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Important Dates to Remember:
Save the Date for the Chicago Benefit
April 7, 2019
Chicago Botanic Garden
2019 Summer Program Dates
July 10, 2019 - July 29, 2019
Farewell Celebrations
July 28, 2019
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Executive Director Update
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Though we are still three months away from donning party hats and welcoming in 2019, for many non-profits September 30 marks the end of their fiscal year. At Hands of Peace, this is a time to reflect on our many successes in 2017-18 - the end of our 15-Year Anniversary Celebration. With only 4 days remaining until the end of our fiscal year, you can make a donation that will be matched by a generous $10,000 matching fund from two grandparents who want to leave a better world for their grandchildren. Your online donation will take just moments to complete, and every dollar you contribute by midnight Sunday (up to $10,000 total) will be doubled in support of Hands of Peace.
This year, we surpassed the
600 alumni mark by welcoming 67 new Hands (and welcoming back 23 second-year XLs) to our Summer Programs in Chicago and San Diego. Many new host families and volunteers experienced firsthand the wonder of watching young people from different societies, religions and cultures connect in deep and meaningful ways.
Three alumni seminars in Israel/Palestine drew record attendance as we created specific programming for alumni of different ages. And our second cohort of American alumni had the opportunity to travel to the Middle East for their own first-hand look into the beauty of the region and the challenges faced by Israeli and Palestinian alums as they strive to raise their voices as leaders of change.
Our
oldest alumni are now in their early 30s and have chosen many paths to become leaders of change. Many are focused on international relations, including several working for embassies or the United Nations. Others have chosen paths focused on human rights, or have become champions for the environment. We have doctors, lawyers, journalists, and entrepreneurs represented in our alumni corps. They share one commonality -- their ability to listen to the voices of people vastly different from themselves, with respect and with dignity.
As we look ahead to 2019, we anticipate more opportunities for alumni to
move from dialogue to action. We look forward to welcoming a new group of Hands and XLs next summer. And we value and treasure your continued involvement in Hands of Peace.
Thank you for everything you do!!
Peace, Shalom, Salaam,
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Hands of Peace News and Updates
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Subscribe to the Hands of Peace News Bureau
If you'd like to hear youth voices for peace throughout the year, and learn more about the transformative experiences young people have through Hands of Peace, the Hands of Peace News Bureau features regular stories by and about Hands of Peace alumni from 2003-2018! Now you can subscribe to the Hands of Peace News Bureau and never miss an article. Visit the page today and subscribe.
Online shopping aids Hands of Peace
Did you know that the rise in online shopping can help fund youth participation in Hands of Peace? By shopping on
AmazonSmile.com
and choosing Hands of Peace as your charity, a small portion of your purchases (.5%) goes to Hands of Peace from the Amazon Foundation. And prices stay the same! Of course you can have an even greater impact with a
direct donation
, charitable IRA distribution or stock transfer to Hands of Peace, but every gift makes a difference. Ask your family and friends to choose Hands of Peace as their
AmazonSmile.com
charity to bring smiles of hope to Israeli, Palestinian and American youth.
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Middle East Updates
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All three Middle East Delegations have held UniNational Meetings, re-capping the Summer Program, and outlining different ways alumni can continue to develop their leadership capacity. The UniNational Meetings are an important step for the delegations to connect with each other as well as with older alumni right after the Summer Program and prepare for the first Alumni Seminar. It is also the first opportunity for them to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face re-entering their societies after the Summer Program.
 Beginning in October, older alumni will start a joint project with EcoPeace Middle East. EcoPeace focuses on environmental diplomacy working to bring attention to natural resources that are shared by Israeli and Palestinian villages. Thanks to a generous "collective impact" grant, a cohort of older alumni from Hands of Peace will receive training from EcoPeace on environmental diplomacy and implement a project of their choosing with Israeli and Palestinian communities. EcoPeace and Hands of Peace are excited to partner for the benefit of the environment and both societies.
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San Diego Updates and
Upcoming Events
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HOPEducation Movie Night
"With God On Our Side"
Wednesday, October 17, 6-8:00 p.m.
Cardiff Branch Library
2081 Newcastle Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007
Please join us for the next HOPEducation Movie Night. "With God on our Side" explores Christian Zionism and its impact on U.S. foreign policy. After viewing the film, we will have a conversation around the intended and unintended consequences of this theology. Space is limited, please RSVP to Sarah Heirendt.
HOPEducation Book Club
"American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent" by Tamer Elnoury
Sunday, October 28, 2018
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Reese Residence, Carlsbad, CA
Join the Hands of Peace San Diego Book Club as we read and discuss "American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent" by Tamer Elnoury. A New York Times bestseller, this thrilling memoir written by an
active Muslim American federal agent reveals his experience infiltrating and bringing down a terror cell in North America. The Book Club will be held at the Reese Residence in Carlsbad. Please bring something to share. Discussion will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Sarah Heirendt (location provided upon RSVP).
Mark your Calendars for the Hands of Peace Community Appreciation Event
Sunday, December 16, 2018
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Leichtag Commons - The Hive
441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA
It takes a village to empower youth as leaders of change, and we could not do it without the hard work, dedication and passion of Hands of
Peace volunteers and families. This is our opportunity to thank you for all you do for peace and justice. Please SAVE THE DATE and join us at this
event. More details to follow soon!
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To volunteer with Hands of Peace, please
click here!
For more information, go to
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