Rally to protest Gaza violence
JVP-Detroit joined Palestinians and other sympathizers to demonstrate at Dearborn's City Hall on March 5, 2008 against the Occupation and Israel's continuing blockade of food, fuel, water filters, medicines, and other essential supplies destined for Gaza, in violation of international law.

“Olive Tree of Jerusalem” tile mural by Marie Balian, Balian Armenian Ceramics of Jerusalem. www.armenianceramics.com

Tu B’Shvat Seder
JVP-Detroit, along with other JVP chapters around the country and world, held a Trees of Reconciliation Tu B’Shvat Seder for Healing & Reparation on Monday, January 21, 2008, in Ferndale, Michigan at AJs Cafe.

It was a deeply appreciated occasion for Detroit Jews to learn about the destruction of Palestinian olive groves by the Jewish National Fund's tree-planting campaign of the 1950s and meet others committed to rectifying these wrongs. We celebrated with singing, eating ritual foods of nuts, seeds and fruit, and a seder dinner of Middle Eastern foods.

Tu B’shvat is a Jewish holiday in celebration of fruiting trees and “Birthday of the Trees.”  The Tu B’shvat Seder kicked off the national JVP campaign to purchase 3,000 olive saplings this year for planting by the Palestine Fair Trade Association in the Occupied West Bank, for Palestinian farmers trying to rebuild their economy.

The uprooting of more than 700,000 olive trees by the Israeli Defense Forces since 2000, to make way for settlements and the Wall, has wreaked incalculable damage on the main source of livelihood for thousands of Palestinian families.  The "Trees" campaign is JVP's effort to begin healing and repair some of the damage done. 




Hanukkah Party & meet Sydney
Latkes, bagels, lox and other brunch delicacies were enjoyed at our Hanukkah gathering on Dec. 9, 2007, when JVP-Detroiters heard JVP's Sydney Levy speak about JVP's coalition work with church groups also trying to end the Occupation.

Fundraiser for ICAHD
In September 2007, JVP-Detroit held a fundraiser for the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). We viewed a compelling film about ICAHD, spoke to cofounder Jeff Halper by telephone from Italy, and enjoyed a potluck.

Since 1967, over 18,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished by Israel, leaving more than 108,000 Palestinians homeless.  Israel refuses to issue building permits to Palestinians for the rebuilding of their homes, driving them from their land.  This is a major obstacles to peace. JVP-Detroit  raised money for ICAHD-USA's goal of rebuilding every Palestinian house demolished  in 2006 — about 300 homes.

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