A decade ago a group of Greek-American business leaders met to discuss an idea about the establishment of a new model Greek-American organization unlike others: one shying away from Church, politics, and foreign policy, yet one that embraces Hellenism’s values, ideals, and culture with the hopes of perpetuating the same. The group recognized that there is a clear nexus between the inherited heritage and legacy and impact on individual and collective successes, happiness, balance, and well-being. Moreover, the group believed that it is imperative to pass on this heritage and legacy to future generations, albeit as a symbol of the recognition of the sacrifices and efforts their forebears faced to ensure their dreams for all of us came true. 

The envisioned organization would comprise accomplished individuals of the highest caliber in terms of integrity, character, and dedication. They would be invited to join and in doing so would find opportunities to meet with one another, to celebrate the hallmark joie de vivre of a collective Greek spirit and work towards developing programs that support efforts that really make a difference.

NHS Members and guests are invited to join the National Hellenic Society's New York Chapter for a special evening in support of our Heritage Greece Program at the Plandome Golf Country Club in Plandome, New York on Friday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m.

This past year, Summer 2019, marked the 10 Year Anniversary of the Heritage Greece Program.  Watching this program grow and evolve over this period of time has been inspiring and magical. The National Hellenic Society has sent over 400 young adults to Greece for a two week cultural immersion program in the past 10 years.  As much of an accomplishment as that is, there is room to grow.  This program has been described as "life changing" and "an experience they will never forget".  In order to expand and preserve this program we ask for your help.

Please join NHS members and guests to support our beloved Heritage Greece Program.  An evening of dining and entertainment.  Entry per person is $495 which includes food, beverage, and Poker Tournament entry (to the first 140 people who register), and a Grand Prize entry- Two Round Trip Business Class Tickets (NYC to Athens).  Those who register after the first 140 slots are filled, will be entered in Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette tournament.

On Monday, March 18th, following The White House’s Greek Independence Day celebration, the National Hellenic Society’s Washington, DC Chapter hosted a reception at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel.  Co-chairs Mike Manatos & Louis Courembis welcomed attendees to the annual celebration of heritage and culture as well as introduced some of the night’s honored guests to give their remarks.  Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH), Foreign Minister George Koumoutsakos, AHEPA Past Supreme President Carl R. Hollister, New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, NHS Chairman Drake Behrakis, and NHS Executive Director Art Dimopoulos were among those who spoke during the evening.  The event also promoted the “Cliffs of Freedom” film produced and written by NHS Members Dean and Marianne Metropoulos, as well as the National Hellenic Society’s Heritage Greece program.  

The Hellenic Journal recently featured an article by Heritage Greece Alumnus Elizabeth Tzagournis highlighting her experience as a member of the 2017 Heritage Greece Program's excursion. 

Click here to read the full article!

This past Saturday, December 15, many of our Heritage Greece Program alumni attended the Mistletoe Gala in New York, NY.  The gala was hosted by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at the Harvard Club in New York City, and created the opportunity for a miniature Heritage Greece reunion.  The NHS is proud to see that the life long friendships created through this program continue to be lasting and continue to show signs of living on forever!

New York - This past weekend, Heritage Greece Alumni Dimitri Roumeliotis and John Banas attended the annual meeting of the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA).  They had the opportunity to address the conference attendees and made a presentation about the Heritage Greece Program and highlighted the benefits as well as how the program has impacted them. 

And they’re off! Every year, the National Hellenic Society sponsors Greek American college students on a two-week educational and cultural immersion experience at the American College of Greece to discover their heritage and culture through the Heritage Greece Program. This year, we are proud to sponsor 65 participants, joined by 13 peer students from ACG.

Meeting in Washington, DC before heading to Greece tonight, the group visited the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies, where they heard from several classicist and fellows, and the Greek Embassy where His Excellency Ambassador Lalacos and his diplomatic corps welcomed the participants and provided an overview of Greece’s challenges. They then visited Capitol Hill, where they met with Congressman John Sarbanes, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and the staffs of Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Congressman Charlie Crist, and Congresswoman Dina Titus! This is just the beginning of a life-long commitment to these Greek American ambassadors of Hellenic heritage!

Safe travels and καλό ταξίδι παιδιά!