Hands of Peace to hold 'Power of Purple' benefit May 7

Hands of Peace will hold its "Power of Purple" benefit May 7 at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.

The international nonprofit draws together teens from Israel, Palestinian territories and the U.S., helping empower them to become agents of change.

Inspired by a "nighttime epiphany" after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Glenview resident and Hands of Peace founder Gretchen Grad in 2003 debuted the interfaith group devoted to conflict resolution.

Each summer, high school students 15 to 17 years old and second-year attendees 17 to 19 years old gather at Hands of Peace locations in the Chicago area and San Diego for three weeks, living with host families.

Students engage in dialogue and team-building led by professional facilitators from Israel and Palestine. They share their stories, learn about each other, discuss conflicts and explore peaceful solutions.

Hands of Peace has produced more than 750 alumni. Applications for the upcoming summer programs from July 12-31 now are closed, but host families for the Chicago program still are being sought.

Alumni Bashar Alsorri and Stav Friedman will speak at the May 7 benefit, which takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Alsorri is a fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership; Friedman of Skokie is an environmental activist who founded Plastic Free Israel.

For more information, contact Diane Kutlow at (760) 492-1623 or email dkutlow@handsofpeace.org.

To serve as a host family, and for more information, visit handsofpeace.org.