Announcing: Registration now open for major November Madison conference on Palestine/Israel

Voices for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land: November 7 & 8 in Madison, WI

A conference presented by Friends of Sabeel-North America and Students for Justice in Palestine - UW Madison

Dear Members and Friends of Playgrounds for Palestine - Madison,

You are invited to participate in a major conference on Palestine/Israel to be held at the Pyle Center on the campus of UW-Madison Friday and Saturday, November 7 & 8, 2014.

The conference will be an opportunity for you to hear from and talk with Christian, Muslim, Jewish and secular leaders, scholars and activists about the history of and current developments in Palestine/Israel, the U.S. role, and what it requires from us.

Plenary sessions and interactive workshops will examine the situation on the ground and explore ways that we can effectively work for a just peace.  Distinguished speakers and workshop leaders will address the conflict from theological, political, economic and historic perspectives and invite us to be part of creative, non-violent responses.

The recent devastation and loss of life in Gaza have made it more urgent than ever that we come together to discuss this topic.

The conference features a number of exciting speakers including Rev. Canon Naim Ateek from Jerusalem, Susan Abulhawa (invited), Ali Abunimah, Rabbi Brant Rosen, Fida Qishta and her Gaza film Where Should the Birds Fly?, Cecile Surasky of Jewish Voice for Peace, Zoughby Zoughby of the Conflict Resolution Center in Bethlehem, and more.

The Friday night cultural evening is scheduled to include Palestinian spoken word artist Remi Kanazi, poetry by Susan Abulhawa, and music & dance by the Milwaukee Students for Justice in Palestine debke troupe. For a complete list of speakers, performers and workshop leaders including biographical profiles, visit: https://fosnamadisonconference2014.wordpress.com/speakers/

Conference registration opens at 10 am on Friday, November 7.  The program begins at 12:30 pm and runs through 5:30 pm, followed by a Palestinian dinner and then a cultural evening.  Registration re-opens at 8:00 am on Saturday, November 8, with the conference program resuming at 9:00 am. Closing plenary begins at 4:15 and the conference ends around 5:00 pm.  Participants may attend all or part of the conference. For more schedule details, visit: https://fosnamadisonconference2014.wordpress.com/conference-schedule/

Registration is now open for the conference.  (Pre-registration by Nov. 3 is REQUIRED for those who plan to attend the dinner.) Costs range from $85 for the full 2-day program to $25 for students.  Some scholarships for low-income are available.

In addition to Friends of Sabeel-NA and Madison SJP, the conference is sponsored by a local organizing committee including Bright Stars of Bethlehem, Christ Presbyterian Church, Havens Center, International Socialist Organization-Madison, Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Madison Friends' Meeting, Mary House Catholic Worker, Memorial United Church of Christ - Fitchburg, Muslim Students Association, Pilgrims of Ibillin, Playgrounds for Palestine-Madison, The Crossing, and Wisdom's Well.

 

We hope you are able to join us for this exciting event.

Sincerely,
Samir El-Omari

for PfP - Madison

For more detailed information including costs and options, to register on line or to download a mail-in registration form, please visit our website at https://fosnamadisonconference2014.wordpress.com/

If you would like more information, please reply to this e-mail or contact us at madisonfosnaconf@gmail.com