Jerusalem TalksND: Alexandra Mauritsen

In this episode of Jerusalem TalksND, Avraham (Avrum) Burg sits down with Alexandra (Ali) Mauritsen ’96, a Notre Dame alumna who spent a year working with the children of refugees and migrant workers at The Saint Rachel Center in Jerusalem. Together they discuss Ali’s diverse background, world travels, and early encounters with global health care systems that encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine. They also talk about Ali’s relationship with her faith, exploring how her Catholic upbringing influenced her philosophy on life. Finally, they reflect on Ali’s transformative visits to the Holy Land, her evolving understanding of the mosaic of identities in the Holy Land, and her belief in the power of compassion and trust in abundance of God.

In season two, Jerusalem TalksND offers a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between Catholicism and the Holy Land.

Through a diverse range of perspectives including theology, spirituality, history, Church life, institutional impact, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, postcolonialism, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue, each episode delves deep into the rich tapestry of connections between Catholicism and the Holy Land.

The journey of exploration is led by a Jewish-Israeli host who works for the University of Notre Dame at its Jerusalem campus (Tantur). Avraham Burg conducts insightful interviews with fascinating individuals from various backgrounds, inviting them to reflect on the above themes and provide unique insights into the complex relationship between Catholicism and the Holy Land. The podcast aims to foster understanding and appreciation for the rich complexities of Earthly Jerusalem in the Catholic tradition. Join us on a journey of discovery as we delve into the spiritual, historical, and cultural significance of Jerusalem for Catholics around the world.