Yousef Bashir | The Words of My Father: Love and Pain in Palestine

Virtual Author Event on Zoom

A Palestinian-American activist recalls his adolescence in Gaza during the Second Intifada, and how he made a strong commitment to peace in the face of devastating brutality in this moving, candid, and transformative memoir that reminds us of the importance of looking beyond prejudice, anger, and fear. While an Israeli soldier shot him, it was Israeli doctors who saved Yousef and helped him eventually learn to walk again. In the wake of that experience, Yousef was forced to reckon with the words of his father. And like the generous, empathetic man who raised him, he too became an outspoken activist for peace. Amid the tragedy of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, The Words of My Father is a powerful tale of moral awakening and a fraught, ferocious, and profound relationship between a son and his father. Bashir's story and the ideals of peace and empathy it upholds are a soothing balm for these dangerous and troubled times, and a reminder that love and compassion are a gift—and a choice.

Yousef Bashir is a Pales­tin­ian Amer­i­can from the Gaza Strip who made his way to the Unit­ed States, where he earned a BA in Inter­na­tion­al Affairs from North­east­ern Uni­ver­si­ty and an MA in Co-Exis­tence and Con­flict from Bran­deis Uni­ver­si­ty. Now liv­ing in Wash­ing­ton, DC, Bashir has worked on Capi­tol Hill, and served as a mem­ber of the Pales­tin­ian Diplo­mat­ic Del­e­ga­tion to the Unit­ed States. Yousef is an accom­plished author, a vig­or­ous advo­cate of Israeli-Pales­tin­ian peace, and a much sought-after pub­lic speaker.

This event is presented in collaboration with the the Jewish Book Council. Yousef will present his book and answer questions. To purchase books in advance, our bookstore partners online: Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW) and Page 1 Books (5850 Eubank Blvd NE). 

Tickets are $8 for JCC Members and $10 for Non-Members.

Upon registering, you will be sent a link for the Zoom event. 

Questions? Call 332-0565 x 4518.