shares from his experience as a tour guide in Palestine and Across the Divide’s producer. Saleem reflects on the opportunities for mutual transformation that he has witnessed through guiding Christians in the Holy Land. This episode also features excerpts from interviews with Palestinian Christians that explore the impact of tourism on Palestinian Christian communities. At the end of the episode, Jen and Saleem make a special announcement about a unique opportunity to travel with Across the Divide in 2026.

In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Salem chat about Saleem’s hometown Aboud, and its rich Christian history and present realities in the context of occupation. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.

Saleem Anfous is a tour guide in Bethlehem and the West Bank, a Project Manager for the Muslim/Christian Young Adults program at Musalaha, and serves as the producer of the Across the Divide podcast.

If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide

Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.