Application Deadline Extended! Birthright Unplugged Summer Trip!

[nova luna]

Dear PJJP Community,

*apologies for cross-postings*

If you have considered traveling to Palestine, please consider going
on a delegation with Birthright Unplugged this summer. This is stellar
way to travel to the West Bank.

What sets Birthright Unplugged apart is the in-depth experiences that
participants have with community leaders through home-stays,
dialogues, and conversations. This is made possible because of the
trip leaders' longstanding and deep relationships with their allies
based in trusted solidarity work. Also, they are focused on action--
helping people make connections to Palestine solidarity work, to BDS,
and to get connected to volunteer opportunities in the West Bank if
desired.

Participating in Birthright Unplugged in 2007 opened my eyes and heart
to truth and collective action. I highly recommend considering this
opportunity.

The trip is not limited to Jewish participants; anyone can apply. See
below for more info.

Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested.

Thanks,

Nova

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APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 14TH – APPLY TODAY!!


• PLEASE FORWARD • PLEASE FORWARD • PLEASE FORWARD •


Attention organizers, activists, students, faculty, artists, cultural
workers, and more!!!


Birthright Unplugged’s Summer 2011 Program

Since 2005, Birthright Unplugged has facilitated travel in Palestine
for numerous groups. We do this because Palestinian people we work
with welcome delegations and because we have found that when people
have firsthand experiences of Palestine and relationships with
Palestinians, it strengthens their resolve, credibility, and
accountability to do sustained justice movement work.

Our 2011 program will include seven days of travel and optional, post-
travel, short-term volunteer placements. Our work is designed to
support work related to the 2005 call from Palestinian civil society
for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel (BDS). This
call seeks to bring about the end of apartheid in Israel, the
occupations of Gaza and the West Bank, and to implement the right of
return for Palestinian refugees. It is a non-violent strategy that
has been crucial to bringing about the end of other systems of
oppression, most notably apartheid in South Africa. To date, we have
worked with student and faculty groups, activists and organizers, and
faith-based groups among many others to help develop and strengthen
their respective understanding of the situation on the ground in
Palestine and to support their BDS and campaign work in their home
countries.


2011 Travel Component:

In seven days, we will visit Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee
camps in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem and spend time with
internally displaced Palestinian people living inside Israel/’48. At
this time, we are unable to travel to Gaza and so we will have a video
conference call with people living and working there. Throughout the
journey, we will help participants develop an understanding of daily
life under occupation and apartheid and the history of the region from
people profoundly affected by these realities who are otherwise under-
represented in Western discourses. During the program, there will be
opportunities for participants to discuss campaign work currently
taking place in their own communities and share organizing skills and
strategies specific to the work they hope to do when they return
home. It is our hope that participants can learn from and contribute
to ongoing grassroots justice campaigns and movement work, and that
they might especially become able to invigorate current campaigns
already active in their own communities.


2011 Optional Volunteer Placements:

We are well-connected in Palestine and can put you in contact with
potential volunteer possibilities should you decide to stay on after
our travel program. Sample placements include teaching English in a
refugee camp, volunteering for an NGO, or working with a solidarity
effort. Should you decide to stay on, you will need to contribute to
making arrangements for this placement and paying for your expenses
during it.


How To Apply:

Please download the application at http://www.birthrightunplugged.org/unplugged/application
and email it toi...@birthrightunplugged.org.


Dates:

Sunday July 10, 2011 – Saturday July 16, 2011

Includes: 7 days of travel

Rolling application deadline: May 14th, 2011 (remaining seats limited
so apply soon!)

Cost:

Sliding scale program contribution: $750 - $850. This includes the
travel portion of the program. Airfare is not included. This
contribution covers most ground transportation, meals, translation,
admission fees, and lodging expenses during the program. Participants
may purchase additional food and drink, souvenirs, and gifts at
individual discretion. Participants are expected to pay for a few
meals (est. $5-$15/meal) and car rides ($2-$4 ea.) during free times
and any liquor, argile, gifts, internet café use, and personal items.
Transportation to and from the airport is est. $10 - $15 each way and
is not included in the program contribution. You should expect to
spend a minimum of 10% of the cost of your Birthright Unplugged
contribution (over and above the payment of the contribution itself)
during your trip plus airfare to and from the region.

Soon after being accepted to our Unplugged 2011 Summer Program and
prior to your trip, you will be asked to pay this sliding scale
contribution of $750-$850 towards the cost of the program and complete
and submit a Participant Agreement. This contribution is non-
refundable except in the event that the trip is cancelled. We
encourage those who can pay more to do so as program contributions do
not cover program costs. Personal fundraising has been very successful
for our participants. There is a template for a letter you are
welcome to use on the costs page of our website.