Step 1: Donate to Laila’s family here (suggested donation $60 USD).

Step 2: Register for “Gaza Kitchen: A Cooking Workshop” here.

In this workshop with renowned author and speaker Laila El Haddad, participants will learn how to make Rummaniya, an autumnal vegetarian stew of eggplant, pomegranate and lentis popular in the southwest of Palestine, including Gaza.

Laila will share her vast knowledge about the culinary heritage of Gaza and the impacts of Israel's occupation and genocide on local foodways.

Participants will also learn about the use of the Zibdiya, the multipurpose clay mortar that Gazans use to prep, eat, and cook with. They will be sent a list of ingredients to prepare beforehand, then guided through the steps to prepare the dish during the workshop.

Laila El-Haddad is a Palestinian-American writer from Gaza and co-author of The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey, which showcases traditional Palestinian cuisine and culture while exploring the deep connections between the Israeli occupation and its impact on Gaza's foodways.

Through her work as a journalist, storyteller and documentarian, including her appearance on CNN's “Parts Unknown” with Anthony Bourdain in 2013, she provides much-needed insight into the human experience of the region, raising awareness and fostering understanding of the Palestinian experience. She lives in Maryland with her husband and their four children.