UCLA's OppenheimeLecture Series will present "The Role of the Media as a Partner in Protecting the Environment and Reaching Sustainable Development in Egypt" with special guest speaker Randa Fouad, on Wed., Jan. 18, at 6 pm on campus UCLA's Fowler Museum, Lenart Auditoriium. The forum is free to the public but reservations are required. Click here.

Progressive Conversations on Israel/Palestine and US Foreign Policy in the Middle East, the monthly series organized by LA Jews for Peace and the Levantine Cultural Center, with support from the national organization Jewish Voice for Peace, presents Mary Hughes-Thompson and Yonatan Shapira on their experiences with the Gaza Flotilla in July. Despite failing to land any boats on the shores of Gaza, was the flotilla a success—as many international observers argued, because of all the media coverage?

MIDDLE EAST CENTER LOOKS AT IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT THROUGH THE LENS OF THEATRE IN PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS/PERFORMANCES JUNE 17

For Immediate Release [Los Angeles, May 23, 2011] As a topic of conversation, Iraq typically conjures up images of war and the U.S. military occupation that began in March 2003. Rarely do Americans have an opportunity to learn about the long history of theatre in Iraq, nor about theatre arts throughout the Middle East. Where can Americans learn more about Iraqi and Middle Eastern theatre and how it can bridge our cultural differences? On Friday, June 17, 7pm, the Levantine Cultural Center will present FROM BABYLON TO HOLLYWOOD: How Theatre Bridges the U.S. and the Middle East, an evening of performances, readings and conversation devoted to Iraq and theatre within the Arab/Muslim World. The evening is co-presented by Golden Thread Productions of San Francisco and Theatre Without Borders.

"Islam and Hollywood: Facts, Myths and Martyrs" is a talk by Kamran Pasha—one of the first Muslim screenwriters in Hollywood and author of two page-turning novels on Islam. MENA-XA quick-witted speaker with a knife-sharp sense of humor, Kamran Pasha's is the second presentation in the new MENA-X (Middle East/North Africa Exchange) lecture series, happening every Thursday at the Levantine Cultural Center. MENA-X presents incisive talks with experts and guest moderators to help us better understand the complexities of life on the ground in the Middle East and North Africa. Moderated by Dr. Nile El Wardani.

[For Immediate Release-Los Angeles, 1/19/11] What's Next for Israel/Palestine: War, Peace or More Occupation? UN Special Rapporteur Richard A. Falk and anthropologist and author Jeff Halper will hold a public forum on February 5, 2011 at the Iman Cultural Center, 3376 Motor Ave. in Los Angeles. Falk and Halper will address issues on the relations between Israel, Palestine, Turkey and the U.S. (A special donor dinner with Falk and Halper benefiting ICAHD will follow afterward from 6:30-8:30 pm. More info.)

Reza Aslan debates David WolpéAslan and Wolpé will discuss America's position toward Iran today, Israel's increasing concern over Iran's nuclear weapons program, and what the future may hold.

Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed Iranian-American writer and scholar of religions. He has been featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, ABC, The History Channel, PBS, The Rachel Maddow Show, Meet the Press, Nightline and many more.

Dialogue with Rabbi David Wolpe and book signing following the lecture.

Free of charge and open to the public.

Please contact Dahlia Greenbaum, Program Director, at dgreenbaum@sinaitemple.org or phone 310.481.3243.

A conference including documentary and feature screenings, panels and symposium, organized by Levantine Cultural Center and the University of California, Irvine, the