Rachel is a passionate educator who creates
research-based videos to help toddlers and their families learn, bond,
and thrive. Her videos infuse songs, games and nursery rhymes with
strategies from experts to help children reach important milestones in
the crucial early years of learning. Rachel believes all children are
capable, brilliant and important. She loves learning from them and being
around their contagious joy and wonder.
Rachel has two master’s
degrees in education. She has one in early childhood development and
one in music education. She is an advocate for children’s rights and
works to ensure that all children have access to high quality early
childhood education. She is an ambassador for Save the Children and Room
to Grow.
Her sweet little boy inspired the show and continues to
inspire her work every day! She is married to the amazing, Mr. Aron,
AKA HERBIE! https://www.msrachel.com/
“We
recognize a clear distinction between the Jewish people, our siblings
in faith, and the acts of the Government of Israel, and we reaffirm that
the WCC stands firm against any kind of racism, including antisemitism,
anti-Arab racism, and islamophobia,” reads a statement released by the
WCC governing body. “However, the unbearable
suffering inflicted on the people of Gaza, and the escalating violence
and oppression in the West Bank and in Jerusalem compel the global
fellowship of churches to speak with clarity, urgency, and commitment to
the principles of justice under international law and ethics.”
The WCC reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to inter-religious
dialogue and cooperation, and to international law as a framework for
peace, justice, and accountability.
The statement calls for naming the reality of apartheid. “We
recognize and denounce the system of apartheid imposed by Israel on the
Palestinian people, in violation of international law and moral
conscience,” the text reads.
The statement calls for implementing sanctions and accountability. “We
call on states, churches, and international institutions to impose
consequences for violations of international law, including targeted
sanctions, divestment, and arms embargoes,” the text reads. “Full
support must be given to the International Criminal Court and UN
mechanisms investigating potential war crimes and crimes against
humanity.”
The statement also affirms Palestinian rights and freedom, justice, return, and self-determination. “We demand the end of the occupation and the lifting of the unlawful blockade on Gaza,” reads the text.
Finally the statement calls for support for the resilience and witness of Palestinian Christian churches and communities, “upholding their right to remain on their land and to freely practice their faith.”
The statement concludes by commending the leadership of the South
African government in seeking justice and accountability to
international law through the International Court of Justice, and urge
all states to comply with the court’s rulings. “Churches worldwide are called to witness, to speak out, and to act,” the statement concludes.
[AS
ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO
READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP
SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and
conversations) THAT EMPOWER
DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE &
PEACE... and hopefully
Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]
Choose peace over conflict.
It's time to turn on for peace and off for war and destruction.
Every action counts in building a world where harmony prevails over chaos.
Every day, each and
every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful
attitudes. Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where
we all exercise our human rights.
"As the world faces unsustainable levels of inequality, we need education – the great equalizer – more than ever."
– United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
"These children are like children
everywhere – they dream of becoming a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, an
engineer. The difference is that most of them are forcibly displaced and
struggling simply to stay safe and survive. With the right tools and
the right kind of support, we can help them realise their dreams."
– United Nations Deputy Secretary-General
Amina J. Mohamed
Societies around the world are increasingly recognizing the role structural #racism plays in driving social, economic, & political inequalities, but much more needs to be done.
April is Arab-American Heritage Month, so it’s the perfect time for
your family or learners to read books starring Arab-American characters.
(Though I’ll add the disclaimer I always do about heritage months. This
is a time to amplify the learning we should be doing all year round!)
First, it’s important to clarify which groups of people are considered Arab-American. As the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee explains, Arabs are united by Arabic language, culture, and history, rather than by race or religion.
While most Arabs are Muslim, most Muslims are not Arab. (For example,
Pakistan is a majority Muslim country, but it is not an Arab country.
Yet, I still found many children’s book lists online for Arab-American
Heritage Month that heavily featured books about Pakistani-Americans.)
There are also significant numbers of Arab Jews and Christians. There
are 22 Arab countries, though the majority of Arab-Americans are from Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
Now that that’s clarified, let’s dive into these wonderful books!
[AS
ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO
READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP
SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and
conversations) THAT EMPOWER
DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE &
PEACE... and hopefully
Palestine]
Cover of Baba, What Does My Name Mean? A Palestinian girl with dark brown hair holds a key, tree, mosque, and other symbols of Palestine above her head.
Baba, What Does My Name Mean? A Journey to Palestine by Rifk Ebeid. Illustrated by Lamaa Jawhari.
When classmates ask Saamidah what her name means, she only knows that
it’s an Arabic name. When she asks her father to tell her more about
it, he tells her that her name means patient and persistent. Her parents
chose this name because her Palestinian people must have these
qualities as they fight for their rights.
With a special key and a dove of peace to guide her, Saamidah is
whisked off to Palestine, where she visits many special places, from the
Qubbet Al-Sakhra mosque and the Church of the Nativity, to her Papa’s
childhood home from which he was dispossessed. There are many ancient
sites, delicious foods, and carefully created items to learn about.
Through all her journey, Saamidah is encouraged to believe that one day
the Palestinian people will be free. (Recommended for ages 6 – 10.
Palestinian-American author.)
Oh hey, a friendly reminder that you can understand, acknowledge, and sympathize with very real generational Jewish trauma and still push for a free Palestine.
Calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation is not antisemitic. That's a dangerous binary the media is pushing you to believe. Thanks, and enjoy your day!
"Anti-Palestinian racism entails the dehumanization and erasure of the
Palestinian people. Anti-Palestinian racism can be implicit, overt,
systemic and structural. It is perpetrated across Canadian society,
including by political, intellectual, social and economic elites.
Anti-Palestinian racism includes: denying that Palestinians are a people
who belong to historic Palestine, devaluing Palestinian life, denying
or excusing violence against the Palestinian people, pressuring
institutions to exclude Palestinian perspectives, and stereotyping
Palestinians and those who defend Palestinian rights as un-Canadian,
anti-Semitic or supportive of violence." https://pcaan.org/?fbclid=IwAR0xK7xoVBjO-sJabxu4pkSqa-RoNxikmV7npmgJg8U5PLEOH_cfjuvutas
About
The Palestinian-Canadian Academics and Artists Network
(PCAAN) is a growing national and interdisciplinary network of
Palestinian-Canadian academics and artists concerned with Palestine and
Palestinians, including in relation to Canada and Turtle Island.
Our Mission
We help challenge anti-Palestinian racism
in its various expressions. We provide Canadians a network through
which they have access to Palestinian-Canadian academic and artistic
voices, expertise, and opinions regarding past and current events
related to Palestine.
Why We Do It
Palestinian Canadians are increasingly
represented in the Canadian academic and artistic landscape. At the
same time, we are witnessing rising anti-Palestinian racism in Canadian
academic and artistic circles. We believe it is our obligation to raise
awareness of the realities of the Palestinian people.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Israeli green
colonialism, denoting the apartheid state’s misappropriation of
environmentalism to eliminate the Indigenous people of Palestine and
usurp its resources. I focus on the violence of ‘protected areas’,
encompassing national parks, forests, and nature reserves. This article
argues that Israel primarily establishes them to (1) justify land grab;
(2) prevent the return of Palestinian refugees; (3) dehistoricise,
Judaise, and Europeanise Palestine, erasing Palestinian identity and
suppressing resistance to Israeli oppression; and (4) greenwash its
apartheid image. I situate Israeli green colonialism within the broader
histories of Western environmentalism – particularly its perpetuation of
the human–nature binary – and Zionism. Furthermore, I identify various
means through which Palestinians and their land resist this phenomenon. I
also explore Palestinian environmentalism, which is influenced by the
concepts of a’wna (collaboration), sumud (steadfastness), and a’wda
(return), in addition to the Islamic concept of tawhid (unity). I offer
it as an alternative environmentalism, which is holistic, anti-racist,
feminist, socialist, and nonlinear, while rejecting the trope of the
ecological savage. Overall, the intrinsic link between all humans, and
them and the environment must be recognised, to realise a just and
sustainable society, in Palestine and beyond.
Sasa, Ghada. (2022). Oppressive pines: Uprooting Israeli green
colonialism and implanting Palestinian A’wna. Politics, online first,
1-17
"We are not sure how these words will reach you, or whether they’ll
do so at all. But our stance isn’t rooted in proximity or convenience,
but rather in foundational principles we must uphold — even if (or
perhaps especially when) it proves difficult."
When
oppression strikes anywhere in the world, resistance movements
reverberate globally. The desire for rightful justice spreads, like
wildfire, moving us to act, to speak, to write, and right our past
wrongs.
Over the past year, the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee
has strived to do just that. Amid escalating tensions between Israel
and Palestine, PSC has hosted informational programming, organized
weekly demonstrations of support through “Keffiyeh Thursdays,” and even
installed a colorful, multi-panel “Wall of Resistance” in favor of
Palestinian freedom and sovereignty.
In at least one
regard, PSC’s spirited activism has proven successful: It has forced our
campus — and our editorial board — to once again wrestle with what both
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called Israel’s “crimes against humanity” in the region.
We
first and foremost wish to extend our sincere support to those who have
been and continue to be subject to violence in occupied Palestine, as
well as to any and all civilians affected by the region’s bellicosity.... PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ THE ARTICLE IN FULL
Also in the Harvard Crimson late April 2022
An art display was put up in Harvard Yard by the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee for Israel Apartheid Week. Photo By Julian J. Giordano on April 2022 article "Palestine Solidarity Committee Hosts Annual Israeli Apartheid Week, Drawing Backlash from Harvard Hillel"
"“They’re trying to conflate criticism of the state of Israel
with anti-semitism. We have Jewish members in our organization. We had
Jewish speakers come speak at our events, so I don’t think that their
response has been very convincing,” he said.
Bahour said that her favorite part of IAW’s programming has been the Wall of Resistance in Harvard Yard.
“The
panels are all very powerful and they really show a lot of solidarity,
because they're not all about Palestine,” Bahour said. “Each one covers a
different topic and is trying to show that the Palestinian cause
doesn't exist in a bubble, but it's rather very interconnected with our
everyday life here in the U.S.”
who was first denied entry to Palestine due to her compassionate refusal to idolize Israel
Picture from Nancy's cousin Maria & Maria's beautiful words:
"This is our Sitty. She was kind, but stern and when she looked at you with her faded yet
sparkly eyes you knew how much she Loved you. She had amazing hands and
was a wonderful cook. I think of her often and always remember sharing a
room with her and praying with her."
DETROIT – Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) released the following statement regarding travel to Israel and Palestine:
"In my attempt to visit Palestine, I’ve experienced the same racist
treatment that many Palestinian-Americans endure when encountering the
Israeli government. In preparation for my visit, my grandmother was
deciding which fig tree we would pick from together, while Palestinians
and Israelis who are against the illegal military occupation
were looking forward to Members of Congress finally listening to and
seeing them for the first time. The Israeli government used my love and
desire to see my grandmother to silence me and made my ability to do so
contingent upon my signing a letter – reflecting just how undemocratic
and afraid they are of the truth my trip would reveal about what is
happening in the State of Israel and to Palestinians living under
occupation with United States support.
“I have therefore decided to not travel to Palestine and Israel at
this time. Visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions
meant to humiliate me would break my grandmother's heart. Silencing me
with treatment to make me feel less-than is not what she wants for me –
it would kill a piece of me that always stands up against racism and
injustice.
“When I won the election to become a United States Congresswoman,
many Palestinians, especially my grandmother, felt a sense of hope, a
hope that they would finally have a voice. I cannot allow the Israeli
government to take that away from them or to use my deep desire to see
my grandmother, potentially for the last time, as a political bargaining
chip. My family and I have cried together throughout this ordeal;
they’ve promised to keep my grandmother alive until I can one day
reunite with her. It is with their strength and heart that I reiterate I
am a duly elected United States Congresswoman and I will not allow the
Israeli government to humiliate me and my family or take away our right
to speak out. I will not allow the Israeli government to take away
our hope.
“Racism and the politics of hate is thriving in Israel and the
American people should fear what this will mean for the relationship
between our two nations. If you truly believe in democracy, then the
close alignment of Netanyahu with Trump's hate agenda must prompt a
re-evaluation of our unwavering support for the State of Israel. The
denial of entry of a congressional delegation is not only about
Congresswoman Omar and I, but also about the deep-rooted racism within
Israel that is taking us further away from peace. The Israeli and
Palestinian people need us to be more courageous and to be honest
brokers of peace. Being silent and not condemning the human rights
violations of the Israeli government is a disservice to all who live
there, including my incredibly strong and loving grandmother.
“This type of oppression is painful for all humanity, but it is
especially painful for me personally every time I hear my loving family
members cry out for the freedom to live and the right to feel human."
Palestinian refugees during the 1948 ethnic cleansing of Palestine known as the ‘Nakba’ (‘The Catastrophe’)
“The Squad”: from left to right Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Presley
Trump’s blunder empowers The Squad and unites anti-racists
by Doc Jazz
·
Published
We have come to live in disconcerting times of unpredictable change.
Ever since the USA elected a Twitter-addicted President into power, the
world has been in a continuous state of imbalance. While it may seem as
if everything only plays into the hands of ‘Israel’ and its Western
allies, it would be wise not to draw that conclusion too quickly. There
is more at play than only the logic of geopolitics and military
dominance.
On a public relations level, some of it must be making Tel Aviv quite
nervous. The forces of zionism have in the past years been stepping up
their game, successfully interfering with legislation in the countries
of the West to suit their purposes. However, they certainly don’t seem
to be as much in control as they would like to be.
The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS)
has continued to gain traction among politicians and among the general
public all over the world. It continues to be a thorn in the side of
Israeli colonization and annexation plans. Zionist lobbies in most
Western countries have been trying to counter this trend in two
significant ways. One is at a purely ideological level, which has been
to force a change in the official definition of ‘antisemitism’. The
other has been taking place at the level of legislation, and is based on
attempting to coerce countries to install laws that outlaw calls for
the boycott of the state of ‘Israel’.
Before we dive below the surface, let’s first have a look at what has
been happening in the lead-up to the confrontation about anti-Israeli
criticsm between “The Squad” and Donald Trump.
