A 9/11 Gallery

On March 19 we will be screening excerpts from this film to challenge the participating audience to enter into public dialogue asking them to imagine where the closed-ended discussion between the two mothers in the film could go if there was a guided process of dialogue.

• A process of sharing thoughts not for the purpose of discouraging differences or disagreement, but to allow for clarifications of stereotyping, explore different perspectives and to promote learning and creative collaborations.

• Being a part of dialogue requires genuine willingness to allow for the free flow of communication to hear the other and to be heard.

• Finally, the purpose of dialogue is to share our common humanity and move away from the hostility, intimidation and defensiveness which will continue the circle of destructive engagement.

A group of conflict mediation specialists, united under the aegis of Mediators Beyond Borders, will review some current positions on the entrenched conflict between Palestinians and Jews and lead the audience in public dialogue to begin to uncover alternate perceptions towards conflict transformation, on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 6-9 pm at the Beverly Hills Library Auditorium. The program, entitled "Foreign Exchanges: A Mirror Image of You" is co-presented by Levantine Cultural Center. It is organized by fine artist and mediator Dorit Cypis in collaboration with mediator Ken Cloke and Joumana Silyan-Saba, Policy Advisor to the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission. The 3 will offer strategies of critical “seeing”, listening and dialogue and will screen excerpts from the film “To Die in Jerusalem” in order to stimulate public dialogue amongst the participating audience to imagine what successful reconciliation could look like. They bring their combined professional backgrounds in mediation, art and human relations to imagine a sequel to this film, elaborating on how mediation, aesthetics and cultural understanding could design a process of conflict transformation.

In 2002, two teens, one Palestinian and the other Jewish, were both killed when the Palestinian youth detonated herself at a market place in Jerusalem. Both youth are victims of a political situation beyond their control. The film To Die in Jerusalem follows the teens' mothers, one living in Gaza, the other in Jerusalem, as an effort is made to have them meet face-to-face towards re-conciliation. Their meeting erupts into chaos and once again conflict remains entrenched.

"Given the diversity of Los Angeles and its unique influence on global affairs," says Joumana Silyan-Saba, "we have a greater responsibility to be at the forefront of setting the tone towards peace and dialogue." She adds that, "Since its inception the City Human Relations Commission has been dedicated to creating dialogue and working with the diverse communities to help bridge real and perceived divides."

Click here for printable flyer.

To Die In Jerusalem

Mediator Ken Cloke, artist/mediator Dorit Cypis and Joumana Silyan-Saba, who is a Policy Advisor to City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, will present a critical unwinding of this film and guide discussions with the audience to imagine what successful reconciliation could look like in the Middle East. They bring their combined professional backgrounds in mediation, art and human relations to imagine a sequel to this film, elaborating on how mediation, aesthetics and cultural understanding could design a process of conflict transformation. Excerpts of the film will be screened along with critical observations. Discussion amongst the audience will be facilitated by members of Mediators Beyond Borders. This program is developed by Foreign Exchanges/Dorit Cypis, in collaboration with Ken Cloke and Joumana Silyan-Saba.

Bios:

Joumana Silyan-Saba is a Policy Advisor for the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission with a focus on inter-group relations particularly as it pertains to local communities who are impacted by the Middle East conflict. Prior to that Ms. Silyan-Saba was a Program Director for Community and Inter-group Conflicts at the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center. Ms. Silyan-Saba completed an M.A in Negotiation and Conflict Management at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in December 2002. She has since co-taught graduate courses at CSUDH focused on bridging cultural conflicts.

Kenneth Cloke is Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution, Santa Monica, and CA., offering mediation, arbitration, consulting and training, specializing in complex multi-party conflicts and in designing conflict resolution systems for organizations. His published books include Mediation: Revenge and the Magic of Forgiveness and Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution, and soon to come, The Politics of Conflict: How Mediators Can Help Save the Planet. Ken Cloke is the Founder and President of Mediators Beyond Borders, created to situate groups of mediators in local and international sites of cultural conflict.

Dorit Cypis, artist and mediator, is Director of Foreign Exchanges, developing creative engagement across personal and cultural difference through aesthetics, somatic arts, and mediation. Cypis founded Kulture Klub Collaborative, Minneapolis, 15 years old this year, artists and homeless youth bridging survival and inspiration. Her art work has been seen internationally, including at the Whitney Museum of American Art, International Center of Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Orange County Museum, Walker Art Center, Musee d’Art Contemporain/Montreal, Musee des Beaux Arts/Bruxelles, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Visit her web site.

Beverly Hills Library Auditorium, 444 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills CA 90210. Requested donation for Meditators Beyond Borders, $20 general, $10 students. Book in advance by calling 310.657.5511, or online:.

Bring your ideas, enthusiasm and support to the Center by participating in our Programming Committee, which cooperates with our Board of Directors in creating new arts programs in the months ahead. Visit our volunteer opportunities page. To get on the reservation list for the next meeting, email us now!

Levantine Center's Board of Directors is continually seeking to work with new volunteers who may be invited to join the board. We welcomes inquiries—we are actively searching for more people with our passion and conviction! Our core group of volunteers consists of diverse members of the community who are of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean heritage or who have a strong professional or artistic interest in furthering our mission. Our volunteers work on literary, film, fine art, music and educational programming.

Our Advisory Board is also in formation. Advisory board members are known professionally in their own communities and offer valuable counsel and services to the organization; they are eligible to attend the organization's annual retreat and receive other benefits.

Please contact us at 310.657.5511.

To join/support Levantine Cultural Center, simply go to our membership page and fill in the blanks, use your credit card, or print and mail in your check for $60 or $120 or $250 annual membership dues to: Levantine Center, 1012 S. Robertson Blvd., Suite C, Los Angeles CA 90035-1537.