For Jessica Fredrick the play “My Name is Rachel Corrie” has a special meaning.

“My Name is Rachel Corrie,” is a play based on the life of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old activist who was killed by Israeli soldiers March 16, 2003, while living, working and serving in the West Bank, during the Second Intifada. It is reported that she was killed trying to protect the family and home of a local pharmacist, Samir Nasrallah, when an Israeli Defense Force, Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer killed her, according to the rachelcorriefoundation.org .

Fredrick, who acted in the solo production, at the Jackson Center, Friday and Saturday, explained her connection to this play.

“I lived and worked in the West Bank from 2007 to 2010, doing human rights documentation and advocacy work,” she said. “I was in the city of Hebron and the village of At-Tuwani; we are all humans, and every human is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of your religious affiliation, race, creed or political leanings.”

Additionally, with the latest national news coverage of the ongoing war/conflict between Israel and Islamist extremists in the West Bank, has triggered Fredricks and spurred her into action. Not everyone living in the West Bank is a terrorist or even wants to fight. Many just want to live their lives peacefully, raise their families and be good neighbors with Israel. When I was there – a trip to Jerusalem should have taken maybe an hour or so by car. However, Palestinians have separate roads they must use to travel, and it takes them two or three hours to get there. It’s hard for them to even get permits to sell things. It is haunting, every time I hear reports from a region that was so formative when I was a young adult.”

While living overseas, Fredricks spoke about her experience with those wishing to cease the fighting between Palestine and Israel.

“There’s factions on both sides who want the fighting to stop,” she said. “I worked with Palestinian practitioners of nonviolent resistance and collaborated with Israeli peacemakers and lawyers to advocate for Palestinian human rights under Israeli law.”

The irony is that the play was performed locally at the Robert H. Jackson Center wasn’t lost on Fredrick or some of the event attendees.

Fredrick also added “We’re holding this event here, in the Jackson Center, named for one of the greatest champions for justice…I think it’s kind of fitting that this play is performed here.”

Frederick, who is now the priest for Children, Youth and Family Ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown, has turned to the “arts” to put action to her beliefs.

“It’s my hope that those who see the play understand a little better about what’s going on over there,” she said. “I use the arts as a unifying factor to advocate for the humane treatment of all people. Respect, dignity and human rights are something we should all support.”

By all accounts the play was successful and raised much needed funds for those affected by the war.

Frederick said more than 100 people attended the performances, and raised more than $1,275 for the Gaza Relief.

“Additionally, we are still accepting donations for Gaza relief. If people would like to give, they can make checks out to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (including “Gaza relief” in the memo line) or they can give online tinyurl.com/StLukesGazaRelief (select “Gaza relief” in the drop down menu),” she said.

Fredricks said, all donations collected at the Good Friday services (at noon and 7 p.m. March 29) are also going to Gaza.

“All donations will go through the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. In spite of suffering damage due to an explosion during the war on October 17, the hospital continues to serve on average over 300 patients a day – regardless of religion or ability to pay,” she said.

For those wishing to learn more about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian residents in the West Bank, Frederick’s recommendation is to check out www.btselem.org.