Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Middle East Collaborative

PYM Middle East Collaborative Endorses Apartheid-Free Pledge

Written on:

In Spring 2023 the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) launched an initiative to have faith and secular communities pledge to be Apartheid-Free. With a goal of connecting like minded communities around issues of freedom from racism, discrimination, domination, and oppression, AFSC reached out to both US and international congregations and organizations. Specifically, AFSC’s framing of apartheid is taking up the current example of Palestinian freedom, justice, and equality in the face of ongoing oppression, violation of human rights, and legal and social discrimination.

[Read more…] about PYM Middle East Collaborative Endorses Apartheid-Free Pledge

“Why Palestine Matters” Series

Written on:

Registration for this event has closed. If you need to reach a PYM staff person, please email the Director of Program and Religious Life: mwennerbradley@pym.org

Hosted by the Middle East Collaborative, “Why Palestine Matters” is an online series to be presented in February and March on Thursdays from 7:00-8:30pm Eastern time: February 1, 8, 15, 29 and March 7, 21

Gain perspectives and histories to put news headlines in greater context, discover where to learn more, and advocate. Learn more about the interconnectedness of equality and justice work.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rea drsandyrea@hotmail.com — Please put “WPM” in subject line.

Image created with Why Palestine Matters website

Steve Chase Speaks On “Seeking Justice in the Holy Land”

Written on:

Why Peace with Justice? Reflections on a Quaker Delegation to Israel/Palestine

The horrific events and war crimes committed by both Hamas and the State of Israel in recent weeks have sent shock waves of anguish, anger, and sorrow throughout the world. Yet, this conflict has roots in decades of displacement, military occupation, and apartheid that is too easily missed by the US public and the mass media. This June, a small US Quaker delegation led by Max and Jane Carter traveled to Israel/Palestine to learn more about these underlying power dynamics between Israel and the Palestinian people. Steve Chase, a member of the Friends United Meeting’s delegation, will share what he learned with Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting and explain why people who care about peace during the current crisis need to work for security, justice and equality for Palestinians, as well as Israeli Jews.

About the Presenter: Steve Chase is a member of the Friends Meeting of Washington and the Quaker Palestine Israel Network. He has also served as an interfaith ally of the DC Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace and is the author of the Pendle Hill pamphlet Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions? A Quaker Zionist Rethinks Palestinian Rights. He is currently working on a book entitled Seeking Justice in the Holy Land: The Evolution of Quaker Perspectives on Israel/Palestine. He is Pendle Hill’s 2024 Henry Cadbury Scholar.

This is a hybrid event, held on Sunday, January 21 at 1:00pm, both online and in the Rufus Jones Room at Friends Center at 15th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia.

To attend via Zoom, please register here.  

This talk is free, hybrid, and open to the public.  It is co-sponsored by the Middle East Collaborative and the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Refreshments from the Middle East will be served.

Questions?  Contact Liz Robinson at lizhrob2@gmail.com

The Plight of One of the Middle East’s Quaker Schools — Brummana High School

Written on:

Brummana High School, founded by Quakers Eli and Sybil Jones and Theophilus Waldmeier 150 years ago, is high in the hills east of Beirut, Lebanon.

Brummana Friends Meeting together with Ramallah Friends Meeting in Palestine comprise Near East Yearly Meeting. Each Meeting has care of a school. Brummana High School and Ramallah Friends School, each co-ed day schools, are the only two Quaker schools in the Middle East. [Read more…] about The Plight of One of the Middle East’s Quaker Schools — Brummana High School

Update your contact & Meeting information at pym.org/updates

© 2024 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting · Privacy Policy