NEW YORK | Renowned Broadway stars Leah Rabin, Jehan Sadat and Seed of Peace graduates gathered on the Carnegie Hall stage in Seeds of Peace’s most exciting and successful benefit yet. A sold-out Carnegie Hall crowd enjoyed performances by recent Tony-winner Heather Headley of Aida, Tony-winner Bebe Neuwirth from Chicago and the television show Cheers and stage and film star Christine Baranski.
The emotional climax of the show began when six Seeds of Peace graduates took the stage. First, Noa from Israel and Manal, a Palestinian, sang a duet to the accompaniment of the famous Israeli guitarist and singer David Broza. The moving song, entitled A Time for Peace, has each girl singing in Hebrew and Arabic. Four other Seeds gave poignant speeches in which they explained the profoundly positive changes Seeds of Peace has brought to their commitment to peace. Members of the audience wiped away tears as Dalia, Jamil, Jawad and Avigal described the friendships they had formed with supposed enemies.
President and Founder John Wallach recognized outstanding fundraising efforts by board members Fred and Helaine Gould and Gene Mercy. He also commended Government Relations Vice-President Lindsay Miller for procuring government support. Then he presented the evening’s honorees, Lea Rabin of Israel, Jehan Sadat of Egypt, and Prince Zaid of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in honor of Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hussein. While the women received the awards, the evening also honored the memories of their late husbands, all early and significant leaders in the quest for Middle Eastern peace.
After the entertaining and inspiring program at Carnegie Hall, hundreds of guests adjourned to the Essex House Grand Ballroom for a dessert reception. Feasting on champagne, fresh fruit and sumptuous pastries, everyone enjoyed the dance music of Professor Louie and the Chromatix. As people mingled and discussed Seeds of Peace, they agreed that they had been both moved and entertained by the evening.