Program encourages more tolerant, inclusive society

FREEHOLD - The Freehold Jewish Center will present an adult education program featuring Sarah Elshazly, who will speak on a unique aspect of the Israel-Arab situation, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad Street.

Elshazly, co-chair of American Middle East Leadership Network and Ishmael and Isaac foundation, was born in Haifa, Israel, where she lived until she was 15 years old before moving to the United States.

She speaks English, Arabic and Hebrew fluently and has forged special relationships with a diversity of minority communities, according to a press release. Being an Israeli Arab gives her a unique outlook at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since she has family on both sides of the green line.

Elshazly has, for years, been active in community relations, representing Islamic groups in a variety of public forms to enhance cultural understanding of the Arab-Moslem traditions and conflicts to American communities. She writes about the Middle East and visits frequently to further understand the situation.

She has been a guest speaker at colleges, churches, synagogues and organizational functions. She has been interviewed on television, radio and in newspapers as well as training law enforcement agents, and serves as an adviser on Middle Eastern issues.

According to the press release, Elshazly is developing a program for schools that is geared toward bringing up a more tolerant and inclusive society.

She is currently working on a book, dealing with Islamic values and culture. Her main focus continues to be educating young children to be free from hate and embrace other people with acceptance, according to the press release. Her ultimate goal and personal dream is "to create mutual respect and trust and make this a better place for our children."

For more information, call the Freehold Jewish Center at (732) 462-0254.