IFPB Delegates in Action!

Atlanta Regional Network

In May 2013 fourteen (plus Viola) Atlantans were part of IFPB’s 46th Delegation to Israel/Palestine. Some of us knew one another before the trip, but, of course, we all became friends as we traveled together. Our friendships have continued and we also have worked individually and collectively to continue our education and advocacy for Palestinian and Israeli human rights. Ilise Cohen and Ann Hunter are now working together to organize regular communication and gatherings with other former IFPB delegates living in the Greater Atlanta area and persons who are interested in participating in future delegations.

Several IFPB delegates are involved in other organizations also dedicated to education and advocacy. Ilise Cohen, Dan Rice, and others are active in a new Atlanta chapter of “Jewish Voice for Peace.” Sarah Humphrey and Ann Hunter are involved with a local Presbyterian group “Joining Hands for Justice – Israel Palestine”. Tori Lange, a senior at Georgia State University, has been a leader in the newly formed chapter of “Students for Justice in Palestine”.

IFPB in Atlanta co-sponsored performances of My Name is Rachel Corrie in Atlanta, at Emory university ad Druid Hills United Methodist Church, organized a report back from recent African Heritage delegate Ajamu Baraka, and had a potluck gathering to hear a report back from Kate Taber on her work as a Presbyterian Church, USA mission - living in East Jerusalem and working in Bethlehem!

To connect with the Atlanta regional network, contact Ann Hunter at annhunter@clear.net

Bay Area Regional Network

The IFPB Bay Area Regional Network functions as a clearing house for information, events and resources, and works to raise the visibility of IFPB delegations within the Palestine solidarity community. In the Bay Area we have been fortunate to have lots of activities put on by a variety of solidarity organizations and Palestinian groups since the summer. We have been putting out monthly newsletters to our mailing list of approximately 100 past and present delegates and supporters publicizing these events and actions. We have also been distributing IFPB leaflets at many local events.

On December 7th, we had our own event entitled “Women Speak: Report Back from IFPB Delegations to Palestine/Israel,” which featured reports and videos from five delegates from the recent African Heritage and Olive Harvest Delegations and was co-sponsored by Northern California Friends of Sabeel and Jewish Voice for Peace–Bay Area. The venue for the event was across the street from the recently created 100 foot long Palestine/Oakland solidarity mural which IFPB delegate Nancy Hernandez helped organize!

To connect with the Bay Area regional network, contact Larry Hendel at larryhendel@att.net.

Los Angeles Area Network

We are excited to connect with new delegates in the Los Angeles and Southern California area, to help them stay connected to other area delegates and the movement as a whole. Recently, we invited area delegates to a conference in San Gabriel, CA called “The Stones Cry out: Responding to the Occupation of Palestine,” and sponsored by the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and Sabeel. An LA delegate presented at this conference and several delegates were able to connect with one another for the first time.

To connect with the Los Angeles regional network, contact Mary Singuas at dsrt2ocean@verizon.net.

Ohio Regional Network

IFPB’s first regional network continues to drive the effort to organize events in support of building the Palestine solidarity movement in Ohio. Most recently, Ohio-IFPB hosted Dr. Alice Rothchild in partnership with Cleveland Peace Action, Interfaith Council for Peace in the Middle East. Dr Rothschild gave eleven presentations in three days and reached more than 450 people. From November 1 to November 3 she twice presented her film, Voices Across the Divide, and spoke about her book, On the Brink to classes at Cleveland State University and John Carroll University, three churches, a public library, a fundraising dinner, and two conversations primarily aimed at Jewish audiences.

To connect with the Ohio regional network, contact Mary Ann Kerr at maryanndkerr@aol.com.

Philadelphia Area Regional Network

The Philly area group is excited to connect with past and future IFPB delegates! We hope to create a network, both virtual and in-person, that can support returnees, recruit future participants, and serve as a way to share Philadelphia area Palestine solidarity events and actions. Many local folks are connected with organizations doing important solidarity work and we’d like to be a hub to connect all of us. If you’re in the area, we’d love to meet you!

To connect with the Philadelphia regional network, contact Shaina Adams-El Guabli at shaina.adams@gmail.com or Matt Berkman at mberkman@sas.upenn.edu.

St Louis Regional Network

The St. Louis IFPB Regional Chapter has only just begun! Maya Harris from the 2012 Olive Harvest/Gaza Delegation has been recently appointed as the regional coordinator and will be linking IFPB members to local organizing through the Palestine Solidarity Committee-St. Louis and Jewish Voice for Peace-St Louis. She hopes to start meeting and find avenues for involvement for members in the Palestine community of the region.

To connect with the St. Louis regional network, contact Maya Harris at harmay12@gmail.com.