The event took place at 7 p.m. on March 16.
In the midst of various global conflicts, a group of approximately 30 students and faculty members gathered to share a meal and discuss their definition of peace. Discussion took place through small talk between participants at the tables they ate at, as well as through prayers and poems shared via microphone by select students and faculty.
“‘May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease, when a great peace will embrace the whole world,’” second-year Simona Lozovatskaya read to roughly 30 of her peers and faculty March 16 at Loyola’s Dinner for Peace.
The event was sponsored by the Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Program, Global Studies Program and the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
Lozovatskaya, a philosophy and psychology major, read the “Prayer for Peace” from Congregation Beth Shalom with the intention of advocating for a sense of community and helping those around her “realize we’re all on the same team and want the same thing: peace.”
In times of international crisis, the Director of the Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Program and Associate Professor of Theology Bill French, Ph.D., a speaker at the dinner, brought attention to the tendency for people to feel lost, lonely and isolated.
The admin who spoke was Chair of the Department. of Modern Languages and Literatures David Posner, Hebrew program mentor of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures Patti Ray, Senior Lecturer in the Department. of Chemistry and Biochemistry Polina Pine, Director of the Global Studies Program Tracy Pintchman and Associate Provost for Assessment and Accreditation Rachel Shefner.
The students who shared were fourth-year psychology major Courtenay Magallenes and second-year exercise science major Lucas Konowitz.
The event was meant to provide a therapeutic, supportive gathering for the Loyola community, according to French.
The dinner served to both educate guests and create an opportunity for attendees to share their hopes and visions of what peace can be during this time, Ray said.
While the current war in Iran was the “springboard” for the event, the purpose of the dinner was to reflect on a broader scale regarding international conflict, with nations like Gaza and Ukraine also being mentioned throughout the program, according to Ray.
Both students and faculty were invited to attend and share at the event by Ray.
Speakers either picked prayers and poems from the choices Ray provided or found alternatives online.
Prior to the outbreak of conflict in Iran, the dinner was aimed to continue the “normal” three-year tradition in place of “Falafel and Fajitas,” a longstanding tradition between Jewish and Latino student organizations at Loyola, according to Konowitz.
Once the war broke out, the dinner quickly switched gears to focused prayer and discussion on Iran, Konowitz said.
The event was set up with a number of round-tables, where individuals were able to share a meal with those around them before the program started. Roughly 30 people were in attendance.
Posner said during conflict, starting with community connection is necessary to overcome the negative feelings that come with war.
In today’s age of digital media, war is present at every moment through news broadcasting or social media, which can lead to increased feelings of helplessness or despair in youth, according to Reporteri. However, community, family and emotional support can play a key role in mitigating the consequences of overexposure to conflict.
Through this community, individuals are able to participate in collective action motivated towards peace, Posner said.
“You are not required to complete the task, but you are not permitted to withdraw from it,” Posner said during the event, a quote from Rabbi Tarfon in “Pirkei Avot,” a compilation of ethical teachings, maxims and principles of wisdom from Rabbinic Jewish tradition.
Posner said these sacrifices allow individuals to move against injustice and violence within the community.
Konowitz said he became involved with the event through Ray, who he met when he stopped over at a student table advertising Tubish Fat, the Jewish New Year for Trees, in the Damen Student Center.
During the event, Konowitz read “On Our Way to Peace,” a prayer brought to Ray by a student three years ago, and “Peace” by Archbishop Oscar Romero, an Archbishop of San Salvador and an outspoken advocate for peace and military liberation in El Salvador, according to the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
Dialogue can be a useful means of communication when it comes to talking about peace, according to Konowitz.
“One of the first things anyone asks you when they learn you’re a Jew is about Israel, they ask about the war and your opinions,” Konowitz said. “I have never felt comfortable advocating for war. I have always advocated for peace, and I felt like [this dinner] was a very important thing to do.”
Magallanes said the dinner was a time to “reflect on how we can do better for the world.”
“Taking the time to pause from academics and come to a space where everybody is gathered and has a sense of community is always important,” Magallanes said.
Through the passages she shared, Magallanes said she hoped to spark positivity and show how community is present and should stand out above all else.
Magallanes shared both a “Peace Prayer During a Time of War” and “A Prayer for World Peace,” both prayers of which were historically used in interfaith services, vigils and worship during conflict, like the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.
“Peace Prayer During a Time of War” originated from Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace movement, and in association with the Fellowship of Reconciliation, according to Magallanes.
Outside of the readings the students shared, each table at the event included cards with the Christian, Baha’i, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Native American prayers for peace.
There were also website links to global peace-encouraging organizations, like Sharaka, Givat Haviva, The Arava Institute, Seeds of Peace, The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and Oasis of Peace also available at every table.
During the event, French said the world isn’t doing well at reducing war, and it doesn’t help when country leaders use disrespectful rhetoric towards other nations when conflict happens.
French said he sees this happening in the United States. Through the current conflict with Iran, and fears the United States is seeding a lot of animosity and hatred of America among the next generation of Iranians living through the U.S.-Israeli strikes against their community.
The United States launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 to “defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” according to President Donald Trump.
After almost four weeks of conflict, Trump has now threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear power plants if Tehran doesn’t fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, according to Al Jazeera.
“Words are so important, and we need a president and cabinet that uses words of respect for other people,” French said.
While action needs to be taken to address the lack of global peace, French said sharing words of encouragement is a start.
“At the end of the day, prayers and poetry can inspire us to recognize we’re not alone,” French said.
