Vanderbilt’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a series of events from Feb. 10-16 to promote awareness of Palestinian culture and experiences. SJP hosted six events over the course of the week, which culminated in a fundraising gala featuring performances and Palestinian cuisine. This is the second year SJP has hosted Palestine Awareness Week.

Palestine Awareness Week

The first event of the week was “Art as Resistance” on Feb. 10, a pop-up gallery featuring artwork from three Palestinian artists: Azeez Azeez, Jeries Shehadeh and Mohammad Saba’aneh. Alongside the art exhibit were quotes from Israeli officials, which SJP described as “inciting violence against civilians, particularly women and children.” Participants also had the opportunity to make their own clay artwork. 

According to SJP in a post on their Instagram page, the exhibit represented Palestinian artists’ perspectives on colonialist visual depictions of Gazans’ efforts to “expose genocide and ethnic cleansing,” the oppression Palestinians face and the role of art in resistance.

This event was followed by “Flavors of Palestine” on Feb. 11, a cooking workshop led by senior lecturer Amal al-Wahish. Attendees learned how to make manakeesh zaatar, a Palestinian flatbread, while discussing the cultural significance of zaatar and Palestinian farmers’ access to land.

SJP partnered with cultural groups on campus, including EESA, PISO, SACE, Agni, Ballet Folklorico and Bhangradores, for their event showcasing and teaching indigenous dances on Feb. 12. SJP showcased Dabke, a Palestinian folk dance.

A representative from SJP described the reactions of students who attended the events.

“Throughout Palestine Awareness Week, students showed strong interest in the events, with many expressing happiness and gratitude for the space SJP creates,” the representative said in a message to The Hustler.

The event titled “Women in Palestine” was dedicated to six Palestinian women: Fadwa Tuqan, Hind Al-Husseini, Shireen Abu Aqleh, Muna Al-Kurd, Karimeh Abbud and Khalida Jarrar. According to SJP, these women were chosen for their “resilience despite decades of oppression.” The event on Feb. 13 showcased the stories of the six women alongside statistics and facts that SJP said expose “the systemic injustices” Palestinian women face on a daily basis. Participants also had the opportunity to create paper mosaics, learn embroidery and paint tote bags.

The second-to-last day of the week’s programming included an exclusive screening of the movie “Aida Returns,” which has not yet been released to the public. 

A representative from SJP explained the premise of the film.

“The movie follows the story of Aida, a Palestinian woman who was forcibly displaced from her home along with 750,000 other Palestinians during the Nakba,” the representative said. “After her passing, her daughter and close friends embark on an emotional journey to fulfill her dying wish — being laid to rest in the home she once knew before her expulsion.” 

A Night for Palestine

SJP hosted a fundraising gala, A Night for Palestine, on the final day of Palestine Awareness Week. All proceeds from the gala will be sent to families in Gaza. A representative from SJP described the gala and the activities included.

“We had an incredible turnout for all our events, with A Night for Palestine being the highlight of the week,” the representative said. “We sold out all 300 tickets and were able to provide a full experience that included dinner, a traditional Palestinian dessert, multiple professional and student performances and a variety of interactive activities that allowed attendees to engage with different aspects of Palestinian culture.”

The event featured two Dabke performances by Art of Freedom — a Dabke group from Ohio — as well as two Vanderbilt student-led Dabke performances. Guests were served a traditional Palestinian dinner with rice, lamb, chicken and Knafeh. In addition to a Knafeh making station, a Thobe and Keffiyeh display, Henna stations, a photobooth and raffle prizes, the gala included activities and exhibits from previous events of the week. The program also highlighted influential Palestinian figures, including Hasam Abu Safiha and Sufian Tayeh, among others.

The representative from SJP described the significance of the gala.

“A Night for Palestine was a reminder that cultural preservation is itself an act of resistance, and it left attendees deeply moved and inspired,” the representative said.

SJP also described their aim in organizing these events.

“Ultimately, this week was about more than just hosting events; it was about preserving history, honoring resilience and resisting erasure. It was a reminder that Palestinian culture is vibrant, alive and worth celebrating — no matter the forces trying to suppress it,” the representative said.