Palestine-Israel | Human Rights | Peace Building

Jennifer is the national director of AFSC’s U.S. Palestine Activism Program and has worked with AFSC since 1989, organizing dozens of speaking tours, conferences, educational workshops, protests, delegations, and public events. She has directed and produced two documentary films about Palestinians in the Chicago area,“Benaat Chicago: Growing up Arab and Female in Chicago” (1996) and “Collecting Stories from Exile: Chicago Palestinians Remember 1948” (1999); and helped produce the documentary on Palestinian child detention “Detaining Dreams” (2015). Jennifer co-edited the anthology of writers from Gaza Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire (Haymarket Books, 2022) and Steadfast in Gaza: Sustainers of Sumoud during Genocide (Interlink Books, forthcoming 2027).

Jennifer’s role at AFSC includes leading work with colleagues to produce the weekly Action Hour for Palestine, develop touring exhibits, and build support for Apartheid-free Communities. Until 2021 Jennifer worked with Defense for Children International Palestine on their joint advocacy campaign with AFSC, “Israeli Military Detention: No Way to Treat a Child.” 

Jennifer began her advocacy for Palestinian children after working as a teacher in a Quaker school in Ramallah during the first Palestinian uprising (1986-1989). During those years she also worked as a field worker and researcher for Save the Children, documenting the impact of the first popular uprising on Palestinian children under the age of 16.

Jennifer has appeared in numerous media outlets including Al Jazeera English, Truthout, Worldview/WBEZ, Mondoweiss, Electronic Intifada, Alternet, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, Friends Journal, Wisconsin Muslim Journal, and The Washington Post. She is also a regular contributor to AFSC’s News and Commentary blogs.

Invite Jennifer to speak at your event.