Philadelphia

Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace presents Annemarie Jacir's stunning film "Salt of this Sea," starring Suheir Hammad as Soraya, a woman born in Brooklyn into a working class community of Palestinian refugees, who discovers that her grandfather's savings were frozen in a bank account in Jaffa when he was exiled in 1948. Stubborn, passionate and determined to reclaim what is hers, she fulfills her life-long dream of "€œreturning"€ to Palestine. Once there, slowly she is taken apart by the reality around her and she is forced to confront her own anger. She meets Emad, a young Palestinian whose ambition, contrary to hers, is to leave forever. Tired of the constraints that dictate their lives, they know in order to be free, they must take things into their own hands.

Loves & Madmen cafe, 28 S. 40th Street (between Market & Chestnut). $2 admission, or just buy a cup of something.

Join PJJP for a workshop to build Jewish community and identity while taking a critical look at Israeli government policy. Explore traditional and historic Jewish commitment to social justice and liberation. $15-50 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Location TBA, snacks provided. To register, email phillyjjp@gmail.org with subject line "Wresting with Zion" and please include your name, number and what you would like to get out of the workshop in your email!

Join Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace and SUSTAIN-Philadelphia as we present "My Name is Rachel Corrie," the stunning one-woman play adapted from the writings of the 23-year-old American activist who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer as she was working to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in Gaza. Starring actress/activist Courtney Day Nassar, this production is a remarkable portrayal of Rachel Corrie's awakening to the horror of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. $5, purchase tickets in advance at www.phillypalestine.org, seating is limited.

Caroline Rivas's stunning 2007 documentary about a West Bank family whose lives have been transformed by the Apartheid Wall. Discussion follows.

Lovers & Madmen, 28 S. 40th Street (between Market and Chestnut), $2 or buy a coffee...

Join members of PJJP at Kaffa Crossing, 4423 Chestnut Street, and learn about exciting plans for the 2010 U.S. Assembly of Jews: Confronting Racism & Israeli Apartheid to be held in Detroit from June 19-22, as a pre-convening to the U.S. Social Forum.

Diplomat-in-Residence Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator and longtime leader, will speak at LaSalle University's Dan Rodden Theater: "Peace in the Middle East: A Just Peace, or Just Any Peace?" This event is free and open to the public - don't miss it!

Join Bubbies and Zaydes for Peace in the Middle East and the larger community of Philadelphia activists for justice for Palestinians at a weekly protest vigil outside the Israeli Consulate: 19th Street at JFK Boulevard, noon to one, rain or shine.

West Philly location, call 215-407-1242 or email phillyjjp@gmail.com for details!