There will be a Community Forum on the background of the current crisis in Gaza and path ahead on Thursday, January 18th at 7:00 pm at the Greensboro United Church of Christ.

Speaking will be Hamed Bakir, a Palestinian American living in Vermont. Hamed was born in a refugee camp near Ramallah in Palestine. Through narrating his family's account, Hamed will share his family's personal story of Palestinian resilience and love of life in the face of adversity. Hamed retired from a 35 year international career in public health and the environment with the WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR and other international development agencies. He specialized in climate change and health; children's health and the environment; water sanitation and health.

Also presenting will be Jason Hirsch, of the group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). Jason Hirsch is an Ashkenazi Jew and an organizer with JVP of Vermont and New Hampshire. JVP is a national, Jewish-led organization working for the liberation of all peoples in Israel and Palestine. He teaches cultural anthropology at Saint Michael's College, focusing on ecological anthropology, climate justice, and political imagination. He also serves as the President of the Board at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in Plainfield, and is completing a book about Western herbal medicine and its role in ecological transition.

The evening's presentation will be moderated by Susan Rhodewalt of Albany, who is a Quaker and a retired history teacher. Susan will facilitate questions and discussion following the presentations from Hamed and Jason.

The evening is sponsored by the Hardwick Peace Vigil Committee. Everyone is welcome and invited to stay for tea after the discussion.

Masking is preferred and masks will be available at the event.

May 21, 2024, 8:30 to 9:30 AM

May 21, 2024, 7 PM

May 22, 2024, 10:30 to 11:15 AM