Advoz, a new organization joining two long-standing Lancaster County community organizations—the Center for Community Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution Services—is celebrating its inaugural year with an event titled “Around the Table with Arun Gandhi”, beginning at 5 p.m., May 4, at Spooky Nook, in Manheim. With an expected audience of 400 to 500, the event promises to bring a diverse cross-section of the community for a reception with silent auction, cultural arts presentation, full-course dinner and program featuring Dr. Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi and founder of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.

The event will use a conversational format with Arun to explore how his two years living with Grandfather Gandhi could shed light on current challenges and divisions. Ways to build and create a culture of peace will be explored. Scott LaMar, host of WITF’s Smart Talk, will receive the first Dignity in Dialogue Award as part of the event. Voices of other local peacemakers will also be recognized. The father-daughter duet, John and Helena Protopapas, will be the musical guests.

Growing up experiencing bullying, racism and reconciliation, all as the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, Arun offers special insight into building peace in the next generations. As a youth in discriminatory South Africa, he was beaten by whites for being black and by blacks for being too light. Despite wanting revenge, his two years living with Grandfather Gandhi taught a radically different kind of justice and peace. Arun founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence, now in Rochester, New York, to equip new generations of peacemakers. He has authored and edited several books on nonviolence, social justice and his grandparents, including two recent ones for young readers: Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change.

Advoz provides mediation and restorative practices, with a mission to transform conflict and build community through face-to-face dialogue programs.

Cost: $65/person; $125/couple; $450/table of eight. Location: Spooky Nook’s Olympic Hall, 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. For questions, call 717-397-2404 or email [email protected]. For more information and tickets, visit AroundTheTable.org.