From Numbers to Narratives: Measuring Social Impact with Transparency
ImpactCounter is reshaping how organizations communicate their value to the world. In a landscape where funders and stakeholders demand real-time, transparent data, this platform offers an innovative solution to a common challenge: how to transform complex impact metrics into meaningful, human-centered stories.
The Challenge
Traditional annual reports and headline statistics like “millions served” often fail to capture the human impact behind programs. With funding becoming increasingly uncertain and expectations shifting, organizations must demonstrate their effectiveness continuously—not just once a year.
The ImpactCounter Approach
Rapid Delivery: Quick setup enables organizations to begin reporting meaningful results without delay.
Iterative Development: Metrics can evolve as an organization grows or pivots its focus.
Reliable Data: ImpactCounter uses current and credible sources for accuracy.
Transparency: All methods and calculations are clearly documented, supporting full accountability.
Global Reach
A striking example of the platform’s potential is the PEPFAR Impact Counter, which visualized real-time policy impact and reached over 15,000 people in 135 countries within days of its launch. It was independently built and peer-reviewed by experts from multiple disciplines—demonstrating not just speed, but scholarly rigor.
Real-Time Impact, Real-World Results
ImpactCounter’s model highlights the power of data when paired with accessibility and clarity. Its visual dashboards offer a compelling way for nonprofits, public agencies, and global initiatives to connect with funders and the communities they serve.
Explore more or start measuring your own impact in real time: www.impactcounter.com
Book Talk on Arts in Global Development
An event will be held on The Routledge Handbook of Arts and Global Development (2024), a new volume that examines how the arts are influencing public awareness, shaping policy, and contributing to meaningful global change.
Event Details:
Presenter: Patrick Kabanda, Co-Editor
Moderator: Marina Galvani, Art Curator, World Bank Group
Date: Wednesday, May 29
Time: 11:00 AM ET
Location: The World Bank Library, MC C3-214
Virtual Option: Available via Webex
Register: Click here to register
The session will explore the intersection of artistic practice and global development. Discussions will focus on how creative work can serve as a tool for engagement, transformation, and impact across sectors.
This event is open to both in-person and virtual attendees.
The Lemkin Institute Issues Urgent Appeals on Genocide in Gaza
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security has released three critical statements this week condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and calling for immediate international action.
1. “Four Facts About Israel’s Genocide”
This statement challenges the delayed acknowledgment of genocide by major NGOs, media outlets, and governments. It underscores that genocide is not limited to mass killings but includes systemic acts of destruction, displacement, and dehumanization over time. The Lemkin Institute argues that Western gatekeeping of the term “genocide” has directly contributed to the unchecked escalation of violence against Palestinians.
2. “We’re Glad to See You Use the G-Word, But Now You Must Act”
Responding to a shift in political and institutional rhetoric, this piece calls for action, not just language. The Lemkin Institute urges a global coalition of states to:
End arms shipments to Israel,
Suspend diplomatic ties,
Establish a multilateral peacekeeping force (with Palestinian consent),
And create an international tribunal for war crimes.
The Institute likens the necessary transformation to post-WWII denazification, stating that without systemic accountability, both Palestinians and Israelis remain in danger.
3. “We Sacrifice Law and Morality When We Allow Israel to Commit Genocide Without Repercussions”
This powerful message mourns the tragic killing of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli embassy employees murdered in Washington, D.C., allegedly in retributive protest for Gaza. The Institute condemns the violence, while also warning that such tragedies are being exploited to justify further repression of anti-genocide activists and broader escalation, including potential military actions against Iran.
“Genocide has no self-limiting mechanisms... Everywhere genocidal thinking spreads, it destroys the prospect of peace and coexistence.”
— Dr. Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Co-Executive Director, Lemkin Institute
A Warning and a Plea
Throughout these statements, the Lemkin Institute maintains that the genocide against Palestinians—driven by Israeli state policy, political ideology, and systemic impunity—will continue to radicalize if unopposed. The failure of institutions to act earlier has led to what they describe as one of the most devastating man-made tragedies of our time.
They caution that without accountability, human rights, international law, and moral standards worldwide will collapse under the weight of their own hypocrisy.
Read the full statements here:
🔗 Lemkin Institute Newsletter – May 2025
For further discussion, support resources, or links to advocacy and education efforts, contact the Lemkin Institute or visit their platform to engage with anti-genocide activism and policy development.
Frances Dixon
As an undergraduate attending Tufts, Frances Dixon was deeply impressed by the idea of service to others. While searching out how to accomplish this life goal, she was inspired by the military officers she met. “They were clearly leaders,” she says. “They walked into a room and commanded it; they were instantly accessible and able to build trust with everyone. How do you do that? How does someone in charge of a large group make each person better? I saw that as part of the incredible leadership training the military provides.”
By entering the military, Frances could “serve my country and learn leadership.” She chose the Air Force because it had the highest percentage of career fields open to women.
After two years stationed in Florida, Frances then spent six years in Nevada working with remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs or “drones”). In addition to maintenance, she worked with acquisitions and contracting functions and was exposed to industry partners and, “became interested in the business side of how these programs are run.” Following that, Frances assumed responsibility for sixteen C-5 cargo aircrafts as a Maintenance Manager leading 330 people. After three years, Frances knew it was time to pursue her dream of getting an MBA.
“I realized I didn’t know much about business,” says Frances. “In order to truly leverage my leadership skillset and make the transition easier, an MBA was the best option.” HBS became her top choice “because of its learning environment. As a non-traditional student with more professional experience, I was concerned that a straight lecture environment wouldn’t be a good fit. As soon as I sat in on a case, I knew this was the perfect academic environment for me.”
“I’m interested in what the professors have to say. But I'm fascinated by what my peers say and the experiences they bring to class. They’re brilliant. The level of discourse here forces you to be on your toes. You’re engaged—you have to be. You can’t sit back and just listen.”
For her upcoming EC year, Frances intends to explore an old interest: access to water. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in El Salvador and Bolivia, which awakened her awareness of the struggle for potable water. “Part of the impetus for HBS was to find ways I could do work with water,” she says.
While pursuing her course work, Frances will also fulfill an independent research project on water technologies. “I’m interested in private sector solutions. There are a couple of Boston startups that are investigating new technologies for filtering water or desalinating water with less energy. I want to find ways technology can be applied to get clean water to populations without adequate access to it.”
Frances will officially pin on as Colonel in the U.S. Air Force on June 14, 2025.
From Exposure to the Pulitzer: A Legacy of Photojournalism at Tufts
In 2010, Sherman Teichman published an article in Nieman Reports titled Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists. Reflecting on the founding of Exposure, a photojournalism and human rights initiative at the Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) at Tufts University, Teichman described a vision for ethical, immersive storytelling in an increasingly complex world.
“I wrote this article for Nieman Reports in 2010, Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists. Fifteen years later Chrissy won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for her reporting from Afghanistan as part of a New York Times team.”
— Sherman Teichman
The program, sparked by the involvement of acclaimed war photographer James Nachtwey, offered students a rigorous training ground to explore the ethical and visual demands of documenting conflict, injustice, and resilience. Exposure alumni went on to cover humanitarian emergencies, environmental collapse, and post-conflict societies from Bosnia to Colombia, Iraq to Pakistan.
Now, that vision has come full circle. Christina Goldbaum, one of the many students shaped by Teichman’s work at the IGL, was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting, recognizing her contributions to The New York Times' in-depth reporting on the collapse of Afghanistan.
The Nieman Reports piece chronicles the ethos of the Exposure program—its emphasis on nonpolemical pedagogy, public accountability through visual storytelling, and the belief that journalism can catalyze change. The 2010 article included testimonies from students whose work spanned topics such as:
Islamic cultural destruction in Bosnia (evidence used at The Hague)
Environmental collapse in Kiribati
Oil politics in Azerbaijan
The first democratic election in Kyrgyzstan
The legacy of Colombian death squads
With the support of mentors, benefactors, and photojournalists like Nachtwey, Exposure helped position Tufts students as credible observers on the frontlines of global conflict and change.
Nachtwey himself wrote, “Most importantly, [Exposure] can help to create a public awareness integral to the process of change.”
Fifteen years later, that aspiration has been realized.
📖 Read the original article: Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists – Nieman Reports
📰 See the Pulitzer-winning series: How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan – The New York Times
A Memorable Evening with Brookline Storytellers
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
Join Brookline.News for an inspiring evening of live storytelling at the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre, where seven local residents will take the stage to share personal stories of transformation, resilience, and community.
Hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, award-winning host and editor of WBUR’s On Point, this special event brings together a diverse group of voices for a night that promises humor, reflection, and connection.
Featured Speakers
Lori Ehrlich – Former Massachusetts State Representative and FEMA Regional Administrator
Anthony Flint – Journalist and urban policy expert
Shan W. Liu – Harvard professor, physician, and children’s book author
Mark Ludwig – Founder, Terezín Music Foundation and BSO member emeritus
LeRoy J. Watkins III – CEO of Viking Sports and President of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce
Maria Udalova – Brookline High School senior and member of Team Trebuchet
Presented by Brookline.News
This event is organized by Iris Adler, co-founder of Brookline.News and 2024 Brookline Woman of the Year.
Sponsors
Headline Sponsors
Eastern Bank
Commonwealth Sports Club
Martha Huntley, Real Estate Agent
Concierge Home Sales by the Kerzner Group
Hammond Residential Real Estate
Stories Supporters
Brookline Booksmith
Kaplan Construction
2Life Communities
Brookline Bank
A Memorable Evening with Brookline Storytellers is an opportunity to celebrate the voices of our community and the power of local journalism to connect us. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, visit: brookline.news/stories-live-at-the-coolidge
Stories Live at the Coolidge: A Night of Resilience, Hosted by Brookline.News
On a special evening at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline.News will host “Stories Live”—a live storytelling event celebrating personal narratives of transformation, resilience, and community.
The event will be hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, award-winning host and editor of WBUR’s On Point, and will feature seven local speakers sharing meaningful, real-life stories.
This gathering is organized by Iris Adler, one of the originators and founding leaders of Brookline.News. A longtime journalist and civic voice, Adler was honored as a Brookline Woman of the Year in 2024 for her exceptional contributions to local media and public engagement.
Featured Speakers
Lori Ehrlich – CPA, public servant, and FEMA Regional Administrator for New England
Anthony Flint – Author, journalist, and senior fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Shan W. Liu – Harvard Medical School professor, MGH physician, and children’s book author
Mark Ludwig – Founder of the Terezín Music Foundation and Boston Symphony Orchestra member emeritus
LeRoy J. Watkins III – CEO of Viking Sports and President of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce
Maria Udalova – Senior at Brookline High School, environmental advocate, and member of Team Trebuchet
Sponsors
This community celebration is made possible thanks to generous support from:
Headline Sponsors
Eastern Bank
Commonwealth Sports Club
Martha Huntley, Real Estate Agent
Concierge Home Sales by the Kerzner Group
Hammond Residential Real Estate
Stories Supporters
Brookline Booksmith
Kaplan Construction
2Life Communities
Brookline Bank
Stories Live at the Coolidge is more than an evening of storytelling—it’s a testament to the voices that shape Brookline and the civic media that amplifies them. The event reflects the mission of Brookline.News to connect neighbors, highlight shared experiences, and deepen community understanding through local journalism.
For event details and speaker bios, visit: brookline.news/stories-live-at-the-coolidge
Edgar James
I grew up in Portand, Oregon, attended Catholic schools (a monastery for high school), and attended Portland State University (“PSU”) where I was student body vice president in my second year and head of Oregon Students for Kennedy in 1968. Thanks to the PSU faculty, I went to Columbia University in September 1969 on a 4 year fellowship for a Ph.D. in recent French history and International Affairs, principally French speaking Africa. The Kent State and Jackson State killings ended my studies in May 1970 as Columbia and many other universities shut down in the face of massive student protests. After some work recruiting and managing student involvement in anti-war Congressional and Senate campaigns in the mid-Atlantic and north east, I was recruited to work in Appalachia all of 1971-72 building opposition to the head of United Mine Workers, Tony Boyle, who had arranged the murder of his election opponent, Joseph (“Jock”) Yablonski and his family. A judge ordered a new election two years later, which I and another activist ran, and we won. 1 But the lawyers were fundamental to the effort.
My father never finished 4 th grade but my mother graduated high school. They died when I was younger (1964; 1971). I worked in the miners union from 1973-75, organized the 1973 convention and coordinated support for the Harlan County strike for union recognition and a contract. Thanks to a brilliant lawyer and close friend who was part of our reform effort who suggested that I apply to law school, I attended Harvard Law School (JD) and School of Public Health (MPH) and graduated in 1979.
My law firm mainly represents workers, unions and non-profits. I am active in human rights work and immigration, principally involving Latin American, with the National Security Archive and the Washington Office on Latin America (“WOLA”). But thanks to a very old (1880’s) and very inclusive Jewish refugee organization, HIAS, my wife, Kathy Kinsella, and I support three young women refugees from Afghanistan. She and I have been trying to get their parents and younger brother out, but, despite the fact that their father worked for the American military at Bagram, this administration has made clear that this will not happen. And the administration has since announced that it is removing refugee protection for the Afghans who currently reside in the US.
Sherman Teichman and his EPIC classes were a very important inspiration to our daughter, Mara, at Tufts.
William H. Luers Remembered: Diplomat Who Defended Vaclav Havel Dies at 95
William H. Luers, a longtime American diplomat and cultural advocate whose behind-the-scenes influence helped protect Czech dissident Vaclav Havel during the final years of Communist rule, died on May 11, 2025, at the age of 95. His passing marks the end of a singular career that blended diplomacy, art, and moral courage.
As U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s, Luers understood that diplomacy extended beyond formal policy—it could also serve as a form of human rights protection. In 1983, he began quietly rallying support for Havel, then an often-imprisoned poet-playwright and a symbol of nonviolent resistance.
Recognizing the growing danger to Havel’s life, Luers devised a subtle but powerful form of protection: international visibility. He invited prominent American cultural figures to Prague, where they met with Havel and publicly endorsed him as a towering literary and civic voice. This strategy, which Luers described as “shining light on Havel,” made any potential harm to the dissident politically risky for the Czech Communist regime.
Among those Luers enlisted were E.L. Doctorow, Kurt Vonnegut, William Styron, Edward Albee, John Updike, Joseph Papp, Katharine Graham, and Philippe de Montebello—a constellation of artists, writers, and public figures whose presence generated global press coverage and cast a protective shield around Havel.
“I was worried the Communists might poison him or put him back in prison,” Luers later said. “My strategy was to bring as much visibility to Havel as possible.”
Luers’ efforts contributed to the eventual triumph of Havel’s Velvet Revolution in 1989 and his election as the final president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic.
Beyond diplomacy, Luers was deeply connected to the arts. His career included roles with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other institutions, and he often described himself as someone who spent “a lot of my career with artists and writers, promoting the arts.”
Luers' legacy is one of subtle courage—a belief in diplomacy not merely as negotiation, but as protection, projection, and the quiet, persistent defense of moral clarity. His work demonstrates how cultural capital and human connection can be used to shield lives, amplify dissent, and support democracy.
Read the full obituary from The New York Times:
William H. Luers, Diplomat Who Backed Czech Dissident Leader, Dies at 95
Christina Goldbaum Wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting
Christina Goldbaum, a young Jewish journalist at The New York Times and member of Convisero, has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting, alongside colleagues Azam Ahmed and Matthieu Aikins. The prize honors their remarkable work in the New York Times series titled “How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan.”
The award-winning reporting reveals how the United States, years before the fall of Kabul, laid the groundwork for the unraveling of its two-decade war in Afghanistan. Through in-depth investigations and frontline accounts, the series demonstrates the consequences of misaligned strategy, internal dysfunction, and long-ignored warnings.
Explore the full Pulitzer-winning series here:
How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan
Courtesy of The New York Times
In one of the centerpiece reports, Goldbaum and colleagues gained rare access to Sirajuddin Haqqani, one of the most powerful and controversial figures within the Taliban, offering a close view into the inner workings of the regime now governing Afghanistan.
Read the story: Sirajuddin Haqqani Is a Taliban Hard-Liner and Power Broker
A Voice for Critical Truths
Goldbaum’s recognition marks a significant moment not only for foreign reporting but for a new generation of journalists pushing boundaries in international investigative work. Her reporting has consistently centered the lived realities of those caught in conflict, while critically examining U.S. policy decisions with rigor and clarity.
Goldbaum has become known for her fieldwork in difficult and often dangerous conditions. Her work in Afghanistan stands as a testament to the power of explanatory journalism to illuminate complex geopolitical failures with humanity and urgency.
For more on Pulitzer Prize winners and featured stories, visit: Pulitzer.org
To explore more of Goldbaum’s international reporting, follow her work at The New York Times
Yulele at the Forefront of Global Storytelling and Advocacy
From international diplomacy to entertainment industry milestones, Yulele continues to demonstrate the cultural power of storytelling on the global stage.
Two recent highlights reflect the range and reach of Yulele’s work—bringing together high-profile talent, public leadership, and impactful narratives.
At the World Health Organization Headquarters
At the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Yulele participated in a special roundtable alongside Chinese celebrities and senior global health figures, including Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. The event focused on celebrity engagement and international collaboration in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and global health campaigns.
Celebrating TV Drama Success
In a separate celebration, Yulele hosted an awards event to mark the nationwide success of a recent TV drama produced by the company. Standing center stage with Yulele’s team is China’s #1 TV drama actress, joined by key figures from the production and streaming platform Youku. The series has been widely praised for both its storytelling and audience engagement across China.
With a mission to blend high-quality entertainment with cultural and social impact, Yulele continues to grow as a creative force in the Chinese media landscape—while expanding its presence in international public forums and advocacy efforts.
For more about Yulele’s latest productions and partnerships, visit: www.yulele.com
In Memoriam: Joseph S. Nye
Joseph S. Nye, distinguished political scientist, public servant, and former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, passed away on May 6, 2024 at the age of 88. His passing was unexpected despite his age—he remained intellectually and institutionally engaged until the very end, often seen walking to campus and attending faculty meetings at HKS.
Nye’s contributions to political thought, public policy, and international relations were profound. He is best known for coining the term “soft power”—a concept that transformed how global influence is understood. In Nye’s words, soft power is “the ability to affect others without coercion or payment, by means of attraction.” This idea not only became central to academic discourse but shaped U.S. foreign policy debates for decades.
Yet Nye's legacy extends beyond the vocabulary of power. He was also a builder of institutions that gave human rights a formal place in policy discourse. In 1999, during Harvard Kennedy School’s commencement, Dean Nye announced the establishment of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, founded in collaboration with HKS alumnus Greg Carr and under the early leadership of Samantha Power and Michael Ignatieff. Just one month before Nye’s passing, the center was renamed the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, reflecting its continued growth and impact.
Nye believed deeply in the centrality of human rights to American soft power. He often argued that the moral dimensions of U.S. foreign policy—when sincere—enhanced national credibility and global influence. “America’s reputation for protecting human rights, for standing up for individual liberties and freedoms is a great source of soft power and attraction in the rest of the world,” he once wrote. He viewed values not as counter to national interest but as part of it, arguing that moral leadership and enlightened self-interest must co-exist in foreign policy.
His academic career was equally distinguished. Alongside Robert Keohane, he co-authored Power and Interdependence, a foundational text in international relations theory. His later work, including Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump (2020), applied a three-dimensional ethical lens—intentions, means, and consequences—to evaluating presidential leadership in foreign affairs.
Nye also served in public office, notably as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs under President Bill Clinton. His time in government reinforced his conviction that foreign policy must balance hard and soft power—a philosophy he termed “smart power.”
His impact on generations of scholars, policymakers, and human rights advocates was deeply personal. As one HKS faculty member recalled: “When I received tenure, Joe emailed to say it was one of the best things he’d ever done—hiring me. That moment made me feel I belonged at Harvard. Joe embodied the virtues of this institution.”
Joseph Nye’s work and example continue to shape how we think about leadership, morality, and America’s place in the world. His passing is a profound loss to the global community, but his vision endures—in the institutions he built, the students he mentored, and the ideas that continue to guide our search for a more just and interdependent world.
Wonderful mentor and advisor.
He and Robert Keohane wrote unsolicited letters in support of me in 1985 after students whom I taught as their professor for their PS mandatory capstone senior seminar on Theory and Practice in IR petitioned to have me fired because the curriculum I created was ‘too hard.’
The department made a precedent-setting decision that the requirements were worth more than the regular amount of credit, and we moved forward :)
Oleander Initiative: Educators as Peacebuilders in Lebanon, Japan, and Beyond
The Oleander Initiative, organized by the University of the Middle East Project (UME), is a transformative peace education program that brings together educators from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the United States, and Japan to explore the legacies of nuclear warfare and develop localized approaches to resilience, rebuilding, and peace.
Now aligned with UME’s broader Lebanon Resilience and Peacebuilding efforts, the Oleander Initiative focuses on empowering educators to translate the historical and ethical lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki into impactful classroom activities tailored to their home communities.
The program is led by Ray Matsumiya, Executive Director of UME and a member of Convisero.
A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on Peace
In its 2017 edition, seventeen educators from across the MENA region, the U.S., and Japan gathered in Japan for an immersive eleven-day experience. Program highlights included:
Orientation and peace education sessions at UNITAR in Hiroshima
Visits to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Memorial Museums
Participation in the Gensuikyo World Conference Against A+H Bombs
Testimonies from hibakusha, including former nurse Teruko Ueno and educator Miyako Jyodai
Educational and cultural exchanges with students at Jogakuin High School and Honkawa Elementary School
Participants also met with prominent peace leaders, including Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue, Dr. Lassina Zerbo of the CTBTO, and officials from the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.
Building Local Impact from Global Lessons
Throughout the initiative, participants collaboratively developed original peace education projects for implementation in their schools and communities. These projects tackled themes such as nonviolence, interfaith understanding, and historical memory—providing students with practical tools for civic responsibility and peaceful engagement.
The Oleander Initiative places strong emphasis on the “power of place”, using the emotional and historical landscape of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to deepen reflection and cross-cultural empathy. Educators also engaged in traditional cultural experiences including origami, calligraphy, and the Bon-Odori festival, fostering shared humanity through art and ritual.
Global Recognition and Continued Work
The program has received international media coverage from NHK World and PBS, with broadcasts reaching audiences in over 150 countries. It continues to serve as a model for peace education across conflict-affected regions.
To learn more about the Oleander Initiative, visit:
🔗 oleanderinitiative.org
📄 Read the 2017 Program Report
For more information or to collaborate, contact Ray Matsumiya at RayMat@ume.org.
Chelsea, The Jewish Years Brings Local History to the Screen
The documentary Chelsea, The Jewish Years, directed by Ellen Rovner, is being presented across Chelsea, Massachusetts, in a series of public screenings hosted in partnership with local cultural organizations. The film explores Chelsea’s pivotal role as a center of Jewish immigrant life in the early twentieth century and is presented in collaboration with the Jewish Chelsea Museum.
Screenings are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Select events will include panel discussions and receptions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Jewish Life Care
To register or inquire, email: ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Jewish Chelsea Museum at Temple Emmanuel
Address: 60 Tudor Street, Chelsea, MA 02150
Following the film, a panel discussion will be moderated by Laura Mandel, Managing Director of The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture. A reception with light refreshments will follow.
Admission: Free
RSVP: Available via Eventbrite
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: GreenRoots Teaching Kitchen
Address: 63 Pearl Street, Chelsea, MA
RSVP: Available via Eventbrite
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Chelsea Black Community
Address: 68 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, MA
Ticket information: Available in June
To arrange a community or institutional screening of the film, either on-site or online, please contact ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com. Study guides and filmmaker engagement options are available to support group discussions.
This screening series is supported in part by a grant from the Chelsea Cultural Council, with additional support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
Chelsea, The Jewish Years: A Documentary Tribute to a Historic Jewish Community
A new documentary titled Chelsea, The Jewish Years explores the rich and often overlooked Jewish history of Chelsea, Massachusetts, during the first half of the twentieth century. Directed by Ellen Rovner—filmmaker, historian, and founder of the Chelsea Gateway Project—the film offers a compelling account of Chelsea’s cultural, political, and civic legacy as one of the most influential Jewish immigrant communities in the United States.
Ellen Rovner, who is also a member of The Trebuchet’s Convisero, brings both scholarly and community-rooted insight to this project. Her work is grounded in public history and Jewish cultural preservation.
The documentary is presented in collaboration with the Jewish Chelsea Museum and is supported in part by the Chelsea Cultural Heritage Grant, Chelsea Cultural Council, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Chelsea, The Jewish Years is now available for community screenings, both on-site and online. Educational resources and optional filmmaker-led discussions are available to accompany group viewings. The film is part of the broader Chelsea Gateway Project, which also features walking tours, events, and public history initiatives dedicated to preserving and sharing Chelsea’s immigrant heritage.
For screening requests or additional information, contact ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com
RefugePoint Launches New Website and 2024 Annual Report
RefugePoint has launched a newly redesigned website at www.refugepoint.org, offering an updated and more accessible platform to highlight its mission and global refugee support programs.
The new site includes a comprehensive "Get Help" section designed to assist refugees directly, as well as detailed overviews of RefugePoint’s ongoing initiatives and impact areas. Navigation and content have been streamlined to make information about the organization’s programs, partnerships, and engagement opportunities more accessible to a broad audience.
A newly introduced Impact page features:
Stories of individual refugees supported through RefugePoint’s services
Statistics on refugee assistance across regions
Access to key publications, including quarterly and annual reports
2024 Annual Report Now Available
Alongside the website launch, RefugePoint has also published its 2024 Annual Report, available at the following link:
RefugePoint 2024 Annual Report (PDF)
The report outlines the organization’s work over the past year, including:
Quantitative data on services provided and geographic reach
Programmatic updates across areas such as resettlement, child protection, and field partnerships
Reflections on challenges and developments in refugee support and protection
The updated website and report reflect RefugePoint’s continued efforts to increase transparency, improve service accessibility, and highlight the impact of its work in advancing solutions for refugees worldwide.
For further information, visit: www.refugepoint.org
Israel and Iran at War — Policy Briefing on the Escalating Conflict
The Israel Policy Forum is hosting a timely webinar to examine the rapidly unfolding military conflict between Israel and Iran. As Israel continues its strikes targeting Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure, questions remain about the broader strategic goals and the cost of war on both sides.
This special Israel Policy Briefing will bring together leading regional experts to unpack recent developments and analyze the next steps for policymakers.
Speakers:
Raz Zimmt, Director of the Iran Program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies
Kenneth Pollack, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute
Moderator: Rachel Brandenburg, Washington Managing Director and Senior Fellow, Israel Policy Forum
Topics of discussion include:
Israel’s military objectives and achievements
Domestic impact on Israeli civilians and infrastructure
Iran’s response and regional destabilization risks
U.S. involvement and strategic considerations going forward
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Online
This is an essential briefing for anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of the Middle East and global security.
Escalation in the Middle East: Experts to Examine the Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict
As Israel's military campaign against Iran intensifies, significant developments have emerged on both strategic and humanitarian fronts. Within days, Israel has made major tactical advances — targeting Iran’s senior military leadership, striking nuclear facilities, disabling rocket and drone systems, and asserting aerial dominance over Tehran. Yet, these victories have come at a high cost at home, with over two dozen casualties and substantial damage reported in central Israel.
With the trajectory of the conflict and Washington’s stance on deeper involvement still unclear, policy experts are convening for a critical conversation.
The upcoming Israel Policy Briefing will feature Raz Zimmt, Director of the Iran Program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, and Kenneth Pollack, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. The session will be moderated by Rachel Brandenburg, Washington Managing Director and Senior Fellow at the Israel Policy Forum.
The discussion aims to assess the evolving military and political dimensions of the war, potential regional consequences, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Register for the webinar here
Stay tuned for more insights from this rapidly evolving situation.
Lessons from the India-Pakistan Clash After Pahalgam
In the wake of the tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a dangerous military exchange. Both nations blamed each other and declared victory, while retaliatory strikes and diplomatic friction pushed the region to the brink. A fragile ceasefire was eventually secured with U.S. mediation.
To critically unpack what happened and where things stand, The Black Hole is hosting a timely public conversation titled “Pahalgam’s Aftermath: Lessons from the India-Pakistan Clash.”
Join Siddharth Varadarajan, veteran journalist and founding editor of The Wire, as he examines the strategic, political, and human dimensions of the confrontation. The session will be moderated by Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, with a focus on dissecting the official narratives, exploring the strategic consequences, and asking the urgent question: Can this cycle of violence be broken?
Details:
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: The Black Hole, 5-H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad
Entry: Free and open to all
This event is part of the Baat se Baat series and invites the community to engage in critical dialogue on the region's most pressing issues.
Pahalgam’s Aftermath Sparks Urgent Questions on India-Pakistan Tensions
The recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a rapid military exchange and heightened diplomatic hostilities. Each side has blamed the other, with both claiming the upper hand in a volatile escalation that brought the region perilously close to open conflict.
A fragile ceasefire was eventually brokered through U.S. intervention, but many questions remain unanswered. Was India’s response measured or politically driven? Did Pakistan's actions reflect strategic resilience or desperation? And amid the media spin, who actually gained ground?
To unpack these complexities, veteran journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, will join Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy in a critical conversation. Together, they aim to examine the facts, challenge dominant narratives, and explore whether lasting peace is still within reach—or whether South Asia is caught in a cycle it cannot escape.
This conversation arrives at a time when clarity is more urgent than ever.