Rabbi, Peace Activist

Rabbi Yehuda HaKohen is a West Bank Jewish peace activist and teacher at several Jerusalem institutions. Born and raised in New York City, he moved to Israel in 2001 to enlist in the IDF at the height of the Second Intifada. He has since assumed leadership positions on three national election campaigns and has worked for over a decade on North American university campuses to generate an understanding of Jewish identity and connection to the Land of Israel. HaKohen’s educational work focuses on inspiring young adults to become active characters in Israel’s story by helping to define the next goals of Jewish history. As a leader in the Alternative Action movement, he organizes grassroots dialogue sessions for Palestinian and Israeli activists seeking to transcend competing one-sided narratives in favor of a more scientific analysis of the factors forcing both peoples into conflict.