Study Abroad in Israel & Palestine

Light shining for our eyes to look upon the land where Jesus walked..... Who will go to the pier? Israel is taking the rubble from the residences they bombed –– children and families still undiscovered –– and building a pier with it.

www.facebook.com

In journalism, we say to keep it "tight and bright." It can't be bright when the news is so dark, but I thank Mike Merryman-Lotze and Andrew Friend for their succinct fact-check in response to a radically wrong posting.

WE WRITE TO INVITE YOU AS EDUCATORS TO CONSIDER THE FESTIVAL AS A LEARNING MOMENT FOR YOUR STUDENTS

Dear Educators,

From December 2 through December 6th, 2020, the first-ever virtual Palestinian literature festival in North American will take place. Palestine Writes will be a cutting-edge multimedia event featuring more than 50 writers, authors and activists. Panels will range from discussions of the history of Palestinian writing, to representations of women in Palestinian literature, to comparative analysis of notable writers like Ghassan Kanafani and James Baldwin. The Festival will also include live, interactive presentations and readings with leading Palestinian authors from both Palestine and in the diaspora.

The Festival will also include special sessions for children: it will feature a “Children’s Tent” for example with book readings, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, workshops, lessons in how to write your name in Arabic, and a scavenger hunt: https://palestinewrites.vfairs.com

We write to invite you as educators to consider the Festival as a learning moment for your students. You can livestream sessions from the Festival into your classroom free of cost just by registering for the Festival at the website above.

Sessions will also be available for viewing in real-time during the Festival, and saved on-line for 30 days after. Both could offer excellent opportunities for your students to appreciate the richness, beauty and complexity of Palestinian writing and culture.

For more information about the Festival or register, please go to our Festival landing page at www.palestinewrites.vfairs.com Please note that registration is free for those who cannot afford to pay.

Please also follow us on Facebook at Palestine Writes, and on Twitter and Instagram at

If you have general questions about the Festival please write to us at [email protected]

We hope to see you and your students at the Festival.

Palestine Writes Organizing Committee

Image: Shot from Ubeidiya village, near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, overlooking Jerusalem, 27 December, 2014. (Ahmad Al-Bazz / ActiveStills)

It's already JULY! Time to let the sunshine in and energize the work to come....

I am always moved by this picture and will never forget the moment I took it.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER; Doors close TOMORROW (Tuesday)

See the food you'll miss if you don't come? :-)

This course enrollment is about to close. The application process should get started now if you're interested in joining:

T4207 – The Cultures and Religions of Modern Israel (Preview) Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Nazareth, Haifa Faculty: Dr. Paul Parker and Ms. Roxane Rodriguez Assaf December 31 - January 22 Academic Overview Come explore the contemporary religions and cultural richness of the six religions of modern Israel and Palestine. Investigate the mut....

More religions in Israel than you might think. Which one is this?

CHRISTMAS TWICE: Once in the US, then again in the HOLY LAND - earning college credit!

Can't wait to be with students in the historically recognized birthplace of Jesus in January 2014 for all the festivities. STUDENTS, GET ENROLLED NOW!!!

One of the coolest things about this trip is we get to experience Christmas in January when the Orthodox Christians celebrate. There's a parade by day through the streets of Bethlehem, then a ball at night. (Rumor has it the students are treated to this evening festivity!)

Here's Mat Wolf's picture from a December Christmas outside Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity where the birth of Jesus is commemorated.