Rooting and Uprooting: Cultural and Political Landscapes in the Israel/Palestine

Rooting and Uprooting: Cultural and Political Landscapes in the Israel/Palestine

BUSTAN is a partnership of Jewish and Arab eco-builders, architects, academics, and farmers promoting social and environmental justice in Israel/Palestine. BUSTAN cultivates models of sustainable resource use and combines in-depth political analysis with strategic action. BUSTAN utilizes the principles of permaculture and non-violent direct action across ethnic divides.

Devorah Brous (founder and outgoing Director) and Ra'ed Al-Mickawi (incoming Director) will discuss the political ecology of the Negev desert region of Israel/Palestine, and help us recognize what is 'unrecognized' this marginalized part of the region - an area populated by Jews and Bedouin.

§ How are "environmentally-conscious" development projects to remap the blueprint of the Israel's "Last Frontier" irreversibly impacting landscape and ancient desert cultures?
§ What can we do to catalyze and steward a healthy and sustainable connection with the Land, and all of its people? Come and learn about BUSTAN, engaged in small-scale, local efforts to root social justice.

Devorah Brous — Founder, BUSTAN An American-Israeli, Brous graduated from the University of Vermont, and moved to Israel in 1993. She has spent the past 14 years catalyzing projects and designing, and running campaigns in Israel and the Occupied Territories to promote social and environmental justice. Devorah holds 2 masters degrees in Israel Studies and Peace/Conflict Studies, with a concentration in conflict transformation. In 1999, she founded BUSTAN. Brous is a writer, and an internationally-renowned speaker on the conflict between Israel and the Bedouin; Greenwashing; and the political and strategic aspects of environmental policies in the region.

Ra'ed Al-Mickawi - Director, BUSTAN Ra'ed was born and raised in the government planned township of Tel Sheva in the Negev. Ra'ed's background is in filmmaking and journalism, which he studied in the Television Journalism department of Sapir Academic College in the Negev. He worked for six years in television production, advertising, and corporate branding and image development. In 2006, Ra'ed returned to Sapir Academic College to study cinema, and in 2007 he established the revolutionary internet-based television station Naqab.tv. He ran Naqab.tv as a part of Sendyan Public Relations, a company he founded with his brother. It was through developing news stories about BUSTAN that Ra'ed encountered BUSTAN. He is excited about this opportunity to merge his expertise in filmmaking and journalism with community building and social justice activism through BUSTAN. Ra'ed lives in Tel Sheva with his family.

Northern California Tour Schedule

EUREKA - Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, 7 PM Temple Beth El, P.O. Box 442, Eureka, CA 95502 (707) 444-2846 bethel [at] reninet.com Website: http://www.tbe-eureka.org Rabbi Naomi Steinberg, naomi [at] humboldt1.com

OAKLAND - Friday, October 12th, 7:30 PM – Fundraising houseparty for Bustan l’Shalom, hosted by Fred Hosea, in Oakland CA. Contact tangofred [at] gmail.com or at 510-684-6925 for invitation details. Great food, wine and live music will accompany the event. Donation requested.

DAVIS - Saturday, October 13th, 6:00 PM The International House - 10 College Park Road, Davis CA. Live Music and Light Refreshments Presented by Friends of Bustan, U.S. and Israel Peace Alternatives

PALO ALTO - Sunday, October 14th, 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall, First Baptist Church - 305 N. California Ave (at Bryant), Palo Alto $5 - $15 Suggested donation // Wheelchair accessible Sponsored by Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, South Bay Jewish Voice for Peace, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice http://www.PeaceandJustice.org | southbay [at] jewishvoiceforpeace.org | http://www.multifaithpeace.org For information, please call (650) 326-8837

BERKELEY - Monday, October 15th, 7:30 pm Chochmat HaLev Center for Jewish Spirituality - 2215 Prince St. in South Berkeley, $5-20 donation Plus special guest Moh Alileche will perform traditional Amazigh music from his native Algeria.