UPCOMING EVENTS
Read Palestine Week is an international initiative first established by Publishers for Palestine, a global collective of publishers and others who work in publishing around the world, and who stand for justice, freedom of expression, and the power of the written word.
In-Person Event(s): A presentation developed in collaboration with eight families in Gaza who are connected to a local community member (Clarissa) who has received permission to share their stories and words. This is an opportunity to learn more about their lives, loves, and challenges as they try to survive the genocide in Gaza, and to find out more about ways you can offer meaningful and direct support to Palestinians in Gaza.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 / Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 / Ellisforde Church of the Brethren, Tonasket, WA
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025 / Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025 / Western Washington University
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 / Make.Shift Art Space
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025 / Langley United Methodist Church, Langley, WA
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025 /Bellingham Central Library
100 % of the proceeds go to the 'Eight Families in Gaza'
Community gathering with donated items. People can take what they want and leave donations in the amount of their choosing, with all proceeds going to families in Gaza.
March 22 from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.
This year’s international focus of Read Palestine Week is on raising funds to support Palestinian writers in Gaza. And here locally, anything donated or raised in support of these reading presentations will be sent directly to the writers and families in Gaza of those whose words are featured during the reading, including those who are connected to the families who have become known locally as ‘Eight Families in Gaza.’
Named for Read Palestine Week’s theme, “Read, Rise Up, and Resist,” this combined reading and presentation will touch upon themes related to reading, writing, and education as being integral to Palestinian culture, and to the lives of people in Gaza, even in the midst of the ongoing genocide.
- FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025 from 6 to 7 pm: This class is dedicated to Majd and his family.
- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 from 6 to 7 pm: This class is dedicated to Amjad & Abeer & Their Family
- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025, from 6 to 7 pm: This class is dedicated to Fadi and his family.
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025 from 6 to 7pm: This class is dedicated to Mohammed and his family.
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 from 6 to 7pm: This class is dedicated to Yanis, Leila, Mahdi, and their family.
- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025: from 6 to 7pm: Details on Instagram; funds raised from this first class to benefit Ashraf & his sister Dina and their families.
- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 - from 6 to 7pm / Flux Power Yoga: 1140 10th St #101, Bellingham, WA Details on Instagram; funds raised from this first class to benefit Aboud and his family.
We’ll create space for intentional breath, movement, and connection, and we’ll flow to playlists that center Palestinian music and artists. At each class, you’ll be introduced to one family and their story. These classes are “give what you can,” with a sliding scale suggestion of $10-$30. Your donation provides direct aid to Eight Families in Gaza.
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PAST FUNDRAISING, PRESENTATIONS, & ONLINE EVENTS
"Eight Families in Gaza: Amplifying Their Voices" Presentations
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 / Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 / Ellisforde Church of the Brethren, Tonasket, WA
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025 / Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025 / Western Washington University
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 / Make.Shift Art Space
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025 / Langley United Methodist Church, Langley, WA
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025 / Bellingham Central Library
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025 /Bellingham Central Library
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DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE COMMUNITY EVENT /
SAT. NOVEMBER 29, 2025 / NOON TO 6PM
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A day of community and connection in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and in celebration of the first day of #ReadPalestineWeek, offering opportunities to learn more about the connections between our local community and Palestine, while exploring a variety of creative activities, art, and unique handmade items. Family-friendly, free, and open to all: stop by, wander, and enjoy this comfortable, inviting, restorative environment, an intentional alternative to the many post- & pre-holiday commercial spaces focused on spending & consumption. There will be opportunities to offer donations in exchange for books, crafts, snacks, and hand-made items, with donations going directly to support specific families and organizations in Gaza. There will also be a special program from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. featuring the words of Palestinian writers in Gaza, who are partnering with us for Read Palestine Week to share their poetry, stories, and other writing in support of specific Palestinian writers and ‘Eight Families in Gaza.’
Looking forward to this special event happening tomorrow, Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm at Goat Mountain Pizza Company, and I want to say a special thank you to everyone who is making this event possible. Thanks to the Whatcom Coalition for Palestine, to Whatcom Families for Justice in Palestine, to my friends who are helping organize this event, and to Goat Mountain Pizza for hosting us. And a huge thank you to Tam Tam Pizza for the inspiration and for the previous fundraiser that was so impactful, beautiful, and life-sustaining.
Tomorrow's event will help us raise funds for these eight families in Gaza who are now personally connected to the Bellingham community, as they try to survive the winter and take care of each other. They are in urgent need of warm clothing, blankets, and better shelter, and your support will make a difference. I will be on hand throughout the entire event to answer questions, give updates about the families, and enjoy being in community with everyone. I hope to see you there! (P.S. There will also be both vegan and gluten-free pizza options.)
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A day of community and connection in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and in celebration of the first day of #ReadPalestineWeek, offering opportunities to learn more about the connections between our local community and Palestine, while exploring a variety of creative activities, art, and unique handmade items. Family-friendly, free, and open to all: stop by, wander, and enjoy this comfortable, inviting, restorative environment, an intentional alternative to the many post- & pre-holiday commercial spaces focused on spending & consumption. There will be opportunities to offer donations in exchange for books, crafts, snacks, and hand-made items, with donations going directly to support specific families and organizations in Gaza. There will also be a special program from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. featuring the words of Palestinian writers in Gaza, who are partnering with us for Read Palestine Week to share their poetry, stories, and other writing in support of specific Palestinian writers and ‘Eight Families in Gaza.’
Looking forward to this special event happening tomorrow, Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm at Goat Mountain Pizza Company, and I want to say a special thank you to everyone who is making this event possible. Thanks to the Whatcom Coalition for Palestine, to Whatcom Families for Justice in Palestine, to my friends who are helping organize this event, and to Goat Mountain Pizza for hosting us. And a huge thank you to Tam Tam Pizza for the inspiration and for the previous fundraiser that was so impactful, beautiful, and life-sustaining.
Tomorrow's event will help us raise funds for these eight families in Gaza who are now personally connected to the Bellingham community, as they try to survive the winter and take care of each other. They are in urgent need of warm clothing, blankets, and better shelter, and your support will make a difference. I will be on hand throughout the entire event to answer questions, give updates about the families, and enjoy being in community with everyone. I hope to see you there! (P.S. There will also be both vegan and gluten-free pizza options.)
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 / Mountain Meets Farm / 10am to 12pm
"Pizza for Palestine" Benefit for 'Eight Families in Gaza' - Monday, September 22, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm
100 % of the proceeds go to the 'Eight Families in Gaza'
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Tabling for 'Eight Families' with the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Bellingham VegFest - 10am to 3pm / Barkley Village
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August 2, 2025 12pm - 3pm
Bookshare & Give-Away Fundraiser for Palestine
Stop by and browse an assortment of books and other media donated by local community members and free for the community, in exchange for donations to support Palestinian families in Gaza.
This event is affiliated with the Whatcom Coalition for Palestine, the Whatcom Families for Justice in Palestine, and the "Eight Families in Gaza: Amplifying Their Voices" public presentation and community support effort.
This event is not sponsored by the Bellingham Public Library.
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Fundraiser for 'Eight Families in Gaza / Saturday July 19, 2025 / 10am-4pm / 2402 Old Lakeway Dr.
Community gathering with donated items. People can take what they want and leave donations in the amount of their choosing, with all proceeds going to families in Gaza.
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Disability Justice in Palestine: Online Event: April 15, 2025. 8am to 11:30 am PST.
During the public presentations, "Eight Families in Gaza: Amplifying Their Voices," which I have been giving in my local community these past couple of months, I have begun by talking a little bit about the connection and intersection between Disability Justice and Palestinian Justice. I talk about mutual aid, collective liberation, the framework for disability justice, and how all of this has been part of my connection to Palestine.
This week, on April 15, 2025 at 8 a.m. PST there is an online event, "Disability Justice in Palestine: Taking Action," organized by The Palestinian Disability Coalition, which includes members from "organizations of persons with disabilities, self-help groups, and activists with disabilities from all parts of Occupied Palestine, and also the Disability Justice for Palestine Collective, which is made up of disabled people, "researchers, human rights activists and advocates from all over the world working together to document the situation of Palestinians with disabilities and the crimes being committed against them, and advocating for justice and accountability."
You can find out more about this event on the Disability Justice for Palestine Collective website, and register for the Zoom online.
[Update from April 22, 2025- Here is a link to the event recording]
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April 12, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - "Eight Families in Gaza: Amplifying Their Voices" Presentation
(Followed by Whatcom Coalition for Palestine from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.)
Venue: In-Person, Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room (Central Branch)
Event Description: A presentation offering an opportunity to learn about eight families in Gaza who are connected to a local community member (Clarissa) who has received permission to share their stories and words. This is an opportunity to learn more about their lives, loves, and challenges, and to find out more about ways you can offer meaningful and direct support to Palestinians in Gaza. (This event is NOT sponsored by the Bellingham Public Library).
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Venue: In-Person, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Whatcom Coalition for Palestine Info Table - I will be at the at the "Skill Up & Connect for Community" event along with some other folks from the Whatcom Coalition for Palestine, on Saturday March 22, 2025. We will have information about upcoming events, craft items for sale to support donations for families in Gaza, and information about ways to get involved.
Workshops for Gaza - Dates: Ongoing / Venue: Online.
Check full schedule for classes and programs; donations requested for registration; donation suggestion and link in event description.
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Sunday, March 2, 2025 / 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Presentation / 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Q&A
In-Person Event - Presentation with Optional Q & A, "Eight Families in Gaza: Amplifying Their Voices."
Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room (Central Branch)
Event Description: A presentation offering an opportunity to learn about eight families in Gaza who are connected to a local community member (Clarissa) who has received permission to share their stories and words. This is an opportunity to learn more about their lives, loves, and challenges, and to find out more about ways you can offer meaningful and direct support to Palestinians in Gaza. (This event is NOT sponsored by the Bellingham Public Library).
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Sunday, February 23, 2025 / 12:30 p.m.
In-Person Event - Film Screening: From Ground Zero,
Pickford Film Center in Bellingham
Pickford Film Center in Bellingham
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Friday, February 14, 2025 / 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)
Online Event from Institute for Palestine Studies
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