Article
Jelle Zijlstra is a Dutch-Jewish activist and community organizer working for Greenpeace Netherlands. Trained as a theatre director, Jelle has worked on numerous theatre projects around a wide variety of societal issues in the Netherlands such as poverty, the position of refugees, and the problematic nature of WWII remembrance in the country. Jelle recently put most of his theatre work on hold because he felt a strong need to be at the frontline of the climate crisis and thus started his job at Greenpeace. He has also become involved with Queers 4 Climate, a grassroots group that focusses on the intersection between the climate emergency and the position of queer communities worldwide. His Jewish and Queer identity is deeply connected to his activism, and he is one of the co-founders of Oy Vey Acts, a collective of Jewish activists that work on several issues related to being Jewish in a Dutch post-Holocaust context. To unwind Jelle loves taking long walks in nature or cooking a hearty meal for his friends.
Updated November 2021
More from Jelle Zijlstra
-
Humanity in Action Executive Director Judith Goldstein's 2022 Fellowship Opening Remarks
On the first day of the 2022 International Fellowship, Humanity in Action Founder and Executive Director Judith Goldstein began the program with opening remarks, discussing the critical issues that the 2022 cohort faces during this Fellowship year.
-
Open Letter to Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema
Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra is one of the authors of the open letter sent to Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema in a follow-up to their arrest during a peaceful counter demonstration against a Neo-Nazi group.
-
Jelle on Antisemitism in the Netherlands for Het Parool
Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra's op-ed on Antisemitism in the Netherlands was published by Het Parool, a major Dutch newspaper.
-
Jelle on Antisemitism for NU.nl
Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra was interviewed by NU.nl, one of the biggest news platforms in the Netherlands.
-
'My Father's War' Premiere & Talk
The 5th of May marks a significant date for our past and present Dutch society. Every year on Liberation Day, we celebrate our valuable, not self-evident, freedom. On this special day, Humanity in Action with support from Theater Na De Dam is pleased to announce the Dutch premiere of ‘My Father's War’. The event takes place at Lab111, on May 5, 18:30.
-
Jelle on Inclusive Sustainability for Nieuw Wij
Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra talked to Nieuw Wij for a series on inclusive sustainability.
-
Jelle to discuss the Jewish Manifesto and more
On March 17, 2022, Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra is discussing his Action Project: the Jewish Manifesto. The event is part of this year's Festival Together against Racism.
-
Oy Vey Acts' website updates
Oy Vey Acts is a grassroots Jewish movement located in the Netherlands. Recently, its website has received an update with new texts focused on who Oy Vey Acts is and what are their goals.
-
Panels on antisemitism and the extreme right
During the Week Against Racism, Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra will be part of two panel discussions on antisemitism & the extreme right.
-
Theater Performance at De Balie in Amsterdam
Landecker Fellow Jelle Zijlstra wrote and directed "Verder van huis," a theater performance which was recently showed at De Balie in Amsterdam.
