IN THIS ISSUE
Save the Date
for the
Chicago Benefit

Sunday,
May 6, 2018

at the Chicago Botanic Gardens

Click here to purchase your tickets today!
Pave the Path
to Peace!
Click here to make your gift before December 31st and it will be matched to double your investment in the next generation (up to $100,000).
Important Dates to Remember:

2018 Summer Program Dates
July 11, 2018 - July 30, 2018

Applications for 2018 Summer Program available on our website.

Host Family applications 

U.S. Participant applications 

Palestinian Participant applications
click here.

Palestinian Citizen of Israel applications

Jewish Israel applications 

XL Applications 

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December, 2017

Executive Director Update
As I reflect on 2017, I want to thank you for an amazing year of impact through Hands of Peace. Working together as a global community, you have:

  • Launched another cohort of 95 young leaders on the Summer Program journey of self discovery as they learn how to raise their voices as leaders of change.
  • Provided the opportunity for many of our 500+ alumni to continue to walk the path to peace through alumni programming and mentoring in Israel/Palestine and in the U.S. 
  • Offered American alumni a first glimpse into the realities of their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts through the inaugural Hands of Peace Dual Narrative alumni tour.
  • Set new records for volunteer engagement and annual giving, both essential for our grass-roots, community-based model.
We are all transformed by the powerful interactions and relationships that are part of the Hands of Peace experience, and we are are honored by and grateful for the deep commitment you are making to empower the next generation to work for peace, freedom, justice and equality.
 
To our Hands of Peace alumni, you are truly the leaders of tomorrow.  Being a leader means not being afraid to explore new paths.  Being a leader means seeing things that others aren't ready or able to see.  We recognize  the year ahead will likely hold unprecedented challenges for Palestinians, Israelis and Americans. Being a leader also means not giving up or giving in when things get tough. Thank you for continuing this journey.  You inspire all of us.  
 
Have a happy and healthy holiday season.  We look forward to continuing to grow together in 2018.


 Hands of Peace News and Updates
Recruitment for 2018 Summer Program
Do you know an American, Israeli or Palestinian teen between the ages of 15-17 ready to learn about themselves and  the world through interfaith dialogue? Or a family that would be willing to join our community of host families and host an Israeli or Palestinian for 19 days? Applications for participants and host families for our 2018 Summer Program are now available on our website. Click here to view Participant applicationsClick here to view Host Family applications.

We are currently scheduling host family and participant recruitment outreach at all sites. If you would like someone to speak to your class or group, please contact Jewish Israeli Regional Manager  Amit Caraco, Palestinian Regional Manager  Hoda Barakat, Palestinian Citizen of Israel Regional Manager  Rana Haddad, San Diego Site Director  Sarah Heirendtor  Chicago Site Director   Rhonda McCarty.

Giving Tuesday Update
Thank you for making Giving Tuesday a day of hope for all the Israeli, Palestinian and American youth whose lives are being transformed by Hands of Peace.  You created your own fundraisers got to know  alumni from their Facebook stories, gave online and dropped off checks. This year  you gave a total $13,020 as part of this global day of giving, mor e than twice last year's giving. With matching funds from a generous donor, Giving Tuesday garnered  $26,040, enough to support an alumni seminar in Israel/Palestine, or to bring three Israeli/Palestinian participants to the Summer Program.
 
More importantly, almost 50 donors participated in Giving Tuesday this year, compared to 22 last year, and the names included Board Members, young alumni, staff, host families, volunteers and new friends. While San Diego donors took the Giving Tuesday lead in 2016, more Chicagoans participated this year. Let's keep the friendly competition going through the end of the December 

Chicago Updates and 
Upcoming Events
HOPEducation Movie Night
"Rock in the Red Zone"
Monday, January 8, 2018 6:30-9:00pm
Glenview Community Church, Mayflower Room
1000 Elm Street, Glenview IL
This film by Laura Bialis gives us insight into the unique spirit and challenges of Sderot. Situated on the Gaza border and populated by African Jewish immigrants, Sderot is known for its resilience and cutting edge music scene. Part documentary, part love story, "Rock in the Red Zone" will help us to better understand the narratives that have helped shape the Hands of Peace participants who come from this area of Israel. 

Free and open to the public. Gathering at 6:30. Film will begin promptly at 6:45. Group discussion will follow.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Rhonda McCarty.

San Diego Updates and 
Upcoming Events
HOPEducation Movie Night
"Seeing Through the Wall: Meeting Ourselves in Palestine and Israel"
Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 6:00-8:00pm
Cardiff Branch Library
2018 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff, CA
M any walls separate Palestinians and Isra elis - walls of concrete, of mistrust, of ignorance, of fear. This film follows a group of Americans, led by Rabbi Dov Taylor and Hands of Peace Director of Facilitation and Mejdi Guide Husam Jubran, on a 2016 trip to explore what life is like in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Many of those on the trip describe their own reflection and transformation as a result of these intense encounters. "Seeing Through the Wall" invites and challenges us to question their own preconceptions as well. Please arrive by 6:00 for refreshments and mingling. Screening will begin promptly at 6:15. For more information and to RSVP, contact  Sarah Heirendt .

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