Local Activist Libby Traubman on “50 Years of Encouraging Peace”

San Mateo resident and longtime local activist Libby Traubman has for many years subscribed to the notion that “an enemy is one whose story you have not heard.” Libby’s life journey has involved the pursuit of such stories, through public discussion events that raise awareness and lend clarity. Over many years these have taken place notably through the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue of the Bay Area, consisting of meetings she has organized between, as the name suggests, supporters of Israel and of Palestine. In other years they have involved interactions during visits (with her late husband Len) to the then-Soviet Union, as well as to Nigeria, where sectarian civil war and strife were taking place. That experience in turn led to the introduction of such dialogue in other African countries – all directed toward peaceful solutions.
On the evening of Sunday, September 14, Libby will discuss her upcoming book about these interactions. She will also discuss her personal journey – what she has learned, how the world can benefit, the obsolescence of war as a solution to world problems, and more. She will mention panels and forums that have taken place and are upcoming. And she will invite us to share our own thoughts and experiences in dialogue related to peacemaking and understanding.
The September 14 event begins at 7 PM.
Libby Traubman has lived in San Mateo for 50 years. She continues her service and activities in spite of losing Len 6 years ago, after 53 years together. Early in their marriage they found themselves participating in activities focused on making better choices for lifestyle issues, especially issues about war.
In 1984, she and Len spent three weeks in the Soviet Union where they experienced the power of sharing personal stories and changing the enemy into friends. Participating in the Beyond War movement led them to work with other global conflicts. This involved partnering with the Stanford Center on Conflict and Negotiation to bring Israeli and Palestinian citizen leaders to California for a conference. That conference and the document they wrote, Framework for a Public Peace Process, led to the launch of the Jewish Palestinian Living Room Dialogue more than 32 years ago in San Mateo. Since October 7, the circle of participants has expanded.
In 1994 Libby was inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame for her peace work and volunteer activities.
Come join PASMC and Libby Traubman for an evening dedicated to exploring solutions peacefully – the best way we know how!