The Palestinian American Community Center Now Offers Workshops on Various Subjects!
Our mission is to sustain and strengthen ties to Palestinian heritage while empowering the success and well being of the entire community.
Click Here to Complete the Workshop Request Form
Tatreez 101 Workshop
Are you interested in learning the Palestinian art of ‘tatreez’ (embroidery)? Did you know that beyond artistic and cultural beauty, the act of stitching and certain tatreez patterns hold significance to the struggle against the occupation of Palestine? This workshop will give participants an overview of the role that tatreez plays in the Palestinian struggle against both erasure and appropriation and will provide tatreez lessons so that you yourself can keep a piece of Palestinian heritage alive.
History of Dabka Workshop
Interested in learning the Palestinian folk dance, Dabka? Whether you’re a beginner or want to master your skills for the next family wedding, we’ve got you covered! Join PACC for a brief presentation on the history and context of Dabka, followed by a hands-on workshop to learn signature moves.
1.5 Hour w/presentation: 5-6 moves (Dal3ona (two types), Jafra, Shamaly, Wa7da w Nus, Introduction to Mijwiz)
Pricing for non-Dabka or Tatreez workshops:
The following PACC workshops are offered on a sliding scale basis and can be accommodated based on the person or organization’s request.
Virtual: $150/up to 1.5 hours; $200/2 hours
In-Person: $200/up to 1.5 hours (travel time not included), $250/2 hours (travel time not included)
3. Important Dates in Palestine’s History
4. Refugees, Diaspora, and the Right of Return
5. How to Advocate for Palestine in the United States
6. An Overview of the Palestinian Struggle Today
7. Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month (April)
8. Intersectional Social Justice (In Palestine and Beyond)
9. Remaining Steadfast in Your Identity
10. Communities in Solidarity with the Palestinian Struggle
11. Apartheid in Palestine
12. Reclaiming Palestine: Culture, Land, and History
13. Key Terms: How to Talk about the Occupation of Palestine
History of Dabka Workshop
3. Important Dates in Palestine’s History
This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of key historical dates that are necessary to know for anyone interested in learning about and advocating for Palestine. The entire workshop’s timeline begins after the Ottoman Empire rule and goes up until events that took place in June of 2021. Participants will leave the workshop with a new historical perspective on events they may have already known about and will learn about dates often overlooked or forgotten.
- Full workshop includes history from 1917-present day: 3 hours - Accommodated to focus on specific time period: 1 hour
History of Dabka Workshop
4. Refugees, Diaspora, and the Right of Return
The goal of this workshop is to (re)define and complicate terms such as refugees and diaspora and undo the often negative stereotype associated with Arab refugees or migration. We tie both into the greater Palestinian conversation and goal of freely returning to the homeland by explaining what the right of return means, and why it is important.
- Full workshop: 2 hours
- Refugees and Diaspora only: 1 hour
- Right of Return only: 1 hour
5. How to Advocate for Palestine in the United States
Designed mainly for those interested in being active in Palestinian liberation but may not be sure how or where to get started, this interactive workshop provides examples of ways in which prominent figures have used their passions and fields of expertise to support the Palestinian cause. Participants will also have time to reflect and discuss steps they can take in their fields to support Palestine.
Full workshop: 1.5 to 2 hours
6. An Overview of the Palestinian Struggle Today
Through a mix of a historical and contemporary timeline, this workshop aims to contextualize the Palestinian struggle and lived experience by understanding how key historical moments have shaped the Palestinian reality today. The workshop also aims to tie Palestine into larger, global social justice conversations.
- Full workshop includes history & present day: 2 hours
- Contextualizing present day only: 1 to 1.5 hour(s)
7. Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month (April)
April is Arab American Heritage Month, and this workshop celebrates and highlights the beauty of Arab culture! By reclaiming the narrative of what it means to be Arab, we educate about and highlight the diverse heritage of Arabs, and also debunk stereotypes that some may have had about Arabs. This workshop is suitable for grade K-12.
Full workshop: 1 hour
8. Intersectional Social Justice
(In Palestine and Beyond)
April is Arab American Heritage Month, and this workshop celebrates and highlights the beauty of Arab culture! By reclaiming the narrative of what it means to be Arab, we educate about and highlight the diverse heritage of Arabs, and also debunk stereotypes that some may have had about Arabs. This workshop is suitable for grade K-12.
Full workshop: 1 hour
9. Remaining Steadfast in Your Identity
Aimed specifically for college organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Muslim Student Associations, this workshop provides advice and expertise for how to advocate for Palestine within university or college spaces. It will be most beneficial for organizations who have Palestinian, Arab, or Muslim students struggling from a lack of support or extreme pushback from university spaces and administration.
Full workshop: 1.5 hours
10. Communities in Solidarity with the Palestinian Struggle
This workshop focuses on the intersection between Palestinian Liberation and immigrant justice: participants will learn about the history of the Palestinian Struggle and its interconnectedness with various social justice movements. From the fight for indigenous rights, and struggle against state-sanctioned violence against our communities, to the fight for a pathway to citizenship and driver’s licenses for all in NJ, both movements fight for liberation and justice.
- Full workshop includes solidarity from/with Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities: 2 hours
- Accommodated to focus on one of the above communities: 1 hour
11. Apartheid in Palestine
Following the Human Rights Watch’s extensive report that named Israeli occupation and aggression as apartheid, there has been a greater increase in understanding what apartheid really means and looks like, and how it applies to Palestine. This workshop will help answer these questions and contextualize apartheid as a historical and present day event.
Full workshop: 1.5 hours
12. Reclaiming
Palestine:
Culture, Land, and History
This workshop aims to highlight the vibrancy and richness of Palestinian culture and traditions, while showcasing how holding onto Palestinian heritage is a form of active resistance in the face of erasure.
Full workshop: 2 hours
Focus specifically on one cultural aspect (ex: only tatreez, only dabka): 1 hour
13. Key Terms: How to Talk about the Occupation of Palestine
Whether you’re new to the Palestinian struggle or have been aware of it but never had the needed education regarding the terminology used when discussing the occupation of Palestine, this workshop is for you! The workshop will break down the most common phrases used in relation to the Palestinian struggle and participants will leave with a new confidence to properly advocate for and educate about Palestine.
