HANDS OF PEACE BRINGS PALESTINIAN, ISRAELI AND AMERICAN TEENS TOGETHER TO WORK TOWARD PEACE

In the midst of unrelenting conflict in the Middle East that impacts the entire global stage, 44 teens from Israel, the West Bank and the Chicago area are coming together to work toward peace and break down the walls of conflict for three weeks this summer. Hands of Peace brings together high school students July 13-Aug. 1 to build bridges and leadership and critical thinking skills among teens divided by conflict, culture, geography and history. Their activities take place at various locations throughout the Chicago area.

Now in its 14th year, the Hands of Peace program empowers young people to find their voice as peace leaders, break down stereotypes and gain the knowledge and skills to take steps toward peace in their home communities. Teen participants have undergone an extensive application process to be part of the program, showing a desire to share their perspectives and work toward peace.

Many of the Middle East participants have experienced violence and loss as a result of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and are meeting the other “side” for the first time. The central activity of the program is intensive daily dialogue sessions, led by professional facilitators, in which teens share personal stories, listen and share views about paths for peace. They also take part in educational activities including a visit to a church, synagogue and mosque and a community organizing workshop.

The Middle Eastern students will be hosted by 29 local families and stay in their homes. This gives the host families an opportunity to build strong, long-lasting relationships with the teens from the Middle East and see the conflict through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.

“Young people are the key to change and peace in the Middle East, so the transformations that we see taking place during the summer program give us hope for a better future,” says Gretchen Grad, Hands of Peace president/founder. She adds that the summer experience is transformative not only for the participants but also for the local families who get involved. “We are so thankful for our network of supporters, volunteers and host families. We could not do any of this without them.”

Following the summer program, Hands of Peace alumni continue to grow as peace leaders, taking part in seminars, alumni club activities and a year-long leadership program to implement community projects in their home communities.

In addition, Hands of Peace holds educational events such as film dialogue nights, guest lectures and community service projects. The organization also sponsors a Dual Narrative Tour of Israel and Palestine for supporters. During this year’s trip, which takes place Oct. 16 to 27, the group will explore the Holy Land while connecting with the people who live there today.

Hands of Peace is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created by three women—one Christian, one Jewish, and one Muslim—who shared the conviction that peace could be nurtured, one person at a time. In addition to Chicago, there is a San Diego program, now in its third year, that is serving 42 teens this summer. Worldwide, Hands of Peace now has over 500 alumni living and working for peace across the United States and throughout Israel and the Palestinian West Bank. For more information, go to www.handsofpeace.org.