Tarek El Heneidy, a Rockport longtime resident and peace activist since 1988, was honored at a recent Artsbridge event at the JFK Library, of which he is a director.
He was honored as a "change maker" during a celebration of the organization founded five years ago as an Israeli-Palestinian educational program.
El Heneidy, a native of Egypt who is a naturalized citizen, earned a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rhode Island. During his career, he headed several companies marketing electronic components and computers to Europe and the Far East.
He is active in the Muslim community, and he participates in panel discussions and organizes lectures and presentations.
In addition to being a director of Artsbridge, he is a National Council member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, an interfaith organization working toward peace and justice. He has extensive firsthand experience in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, having traveled many times to that region in efforts of reconciliation and dialogue. He was a player in the release of four hostages from Iraq during the 1990-1991 war. He is also a member of the North Shore Coalition of Peace and Justice.
He explained that the Artsbridge organization has been bringing together Israeli and Palestinian students between 14-19 in the Boston area where they work on art together. Camos have been held at Endicott College and Boston College in the past, and this year will be held at Brandeis University. The staff are art therapists, artists and psychologists who have experience working with youths. They represent various facets of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Return of the 'Sisterhood'
The Sandy Bay Sisterhood is back and ready to throw another party as a benefit for a charity.
Five years ago, this group of local women had a party as a fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, after a dear friend had died of the disease.
This time, they are raising money for Huntington's disease, a genetic condition that is afflicting another friend. Next Saturday, May 19, they are inviting everyone to attend a "spring fling" event at the Rockport Country Club from 7 to 11 p.m. to benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America. The Mari Martin band will provide live music from 8 to 11 p.m. A light dinner will be offered.
The Sandy Bay Sisterhood consists of Sue Waddell, Courtney Rapp, Sharon Jordon, MaryHelen MacLeod, Lucy Kohler, Gretchen Anderson, Claire Hobbs, Cynthia Hobbs, Joan Cutter and Trish Dunton.
They have amassed a number of items for a live auction, silent auction and several raffles. Those items include fine art paintings by local artists, a week in a luxury Turks and Caicos condo, a week this fall in a condo in Algonquit, Maine, private catering at home for six (includes food, serving and cleanup), a week in a North Conway condo, Red Sox tickets, a two-hour sail or sailing lessons, massages, a one-hour private flying tour of Cape Ann on a Piper Super Cub aircraft and more.
Advanced tickets for $25 are available by emailing SandyBaySisterhood@gmail.com or can be purchased at the door for $30.
Theatre in the Pines
Theatre in the Pines is kicking off its 25th year of community theater with its performance of Tennessee Williams' play "Summer and Smoke," starting Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and running for three nights with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. at Spiran Hall in Rockport.
This is a love story of a "puritanical" Southern girl who falls for the boy next door who is a decidedy "unpuritanical" young physician.
The cast features many local favorites from Rockport and Gloucester, including Larry Cook, Heidi Pulkonen, Mary Rudolph Black, Carl Pulkonen, Martin Ray, Courtney Ellis Peckham, Sarah Clark, Eileen Fitzgerald, Chuck Francis, Scott Hazzard, Henry Cooper, Steve Rask, Barbara Brewer, Randy Dupps, Walter Peckham and Anne Roman. And for the 25th year, Frank Wolcott is again the set designer for Nan Webber's theater troupe.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance at Toad Hall Bookstore in Rockport and The Bookstore in Gloucester.
Staff Writer Gail McCarthy is filling in this week as the author of Rockport Ramblings. She can be reached at 978-283-7000 x3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
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