NEW YORK | Over 400 Seeds of Peace supporters celebrated Seeds of Peace’s work with young people from conflict regions at the 2016 Spring Dinner on May 17.
The Dinner was held at 583 Park in New York City and hosted by Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj. It featured Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder of Chobani, as well as Seeds working for change in Israel, Palestine, and Syria.
Nousha, a Syrian-Canadian Seed, spoke passionately about Project Amal ou Salam, an organization she founded to provide hope for displaced Syrian children.
“Because Seeds of Peace took a chance on me, I discovered the journey I was meant to take in life,” she said.
“Through education, intervention, and trauma-based care, Project Amal ou Salam has empowered and inspired over 6,000 children in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and inside Syria.”
“We need this passion, we need this strength,” said Hamdi after hearing Nousha speak. “We need these Seeds right now.”
Hamdi shared his personal journey as a Kurdish immigrant from Turkey who now runs a hugely successful business that employs hundreds of refugees from 11 countries.
Mohammed Nassereddin, a Palestinian Seed and Director of Middle East Programs for Seeds of Peace, reflected on the impact of his work.
“Seeds of Peace provides an alternative by empowering youth to be courageous leaders through values of respect, unity, and responsibility.”
Alina, an Israeli Seed and tech entrepreneur, spoke about the powerful effect that forming a lasting friendship with a Palestinian camper has had on her life and work.
“Over the years, Ruba and I have had many heated political discussions—despite the fact that we agree that the way forwards is peace, we don’t always agree on the road map,” Alina said.
“But having her in my life forced me to question my beliefs, my fears, and all my biases.”
Altogether, the evening raised over $1M for Seeds of Peace programs.
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