Hands of Peace Today

Hands of Peace continues to be based primarily in Glenview, Illinois.  Our active Operations Committee is comprised of volunteers, and works year-round on a variety of responsibilities, including local participant and host family recruiting, communications and public relations, community outreach, event planning, Alumni Club coordination, and much of the planning for the two-week Summer Program, which still takes place in the north/northwest suburbs of Chicago.  The Executive Director is based in Glenview, and reports to the Board of Directors.  

Hands of Peace also employs three part-time staff members in the Middle East:  A Jewish-Israeli Regional Coordinator, an Arab-Citizens of Israel Regional Coordinator and a Palestinian Regional Coordinator.  The Middle East staff members coordinate Middle East Alumni Club activities, recruit participants for the Summer Program, and act as the Middle East representatives of Hands of Peace.

We continue to broaden our reach in the United States and the Middle East geographically, religiously and politically, and the volunteer base upon which we depend continues to grow.  Our Summer Program typically involves a total of 40-45 participants, and we aim for diversity in religion, geography and political viewpoints.  We also had the most diverse group of participants we have ever had. 

HOP also has an active Alumni Club which provides programs for Middle East participants and for American participants that keep them connected, continuing to engage in dialogue, and continuing to grow in their peace-building skills.  HOP also has an Extraordinary Leader (XL) Program for qualified participants to return to the Summer Program for a second year as a leader with additional roles and responsibilities.  

HOP was the most eye-opening experience I have ever had. HOP made me rethink about my priorities about the conflict. HOP has started the long road to change the conflict and make peace. Most important, I met very special people in HOP that will be my friends forever.

Noam, 2011 participant