JERUSALEM | Sixteen Israeli Seeds (Jewish Israeli and Palestinian citizens of Israel) met for a two-day seminar to tackle the new identities they will face as they transition from high school into adulthood, army service, and university life. The June 16-17 program was held at St. Andrews Scots Guesthouse in Jerusalem.
The Next Steps Seminar explored ways these new identities will connect with their current identity as Seeds and will impact their relationships with other Palestinian and Israeli Seeds.
Dialogue during the event focused on where the Seeds are now and where they are headed in the future.
“The army was a dominant topic, and seeds shared in small groups activities their thoughts of what their service will mean to them and to their peers,” said Maayan Poleg, Seeds of Peace Middle East Program Director, who helped organize the event.
“Seeds learned about the different ways Seeds of Peace can play a role in their future, as well as how they can impact and support each other along the way.”
As part of the seminar, the participants met with older Seeds alumni, who shared their own experiences with them.
“I was so nervous about the future before coming here, but you all shared similar concerns to mine, so I am getting out of this weekend knowing I am not the only one feeling the way I do,” said one participant.