Thank You for
#InspiringYouthLeaders
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WOW! Your contributions on #GivingTuesday generated more than $23,000,
almost doubling the amount from last year! And your giving more than met the generous $5,000 match from recent
Board Member Larry Feder and his wife, Rose Feder. Your donations will sponsor six young leaders for the Summer Program in 2020. If you haven't given yet, please consider making a one-time gift before the end of the year or join us as a Peace Partner with a monthly recurring gift.
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Executive Director Update
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Dear Hands of Peace Alumni and Community,
From the beginning of the Hands of Peace San Diego expansion,
Mindi Frankel
has worn many hats, beginning with the participation for two years of her son Seth and daughter Sydni. She and her husband Doug hosted five Middle East participants over the years; all of them have become part of their extended family.
Mindi has served as Benefit Committee Chair, Board Member, and Marketing and Communications Consultant. She has been key to the successful growth of the San Diego program. Additionally, Mindi has brought increasing awareness to Hands of Peace as an outstanding youth leadership development program through her marketing and branding savvy.
As of Dec. 1, Mindi has moved to a project-based role while handing the reins to Deb Lawrence as the new Marketing and Communications Specialist. Deb, who will also work in San Diego, has extensive experience in marketing, public relations, and journalism. She has over 20 years of experience at NBC San Diego as a creative services executive. Deb is the recipient of many accolades, including Emmys, Golden Mics, and San Diego Press Club awards.
Sheridan Shenkin is also joining us this week as Office Administrator.
For the last two years, Sheridan was the American Chaperone for the San Diego Summer Program. She is training this week in San Diego and will soon move to Chicago.
As Mindi transitions out of her role, I would like to thank her personally and on behalf of the entire Hands of Peace community. We couldn't ask for a more mission-driven, passionate, and compassionate leader and look forward to her continued engagement with Hands of Peace.
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Applications Open for
2020 Summer Program
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Hosts & Participants Needed!
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Join Hands of Peace for a life-changing experience by becoming a participant or a host family for the next Summer Program, July 8-July 27, 2020. All participants and host families must complete the online application and have an interview with a Hands of Peace staff member or volunteer.
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Alumni Gather in
Washington, DC
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In late October, Hands of Peace Palestinian Regional Manager Hoda Barakat and Jewish-Israeli Regional Manager Amit Caraco came to the U.S. for a speaking tour that included stops in Chicago, Washington, DC, and San Diego. They were also invited to meet with a group of people-to-people organizations at the United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan and independent organization. The event was organized through the auspices of ALLMEP (the Alliance for Middle East Peace).
In Washington, DC, Hoda and Amit, along with Executive Director Rick Rosenfeld, Founder Gretchen Grad and Development Director Diana Kutlow, met with a group of Chicago and San Diego alumni from 2009-2018 now studying or working in the nation's capital. Joining the mini-reunion was USIP Israeli-Palestinian Specialist Robert Barron, who shared his career path with alumni.
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A Few Spots Left for
Multi-Narrative Tour
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The Hands of Peace Multi-Narrative Adult Tour offers a combination of rich historical, cultural and spiritual experiences, along with encounters that help you better understand the current political reality. There are a few spots left for the trip, March 2-12, 2020.
Contact trip leader Gretchen Grad directly at
[email protected]
if you are interested. Bookings will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Glen and Rocio Middleton were named Hands of Peace Volunteers of the Year at the North County Philanthropy Council's Volunteer Awards Luncheon last month. The San Diego event recognizes more than 100 individuals each year for their volunteerism and celebrates the power of philanthropy. Rocio and Glen have hosted Israeli and Palestinian teens for the Summer Program while securing lunch donations for daily participants from local restaurants, families, and congregations. They also serve on the Hands of Peace Leadership Council.
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Dave and Vanessa Forsythe attended the wedding of Hanadi Hittini in Sakhnin, Israel, in October. Dave and Vanessa first met Hanadi when they hosted her for the San Diego Summer Program in 2015 and they have shared a close friendship ever since. Joining Hanadi and Wisam for their wedding was a great experience for Dave and Vanessa, one they will cherish for the rest of their lives. As Dave says, "It just goes to show that in volunteering and supporting Hands of Peace, you might get back much more than you ever expected!"
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Magic Happens in
Spring 2020
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Save the dates for the 2020 Hands of Peace Spring Benefits in Chicago on April 5th at the Botanic Garden and in San Diego on April 19th at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar. To volunteer, go here:
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Summer Program Dates: July 8 - July 27, 2020
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