The Power of Words: Inspired to be an Active Agent of Change

As the incoming Community Engagement Coordinator of the Palestinian AmericanCommunity Center, NJ, this panel was the refreshing and enjoyable zoom call we have all been needing given all that is happening and continues to happen around us daily, both locally and globally. The current global pandemic, recent fight for justice for Black lives and prosperity,…

Reflections from an Educator & Parent on “Creating a Culture of Change: Race & Youth Education”

On June 30, I attended the first conversation of the series Creating a Culture of Change. This was a great opportunity, with each of the speakers and the subsequent discussion offering valuable insights, information, and concrete guidance for action. I registered to attend largely because every previous event organized by Al-Bustan that I’ve been able…

A Camper’s Perspective: Why You Should Sign Up for Al-Bustan Camp 2020

My name is Sylvia Hopkins and I am a 7th grade student at the Field School. I live in DC and love art. My father was raised in Egypt and has an Iraqi mother. Last year I attended Al-Bustan camp, and really enjoyed my time there. Now I am in the midst of an internship…

My Decade With Al-Bustan

When Al-Bustan came to my 7th-grade music class at Germantown Friends School, I did not think that the organization would later come to reflect my interests so wholly. My hobbies have always been in the arts; as both the daughter of musicians and a dancer myself, I was indoctrinated early. We were required to play…

Drawing Trees and Drawing

Over the past few months, I’ve become enmeshed into the cohort of young artists in the Moffet Arab Arts Program. We begin every Wednesday with snacks and homework and the ideas in the kids’ heads are already apparent through the chaos of doodles and procrastinations from their assignments. Before this energy explodes we move downstairs…