Micha Kurz, ex-IDF soldier, co-founder of Breaking the Silence (“an organization of former Israeli soldiers speaking out about our service in the Occupied Territories and the moral price, the degradation of spirit, we have had to pay on both societal and personal levels while serving our nation”), and founder of the “Grassroots Jerusalem” network. Micha will visit next Tuesday, September 29th, 1 pm, room 1065. He will talk about his grassroots work in Israeli-Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.

Micha will also speak to us about the most effective ways we UNM students can directly network with GJ to encourage “..human rights, justice, nonviolent communication, and social and environmental sustainability…” to help bring peace and justice to Israel-Palestine. To learn more about Grassroots Jerusalem, check out the website: http://www.grassrootsjerusalem.org/ Or go to Facebook and become a member of this group. Just search: ‘grassroots jerusalem’ on your FB site.

PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS EVENT NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1 PM, ROOM 1065, so we can reserve a bigger room, if needed. Call 573-8161 or email chandlermuf@yahoo.com.

Micha Kurz Biography:

Micha Kurz was born in Jerusalem to parents who immigrated to Israel from Canada and the U.S. in the sixties. He was in the National Youth Movement for six years, where he trained teenagers to work as leaders in their local communities. At nineteen, he joined the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) as a combat soldier and attained rank of Master Sergeant. After an honorable discharge from the army he co-founded Breaking the Silence, “an organization of former Israeli soldiers speaking out about our service in the Occupied Territories and the moral price, the degradation of spirit, we have had to pay on both societal and personal levels while serving our nation”.

Micha has met with grassroots activists around the world and has gained perspective on the importance of effective local community organizing. He now lives between Jerusalem and Northern New Mexico and is currently engaged in creating a network for Palestinian and Israeli NGO’s grassroots groups. He plans to weave a common vision with the communities working on social justice issues.

He believes linking a global network supporting grassroots organizations in Jerusalem will eventually lead to peaceful co-existence.

To RSVP (BY 9/25/09) and for more information, contact:
Guida Leicester, Chair
Cell: 573-8161
email: chandlermuf@yahoo.com