Conflicts may be unavoidable. Disputes aren’t.

Part of a collection of profiles highlighting community-led initiatives to enhance dialogue throughout campus.

Shira Hoffer’s dedication stems from the family discussions her parents facilitated at their New Hampshire residence to address conflicts or challenging issues. The four would gather on the couch around a bowl filled with M&Ms, which would gradually diminish as they conversed.

“You could say I am predisposed to be committed to conflict resolution,” expressed Hoffer, a senior focused on social studies and religion. “Both my parents exemplified how to appreciate various viewpoints and examine advantages and disadvantages without dismissing opinions right away.”

Hoffer utilized those experiences when she established the Hotline for Israel/Palestine shortly after the terror attacks on October 7 to encourage constructive conversations on campus regarding the situation in Israel and Gaza. Her aim was to deliver accurate, impartial information to inquiries about the conflict and its extensive history, assisting those unfamiliar with the topic who might otherwise rely on less trustworthy sources.

“Some individuals remarked, ‘You’re supporting the enemy,’ while others claimed, ‘You’re endorsing genocide,’” Hoffer recalled regarding the feedback towards her initiative. “People had numerous questions, and it is essential to nurture those inquiries, or else individuals risk becoming more close-minded.”

Over the previous year, the hotline’s 20 volunteers have addressed over 300 questions, yet Hoffer recognized that further efforts were necessary.

Last spring, she established the nonprofit Institute for Multipartisan Education to provide guidance to middle and high schools on promoting civil discourse and healthy disagreement. A year-long fellowship for college students to undertake similar endeavors at their own institutions will commence next fall.

“Humanizing, comprehending, and constructing bridges are unachievable without a degree of curiosity.”

Hoffer’s aspiration is to foster a broader cultural transformation that welcomes dialogue amidst differences. It starts with aiding students in discovering how to listen to opposing views without rejecting or ostracizing those from alternate perspectives. The pathway to achieving this, she asserted, is by cultivating curiosity and open-mindedness.

“We are advocating, ‘Disagree, yet do so with curiosity,’ and observe the outcome,” Hoffer stated. “Our goal is to equip students with the tools to approach divergence with curiosity. Humanizing, comprehending, and constructing bridges cannot take place without a foundational level of curiosity.”

This work is vital because individuals are seldom taught how to discuss the most challenging subjects, noted David Seibel, associate faculty at Harvard Law School’s negotiation program. An authority in mediation and conflict resolution, Seibel is a member of the advisory board for Hoffer’s nonprofit.

“We lack a solid platform or foundation, and a habit for constructive dialogue,” said Seibel, who met Hoffer during a mediation course at the Law School. “Shira’s organization holds significance as it serves as a platform for students to concentrate on fostering meaningful communication in an era marked by a lack of it.”

Upon graduation, Hoffer intends to dedicate herself to her nonprofit. In a sense, it aligns closely with her anticipated path after high school—something at the intersection of law and religion.

Attending a pluralistic Jewish high school in Waltham, Massachusetts, where students from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other branches of Judaism study collectively, allowed her to appreciate the advantages of understanding her classmates’ differences and building community together, she mentioned.

Throughout her time at Harvard, Hoffer became a member of the Harvard Interfaith Forum and the Harvard Intellectual Vitality group, participating in numerous dialogue and conflict-resolution initiatives. Despite her concerns about the challenges in administration and fundraising that nonprofits and startups face, Hoffer emphasizes the necessity of her mission to “encourage curiosity throughout education.”

Even prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. society was facing increasing division over issues such as LGBTQ rights, abortion, and immigration. It is crucial to learn how to engage in conversations across divides for the preservation of democracy, Hoffer asserts.

“Polarization and a reluctance to understand one another result in complications at all societal levels,” she said. “It creates academic issues when individuals are unwilling to consider diverse viewpoints on historical or current matters. It leads to social problems when we segregate into communities based on our perspectives, and it presents challenges for democracy when we are unable to engage in discussions with opposing sides.”