A documentary that sheds light on how dialogues successfully lead to peacemaking even amongst the most conflicting groups will be shown at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
“Refusing To Be Enemies: The Zeitouna Story” will be shown on Wednesday, February 16 at 7 p.m. in Olin B Lecture Hall, located one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Ave.
The 58-minute documentary profiles a self-formed group of 12 ordinary women calling themselves “Zeitouna,” the Arab word for “olive tree.” The six Arabs and six Jews weave an unusual and intimate tapestry of sisterhood. Some of the women are American-born, others are immigrants; one is a Holocaust survivor, another is a survivor of the Nakbah’s terror. The film does not attempt to answer questions of right and wrong, or how to break the deadlock of the Middle East conflict. Instead it offers living proof of how the journey of personal transformation may pave the way to socio-political transformation and peace.
The film’s director, Laurie White, — who also co-produced “Roger and Me” with Michael Moore — will be at the screening to answer questions. She will be joined by fellow Zeitouna co-founder Dr. Manya Arond-Thomas, a leadership and life design coach.
The screening is free and open to the public.