I am thrilled to announce my multimedia project Through the Checkpoint, which I have been creating in partnership with Creative Visions and displaying virtually on this blog, is going to be on exhibit next October at the Gallery Al-Quds of The Jerusalem Fund in Washington D.C.! The exhibition will open October 13, 2017, and run through November 3, 2017. I am still quite in awe at this marvelous opportunity and hope you are able to come join me to experience it "in the flesh" next year!

At the moment, I am on my own journey--through checkpoints--traveling in and out of Palestine and Israel documenting the many varied experiences of Palestinians and Jewish Israelis living amidst occupation. For the last four weeks I have been warmly received by countless people who, as they pour me cups of mint tea or serve me slices of honey-drizzled challah, have poured out their stories of struggle and hope, steadfastness and perseverance. With each conversation I learn quite a bit more and simultaneously realize I know quite a bit less. It is these complexities I wish to share with you here on my blog, as I continue my travels for the next two weeks and upon my return to the United States, that you, too, might come to understand more, question more, and be motivated more to help change the unacceptable status quo of life here from being under military occupation to a life of liberty and equity for all.

Mother and son, Hebron, West Bank, Palestine

To learn more about where I am going, who I am meeting, and how you can JOIN in this journey please check out: https://creativevisions.networkforgood.com/projects/16418-creative-visions-fiscal-sponsorship-through-the-checkpoint. At this point in the project, one of the most helpful and vital ways we can join together is through your investment in "Through The Checkpoint" by way of a contribution to my travel costs. (Bonus: it's tax-deductible! It also makes a great gift for loved ones who do not desire for more tangible gifts, but to be part of tangible transformation in the world.) As you will see from the link to the investment page above, this girl's gotta get from city to city, village, to town, eat, sleep, thank her drivers, hosts, translators, and interviewees, and get her multimedia content produced and distributed! Big or less big, each dollar donated counts! For example, just $3 will buy me some really good falafel or a bus ride from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. I need lots of falafel and many bus rides. I am traveling for 58 days ;)

So, I invite you to join me in engaging with and learning from the stories of our Palestinian Christian and Muslim neighbors and Jewish Israeli neighbors to learn about their experiences of life, struggle, loss and hope in the middle of conflict and complexity. Together we can help make these valuable and powerful stories more widely known. Through supporters like you, I will be able to continue and complete the important work of educating about life lived amidst occupation in Palestine/Israel and inspire our communities to join on-going efforts to catalyze equity, justice, peace and fullness of life for the restoration of dignity and true humanity to all living here in Palestine/Israel.

I greatly appreciate your prayers and partnership!

With joy and love,

Katie