This August, our community had the privilege of welcoming Loay Alshareef back to South Africa, nearly ten years after his first visit.
A Saudi-born linguist, educator, and peace advocate, Loay’s story is a testament to transformation, courage, and human connection. The visit, made possible by the Academy of Jewish Thought & Learning, brought his message of hope, dialogue, and the possibility of change to eager audiences.
Loay’s journey is remarkable. Raised in a devout Muslim family in Jeddah, he grew up absorbing harsh stereotypes and prejudices often taught about Jews and Israel. Yet a single experience changed everything: a study placement in France where he was hosted by a Jewish family. Loay recalls being initially unsettled and wanting to leave, but he stayed. He shared Shabbat dinners, engaged in honest conversations, and gradually began to see the world, the Jewish community, and himself and his place in it, differently. With a twinkle in his eye, he joked that it took ‘two Shabbat dinners to begin his de-radicalization. It was not just a change in thought, but a change of heart.’ Loay’s warmth, approachability, and humour were matched by his intellect and breadth of knowledge as a gifted polymath. He spoke not only about solutions and paths forward, but also about the importance of strength tempered with empathy and dialogue in a world where young people are often exposed to distorted narratives that breed fear, hatred, and division.
Loay’s advocacy extends beyond personal transformation. He has become a high-profile champion of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state – he calls Jerusalem the love of his life – while advocating for dignity for Palestinian civilians. He is unflinching in condemning extremist groups that perpetuate violence, insisting that hatred harms everyone – including the very communities it claims to defend.
After his talk, Loay was swamped by community members eager to meet him, thank him, and hear more from this leading light in online and real-life advocacy. Charming, engaging, and approachable, he left a strong impression as both a public advocate and a diplomatic voice of dialogue and understanding. In a moment that captured the warmth of the evening, host Rabbi Ramon Widmonte, joked that Loay could probably deliver a longer drosha than he could.
By the end of the night, it was clear why Loay Alshareef is such a powerful voice for peace: his life proves that bridges can be built, walls dismantled, and hope can flourish even where it seems impossible. In a world too often focused on division, Loay’s story is a vivid reminder that dialogue, empathy, and a few Shabbat dinners can indeed change the world. ●
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