OSDAC presented at Mesa State College during their Holocaust Rememberance Week.  We focused on Darfur and showed the most moving documentary  'The Devil Came on Horseback'.   Afterwards we had a discussion and updated everyone on the current situation.  There were about a 100 people in attendance.  Mesa State College's Holocaust Rememberance Week was April 7-18, 2008 and our presentation was Wednesday, April 16 from 6:30-9. 

The documentary exposes the tragedy-taking place in Darfur as seen through the camera lens of an American witness, former Marine Captain Brian Steidle.  As an official military observer, Steidle had access to parts of the country no journalist could penetrate.  He was unprepared for what he would witness and experience.  He returned to the U.S. to expose the images and stories of lives destroyed.  In March of 2005, the New York Times first published Steidle’s photographs and broke his story.

“We are glad to once again be part of Mesa’s Holocaust Awareness Week,” said Dave Eisner, a member of OSDAC, Congregation Ohr Shalom’s Darfur Awareness Committee.  “We feel it is important to raise awareness for the current genocide in Darfur because as Jews, it is our responsibility to make sure the world will never forget the Holocaust.”

We worked in conjunction with The Avalon Theater  and co-sponsored the movie "The Lost Boys of the Sudan." on Saturday night, November 3, 2007. 

"We believe that the LOST BOYS OF SUDAN film can be part of the solution as an organizing tool that helps people all
across America understand on a deep emotional level the brutal impact of war on young lives. Ohr Shalom Darfur Awareness Committee will be there with a table full of informational materials and how people can help."

Saturday, NOVEMBER 3rd ONLY!
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m.
Film at 7:30 p.m.
$7.50 adults; $6 Seniors/students;$5 Members
No comp tickets will be accepted.

Thanks to a job well done by OSDAC, Ohr Shalom Darfur Awareness Committee.  Under the leadership of Diana Eisner, the group brought in University of Denver Professor, Peter Van Arsdale on Wednesday, April 25.  Wendy Weinberg arranged a press conference and round table discussion on the campus of Mesa State in the afternoon.  About 35 students and a dozen faculty members attended this.  After a dinner with committee members, Dr. Van Arsdale spoke to the community at First Christian Church.  OSDAC received a $600 grant from the Save Darfur coalition to put on this event as part of Global Days for Darfur. 

$287 was collected that evening for the Solar “Cookit” Oven campaign from the community.  About $75 of that was brought to the event in a zip-lock bag from a group of high school students at Hilltop.  On top of that, $600 was donated by students at West Middle School who participated in a school-wide coin war for “Cookits for Darfur.”  Almost $2700 has been donated by our congregation with the yellow candle project.  These monies will go for solar cookits too. 

Have you seen the Cookit?  We have recently purchased one to show everyone.  Look for it at our annual meeting and other upcoming events.  Don’t forget to check out our website for all this and more information:  www.ohrshalomgj.org