Peacebuilding Under Pressure: Conflict Resolution in the Hasidic Jewish Community

The presentation will draw on the conflicts described in my book representing the Hasidic Jewish Community of Kiryas Joel. Dimensions of political positioning, fear and biases complicated the resolution process. At the core was the Hasidic municipality (Town/Village in Orange County) trying to be accepted by other municipalities and county, as a whole. All sides publicly stated that they wanted peace and harmony. Getting to that point confronted subconscious and cultural obstacles that derailed many seeming successful paths. It will offer explanation of collaborative attempts to stop conflicts before they became battles or even litigations.

Participants will

1. Gain understanding about problem resolution in a politically and religiously heated environment.
2. Gain a deeper understanding of the operation of municipal communities, governed by Federal law, home rule in NYS and cultural differences.
3. Gain insight to dispute resolution challenges in an environment operating under the blood sport of local politics.
4. Learn technics and strategies for moving conflicts from positions to interests opening pathway for resolution.   

About Michael Amo

Michael Amo is a graduate trained health care administrator with over 25 years employed by the NYS Office of Mental Hygiene. He retired in the Spring of 1998. He is a licensed NYS Nursing Home Administrator who specialized in abuse investigations. In 1998 he was appointed to the Orange County Legislature where he still serves representing the Hasidic Jewish community of Kiryas Joel, New York. A significant part of his work delt with attempting to resolve heated conflicts between others, the county, local communities and Kiryas Joel. Some mediated solutions were found while other have still brewing. In 2024 the SUNY Press contracted with me to write a book representing my Hasidic constituents; Outside Looking In--Three Decades Representing the Hasidic Jewish Community of Kiryas Joel New York.