The First United Methodist Church of Whitewater has announced that it will be hosting a presentation to examine the current and historical struggles between Israel and Palestine.

The presentation, titled: “Ending the Genocide: Towards a Shared Future for Palestinians and Jews,” is part of the church’s lecture series titled: “Draw the Circle Wide,” according to information released by program organizers.

The program will feature speakers Janan Najeeb, a Palestinian American Muslim and founder, in 1994, of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, and an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Dr. Rachel Buff, chairperson of the history department at UW-Milwaukee and a founding member of Milwaukee Jewish Voice for Peace, the release stated.

As stated on its website, the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition is a resource organization “dedicated to promoting an accurate understanding of Islam and Muslim women. Our mission is to lead positive community change through advocacy, dialogue, education, using faith-based values to ensure dignity and equity for all.”

The organization “provides educational materials and resources to promote understanding to schools, universities, businesses, law enforcement agencies, healthcare centers, religious establishments, community organizations and the media,” the website notes. 

To learn more about the group, visit its website: https://mmwconline.org/. 

The Milwaukee Jewish Voice for Peace, according to its website, as a group “fights for the liberation of all people. We believe that through organizing, we can and will dismantle the institutions and structures that sustain injustice and grow something new, joyful, beautiful, and life-sustaining in their place.” 

To learn more about the Milwaukee Jewish Voice for Peace, visit its website: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/.  

The presentation in Whitewater will be held this Sunday in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary, 145 S. Prairie St., between 1 and 2:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public and both adults and youth are invited to attend.

During the presentation, discussion will revolve around “hope, healing and justice in Israel and Palestine,” the release noted. Following the presentation, a question-and-answer opportunity, will be provided.

Additionally, a reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

According to the release, Najeeb is a “well-known, tireless justice activist,” and  “a noted go-to resource for media, academic institutions, and interfaith organizations.”

Najeeb, the release continued, “is the convener of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, which includes more than 60 organizations.” Buff serves as co-chair of the coalition’s executive committee. 

“Together, they will bring us timely insights to educate and enlighten us on the work of diverse communities toward a permanent ceasefire and resolution to years of hostility and occupation,” the release stated.   

The First United Methodist Church’s Draw the Circle Wide series works to bring engaging programs focusing on social justice issues of interest to the Whitewater community, the release noted.