RECENT JUSTSTORIES STORYTELLING FESTIVAL CELEBRATED POWER OF DIVERSITY, HONORED ACTIVIST RABBI ROBERT MARX AND REDEDICATED NORTHBROOK-TECHNY PEACE POLE WITH DAY-LONG THEME OF ‘SEARCHING FOR HOME”

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CHICAGO, IL.-- Over 150 participants spanning three generations and from many ethic backgrounds, joined together for a full day at the Divine Word International Conference Center Techny, IL on Sunday April 23, 2006 to hear stories about “Searching for Home.” This was at the 4th JustStories Storytelling festival held in suburban Chicago. A highlight of the event was the brunch to celebrate and honor long time activist, Rabbi Robert Marx, with the 2006 BridgeBuilder Award.

The performances by professional storyteller Olga Loya, Antonio Sacre, Susan O’Halloran, La'Ron Williams and Arif Choudhury entertained and inspired the crowd with moving stories that embraced their diversity and centered around the day’s theme - “Searching for Home”.

During the brunch, Robert Marx, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Hakafa in Glencoe, IL graciously accepted the 2006 BridgeBuilder award, but quickly turned the focus away from himself, to challenge all those gathered to honor him. He urged everyone to “act as if the future of the world depend upon what you do today,” and meet the challenge to make sure that the voice of powerless people are heard” that “righteousness triumphs over selfishness” and “justice triumphs over greed”. Rabbi Marx advised all to look around the room and always “remember that you are not alone.”

Following the brunch Mark Weber SVD and Derek Simons SVD representing the Society of the Divine Word, (host and sponsor of the day’s events) joined Rabbi Marx, Dr. Esmail Koushanpour, Executive Director of the Islamic Information Center, Northbrook, and many others as they filed outdoors to help rededicate the Northbrook-Techny Peace Pole.

The day was filled with heartfelt stories originating from diverse communities which magically came together as an expanded family searching for peace, justice and home.

The JustStories festival was sponsored by Divine Word and also the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs. The event was also supported by the Northbrook Community Relations Commission and the Northbrook Youth Commission.

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PREVIOUS JUSTSTORIES FESTIVALS
Read About the 2005 JustStories Festival
Read About the 2003-2004 Festivals