Members of the Yale School of Public Health community recently gathered at the Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale for a lunchtime conversation about how intentional community-building and dialogue can support belonging during times of division, uncertainty, and social fragmentation.
Hosted in partnership with the Office of Community and Practice, the session brought together students, faculty, and staff for an informal fireside-style dialogue with Uri Cohen, Executive Director of the Slifka Center, and Mayur Desai, Dean of Community and Practice at YSPH.
The conversation explored what it means to build authentic community when people hold different identities, experiences, and perspectives. Cohen reflected on the Jewish tradition of disagreement, sharing how communities can remain connected even when they do not agree. He spoke about the importance of asking genuine questions, listening deeply, honoring people’s humanity, and maintaining shared values and boundaries.
Participants reflected on the role of compassionate dialogue in public health, emphasizing the need to create spaces where disagreement does not have to lead to disconnection. Several attendees shared takeaways about listening with curiosity, resisting assumptions, and valuing difference as part of community life.
The gathering reflected YSPH’s ongoing commitment to fostering connection within the school, across Yale, and beyond. Through conversations like this, the Office of Community and Practice continues to create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage across differences, strengthen relationships, and build a connected and compassionate public health community.