In 2022, the Home-y Made Meals Operations team started an internal program called “Teach and Learn” as an accountability measure. We dove into concepts of food justice and homelessness to sustain our knowledge as the political, economical, and social nature evolved around us. This year, we chose to expand our awareness by researching and reflecting on how the Palestinian and Israeli state of affairs relate to food justice, food sovereignty, and houselessness. What can we learn from what is happening overseas? How can we build safety within our communities?

Here are the topics we covered:

Intersectionality of Food Justice and The Palestine Movement by Jenny
Jenny laid the groundwork on understanding how food justice is not bound by geographical limitations and is a global issue. Food justice in the context of the Palestine movement involves land rights, economic sovereignty, and cultural preservation. Due to the blockade and restrictions in Gaza, the agricultural sector has been crippled resulting in Gaza’s reliance on food aid from international organizations. Caring about the movement is an expression of global solidarity, ethical responsibility, and humanitarian concern.

Skid Row To Gaza by Alex

Alex helped deepen the interconnectedness and relationship between the local SoCal unhoused communities and the food insecurity occurring in Palestine. Diving into the history of war, land rights (redlining), and policy making within Skid Row and Gaza revealed the parallels between these two regions. The interplay of economics, racism, and policy contributes to the perpetual containment of people discriminated against and othered. 

Beyond Conflict by Jaclyn

Using “why now” as a driving force for her Teach and Learn, Jaclyn discovered how Covid-19 emotionally and mentally correlated to the rising collective angst and conflicts around the world. COVID-19 had heightened xenophobia and nationalism, which in turn encouraged armed confrontations. This also led Jaclyn to explore Hamas and the mental health implications of the Israeli occupation and Palestinian movement.

What about Israel: An Alternative Perspective by Sonia

In broadening the perspective from which we understand this global struggle, Sonia examined how Zionism and anti-semitism create a culture and philosophy of life. Underneath the struggle lies voices that desire to be heard, seen, recognized, and acknowledged. Seeing humanity across the board revealed the loop of grief resulting from enduring unprocessed and unresolved anger and violence. 

Humanitarian Impact In Palestine & Israel by Angela

Angela focused on the reliance of international humanitarian aid in Gaza and the complications with providing adequate support. Alongside lack of resources and infrastructure, the work is endangered as the lives of humanitarian frontline workers are at risk. Angela discussed the need and the elements for a humanitarian reset. 

The History of Israel and Palestine: Genocide, the Humanitarian Crisis, and the 1948 War by Melle

Melle not only brought in a breadth of knowledge but also asked us difficult, essential questions that continue to sit with us. From reframing our language to understanding the extent of our responsibility, Melle reminded us of our power in spreading awareness and expanding our information network to arrive at the truth. Rather than war or conflict, a genocide is and has been happening.