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Jerusalem & Athens Forum Annual Debate

Each spring semester students participate in an Oxford-style public debate. The debate is a venerable institution in Western higher education dating from medieval universities. While largely an exercise in public oratory, the JAF annual debate is also a time for members of the Gordon community to engage in thinking deeply together about controversial questions.

Spring 2026

Resolution: “The pursuit of beauty is a distraction from the work of justice.”

The Affirmative Case:
Jordan Burwell, Kate Coburn, Elasia Gahagan, Savyna Renfrow, Jonah Sparling, Kirsten Spolar, Josabeth Wilson

The Negative Case:
Jenna Broaddus, Audrey Coe, Karis Duck, Debrah Hernandez, Carley Hoover, Benjamin Pajunen, Woobensky Pierre

Watch Previous Debates

  1. 2025 Debate
  2. 2024 Debate
  3. 2023 Debate