Films about activism at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival

Our neighbours the AJC put on a huge annual festival of Jewish film.  This year, one day (this coming Monday) will be devoted to films about Jewish activism in Africa.  This one in particular struck me as an account of a wonderful project that makes the world better in several ways at once:

Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean

Many lives revolve around the coffee bean, the second-most traded commodity in the world. Historically, in Uganda, coffee farmers saw only small profits due to low international prices, inefficient government marketing, and exploitative intermediaries. In 2003, a Jewish coffee farmer in Uganda approached his Christian and Muslim neighbors - all struggling coffee farmers - and asked that they put aside their differences and join forces to forming Delicious Peace Coffee Cooperative. To further economic development, they partnered with an American fair-trade distributor to produce Mirembe Kawomera Delicious Peace Coffee [click to purchase], the first organic, kosher, Fair-Trade Certified Ugandan coffee to reach the U.S. market. The standard of living of the farmers is now improving, and their message of building bridges of peace and fair wages is spreading to coffee customers in the United States. In particular, their efforts have inspired many Jewish congregations, social action committees, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Projects and interfaith groups across America to purchase and raise awareness about the farmers' coffee. 

posted by Eldan Goldenberg 

Meet Sustainable Seattle

For those of you who are more visual, you can now meet some of the team at Sustainable Seattle. We have debuted our first video at the Environmental Film Festival and it is now available for your viewing pleasure.

Pictures from the Film Festival

These are some more photos from the Film Festival Sustainable Seattle put on in the week before the Valentine's holiday.

Film Festival Success: How to put on a great event.

The former school for wayward girls is an imposing building with narrow east facing windows and a campus of manicured lawns and driving lanes. The Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford did bring one’s thoughts to shepherding those lost sheep back into the fold of the flock, as well as stop any signs of social shenanigans. It was also the location of the first annual Environmental Film Festival brought to fruition by Sustainable Seattle on Thursday February 11, 2010.

Driving up to the venue you pass the neighborhood of Wallingford on your north and south and pass commercial districts, restaurants and gas stations before entering a purely residential area where homes are pulled back from the two way, park on both sides of the street, area.

People began filing in past the table manned by Marketing Director Gabriel Tevrizian to collect the last minute donations and suggested price for entrance. Gabe was welcoming and excited as more and more people came, filling the venue to its capacity.

The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly with Taylor Shellfish Farms providing organically grown oysters and other shellfish with the only requirement of the participants to enjoy their fair.

Also there were pastries from Trophy Cupcakes and the gathering was dotted with staff members from Sustainable Seattle ready and willing to engage with the participants.

Before the film festival began there was an informal session of chatting and networking as participants and staff shared their passion for the environment, sustainability and practical solutions to some of the concerns that brought us to this screening.

The films from filmmaker/consultant Shelly Solomon were beautifully shot around the concept of sustainable community development around shellfish, reclamation projects and natural farming.

The first film was a documentary on the reclamation project to save the Pinto Abalone in the Puget Sound. The film focused on a project spearheaded by the Puget Sound Foundation to bring back a native species that has seen a steady decline in its numbers since the fifties.

In the middle of the film festival there was a panel discussion with a few of the principles of the films with the audience asking questions ranging from sustainability to profitability. The panelists were gracious and informative and they shared in simple, truthful terms the challenges and rewards that their work in sustainability has brought them.

The conclusion of the evening saw people with smiles on their faces, ideas in their hearts and a renewed appreciation for the efforts that are happening right in our backyards to increase the likelihood of future generations to enjoy the beauty and bounty of our blessed region.

Sustainable Seatte's Environmental Film Festival

February 11, 2010

This is a reminder about the above referenced event. Spaces are still available so we encourage you, your friends and colleagues to attend this "feel-good" event celebrating positive action in our community and other regions of the world.

What: Five compelling films by local biologist/filmmaker Shelly Solomon, panel discussion (featuring Jeffery Cordell, Principal Research Scientist of School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Don Rothaus, Shellfish Biologist), and free oyster tasting bar.

When: Thursday, February 11th, 2010 - 6:00-9:30pm

Where: The Chapel at The Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford). 4649 Sunnyside Ave. North, 4th Floor. The Center is served by Metro buses # 16, 26 & 44. Ample parking available if driving required.

Why: Support Sustainable Seattle, local filmmakers and learn how a difference is being made and you can increase your impact.

Donation: $20 public and $5 students, under- /unemployed. Register at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/95063 Cash only at the door!

We look forward to seeing you on February 11th!

Sincerely,

Sustainable Seattle

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email: info@sustainableseattle.org

web: http://www.sustainableseattle.org

Sustainable Seattle Upcoming Events

It is a glorious start to the year with more events happening around the Seattle area in the next few months. There are many opportunities to get involved and learn how you can make smart changes and a difference.

January 20 - Transitioning To Green A free brownbag about greening the home. Featuring Jacqueline Powers, a green residential remodeling contractor, interior designer, and author.

February 11 - Environmental Film Festival

Join Sustainable Seattle for a "feel-good" evening celebrating positive actions in our community and other regions of the world. Featuring biologist/filmmaker Shelly Solomon and panel discussion moderated by Sustainable Seattle's Executive Director Laura Musikanski.

February 18 & 25, and March 4 - Dialog About: Race, The Power of An Illusion

Much is being said about Social Justice and Sustainability, but what does it really mean? This three-part dialog designed for environmental and sustainability non-profit board members, staff and volunteers will help you and your organization ask and answer the tough questions.

May 10-14 - Sustainability Intensive

Sustainable Seattle is pleased to present our Sustainability Intensive: a four-day course for deepening your understanding of sustainability and guiding your organization on a sustainable path. The purpose of this intensive course is to help individuals and organizations take sustainability to the next level.