Happy birthday Ellen!

We went to a couple of events today - more about that later {with photos). Fortunately because of the weather they were in the same place. One of these events was Ellen Davidson's report back from Gaza and her 50th birthday party. After the report back there were supposed to be toasts to Ellen and the party. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the toasts to Ellen so here's mine:

I have known Ellen for nearly 30 years, we worked together at the Guardian and she and Ann were in a singing group- "Womansong"- with four other wonderful women {Barbara, Jill, Mara, Carmen) who sang at our wedding (27 years ago). I say all this so you'll know how well I've known Ellen. So let me say that when I heard that Ellen went to Gaza to support the people there, I was not in the least surprised, even for a moment, because I know that wherever people are fighting for liberation Ellen will be there. She understands, as few of us do, that we are a human race and wherever one of us is oppressed we are all oppressed and it is always all our struggle.

Jan 8: Palestine slide show

Our good friend and comrade Ellen Davidson (with whom I used to work at The Guardian) sent us the following announcement. I strongly urge you to pay attention to anything with which she and Judith Pasternak are involved.

Jan. 8
Last chance in Manhattan to see Palestine slide show

Yes, next week is the last time we'll be presenting our show Pictures of
Palestine in Manhattan
(although it looks like we'll be taking it on the
road to Brooklyn soon).

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m.
At the home of Mariliyn Clement
4 West 13th Street, Apt. 2RW

Judith Pasternak and I [Ellen] will do a reportback from our trip to Palestine last
summer, with stories and pictures of the destroyed Palestinian village of
Lifta, the Israeli settler community in Hebron, Syrian Druse resistance to
Israeli occupation, and much more.

If you've already seen the show, perhaps you'd like to recommend it to someone else.

Hope to see you there!

Ellen