This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)
Talk on academic freedom
The University of Rochester will present "Digital Means, Political Ends, and Academic Freedom in the Gilded Age: a Conversation with Steven Salaita," at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Salaita is an activist, scholar, and has authored six books on everything from anti-Arab racism to the politics of Israel and Palestine. His tenured professorship in the American Indian Studies Program at the University of Illinois was preemptively revoked after he made a series of provocative tweets concerning the recent actions in Gaza. His lecture will be held in the Rush Rhees Library.
Series discusses the teaching profession
Writers & Books, the Center for Justice in Education, and their community partners will continue "The Crisis in Our Schools" discussion series with "Why Would Anybody Want to be a Teacher Today?" The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at Nazareth College, Otto Shults forum.
Panel discussion on the local economy
The Rochester Downtown Development Corporation will present "The State of Rochester's Economy," a panel discussion on Tuesday, November 4. The panelists include Jennifer Vey, fellow at the Brookings Institution; Gary Keith, vice president and regional economist at M&T Bank; and Del Smith, City of Rochester commissioner. A look at Rochester's innovation capacity is one of the main topics. The program will be held at the Hyatt Regency from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $45 for RDDC members; $50 for nonmembers. Registration: 546-6920.
Celebrating Jewish arts and culture
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester will hold the Jewish Book Festival from Sunday, November 2, through Sunday, November 16. The festival celebrates Jewish literature and culture with a lineup of authors that includes Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Ari Shavit, Gail Sheehy, and Roberta Rich. Many of the events will be held at the JCC, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, but not all of them. For detailed information about all of the events, times, locations, and ticket costs: www.rjbf.org or call 461-2000.
Documentary examines US-Native American relationship
The Rochester Institute of Technology's Sociology and Anthropology departments will show the documentary film "Guswenta: Renewing the Two Row Wampum," an award-winning film that shows the 28-day paddle from the Onondaga Nation to the United Nations building during the summer of 2013. The film examines the country's collective responsibility to Native Americans 400 years after the Two Row Wampum Treaty. The film will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, at the SAU, room 2650.
