Friday, August 22, 2025
- 5:30 PM - Pot luck: Grassman Hall Dining Room and Outdoor picnic tables
- 6:45 PM - Gather in Grassman Hall Auditorium
- Songs for Steadfastness (Sumud ) and Peace- Terri Roben
- 7:00 PM: A Tapestry of Word and Music for Palestine
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Including staged readings presented by area theater artists who are part of the Creative Action Unlimited Social Justice Artist’s Collective and reflective musical interludes provided by Native American flautist, Eric Marczak who will be playing the traditional Armenian duduk as well as the Middle Eastern shepherd’s flute, the kaval.
Actors include: Debra Bercier, Amy Hauskenecht, Michael Kennedy, Tony Pallone and J.Scala joined by Sana Wazwaz formerly from the New Arab American Theater Works.
Readings include selections from Carol Churchill’s play: Nine Jewish Children
The New Gaza Monologues from The ASHTAR Theater in Ramallah, Palestine and from Chris Hedges A Genocide Foretold
Click Here For Full Detailed Schedule for Friday Night's
A Tapestry of Word and Music for Palestine and Israel
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Palestine and Israel:
Tragedy, Trauma, Truth & Compassion
- 8:00 AM: Registration, Coffee and Continental Breakfast available
- 8:45 AM: gather in the Pavillon (or Grassman Auditorium)
- Songs for Steadfastness (Sumud) and Peace - Terri Roben
- 9:00 AM: Welcome and Introduction
- 9:10 AM: Keynote Address - Phyllis Bennis - Genocide In The Time Of Monsters
- Presentation and Question and Answers
- 10:00 AM: An original spoken word response to the Genocide - Poet D. Colin
- 10:15 AM: Reflection, Conversation, Break
- 10:25 AM: DEBUNKING ZIONIST MYTHS: a Workshop for All - Sana Wazwaz
- This is an interactive role-play workshop on how to debate the most dangerous and pervasive Zionist myths. Lobbyists, campus organizers, and grassroots activists are frequently bombarded with a host of dangerous Zionist talking-points.
- These myths are parroted not just by the staunch Israel apologists--but the "moderate democrat," by academics, staffers, neighbors, even those who oppose Israel's mass starvation of Gaza. But condemning starvation is the bare minimum; from Tucker Carlson to Piers Morgan--Zionist talking points are alive and well.
- Join us for an interactive role-playing session on how to talk to any Zionist-sympathizer--from the most stubborn political staffer to a naive colleague or family member. We will learn rhetorical skills, speaking strategies, and the most critical historical facts to deliver an effective case for Palestine in any setting.
- 11:40 AM: Reflection, Conversation, Break
- 11:45 AM: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION EMBRACED: a panel presentation
- Turning Concern Into Action - Personal Stories
Kathy Manley: Global March to Gaza participant
Brian Terrell: 40 Day Fast for Gaza
Pippa Bartolotti: Author, Peace and Sustainability Activist: Making It Personal
Jeid Ebanks: Member of the International Medical Corps - 12:30 PM: Lunch and Conversation - Grassman Dining Hall as well as picnic tables
- 1:30 PM: Workshops - Session One
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- WORKSHOP A: GRASSMAN AUDITORIUM - CHANGING THE DISCOURSE - Phyllis Bennis
- How to educate & pressure Congress, the media & the public on the urgency of changing US policy towards Palestine & Israel
- WORKSHOP B: FRONT OF PAVILION - CARING ABOUT PALESTINE - MAKING IT REAL -WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN WE LEAVE HERE? Kathy Manley, Bryan Terrell, Pippa Bartolotti , Jeid Ebanks
- Freeform conversation and strategy session among activists and participants
- WORKSHOP C: PICNIC GROVE - WRITING FROM MIND AND HEART ABOUT PALESTINE IN ORDER TO MOVE HEARTS AND MINDS - D. Colin
- Participants should come prepared to write about the humanitarian crisis/ political issues in Gaza/Israel/Palestine from their chosen perspective and with a particular intended audience in mind: magazine piece, letter to the editor, legislative leader, Facebook/social media post, clergy/religious leadership, etc. The piece might be in different formats: poem, etc. Participants should have the intention of actually sending/ sharing this piece (or these pieces).
- 2:30 PM: Second Workshop - SWITCH WORKSHOPS
- Workshops A or B only
- 3:35 PM: FINAL GATHERING - All Speak Out, Gratitude, Closing