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News Release Groundbreaking teach-in Media Advisory -- November 7, 2005 As the United Jewish Communities holds their annual general meeting in Toronto, another conference called '3D: Diversity, Democracy and Dissent in the Jewish Community' offers a chance to hear alternative Jewish voices. *What*: A groundbreaking conference called '3D: Diversity, Democracy and Dissent in the Jewish Community.' *Where*: Metro Hall, 55 John Street (Council Chambers) *When*: Sunday, November 13th, 2005, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm TORONTO, November 7, 2005 - As the United Jewish Communities (UJC) - an umbrella organization representing 155 federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America - meets for their Annual General Assembly (AGM) in Toronto this November, another collection of Jewish groups will be staging a parallel conference on diversity and dissent. '3D: Diversity, Democracy and Dissent,' is a one day teach-in that will take place Sunday, November 13th on the same weekend as the UJC meeting. Organized by a coalition of Canadian Jewish groups, the teach-in will feature performances, films, panel discussions and workshops on a variety of issues affecting the Jewish community. "We see this as vital opportunity to amplify progressive Jewish voices for peace and justice so that they can be heard throughout the Jewish world," says conference organizer Sheryl Nestel. "There is a false perception that Jews speak with one voice on every issue. We have organized this teach-in to highlight the diversity of opinion in the Jewish community." The teach-in is also an opportunity for activists in the Jewish community to get together and strategize around a number of issues including Israel's continuing occupation of Palestinian lands, disability and access in Jewish life, and other issues of diversity in the Jewish community. Workshops and panels include campus activism, morally responsible investment, and Israel's separation wall. "Many Jews are concerned about Israeli policies. Anti-occupation Jewish voices often don't make it into the press," says Nestel. "Here is a chance to hear those voices." Today, progressive Jewish groups have dozens of regional chapters
in Canada and the US and respond to a variety of issues and concerns.
(For a list of organizations in Canada and the US, please see visit
the
For more information and a complete list of activities and speakers, please visit: www.3djewishteach-in.ca To interview speakers, filmmakers, performers and conference organizers, please contact: Sheryl Nestel at 416-658-3135
Meir Amor was born in Israel in 1955 to parents who immigrated
to Israel from Morocco. He served in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF)
for six years and left the army as a Captain in 1979. Meir studied
in Tel-Aviv University where he completed his BA and MA in sociology.
In 1988 he refused to serve in the Occupied Territories and was
jailed for 21 days in a military prison for disobedience. In 1990,
he started his PhD at Sharon Angel lives in Ottawa where she works as a Senior Officer in the Research and Job Evaluation Branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.Sharon has a particular interest in peace and reconciliation efforts made by individuals and grass roots organizations, especially within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To this end, she is an original member of an Arab-Jewish dialogue group that has been meeting for 3 years. The photographs of Bethlehem and the Separation Wall which will be on display at the Teach-In were taken by her in September 2005 during a 3-day visit hosted by Holy Land Trust, a Palestinian peace organization. Daniel Thau-Eleff will be performing a selection from his one-man show *Three Ring Circus <www.threering.ca>*. The three "rings," or themes of the show, in addition to those in the title, are the Jewish religion (what does it mean to be Jewish?), Middle-East activism (how is a Jewish Winnipegger connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?) and Girls (those mysterious and enticing creatures!). The play discusses politics, religion, romance, family, email list-serves, dreams, fantasies, sex (or lack thereof…) and how we get along with other people.Three Ring Circus is written from a distinctly Jewish and anti-Occupation perspective. However, its message is universal. Three Ring Circus is, at its heart, a communication between the performer/storyteller and the audience. The audience feels like they are sitting in Daniel's living room, if not right inside his head. Together they gain insight into the thoughts and experiences that we all share, whatever our cultural or political background. b.h. Yael is a Toronto based video and installation artist.
She is Professor and Chair of Integrated Media at the Ontario College
of Art and Design. Yael's work has exhibited nationally and internationally
and has shown in various settings, from festivals to galleries to
various educational venues. Her work has also been purchased by
several universities. These include "Fresh Blood, A Consideration
of Belonging", and the "Approximations" series produced
with Johanna Householder. Recent titles a "hot sandfilled wind,
Even in the Desert", "sites of solidarity in Israel/Palestine"
and "Deir Yassin Remembered" comprise/ Palestine Trilogy
<trilogy.html>/, three videos that focus on activist initiatives
of recognition. b.h. Yael's videos are distributed by V Tape Ronnee Jaeger is a resident of both Canada and Israel and
is a founding member of Machsom Watch - a women's organization that
monitors the behaviour of soldiers and police at Israeli checkpoints
in order to Sources |