During their 100 years in the Holy Land, the lives of the monks have centered upoon prayer, service, dialogue with other Christian denominations and other religious traditions, the production of religious art and music, and the offering of spiritual and social services to pilgrims as well as to members of the surrounding community. Beit Benedict Peace Academy is the natural extension of these efforts.

Since the early 1950's, the community has been increasingly engaged in efforts to promote peace. Early efforts included seeking out dialogue with members of the Jewish community. Abbot Leo Rudloff, O.S.B., developed a life-long friendship with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

The monastary, located along the corridor between East and West Jerusalem, has been at the fault line of the conflict and has served as a site of initiatives to foster peace and mutual respect. From 1948 to 1967, the Abbey was neutral ground between the frontlines; in 1967 it was a scene of fierce battle. Since 1967 it has served repeatedly as a place for meetings and political negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as well as other Arab leaders.

In the late 1960's, Abbot Laurentius Klein O.S.B., establish an ecumenical biblical studies program for future Christian leaders and expanded the interfaith dialogue to include Muslims, fostering a "trialogue" among representatives of the Abrahamic faith traditions.

More recently, intensified conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, as exhibited in the inntifadas of the 1980's and 1990's, inspired further actions by the Benedictines on behalf of peace. The Mt. Sion Award was established to honor those working for reconciliation and intercultural understanding in the Holy Land. Beit Benedict Peace Academy is a means of extending and institutionalizing these initiatives. The impetus for Beit Benedict was the request of young Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers, who had experienced the Benedictine community as an oasis where reconciliation and peace are practiced and pursued.