2025 Events Recap
December 30, 2025
In 2025, Or Initiative convened students, educators, scholars, civic leaders, and community members for a series of conversations focused on civil discourse, free speech, digital life, antisemitism, campus conflict, intergenerational memory, and pathways toward mutual understanding. Together, these gatherings reflected Or Initiative’s commitment to helping young people and educators engage difficult issues with evidence, empathy, courage, and respect across difference.
November 13, 2025
Realign for Palestine
Radical Pragmatism for the Future of the Middle East featuring Ahmed Fouad Alkatib
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, founder of Realign for Palestine, presented a bold approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that embraced multiple truths and centered empathy, realism, and coexistence. His organization, based at the Atlantic Council, amplifies pragmatic voices advocating for Palestinian statehood through a humane two-nation solution. The talk explored practical, forward-looking solutions for both peoples and reframed the path to peace through mutual recognition and shared dignity. In a time of deep polarization, the event offered a vital, solution-focused perspective for those seeking a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
This event was co-sponsored by Fish Interfaith Center, School of Communication, MA in International Studies, MA in War, Diplomacy, and Society, and Center for Demographics and Policy.
October 23, 2025
The Commandant’s Shadow Film Screening
Zoom Discussion Following Screening with Director Daniela Völker
Moderated by Professor Vikki Katz, Professor of Communication Studies,
Fletcher Jones Foundation Endowed Chair in Free Speech and Executive Director of the Or Initiative
Honored with the 2024 Yad Vashem Documentary Award, The Commandant’s Shadow follows 87-year-old Hans Jürgen Höss, son of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, as he faces his father’s terrible legacy.
While Hans enjoyed a happy childhood in the family’s villa in Auschwitz, Jewish prisoner Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, now 100 years old, was struggling to survive the camp. At the heart of this thought-provoking documentary is the meeting between Höss and Lasker-Wallfisch, along with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch.
This compelling feature-length documentary explores the relationships of a mother and her daughter, a father and his son, and the long shadows cast by the crimes of the Holocaust. The film raises complex questions about intergenerational memory, love, guilt, and forgiveness.
October 9, 2025
Erwin Chemerinsky in Dialogue with Chapman Profrssor Vikki Katz on Free Speech and Civil Discourse
Chapman University marked President Matt Parlow’s inauguration with a major discussion on free speech and civil discourse featuring UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Chapman Professor Vikki Katz. The conversation addressed hate speech, academic freedom, social media’s effect on public dialogue, and the responsibility of universities to model respectful exchange across differences. Chemerinsky emphasized that campuses must protect free speech while setting reasonable limits on disruption, and Katz highlighted the importance of viewpoint diversity and evidence-based dialogue. The event also introduced Katz’s role as the Fletcher Jones Foundation Endowed Chair in Free Speech and leader of the Or Initiative, a Chapman program supported by the Samueli Foundation to help young people build digital research skills and practice civil discourse rooted in empathy, evidence, and respect.
Aug 25, 2025
2025-2026 Convocation address on The Aims of Education at Chapman University
UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Chapman Professor Vikki Katz were scheduled to lead a public conversation on campus free speech and civil discourse as part of the inauguration events for Chapman President Matt Parlow. The discussion was designed to address the challenges of dialogue on college campuses during a time of deep political division, connecting directly to Katz’s leadership of the Or Initiative, a Chapman program supported by the Samueli Foundation that helps young people develop digital research skills and engage contentious issues with empathy, evidence, and respect. The event was part of a broader weeklong inauguration schedule highlighting Chapman’s commitment to leadership, public dialogue, civic engagement, and community connection.
April 24, 2025
Standing Together: Fostering Dialogue Amidst Campus Conflict
UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Chapman Professor Vikki Katz were scheduled to lead a public conversation on campus free speech and civil discourse as part of the inauguration events for Chapman President Matt Parlow. The discussion was designed to address the challenges of dialogue on college campuses during a time of deep political division, connecting directly to Katz’s leadership of the Or Initiative, a Chapman program supported by the Samueli Foundation that helps young people develop digital research skills and engage contentious issues with empathy, evidence, and respect. The event was part of a broader weeklong inauguration schedule highlighting Chapman’s commitment to leadership, public dialogue, civic engagement, and community connection.