Beril Berk on Building Bridges through Dialogue, Art, and Empathy

Beril Berk, Executive Director of the Dialogue Institute of Dallas, joins George Mason to explore how intentional relationship-building—across faiths, cultures, and communities—creates lasting impact. In this conversation, she reflects on the power of sitting at shared tables, the rich meaning of Ramadan, and the role of art and youth leadership in cultivating empathy. From feeding neighbors at shelters to launching a youth group called “Salam Shalom,” Berk’s work is rooted in the values of the Hizmet movement: education, service, and mutual understanding.A lawyer by training, Beril Berk also practices immigration law and brings her personal journey as a Turkish immigrant to her work in both legal and community spaces.