I have an emotional connection to Yalla, so to speak.
Not only was I an early fan of their project and contributor, but someone special to me is on their editorial board. Yalla began as a literary journal where both Jewish and Arab youth could express the full spectrum of feelings about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And when I say the “full spectrum” I mean everything from both sides of both sides except calls for violence. It is one of the few places where such a dialogue is possible without yelling, screaming and ugliness.
Recently, they branched out into events that bring young people from both populations together. They just hosted Confronting Ourselves, their first stand-alone (and standing room only) reading night, held at Free Times Cafe in downtown Toronto on December 10, 2009. You can watch the YouTubes of that night, where Jews read the words of Arabs, Muslims read the words of Jews, and for once in a blue moon, people listen beautifully even if they don’t agree.
This is their next benefit event below, a March 20th showing of Talk, a play about Jewish and Arab friends whose blissful avoidance of politics ends with the arrival of a new girlfriend. Enter code 4444 and 15% of your ticket price will go to Yalla. Join Yalla’s Facebook group, attend the Facebook event, or buy your tickets.
