A Night Under the Levantine Sky: A Vegan Fundraising Event Supporting HEAL Palestine
On March 14, at the Appalachian Collegiate Center in the University Union, Binghamton University, New York, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) partnered with the Food Co-op to host “A Night Under the Levantine Sky”. The fundraiser blended Palestinian cultural heritage with the Co-op’s vegan philosophy, offering guests a taste of Palestine through food, music, and community. Fifty percent of the event’s proceeds were donated to HEAL Palestine, an apolitical nonprofit that delivers aid to Palestinian children and families, ensuring the evening carried both cultural and humanitarian impact.
A 100% Vegan Menu Rooted in Tradition
The highlight of the evening was a carefully curated three-course vegan menu, adapted from traditional Palestinian recipes:
Rgaga: lentil, onion, and handmade pasta soup
Maklouba: rice pilaf layered with fried vegetables such as carrots, peppers, and potatoes
Kaak bi ajwa: pastries filled with sweet date paste
Limonana: refreshing mint lemonade
Food Co-op volunteers emphasized that the menu was “respectfully adapted to the café’s vegan philosophy,” ensuring cultural authenticity while aligning with ethical values. Guests were invited to experience Palestinian flavors without compromise, proving that tradition and veganism can harmonize beautifully.
Organizers and participants reflected on the deeper meaning of the evening:
SJP Co-President: “I think there are a few things that are very easy to unite people, and one of those is food. Even if there are some ways you won’t necessarily agree or necessarily connect with people, you can all enjoy food. In a time like this where Palestinian culture is being increasingly targeted and actively erased, events like this work to keep Palestinian culture alive and celebrated.”
Liam Flatley, SJP Events Coordinator: “We wanted to have some sort of banquet-themed or food-based event to celebrate Palestinian culture because that felt really tangible for people to experience. Recipes, we decided, are this really important, key feature as to how people define their culture.”
Zoe Perlman, SJP Secretary: “There is a level of fear in persecution for being associated with SJP. So we really appreciate any org that is willing to connect their name to us. Ultimately, we wanted to have a community event where people could really show up, show out and be together in a safe space, but also be a little more visible than we normally are as an organization.”
Cultural and Ethical Resonance
The fundraiser was not only about sharing culture but also about solidarity. By transforming cultural dishes into vegan creations, organizers highlighted the connection between compassion for animals and compassion for people.
The event also featured performances by student musicians, adding to the atmosphere of celebration and unity. Together, food and music created a space where culture, ethics, and community converged.
This event exemplifies how veganism can harmonize with Middle Eastern traditions. By reimagining beloved dishes in plant-based form, the organizers demonstrated that heritage and ethics are not at odds, they can enrich one another. For the Middle East Vegan Society, “A Night Under the Levantine Sky” stands as a model of how community gatherings can advance both cultural preservation and ethical progress.
The success of this fundraiser invites us to imagine more events where food becomes a vehicle for unity, compassion, and change. Supporting such initiatives means embracing a vision where tradition thrives, animals are spared, and communities in need receive solidarity.