OneVoice and Zimam: A Conversation about Israeli and Palestinian Grassroots Movements

Join us for an exciting talk with OneVoice and Zimam, organizations working towards a more just and pluralistic society in the Middle East

We are thrilled to invite you to a special evening with Mara Lee, Executive Director of the OneVoice Movement, a global initiative that supports grassroots activists in Israel, Palestine, Europe and the United States and Abdallah Hamarsheh, Deputy Director and Co-Founder of OneVoice’s Palestinian partner, Zimam – a growing grassroots movement striving for justice, moderation, and pluralism during the Palestinian journey to statehood.

Through sustained efforts that draw upon the most sophisticated international organizing methods, Zimam provides training opportunities for young Palestinians to become genuine leaders in their communities. These activities are not only transformative; they are necessary steps toward achieving statehood and an end to the occupation. Zimam encourages Palestinians to visualize the future society and state they dream of, and take an active part in making it a reality, and has engaged thousands of young people through this mandate.

Internationally, OneVoice works to reduce hate, polarization and racism on college campuses across the nation through providing students with the education and tools to contribute meaningfully to a just and lasting peace for Israel and Palestine within their own communities through its innovative OneVoice on Campus program.

Please join us for a conversation with Mara and Abadallah to learn more about the movement’s transformational approach to engaging youth globally through nonviolent campaigning and how we here in the U.S. can partner in this exciting initiative. Appetizers and beverages will be provided.

RSVP is required. Please email YAD@sfjcf.org to RSVP.

Interests: Israel, Young Adults
Date: 
February 07, 2018
TIME: 
12:00 AM
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Location: 
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Koret Boardroom
121 Steuart Street
City: 
San Francisco
Cost: 
free

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Organized By: 
YAD of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Event Contact Person: 
Sharon Siegel
415.512.6267
Yad@sfjcf.org
Speakers: 
Abdallah Hamarsheh
Abdallah Hamarsheh is the Deputy Director and co-founder of Zimam. Abdallah was born in the town of Yabed near Jenin. His parents passed away when he was young, so he credits his sisters for helping to raise him into the man he is today. Like many young Palestinians, Abdallah worked in construction in Israel during the 1990s before going to college. He then worked for the Palestinian Authority in the VIP Protection Unit and for the Ministry of NGO Affairs. Abdallah joined the OneVoice Movement in 2005 as a volunteer, soon became an activist, and started studying organizing and conflict resolution. His responsibilities include the design and implementation of the movement’s training sessions of more than 1,500 active youth leaders in the West Bank and Gaza. Abdallah’s leadership skills and commitment have been widely noted, including in the book Invisible Giants by Leaders’ Quest founder Lindsay Levin. Abdallah and his wife Safa’ live in Ramallah with their daughter Talia.
Mara Lee
Mara Lee first joined the OneVoice Movement as International Organizing Director, based in the Middle East. In that position she focused on professionalizing and expanding OneVoice’s grassroots work, incorporating best practices and focusing on training and empowering local staff. She previously served as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration and as U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s Deputy Chief of Staff & Communications Director. A campaign veteran, Mara was the New Hampshire Deputy Coordinated Campaign Director in 2008; as the Nevada Caucus Director, New Mexico State Director, and Indiana Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Director for Hillary Clinton in 2007-08; and has experience from several other state and local races. Mara majored in politics and history at the University of California, San Diego and earned her Master's degree in political science from the University of London, graduating with distinction. She is also an Associate Professor at the George Washington University where she teaches courses on global politics and campaign management. Mara is based in New York.
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