The 16th annual Mikhail Memorial Lecture

Laila El-Haddad is a writer, documentarian and public speaker who frequently lectures on Gaza, the intersection of food and politics, and contemporary Islam.  She is the author of Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between, co-author of the critically acclaimed The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey and co-editor of Gaza Unsilenced. She is also a policy advisor with al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network.  She was recently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown Episode “Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza” as his guide in the Gaza Strip.

The Mikhail Endowment Fund was originally established in 2000 through a donation from the Mikhail family to honor the work and contributions of Maryse Mikhail and her involvement in educational, philanthropic and interfaith organizations. The main purpose of the fund is to support an annual lecture dealing with Arab culture, history, politics, economics, and other aspects of life in the Middle East including issues of peace and justice.

The presentation was held at The University of Toledo.