Hope Flowers School - How to make a difference in the Middle East! + August 12 fundraiser dinner
Matt Quinn
YOU’RE INVITED! Join in for a second Mideast benefit fundraiser dinner for Hope Flowers School!! (see below for details)
----------------
During the kickoff Hope Flowers School fundraiser dinner on May 31, guest speaker Nick Awad, a Palestinian-American who lives in the Kansas City area, talked about his family's history in Palestine. He also referred to the work of his brother Mubarak Awad, who founded the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence (PCSN).
The director of Hope Flowers School, Ibrahim Issa, who will be in Kansas City in October, also spoke about Mubarak Awad when he said PCSN "was the first non-violence center in Jerusalem. And one or two years after, the Israelis deported him to the USA. He was also a Palestinian-American. He was a close friend of Hussein, my father. I also think this is one of the reasons why Hussein got so involved with non-violence...non-violence is also a very effective way of resisting the occupation here."
Many peace advocates and activists emphasize that changing US foreign policy in the Middle East towards a non-militaristic, diplomatic approach is the best choice for peace, justice and prosperity. Changing US foreign policy is CJME's central goal; however, many times this goal seems unobtainable. In order to make a real difference in the lives of Palestinians and Israelis, CJME is raising $10,000 for Hope Flowers School in 2007. This effort represents people-to-people ties or "citizen diplomacy," where US policy has failed.
In light of the long-term Israeli siege of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the Palestinian infighting, we are asking you to support Hope Flowers School. This support will signal Palestinians that Americans are committed to non-violent methods to resolve the conflict. Hope Flowers School has a peace and democracy curriculum so vital to its' students, parents and educators.
CJME has dedicated itself to work towards a just peace between Israel and Palestinians. We know many of you share this dedication because we have spoken with you at one of our many public events over the past years, perhaps at the Sabeel conference last fall or at talks by Mubarak Awad, Anna Baltzer, Jeff Halper, Parents Circle or Combatants for Peace, to name a few.
Friends, if you share our vision for peace but don't have the time to organize to change US foreign policy -- a daunting task in itself -- then contributing money to Hope Flowers School is a terrific way to "make a difference."
Join with me by making a contribution of $25, $50 or $100 or more today! You can make your tax-deductible donation several ways -- using an online form with a major credit card, Paypal or e-check--visit http://www.cjme.org/hfs. Or mail a tax-deductible check payable to Coalition for Peace with Justice (501c3) to CJME, 6100 W. 52nd Street, Mission, KS 66202.
Fundraising progress to date:
- May 31 fundraising kickoff dinner - $1700
- T-shirt sales proceeds - $118
- Donations - $310
- TOTAL - $2128
Towards a just peace,
Matt Quinn
Hope Flowers School fundraising committee member
CJME
P.S. Just Announced! Join in the second Mideast dinner to support Hope Flowers School: Sunday, August 12, 6:00 pm, Jerusalem Bakery & Cafe, 1404 Westport Road (four blocks west of Southwest Trafficway on Westport Road), Kansas City, Missouri. Cost: $25 per person and $15 for students, includes highly-acclaimed Middle Eastern food served buffet style -- try a variety of several appetizers, salads, chicken or vegetarian entrees and tasty baklava dessert. Seating is limited, so place your reservation today - call Barbara at 913-831-9747 to reserve your place or for questions. Or visit http://www.cjme.org/hfs and sign up online.