Disturbing the Peace

Great movie, and tasty potluck before the showing. But a disappointing turnout. Have we reached the end of our movie run? We will be showing films this spring at the Holy Cross Santa Cruz Episcopal Church, 30 Pine Grove Ave, Kingston (across the street from the YMCA). We also want to focus the films on racism, both in the US and in occupied Palestine.

Tears of Gaza

-Friday, October 6, 7-9 PM: Documentary “Tears of Gaza" presented at the Unitarian Fellowship (UUC), 320 Sawkill Road, Kingston. “My hope is that this film will arouse the same feelings of protest among the audiences, and that it will bring inspiration to continue the seemingly endless struggle against poverty, suffering and war."  Cosponsored by the Middle East Crisis Response www.mideastcrisis.org, Hudson Valley BDS www.hudsonvalleybds.org, and Veterans for Peace. Contact: Jane.toby7@gmail.com or 518 291-6808

This was one of our best films, artistically directed with captivating children speaking about their heartbreaking lives. We had 22 people. Not the best turnout, but often people simply avoid the subject because they know it will be upsetting. For those who came, the film has it's own rewards in renewing one's dedication to the plight of the Palestinian people.

Women Behind the Chador

-Friday, August 4 from 7-9 PM: “Women Behind the Chador” presented at the Unitarian Fellowship (UUC), 320 Sawkill Road, Kingston. Photo journalist Susan and her husband, academic and translator Paul Sprachman, will speak about "Women Behind the Chador" in Iran, with photos and various mixed media. Cosponsored by the Middle East Crisis Response www.mideastcrisis.org, Hudson Valley BDS www.hudsonvalleybds.org, Jewish Voice for Peace - Hudson Valley.

We had a nice turnout (about 50 people) for this talk on Iran. Many questions at the end.

Vets Demand End to Palestinian Occupation

“Jews Step Forward” at the Woodstock Town Hall

-Friday, June 2 from 7 to 9 pm: showing of the new documentary, “Jews Step Forward” at the Woodstock Town Hall, 76 Tinker St. This award winning film “traces a path grounded in Jewish identity, which ultimately separates personal conscience from a socialized mythology loyal to Israel.” A number of local Hudson Valley activist are included in the cast. Cosponsors: Middle East Crisis Response www.mideastcrisis.org, Hudson Valley BDS www.hudsonvalleybds.org and Hudson Valley Jewish Voice for Peace. Contact: Jane.toby7@gmail.com or 518 291-6808

We had a nice big turnout for this movie that included local activists. Lots of good discussion at the end.

May 5: Films by the Jenin Freedom Theatre

Bard College Awareness Week

Voices Across the Divide

Over 20 came to see this movie and discuss the interviews

Friday, April 7 from 7 to 9 pm: showing of “Voices Across the Divide” at the Woodstock Town Hall, 76 Tinker St. This award winning free film explores the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through rarely heard personal stories. Its director, Alice Rothchild, is a Jewish-American obstetrician and filmmaker raised on the tragedies of the Holocaust and the dream of a Jewish homeland in Israel. Dr. Rothchild will be interviewed by Skype for the Woodstock film showing.

Cosponsors: Middle East Crisis Response www.mideastcrisis.org, Hudson Valley BDS www.hudsonvalleybds.org and Hudson Valley Jewish Voice for Peace. Contact: Jane.toby7@gmail.com or 518 291-6808

When Pigs Have Wings

-Friday, March 3 from 7 to 9 pm: showing of “When Pigs have Wings” at the Woodstock Town Hall, 76 Tinker St. One day Jaafar, a hapless Palestinian fisherman, catches a Vietnamese pig in his net. His adventures are outrageous and entertaining, but this political parable also has a satirical bite. Winner of Munich and Tokyo film festivals. This free movie is cosponsored by: Middle East Crisis Response www.mideastcrisis.org, Hudson Valley BDS www.hudsonvalleybds.org and Hudson Valley Jewish Voice for Peace. Contact: Jane.toby7@gmail.com or 518 291-6808.

We had a nice turnout, about 30 people in our new venue, the Woodstock Town Hall. The movie provoked some good discussion too. Was it too lenient on the Israeli Defense Force? Or was the film an allegory that helps viewers understand subjugation and racism? 

Woodstock Free Speech Resolution passed!

Nic and I just returned from tonight's meeting of the Woodstock Town Board, and we're thrilled to announce that the board approved the Woodstock Free Speech Resolution!

Thanks to Alan Levine (First Amendment Rights attorney) and Donna Nevel (former national board member of Jewish Voice for Peace) for their powerful panel discussion this past summer on Governor Cuomo's Executive Order #157; to Alan Sussman (local First Amendment Rights attorney) for his compelling letter to the Woodstock Town Board about free speech and the right to boycott; to members of the Woodstock Town Board, who supported this Resolution; and to MECR and to all of the people who supported Woodstock Free Speech and who signed the online and/or hard-copy of the Woodstock Free Speech Resolution.

Onward!
Helaine and Nic