Arab, Jewish women share ‘peacemaking’ stories in film, panel discussion

January 15, 2015
Contact:
  • umichnews@umich.edu

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 4-6 p.m., Jan. 26, 2015

EVENT: A film screening and panel discussion of “Refusing to be Enemies: The Zeitouna Story.”

The documentary chronicles Zeitouna (the Arab word for “olive tree”), a group of six Arab and six Jewish women from extremely diverse backgrounds. Their ages span 40 years. Some are American born while others are survivors of the Holocaust and Nakbah’s terror, but they were all brought together by the idea that dialogue is the basis from which peace can be achieved.

They share their stories of sisterhood and personal transformation as a testament to the power of open discourse. While they cannot offer answers to the crisis facing the Middle East, they can provide resources to those who strive for peace through dialogue.

The film will be followed by a panel presentation from Zeitouna members, who will discuss their personal experiences with peacemaking, as well as tools for others to implement in their own lives.

The screening will begin at 4 p.m. followed by the panel at 5 p.m. The event is free to the public, but registration is requested at cew.umich.edu.

It is part of a series of events for the University of Michigan’s 29th annual MLK Symposium.

LOCATION: Michigan League Ballroom, 911 N. University Ave. Ann Arbor. Central Campus map

SPONSORS: Center for the Education of Women and the Minerva Project