IMEU : Palestinian Americans

John Sabella: Agronomist and Environmental Expert (IMEU)

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:34:31 PST

Agronomist and environmental consultant John Sabella is a visionary force within the sustainable agriculture movement. Sabella has worked worldwide to develop and teach farming systems that do not require harmful and expensive chemical inputs and that conserve soil and water quality to help improve food security. Sabella helps small farmers with limited resources seek their own solutions to their farming, environmental and social problems.

Rami Kashou: Fashion designer and entrepreneur (IMEU)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:01:36 PST

Up-and-coming fashion designer Rami Kashou was a finalist on Bravo's hit show Project Runway and his dresses have draped Hollywood celebrities Penelope Cruz, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba among other starlets. Kashou's work has been featured in tens of magazines including Elle, Vogue, In Style, The New York Times Magazine, and Flaunt. He has been honored by The Make a Wish Foundation, LA Fashion Awards, Seeds of Peace, and the Los Angeles City Council.

Rawia Bishara: Chef and culinary artist (IMEU)

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:09:43 PST

Palestinian-American chef and proprietor of the Brooklyn-based Middle Eastern restaurant Tanoreen, Rawia Bishara's culinary creations have been praised by some of the most respected food critics in New York City. Infused with the aroma of nine different spices imported regularly from her hometown of Nazareth, Tanoreen was chosen as New York Magazine's Critic's Pick and has been featured in The New York Times, The Village Voice and the Zagat Survey, among many others.

Cherien Dabis: Filmmaker and producer (IMEU)

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:21:42 PST

Award-winning Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis was named one of Variety's "Ten Directors to Watch" in 2009. Her debut feature film - Amreeka - premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and is the first fiction feature to be acquired for theatrical distribution by National Geographic Entertainment.

Sharif S. Elmusa: Poet and Environmental Scholar (IMEU)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:38:07 PST

For Palestinian-American poet and environmental scholar Sharif S. Elmusa, writing poetry is not just an art. It is what he describes as the "continuous exercise of an existential need." A self-described poet from birth and first-generation Palestinian refugee, Elmusa recently published the first collection of his poetic works, Flawed Landscape: Poems 1987-2008.

Emily Jacir: Artist (IMEU)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:07:00 PST

Leading Palestinian-American artist Emily Jacir says, "When I was growing up, art was the one place where I could speak." Jacir's complex and creative engagement of serious issues has been met with much acclaim. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the world since 1994, including at the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2008, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation nominated Jacir as one of six finalists for the biannual Hugo Boss Prize.

Nasser Abufarha: Social entrepreneur and scholar (IMEU)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:37:17 PST

Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) founder Nasser Abufarha is bringing Palestinian olive oil and other traditional delicacies to mainstream American and European markets, while also improving economic conditions for farmers in the West Bank. "At first the farmers were skeptical," Abufarha says, "They couldn't imagine why anyone would pay them above the market price. But they were willing to give it a try."

Jennifer Jajeh: Actor and filmmaker (IMEU)

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:07:38 PST

Actor and filmmaker Jennifer Jajeh uses her art to inspire audiences to contemplate new ways of seeing the world. Born in San Francisco, she has acted since childhood. "I was the kid who always made my family gather around the living room to watch my latest production," Jajeh says. Her new one-woman show, "I Heart Hamas: And Other Things I'm Afraid to Tell You," will debut at the New York International Fringe Festival in August.

Michel Shehadeh: Director and community leader (IMEU)

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:35:00 PST

Executive Director of the Arab Film Festival Michel Shehadeh has lived a life many might think only exists in the movies. Born in Amman, Jordan in 1956 and raised in Bir Zeit, Palestine, he came to America in 1975 to attend university. One early morning in 1987, federal agents burst into his Long Beach, California home and arrested him as his three-year-old son watched and wept.

Hilary Rantisi: Program director and speaker (IMEU)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:13:00 PST

Palestinian-American Hilary Rantisi is Director of the Middle East Initiative at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She is also a frequent speaker on Palestinian issues and is active in promoting Palestinian art and culture. Rantisi was born in 1972 in East Jerusalem, but grew up in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "Growing up under occupation our life has always been politicized," she explains.