What did we learn from our September installment in the Can We Talk? Series?

Well, we learned whether diverse groups such as local rabbis, national organizations and Jewish college students think we can as Jews talk about Israel in a civil and constructive manner.

We got perspectives from an Israeli writer about how we might be able to tell whether criticism about Israel is coming from a place of love or one of loathing. And we heard (today, in fact) from one local Jewish professional who’s had substantial interaction with teens and young adults about all matters Israeli.

We went a step further this time to encourage you to participate in the discussion, with Facebook prompts and questions online about the subject.

We had a terrific turnout at the Jewish Community Center with fabulous panelists and a highly engaged audience spending an hour and a half together with an eclectic mix of opinions, perspectives and anecdotes that altogether presented a truly three-dimensional look at Jews’ discussions about Israel.

It is last Tuesday’s event that we think especially validates the choice of the Jewish Light, JCC and Jewish Community Relations Council to pick the topic in the first place. For if we convened a public session and thought that there was no chance to cultivate a meaningful opportunity for Jewish folks to both speak about and listen to each other, our goal would have been laced with a good dose of fantasy. And had we thought the event would degrade into a barrage of verbal heat-seeking missiles, the exercise would have been even more seriously flawed.

Instead, we had what we hoped we could have: Savvy and sophisticated voices, a variety of views, a bevy of backgrounds, all conversing in a way that allowed both decorum and substance to prevail.

It is true that addressing the “meta” issue – how we hear each other about issues of import surrounding Israel – is somewhat less likely to conflagrate than going to the heart of people’s firmly-held views about the actual issues of the day surrounding two-state solutions, Jerusalem’s status, settlements, etc.

But by embarking on this program and series, we showed that indeed, with the right care and feeding, the right balance, a tone of respect and an open and fair dialogue, we can approach the more sensitive issues with parameters for civil engagement.

Can We Talk? is a quarterly series from the Jewish Light, JCC and JCRC, pairing stories, op-eds and editorials with community discussion event. This Can We Talk? series focuses on ‘Israel: How Do We Hear One Another.’

• Rutu Modan, “Exit Wounds”