Friday, March 12, 2021

Friday, March 12, 2021

  • Fatima al-Fihri was born around 800 AD in Tunisia. Her father was a wealthy merchant and she and her sister Mariam inherited his wealth when he passed away. She used his money to create Al-Qarawiyyin, a mosque that took 18 years to build. During this time, she oversaw the construction and fasted everyday until the mosque was done. The famous mosque of al-Qarawiyyin became the first religious institute and the largest Arab university of North Africa, and is considered the most ancient university in the world still operating, preceding the first European universities. During the beginnings of the university, it offered religious teachings, but it broadened its reach to teaching grammar, astronomy, math, music, and medicine. She passed away around 880 AD. Fatima al-Fihri is considered a saint, and in 2017, a prize was created in Tunisia in her honor. It rewards initiatives which encourage access to training and professional responsibilities for women. 

    WRC Women's History Month presented by Fatma Abdel-Maksoud

  • Hey everyone! ARHS’s Schools for Africa Club will be having a meeting this Monday, 3/15, at 3:00. We will be discussing new projects for the spring! You can join us with this link: https://meet.google.com/lookup/edmw2qd5f2?authuser=1&hs=179. Newcomers are always welcome! If you have any questions, or if you can’t make this meeting, feel free to contact Sierra Triozzi at triozzisr@arps.org or our club advisor, Madame Cisse, at cisseo@arps.org. We hope to see you soon!

  • The Belchertown Justice Collaborative (BJC)- is excited to announce their next community project. “Loud and Proud: Identity, Culture and Community” is a public community centered art project all about celebrating the complex and diverse identities here in town! This project will include two parts--murals painted on electrical boxes in town, and a “Pride Zine” (an online magazine). The BJC is asking community members (*Belchertown and surrounding towns) to submit art, photographs, writing, and materials that they want to see included in a magazine or on a mural. The BJC is open to images and materials created by people of all ages, from an old and important family photograph that represents your culture and community, to a crayon drawing done by a young student reflecting on their own identity and community. Send the BJC art, words, and images that represent the theme of “Loud and Proud: Identity, Culture, and Community,” to you!        
          The BJC will select finalists, and then the town will have a chance to vote for the images or words they most want to see put on the boxes. This project will be finished and released in June of 2021 as a way to honor the anniversary of BJC’s first even, and as a way to celebrate.
 

If you want to submit art, fill out this Form or email the BJC belchertownjusticecollab@gmail.com. You can also find the BJC on Facebook and Instagram (@btownjustice). Deadline is April 1st.

  • Great summer opportunity for current 10th and 11th graders:  Includes tuition and cost of books.    In the Great Jewish Books Summer Program, students read, discuss, argue about, and fall in love with modern Jewish literature.  The 2021 program will be fully remote, connecting students from across the country and beyond to create a friendly, engaging online community of readers.     The program includes dynamic seminars led by college faculty, a deep-dive into modern Jewish literature and talks with contemporary writers as well as social activities.  For more info:  https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/educational-programs/great-jewish-books-summer-program.  Application DUE: March 29





Posted by at