Hope and Resilience: Benefit for Palestinian Equal Rights and Direct Aid

Over 150 guests attended Palestine: Hope and Resilience, a wonderful gala dinner and awards and benefit program hosted by Amer Zahr as supporters the world over joined via live stream!. Watch the whole event. Here are the highlights:

  • The Parrhesia award for free, frank, and fearless speech was presented to two distinguished awardees:

  • To American activist Rachel Corrie, with acceptance by her parents, Cindy and Craig Corrie

  • To Palestinian-American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, with acceptance by Lina and Victor Abu Akleh, her niece and nephew

  • The Keynote was delivered by Lina Abu Akleh who brought forward her memories and asked the world, especially journalists, to pursue #JusticeForShireen

  • The Leadership Award was presented in Washington D.C. to Senator Patrick Leahy for his visionary leadership and authorship of the Leahy Law. Five days later, on Sep. 15th, Senator Leahy read his Statement On Shireen Abu Akleh into the Congressional Record.

  • Sani Paul Boulos Meo, publisher of This Week in Palestine, accepted the Storyteller Award from his office in Ramallah

  • The author of Tatreez and Tea and founder of the Tatreez Institute, Wafa Ghaneim, was there to accept the Heritage Award

  • Zaina Michael presented our Community Resilience Award to Director Nabila Mango, co-founder of Zawaya and of the Aswat Arab Music Ensemble

  • Amer Zahr brought the night to a close, bringing everyone together with his remarkable humor on what it means to be Palestinian.

Gala Image Gallery

 
 
 

Rachel Corrie

(1979-2003)

In recognition of her caring and courage, a touchstone for all who seek to build a better world

Award was presented by Donna Baranski-Walker and received by Cindy and Craig Corrie

Shireen Abu Akleh

(1971-2022)

In recognition of her courage and determination to speak truth to power

Award was presented by Cindy and Craig Corrie and received by Lina and Victor Abu Akleh for the Abu Akleh Family

 

Lina Abu Akleh

is Palestinian-Armenian, born and raised in Jerusalem. Inspired by her aunt and mentor, Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Lina completed her BA in Political Studies from the American University of Beirut and recieved her Masters in International Studies from the University of San Francisco where she chose a concentration in human rights, governance, and global justice.

After Shireen Abu Akleh reported on the struggle to access water around the West Bank's Jordan Valley, she said, "Lina, not a lot of people talk about this.” Consequently, Lina chose as her Master’s thesis, The Slow Creep of Settler Colonialism: Exploring Water Control in Palestine.

Senator Patrick Leahy

In recognition of his visionary authorship of the Leahy Law on Human Rights and making this law an essential tool for protecting human rights worldwide, his long-time commitment that the Palestinians' fundamental rights must be respected, and his unwavering support for freedom of the press and the safety of journalists around the world.

 

Note: On Sep. 15, 2022, eight days after Rebuilding Alliance presented the Leadership Award to Senator Leahy along with our concerns and questions regarding the implementation of the Leahy Law in the Abu Akleh killing, Senator Leahy read his Statement on Shireen Abu Akleh into the Congressional Record.

He noted, "The U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC), echoing the conclusion of the IDF, apparently did not interview any of the IDF soldiers or any other witnesses. To say that fatally shooting an unarmed person, and in this case one with PRESS written in bold letters on her clothing, was not intentional, without providing any evidence to support that conclusion, calls into question the State Department’s commitment to an independent, credible investigation and to “follow the facts”. He asked, "What steps has the State Department taken to determine whether the Leahy Law applies in this case?" and urges that an independent credible investigation takes place. “Whether her killing was intentional, reckless, or a tragic mistake, there must be accountability.”

Wafa Ghnaim
Founder, The Tatreez Institute
Author, Tatreez and Tea

In recognition of her efforts to teach Palestinian embroidery skills across the diaspora to students who have long yearned to connect with their artistic and cultural heritage


Sani Meo
Publisher, This Week in Palestine

In recognition of his team's determination to provide a Palestinian narrative and strengthen culture through outstanding graphic design and for his resilience and hope as the eternal optimists of Palestine!

Nabila Mango
Co-Founder, Zawaya
Director, Aswat Arabic Music Ensemble

In recognition of her life-long commitment to promote the art of Arab music and culture and for her tireless efforts to enrich our community through inclusion, pluralism, and diversity.

 

Watch Amer Zahr’s special performance

 

Watch the whole event

Musical Performance by Clarissa Bitar & Loay Dahbour, members of the Aswat Ensemble

Watch Executive Director
Donna Baranski-Walker’s Speech

Special Thanks to Palestine: Hope and Resilience 2022 Gala Benefit Committee

 

  • Sema, Chair

  • Juliette

  • Tammi

  • Rana

  • Zoe

  • Betsy

  • Khristine

  • Jen

  • Arturo

  • Wendi

  • Donna