To commemorate Israeli Independence Day and Palestinian Nakba Day, Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye and Jewish-American poet Chana Bloch read from their poetry and translations. Both poets draw upon their heritage in their work, yet see peace as essential.

Naomi Shihab Nye is the author of numerous books of poems, including You and Yours, 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East,Fuel and Red Suitcase. She has been a Lannan Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow and a Witter Bynner Fellow.

Chana Bloch is the author of several collections of her poetry, including The Secrets of the Tribe, The Past Keeps Changing, Mrs. Dumpty and Blood Honey. She has translated the biblical Song of Songs and books by the contemporary Israeli poets Yehuda Amichai and Dahlia Ravikovitch.

A book signing and reception follows the program.