It’s been said that “Perception is reality”.  So any a message offered by any 
means or method will be received through one’s cognitive or confirmation bias, 
irrespective of the messenger’s intent.

Perhaps Chat GPT is as close as we can get to bias-neutral - here’s its take on 
this debate:

The GRALTA Foundation, based in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit 
organization established in 2016 by Barbara and Steve Low. Its mission is to 
raise awareness and foster dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 
through grassroots education, travel, and advocacy initiatives 
.nenjp.org+2nenjp.org+2nenjp.org+2 
<https://www.nenjp.org/graltafoundation?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
As part of its educational efforts, GRALTA hosts a documentary film and 
discussion series aimed at exploring various perspectives on the conflict. The 
films selected often critique Israeli government policies and highlight 
Palestinian experiences. For instance, the 2025 lineup includes:nenjp.org 
<https://www.nenjp.org/calendar/2025/1/2/12-in-person-lincoln-ma-7pm-gralta-foundation-documentary-film-amp-discussion-series-israelism-bemis-hall-lincoln?utm_source=chatgpt.com>Reddit
 
<https://www.reddit.com/r/oscarsdeathrace/comments/1jbd1rs?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
"Israelism" (2023): This documentary follows two young American Jews who, after 
witnessing Israel's treatment of Palestinians, join a movement to redefine 
Judaism's relationship with Israel.nenjp.org 
<https://www.nenjp.org/calendar/2025/1/2/12-in-person-lincoln-ma-7pm-gralta-foundation-documentary-film-amp-discussion-series-israelism-bemis-hall-lincoln?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
"Tantura" (2022): An Israeli documentary examining the alleged massacre in the 
Palestinian village of Tantura during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 
suppression of this narrative in Israeli society.nenjp.org+1nenjp.org+1 
<https://www.nenjp.org/calendar/2025/1/2/12-in-person-lincoln-ma-7pm-gralta-foundation-documentary-film-amp-discussion-series-israelism-bemis-hall-lincoln?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
"My Tree" (2021): A Canadian film where the filmmaker discovers that a tree 
planted in his name in Israel stands on the remains of a destroyed Palestinian 
village, prompting a journey of reflection.nenjp.org 
<https://www.nenjp.org/calendar/2025/1/2/12-in-person-lincoln-ma-7pm-gralta-foundation-documentary-film-amp-discussion-series-israelism-bemis-hall-lincoln?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
"Naila and the Uprising" (2017): This film focuses on the role of women in the 
First Intifada, highlighting their leadership in nonviolent resistance.

"The War Around Us" (2014): A documentary featuring two international 
journalists reporting from Gaza during the 2008 conflict, providing a personal 
perspective on the war's impact.

These films aim to present underrepresented narratives and encourage critical 
discussions about the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While 
they offer critiques of Israeli policies and actions, there is no indication 
that the GRALTA Foundation promotes anti-Semitic content. Criticism of a 
nation's policies, including those of Israel, is not inherently anti-Semitic. 
Anti-Semitism involves hostility toward or discrimination against Jewish people 
as a religious or ethnic group.

It's important to distinguish between legitimate policy critique and hate 
speech. The GRALTA Foundation appears to focus on the former, aiming to foster 
informed discussions rather than propagate hate.


[email protected]
617 835 3087 (C)
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   _'\ <,
..(•) /  (•)




> On May 22, 2025, at 3:25 PM, Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> Joan, 
> 
> Jonathan Sheffi has already pointed out, in great detail and rather 
> articulately, exactly why the propaganda films being screened in Lincoln by 
> Gralta are anti-Semitic.  
> 
> He has also made the point on numerous occasions that perpetuating these 
> false narratives really does have real world consequences.  It is not 
> innocuous as some have suggested.  And two Israeli kids murdered by a “free 
> Palestine activist” are an unfortunate affirmation of his point.
> 
> While you and your cohort are free to attend the screenings, he too should be 
> free to criticize them. 
> 
> Seth 
> 
>> On May 22, 2025, at 12:18 PM, Joan Kimball <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 
>> It is both untrue and offensive to link this effort to antisemitism.
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