Summer Program

Each summer Hands of Peace brings a group of Jewish-Israeli, Arab Citizens of Israel, and Palestinian teenagers to the northwest suburbs of Chicago for a two-week , dialogue-based experience of coexistence with one another, as well as with a comparable number of American teens from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other faith backgrounds.  This program teaches team-building and leadership skills, helps the participants learn about different cultures and religions, guides them in learning about the conflict from different points of view, and encourages them to explore ways to incorporate peace-building into their personal lives and communities.  There is also time for a lot of fun, too!

Because Hands of Peace is a dialogue-based program, there are dialogue sessions almost every day.  During these structured sessions, which are led by professional facilitators, the participants get to know each other, share their personal stories about the conflict, hear how the conflict has impacted others, explore from different angles the many complicated and painful issues that have contributed to the ongoing conflict, and discuss their ideas about what could bring about peace.

The Summer Program also provides American host families with an extraordinary opportunity to build strong, long-lasting relationships with teens from the Middle East, and learn about the conflict on a very personal and powerful level.  Each year, 20-30 local host families are involved. 

Although the Summer Program is just over two-weeks long, it is a very intense but very enriching experience for all.  On the last day of the program, tears and hugs abound as these new friends say their farewells, and the host families wave goodbye.

I came to HOP with my own set of assumptions and my own version of the truth. What I found was that I knew only one small slice of the truth. The people I have met and the stories they have told have opened my eyes to the reality of the conflict. I have also truly learned more about myself and the power myself and everyone has as humans and individuals.

Jessica, 2011 participant