Ibrahim Issa, the director of Hope Flowers School, has been invited to speak at the event, though his travel to Kansas City has not been confirmed yet. Citizens for Justice in the Middle East, along with area faith groups -- New Song Church, Disciples Peace Fellowship and the Peace/Justice Group of Grace Covenant Church -- have raised $3400 as part of the goal to raise $10,000. A silent auction featuring books, restaurant dinners and jewelry will also be held during the event.

Hope Flowers is an independent private K-7 school located in south Bethlehem, where 260 children are given a progressive education based on Montessori methods with an intercultural, interfaith, conflict-resolution and democratic emphasis. Hope Flowers seeks financial support to pay for teacher salaries and student scholarships. The support of concerned Americans can make a huge difference in the Hope Flowers school program.

"The Hope Flowers School provides a ray of hope for the world and, in particular, Palestinian families and children who believe that peace is possible for Israeli and Palestinian people," according to Peter Waasdorp, organizer of the US Friends of Hope Flowers School.

The school has a positive impact on the children and families of Bethlehem during these extraordinarily difficult times. Even now, the Israeli wall encircles that ancient Biblical city.

But Hope Flowers has friends all over the world, including friends in Israel who helped stop the wall from destroying the school's cafeteria, at least for now. Fundraising organizers would like the children to know that they have friends in Kansas City as well. The money raised will be Kansas City’s contribution towards a nationwide effort to raise $100,000 for scholarships, teacher salaries and equipment.

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