writers matter international
writers matter israel: finding hope and empathy through writing - bringing together arab and jewish students
Since those tragic events of October 7, 2023, Writers Matter Israel has offered a safe and compassionate space for high school students, both Israeli Jewish and Israeli Palestinians, to process their thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences through writing. The program includes student voices from Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Hundreds of students and teachers have participated in writing about their lives - finding structure and support to express their pain, hope, and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Beyond statistics lies the shared human story. Nearly everyone on both sides has suffered loss—family members, friends, neighbors—while living under constant threat and fear. Writing has become a refuge and a bridge, helping students rediscover their own humanity and that of others.
The Writers Matter program is non-political, focusing instead on self-care, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Writers Matter Israel partners with Debate for Peace in Israel - https://debateforpeace.org/
ROBERT VOGEL, Ed.D
Professor Emeritus, Department of Education, La Salle University
Phone: (215) 806 - 1433
Website (Writers Matter): https://www.writersmatter.org/
Website (Personal): https://www.bobvogel.org/
Writers Matter Israel is co-directed by:
STEVEN AIELLO
Director, Debate for Peace
Phone: (972) 528194878
Website (Debate for Peace): http://debateforpeace.org/
Publications
Writers Matter
Writers Matter provides a unique window into the lives of children ages 12 to 14 living in one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world, full of conflict and violence. These challenges are not only rooted in their worlds of religious and political conflict, but also in everyday problems of communication common within friends and family.
The Israeli-Jewish, Israeli-Palestinian/Arab or Palestinian living in the Palestinian Territories, all share an uncertain future and face seemingly insurmountable challenges each day of their lives. However, regardless of geographical location, religion, politics, or personal trauma, they all share one thing in common - they have big dreams for the future.
Writers Matter (Hebrew Translation)
Writers Matter provides a rare and unique window into the lives of children ages 12 to 14 living in one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world, full of conflict and violence. These challenges are not only rooted in their worlds of religious and political conflict, but also in everyday problems of communication common within friends and family.
This edition of Writers Matter is translated into Hebrew and can be purchased by clicking on the image to the left.
An Arabic version is also available and can be purchased by contacting Dr. Robert Vogel (vogel@lasalle.edu).
The Write path
The Write Path: Jewish Israeli and Palestinian Youth Finding Commonalities and Mutual Understanding Through Writing is a unique window into the changing lives of students after the war broke out on October 7, 2023, in Israel. As the war unfolded and students were out of school, sheltering at home, feeling unsafe safe on the streets, and having little personal contact with their friends. They needed a safe space to express their emotions and feelings. Join us as we explore the lives of students willing to talk and write about feelings, personal challenges, and coping strategies as they faced a new reality in their lives.
The Write Path II: Hope
The Write Path II: Hope - Israeli and Palestinian Youth Finding Hope and Empathy Through Writing offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of students and teachers two years after the war began on October 7, 2023. This book captures how they cope, heal, and hold on to hope. Through their writing, they reflect on trauma, grief, resilience, and the courage to rebuild their communities while imagining a peaceful future.
Their stories reveal that writing can be a tool for healing, fostering empathy, and connecting across divides. Even in the darkest times, hope shines through, reminding us that hope is what carries us forward - it is our future.
Two Sides, One Humanity: An Israeli-Palestinian Poem
The following poem was co-written by a Jewish Israeli author and a Palestinian author as part of the Writers Matter program led by Professor Bob Vogel. The juxtaposition of two stories (fictional names based on the tragic reality of the ongoing war and surrounding conflict) illustrates how there are two human sides to the conflict.
Posted on May 2, 2024 by Debate for Peace Model UN
in the news
“Book Launch at the Israeli Embassy in Jerusalem - Writers Matter Israel: Finding Hope and Empathy Through Writing.”
ZOOM Recording (December 15, 2025)
Passcode: .2uaf$wB
“Jewish and Palestinian Teens Write—and Brave the United States—Together.”
Momentmag (April 30, 2024)
“Students from Israel visit Philadelphia to share stories of living through war.”
6ABC (April 10, 2024)
“La Salle Professor Robert Vogel Helps Jewish and Arab Students Come Together.”
Philadelphia Jewish Exponent (January 3, 2024)