Magic Happens at Hands of Peace Chicago Benefit April 5 at Botanic Garden
Magic Happens at the 2020 Hands of Peace Chicago Benefit, a moving evening of connection and conversation with the young people whose lives are being transformed by their Hands of Peace journey. This popular annual event, taking place on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Chicago Botanic Garden, is a fundraiser for the Hands of Peace Summer Program, which empowers young Israelis, Palestinians and Americans to be leaders of change in their communities.
The annual Hands of Peace Summer Program brings together youth from diverse backgrounds, many of whom come from areas divided by conflict and violence. Through facilitated dialogue sessions and leadership development activities, participants move from strangers to partners in peace, working to build a better future. Since the first Summer Program in 2003, many of the more than 650 alumni have become lawyers, engineers, doctors and environmentalists. Others are legislators, diplomats, entrepreneurs and journalists. All of them are creating change around the world.
One of the alumni is Stav Friedman, part of the first American delegation in 2003, who will share her Hands of Peace story at the Chicago Benefit. Friedman, who holds American and Israeli citizenship, has a BS in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida. Her passion for the environment led her to create Plastic Free Israel, a grassroots volunteer effort that cleans up beaches in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem and promotes plastic pollution solutions. She now oversees the operation from London, where she is studying climate change and policy for a Master of Science degree at Kings College.
The Magic Happens from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL, 60022. Parking is free for Benefit guests. The evening includes enchanting magic, gourmet appetizers and an elegant dinner, live and silent auctions, and the opportunity to connect with Hands of Peace alumni. Early-bird tickets are available for $175 per ticket until March 15. Tickets can be purchased at https://handsofpeace.org/2020-chicago-benefit/. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Diana Kutlow at dkutlow@handsofpeace.org.
Hands of Peace empowers young Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to raise their voices as leaders of change. Started in the Chicago suburbs, the non-profit 501(c)(3) interfaith organization was founded in 2003 by Gretchen Grad, who believed that peace could be nurtured, person by person. Since then, Hands of Peace has expanded in size, strength and scope. The Chicago and San Diego Programs now serve nearly 90 teens each summer. Hands of Peace is unique in that Israeli and Palestinian teens are hosted by local families-providing a meaningful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange. For more information, go to www.handsofpeace.org.