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Free Omaha tours of The Quilted Conscience project this weekend

This weekend in Omaha, you have another chance to see a pair of powerful, colorful exhibits of memories-and-dreams quilts from Nebraska immigrant and refugee youth (The Quilted Conscience), as well as a rare opportunity to see Fabric of Survival, a stunning series of quilts telling the story of a Holocaust survivor from her village in Poland through Nazi occupation and ultimately moving to America. (This is the final weekend to see Fabric of Survival.)

In The Quilted Conscience project, what started as a documentary film to inform residents of the changing demographics in America has blossomed into a new and unique way to unite communities. Refugee youth in Grand Island were brought together with Nebraska quilters to create images depicting the girls’ memories growing up in their homelands and the dreams they hold of their future in America.

Many of the Nebraska quilters, who grew up in rural Nebraska, related to the immigrant girls’ memories of fetching water and helping on a family farm as children. They also remembered sharing many of the same dreams of becoming teachers or working in medicine. Through these quilts, the new and longtime Nebraskans from different cultures and generations realized that they, in fact, have a lot in common with one another.

Using quilting as a way to bring people together and unite communities is now taking place in other cities such as Hastings, Lincoln, and Omaha, with beautiful outcomes displayed in Omaha this month.

The Quilted Conscience project currently is on display at 3 Omaha locations:

Van tours on March 14th, March 28th and April 11th are available to take people to the three locations. RSVP to reserve your spot for a free van tour. (All van tours run from 1pm-4pm and begin and end at the Joslyn.)

A short clip of The Quilted Conscience, the film depicting the original Grand Island quilting project, will be shown at the Joslyn Art Museum at 1pm on Saturday (at the beginning of the van tour).

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Holocaust survivor’s story told in Omaha with ‘Fabric of Survival’ quilt project

This is a guest post from Rachel Peric, Deputy Director of Welcoming America and a board member of Art and Remembrance.

In 1977, at the age of 50, my grandmother, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, decided she wanted her family to see what her childhood home in Poland looked like. A survivor of the Holocaust, my grandmother had lost almost everyone she loved in the world. Out of her family, only she and her sister had survived.

Beginning with an image of her home, and later, a dream from the war, my grandmother began to tell her story through the medium she knew best – sewing.   Stitch by stitch, she brought to life the family that she had lost and the story of her survival. Before she passed away in 2001, my grandmother created a series of 36 embroidered fabric panels that narrate and depict life before the war and her harrowing experiences of living through the Holocaust.

Coming To AmericaThe exhibit of her work, Fabric of Survival, is now on exhibit in Omaha at the Kaneko Gallery, thanks to the support of the Institute for Holocaust Education, in partnership with Art and Remembrance.

After surviving the war, my grandmother made her way to America with her new family.   Not only a Holocaust story, my grandmother’s story is an immigrant story.  And much like my grandmother, today in Omaha, a new generation of immigrant youth who have extraordinary experiences of their own are also finding their voice and stitching their own remarkable artwork through a project called The Quilted Conscience, on display at the Joslyn Art Museum, KANEKO, and the W. Dale Clark Main Omaha Public Library.

For many Jews like myself, the powerful act of remembrance is lived out when we are exposed to stories like my grandmother’s, or other survivors still living here in Omaha.  But we can also find even greater healing and deeper meaning when we encounter the stories of newcomers to Omaha and discover universal connections to our own past.

Gallery GoersThe same strength, resilience, and creativity that my grandmother brought with her to America is evident in the stories of immigrant youth here today in Omaha. For this reason, perhaps the Jewish community can play a unique role today in helping to bring forward these newer stories of courage, and welcome the next generation of youth from around the world to Nebraska.

Fortunately, initiatives like Nebraska is Home, hosted by Nebraska Appleseed, and part of the national Welcoming America network, are here to help.  In Omaha, and across the state, Nebraska is Home is fostering more inclusive communities – places where regardless of where you are born or what you look like, you are valued and welcomed.

Nebraska is Home and The Quilted Conscience will be helping to bring diverse community members to see Fabric of Survival, creating a new generation exposed to this powerful story, and also empowered to share their own. Together, they will create a new rich tapestry that weaves together the old with the new, the past with the present – and, it is my hope,  a uniquely Jewish story of survival and immigration with the story of newcomers to Omaha today.  I hope you will join us.

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Three Omaha openings this week for the Quilted Conscience Project

Quilted ConscienceColorful quilt display unites new immigrants and long-time Nebraska residents

Omaha gallery patrons will have the chance this week to attend several openings of “The Quilted Conscience Project,” a moving and meaningful art project that features beautifully colored displays and fosters cross-cultural bonds across generations.

The Quilted Conscience Project works with immigrant and refugee children, newly arrived in the United States, and traditional-American communities, here for many generations, who don’t yet know their newest neighbors. Together, the groups form bonds and discover similarities through sharing their dreams and memories via quilting. It encourages creativity, respect, and friendship.

Quilts on display in Omaha this week are works produced by students in Lincoln, Omaha, and Grand Island.

You can view the results of The Quilted Conscience this week in Omaha:

Thursday, February 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Joslyn Art Museum
2200 Dodge St.
See the Karen Dreams and Memories quilt from Omaha Public Schools and Newcomer Quilts from Grand Island Public Schools at this public reception.

Friday, February 6 – 6:00 p.m.
KANEKO
1111 Jones St.
See the Sudan Dreams and Memories quilt from Grand Island Public Schools at this public reception.

Dale Clark Main Omaha Public Library
215 S. 15th St.
See the Dreams and Memories quilt created by Lincoln Public Schools from Myanmar.

The quilts will be on display through April 25 at those locations.

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Welcoming Week 2014 celebrates diversity in Nebraska communities

NE_Appleseed_Icons_Community-128September 13-21 will be celebrated as National Welcoming Week, a nationwide event that highlights the contributions of immigrant Americans and the strength of inclusive communities across the country. Throughout the country, and right here in Nebraska, there are many events where you can join the celebration.

We invite you to attend one of these events in your community!

“I Learn America” film screening – Columbus – September 13

“I Learn America” is a powerful film that will take you into the lives of four immigrant teens, and asks the question, “What can a welcoming school community look like?”

Immigrant students’ lives can be confusing, lonely, and discouraging, but with courage, love, and humor, they persevere. In many ways, they are teenagers forging a complex new identity as ordinary people coming of age and becoming Americans in extraordinary circumstances.

Come for a screening of the film and stay afterward for a discussion about how inclusion and diversity can make our communities stronger and more vibrant.

When: Saturday, September 13, Noon
Where: Columbus Public Library, 2504 14th St., Columbus

“I Learn America” film screening – Schuyler – September 14

Come to a film screening of “I Learn America” and post-film discussion on Schuyler!

When: Sunday, September 14, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Colfax Theatre, 314 East 11th St., Schuyler

Talk on Children Fleeing Violence – Hastings – September 18

Nebraska Is Home Coordinator Christa Yoakum will deliver a presentation about children fleeing violence from Central America and seeking safety in the United States and other nearby countries.  The talk will include what local community members can do and how Nebraska communities can create welcoming environments for everyone.

When: September 18, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Adams County YWCA, 604 N. Joseph St., Hastings

Omaha Diversity Conference – Omaha – September 18

Join SSCA Omaha and other community partners for this informative conference. Hear from Omaha’s diverse refugee community members. See how collaborations have grown in the city to provide inclusion and integration. Learn how you can become involved. Embrace diversity and inclusion in Omaha!

When: Thursday, September 18
Where: Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine St., Omaha

Click Here to RSVP

The Quilted Conscience project – Omaha – September 20

Immigrant students from Omaha Benson High School will unveil the efforts of their week-long quilting workshop where memories of their home countries are stitched together with their hopes for the future in the colorful quilt. The students worked with Omaha area quilters, who mentored the students to help them tell their stories through fabric art.

When: Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m.-Noon
Where: Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St., Omaha

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Welcoming America receives award from United Nations

welcomingamericalogo-300x124We are excited to announce that Welcoming America is one of 11 organizations worldwide to receive the 2014 Intercultural Innovation Award, granted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)!

The Intercultural Innovation Award is given to the most innovative projects around the world that are working to build intercultural cooperation and dialogue, and Welcoming America was selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants from over 100 countries.

The award recognizes the Welcoming Cities and Counties initiative supporting American cities and regions to create an amicable and attractive environment for immigrants. Lincoln was among the first cities in the country committed to being a Welcoming City ensuring everyone is welcome and valued in the community.

Awardees were honored at a ceremony in Bali, Indonesia, where Executive Director David Lubell had the honor of shaking the hand of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who participated in the awards ceremony. As an awardee, Welcoming America will receive a year of support and training from UNAOC – crucial and timely expertise!

Welcoming America ranked fourth out of the 11 recipients overall – the highest ranking of any U.S-based organization in the award’s history – and only the fifth U.S.-based organization to ever receive the award.

To learn more about the award, please click here. Welcoming America is honored and humbled to have received the Intercultural Innovation Award, and we are excited to work to parlay this momentum to take immigrant welcoming and inclusion to new heights!

Welcoming America is a national, grassroots-driven collaborative that seeks to create welcoming atmosphere – through local efforts like Nebraska Is Home and You’re Welcome In Omaha – for immigrant Americans, because our communities are strongest when everyone feels welcome.

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Quilt of Dreams and Memories

NE_Appleseed_Icons_Community-128Lincoln High School students told the stories of their memories and journeys to Lincoln from Myanmar and Thailand, as well as the stories of their dreams for the future through quilting when the new exhibit “Quilt of Dreams and Memories” opened Sunday at the Sheldon Museum of Art.

As the quilt was unveiled, students described their rural homes in Myanmar or the refugee camps where their families lived in Thailand. The Karen American students shared their plans to become teachers, doctors and nurses as well as the hope for peace in their countries in the colorful quilt that brought together traditional Karen weaving and American story quilting.

Lincoln Journal Star: “Final product of Karen group’s quilt project unveiled at Sheldon”

In her own words, Paw Spai Moo, a Lincoln High student, described the small confinement of the refugee camp she lived in for fourteen years contrasted with the freedoms she experiences here: “When I was one year old my parents moved to the refugee camp. I lived for long time, about 14 years. We have a difficult time. We can’t go in the outside. We just have to live in the little same area.” Now, Paw Spai dreams of a future with equal rights and peace for all people.

You can view the Quilt of Dreams and Memories and along with other immigrant student art at the Nebraska Mosaic Art Show at the Lux Center for the Arts, April 1-30, 2014.

This Lincoln project was modeled on the documentary The Quilted Conscience. Filmmaker John Sorensen created the first project honoring the work of Nebraska native Grace Abbott who advocated for children and immigrants throughout her career.

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From farm fields to football, the Mendota High Aztecs unite a community

“Every time you think about this community, people think negative.  ‘Aw, a bunch of poor people live out there.’  Negativity is a disease I want to kill.”

Mendota-jpgThis is how Robert “Beto” Mejia, the head football coach at Mendota High School in California’s central valley, addresses his team before a game last fall.

Mendota is a small town of about 11,000 people, the majority of them Latino immigrants.  It is a town where most of the residents find work on farms and in the fields nearby, including most of the high school players.

In the summers, many of the Aztecs’ players are at work before dawn in the fields to earn money for their families before coming to football practice.

ESPN followed the Mendota High Aztecs and star senior Edgar Segura on a record-breaking season in search of a California Section championship while uniting the school and community with team pride.

Faith, family, hard work, and football.  This story is as American as it gets.

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“I Learn America” film comes to television

Don’t miss the world television premiere of “I Learn America” this Sunday!  “I Learn America” is a powerful film that will take you into the lives of four immigrant teens, and asks the question, “What can a welcoming school community look like?”

Immigrant students lives can be confusing, lonely, and discouraging, but with courage, love, and humor, they persevere. In many ways, they are teenagers forging a complex new identity as ordinary people coming of age and becoming Americans in extraordinary circumstances.

Lincoln Time Warner Cable

Sunday, January 19th, 8:00 PM-9:00 PM
Channel 376 (AJAM) or 1376 (AJAMHD)

or

Tuesday, January 21, 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Channel 376 (AJAM) or 1376 (AJAMHD)

Nebraska Is Home was able to show a special screening with audiences in Nebraska before this public viewing, and students and adults found it compelling and moving. One educator said the candid manner in which the students in the film helped her to know more about what students experience beyond the classroom.

To find a viewing in your area: Al Jazeera America

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Welcoming City: Karen Community shares culture with Lincoln community

DSC05487Lincoln is among the first Welcoming Cities in the country who recognize the contributions immigrants make to creating a vibrant culture and a growing economy.

On Saturday, January 4 Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler joined the celebration of the new year hosted by Karen Society of Nebraska.

“It is important to me to welcome you to this place as your new home,” Mayor Beutler said through an interpreter.

The city is lucky people from many different cultures have decided to make their homes in Lincoln, he said.

“We encourage you to share your culture with the entire community, like the event you’ve planned today,” Beutler said. “It’s important we all continue working to build bridges with people who come from old and rich traditions.”

Karen people came to Nebraska primarily from Thailand refugee camps after fleeing Burma’s civil war. Celebrations like this New Year’s celebration create opportunities to share and to learn about the culture of new neighbors.

Read more in this story from the Lincoln Journal Star: “Lincoln’s growing Karen community celebrates New Year”

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Welcoming America Director honored by Univision

welcomingamericalogo-300x124Welcoming America Executive Director David Lubell recently was named one of Univision’s top ten social entrepreneurs in the Americas.

Univision recognizes talented leaders who create social value by seeking sustainable solutions through innovative approaches to environmental problems, poverty, and inequalities such as access to health care, education and public services and protecting human rights.

“Many communities in the United States consider immigration as a threat rather than an opportunity to enrich culture and increase productivity. Our organization works across the country to empower local leaders from all sectors to welcome immigrants and make them productive members of society,” Lubell said as he described the principles and approach Welcoming America provides in communities.


Watch this video to learn more about Lubell’s vision for stronger, better communities that are the goal of Welcoming America.  At Nebraska Is Home we share the vision that our Nebraska communities are enriched and strengthened when people from all backgrounds and origins are made to feel welcome.