The Race Against Time

In the wake of the 1948 War, which resulted in the creation of the state of Israel, approximately 750,000 Palestinians (some 60 percent of the population) were ousted from their villages and towns and scattered in refugee camps. The society they left behind had ancient historical roots, its own economic and social system, rich customs and cultural heritage. But their story was not recorded, their lives and traditions never documented. While this generation has become a living repository of national history, culture and social customs, age will soon claim them and this valuable and irretrievable information will die with them. Today, those who were adults when they left their homes in 1948 are age 65 and older. Time is running out. Many have already passed away, many more are likely to die within the next ten years.

The race against time and against the loss of a nation's history and memory has begun...