Speaking Tour

Since I got back from Palestine, I've been giving presentations around the States. So far I've spoken at churches, universities, house parties and a youth conference.

Peace and Justice task-force at the Unitarian Universality church in Ann Arbor
Telling the story of Al Aqaba to Maine Senator Susan Collins

First Congregational Church in Palo Alto, CA


Testimony:

Morgan Bach gave her "O Say Can you "C"?" presentation to First Congregational Church of Palo Alto on January 6, 2013, as part of a forum series hosted by the Peace and Justice Task Force.   Her presentation was engaging and approachable for an audience with interest in, but frustrated by the lack of knowledge about, the Israel / Palestine situation.  By mixing personal stories with analysis of the political motivations and the impact for everyday life in the village of al Aqaba, plus photos from her trip, her talk had something for everyone, and the different threads gave a more coherent picture of the whole.  
 
The topic was of even greater interest in our congregation than expected.  In spite of the holiday weekend, Morgan drew about twice as many attendees as our average forum.  People stayed engaged for the full hour, asking questions that Morgan answered adeptly.  As the organizer of the event, I heard from several people who thanked me for bringing her in, and people responded well with interest in continuing the conversation and thinking about other ways we could stay involved.
Steven Ketchpel (ketchpel@giving-back.info) 
First Congregational Church of Palo Alto 


A short video about my last tour, called "Oh, Say Can You C" about my experience living in Area C of the West Bank:



One-month tour reflection...

Tour Stops:

Peace Lutheran Church of Danville, CA (speaker)

Ann Arbor: Students for Justice in Palestine Conference
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor (speaker)
Ann Arbor Friends Meeting

Hartland, MI: House party (speaker)

Chicago: Palestinian American Council (speaker)

Washington D.C.: Middle East Institute Conference
Friends Committee on National Legislation Conference
Georgetown Law School (speaker)

Dallas: 3rd Annual Palestinian American Youth League Conference (speaker)

Falls Church, Virginia: Nur Center (speaker)

Washington D.C. office visits:
Representative Mike Rogers' office
Representative Suzan DelBene's office
Senator Dianne Feinstein's office
Senator Susan Collins' office
Senator Patty Murray's office
Senator Maria Cantwell's office
CAIR
Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee
ANERA
Christians for Middle East Peace
United Palestine Appeal
Brant Rosen's presentation (Jewish Voice for Peace and Friends Committee on National Legislation)                                       

                                                                                              
New York City:
Institute for Middle East Understanding (Brooklyn, NY)

Chicago:   Palestinian American Youth League meeting
                  House party in Evanston, IL

Mirroring Hope Dinner: First Congregational Church in Palo Alto, CA

Campbell City Rotary Club

Mirroring Hope Dinner: Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo/San Mateo Peace Action

Yalla Arabi Club

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of San Carlos

St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Palo Alto

Palestinian-Canadian Professional Foundation Annual Gala 
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