Dear Seeds Family,
I write to you after days of searching for the right words, knowing even now that nothing I say will feel sufficient. After nearly a month of horrific violence in Gaza, and killing in Israel and Palestine, I am deeply angered by each day that goes by with so many of you living amid such fear, death, and destruction.
Every day I hold my breath as I make calls to ensure our Seeds and staff are still alive. I cannot even imagine how those of you living in harm’s way feel right now.
I want to share with you some of the conversations that I have been having with many members of Seeds of Peace’s leadership—Bobbie, Tim, Eva, Wil—as well as Seeds. As an organization, this has been a time of profound soul searching as we think critically about what we are and what we want to be.
Seeds of Peace was never meant to be a public advocacy, political lobbying, or humanitarian organization. We are not charged with, nor are we capable of, negotiating political solutions. Our mission has been to provide skills and experiences that allow you to take on these roles and lead change in your communities, and do everything we can to elevate your voices and share your work. Even in the darkness, I have seen countless examples of the impact of this work and the ways in which you are exercising your leadership.
In 1993, when John founded Seeds of Peace, peace in the immediate future felt possible; John looked to support graduates who could help peace take root after agreements were signed. Those hopeful years faded, and agreements signed between Palestinians and Israelis have failed to result in a just peace.
Seeds of Peace programs have over time grown to better address this reality on the ground, and we are still evolving daily.
I can understand that being part of an organization focused on the long term feels insufficient right now, when so many of you are fearing for your lives or worried about friends and loved ones. I respect that many of you are wrestling with your own expectations of Seeds of Peace in this moment, and want you to know that we are doing the same, and invite you to be part of our process.
What is certain is that we exist to stand by and support you as you share your stories, tell your truths and work towards change in and between your communities. Our programming in all regions and for all ages is designed around this core principle. We will continue providing transformational experiences, forging connections and creating spaces where you can raise your voices to audiences that would not otherwise hear them.
I have been inspired numerous times over the past few weeks by the ways in which many of you have done just this, even under such difficult circumstances. But, there have also been discouraging moments when members of our Seeds family have failed to show the respect we strive for.
We will continue to encourage empathy and engagement over dehumanization and demonization. We will continue to value respect, responsibility, and courage.
We are also morally, ethically, and emotionally compelled to join countless other voices in condemning violence in all its forms, while acknowledging that ceasefires are only the first step in addressing the injustice, fear, and hatred at the root of this violence.
As you may know, Camp is currently underway. I am in awe of the courage these Seeds have shown in bringing their voices to the table at this time. While we still treasure the safe space we create here in Maine, we are not naive to the realities from which these Seeds come, and have adjusted Camp to respect these realities.
The bright spots for me these past few weeks have been hearing from so many of you. Our community of alumni and staff continues to be one of the most caring and passionate networks I know. Even the difficult conversations remind me of why being a part of this community is so powerful.
I want to know how you are, and what you are thinking. How can we better support you? How can we mobilize our community to come together and take action in ways that are meaningful?
We strive to provide the platform and invite you to help shape it. Our charge over the next weeks will be to assemble your recommendations and build meaningful programs. Even if you do not have answers to these questions, write me with sincerity, and I promise to respond with the same care.
With love and respect,
Leslie