Oct-Nov Newsletter 2011
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A new group in Balata Refugee Camp in Nablus, November, 2011. The youth groups will form a basis for working with the community.
A New Generation in Windows
In the past months, six new youth groups have been started. Starting January 2012, these groups will form our Young Journalists Editorial Board.
Windows youth group in the Negev – November 2011: thinking, expression, writing and mapping are some of the skills that are gained during the program.
A new youth group in Tel-Aviv, one of six which have been started lately – November, 2011.
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Dear Friends,
In the past year the State of Israel has passed, or is in the process of passing, laws that are meant to limit human rights and infringe on justice. These laws utilize scare tactics such as: silencing or limiting public criticism, weakening human rights organizations and repressing the national identity of Palestinians. We join the voices speaking out against these anti-democratic laws and invite you to take an active role in the struggle against them. Pass on information, send letters, sign petitions, join demonstrations, take part in conferences- we must not be silent! The weakening of Israeli democracy, among many other problems that it implies, will pull us further away from the possibility for a long-lasting just solution to the conflict. This will allow for the intensification of the occupation, oppression and discrimination. A wind of change blew in Israel last summer, and a new generation rose up which understands that each and every one of us needs to take personal responsibility to act. This is the time to go out into the streets and make a difference, before it is too late. In the upcoming year, we will continue working on both sides of the green line and make efforts to expand our presence in public discourse for human rights and justice. We remind you have a place here with us – for brainstorming, raising ideas and taking action. We hope to hear from you. Yours, The Windows staff Events at Windows Gallery
Despite the oppressive laws, we are witnessing a growing interest in our work.
Towards the end of October, we hosted an open house for new members to get to know Windows activities. The gathering included a conversation with several youths from Jaffa, Tel-Aviv and Bethlehem, who participate in our program.
Participants from Windows Video Group talk about their group in the open gathering – October, 2011. Our Circle of Volunteers is Expanding Windows was founded 20 years ago, as a volunteer organization and in the first decade of our work, most activities were conducted by volunteers. Along the years, we have managed to raise more funding, build a professional, paid, long-term team, and expand our activities accordingly. Even so, our volunteers continues to play a key role in our work. There are always at least 3-4 international volunteers who spend several months with us, usually as part of their studies. Furthermore, dozens of local Israeli and Palestinian volunteers assist us in various ways: photography, translations, editing, transportation, fundraising, administration, research and more. In the past year, we have been joined by many volunteers who have taken part as youths in our programs and are now adults, returning to us to offer their help. The volunteer team also includes a group of 10th graders from the Tel-Aviv region, who are organizing a series of long workshops for youth, which will focus on various aspects of the conflict. They do this as part of their schools’ “Community Assistance” program, through which they gain credit on their high school diploma.
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