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Peace camp builds hope for the next generation
Portland Press Herald

Aug 12, 1997 / No Comments

Arab and Israeli teens gather to learn that they can live together without violence

From the earliest moments of civilization, the people of the Middle East have struggled with cultural and religious differences. Set in that context, one can easily become discouraged. The conflict has spanned generations and recent events threaten to doom the region’s children to a violent world.

In Otisfield this month, however, there is hope. It is the hope that lies perpetually in the next generation. It is the Seeds of Peace International Camp.

Founded in 1993 and now in its permanent home in Maine, the camp brings together young people from throughout the Middle East. Organizers teach a simple and powerful lesson: Arabs and Israelis can live together without violence.

Campers come together and have fun. They swim, play games and dine with one another. They also talk directly about the issues that divide their parents.

The peace camp is an investment in the future. It won’t put the ongoing talks between Israel and the Palestinians back on track. It won’t rein in the extremists on both sides to make peace possible. Those are the immediate issues for the grown-ups.

The peace camp instead lays the foundation for a lasting end to an old conflict. It is a brighter future built one child at a time here in Maine.

Seeds of Peace: The Young Show the Way
The Egyptian Gazette

Jun 3, 1994 / No Comments

BY SAMIR RAAFAT | Strange but true. Last August, against all odds, 46 11-14 year old Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian boys (from Gaza and the occupied territories) traveled 8,000 kilometers to meet.

The venue was a summer camp in the state of Maine, USA, sponsored by a budding American non-profit program called Seeds of Peace. The purpose of this exercise was to encourage the three groups to interact away from the scenes of prejudice, the intifada, and other every day reminders they were on opposite sides of the fence.

For the Israelis and Palestinians who live side by side in circumstances and conditions that are diametrically opposed—one is the occupier and the oppressor and the other is the occupied and the oppressed—it must have been a particularly difficult, if not traumatic experience. But a meeting such as this could not have been conducted otherwise; far from home and away from hate, death, and destruction.

What started out with hostile exchanged and the opening of old wounds, gradually metamorphosed into sensible, sometimes emotional dialogues and debates between “enemy” camps. The Israeli boys naturally brought up the Holocaust, evoking how their great grandparents had been murdered by the Germans in Europe. The Palestinians retaliated by referring to the summary imprisonment and deportation of Palestinians from their homeland and to the on-going massacres where their fathers, uncles, and older brothers are victims of armed Jewish settlers and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces).

Every one seemed to have a larger-than-life chip on his shoulder. In the words of the program’s founder, the Rubicon of pain had to be crossed before harmony and understanding could be reached.

At the end of the day the consensus was reached. The camp was an unforgettable experience. Sports, debates, trekking, pranks, and practical jokes were all part of the menu along with debates, lectures, and group projects.

It did not end there. Trips were planned to different parts of the East Coast. A brief stop in New York included a Broadway show, a visit with the mayor at Gracie Mansion, a football game where they talked with the Giant’s Jumbo Elliot and a session at United Nations— the home of dozens of unresolved resolutions pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict. A 13 year old Palestinian could not resist asking Gillian Sorenson, a senior UN official, why the resolutions concerning the illegal occupation of Gaza and the Territories by Israel were constantly ignored while the wrath of God was put behind those dealing with Iraq. Even at this young age, Fadi was confused as to why the UN was not consistent and why the organization sanctioned double standards.

As though in contrast to the world’s idiosyncrasies reflected in the UN’s halls, the boys were taken to a nearby eatery where they couldn’t find anything to argue about, even if they tried. At MacDonald’s the vote concerning the merits of the Big Mac was unanimous!

When the boys set off for the United Nations, neither they nor their sponsors imagined that they would attend a historic ceremony at the White House. Neither did the ceremony’s signatories for that matter. But the unthinkable happened.

On Monday, September 12, 1993, Rabi and Arafat shook hands while Bill Clinton encouragingly prodded them along. Ironically, this was once case where the grown ups had been led by the kids, for the Israeli and Arab boys had already shaken hands several weeks earlier. Witnessing history unfold from their front row seat on the White House lawn were the 46 bewildered boys from the Middle East. They had been personally invited to attend by none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Seeds of Peace was the brainchild of John Wallach, an American Jew who works as a foreign editor for Hearst newspapers. John and his wife Janet are co-authors of the book Arafat: In the Eyes of the Beholder. Assisting them on the project’s Board (which includes several important personalities including Zbigniew Brezezinski, Clovis Maksoud, and Edmond Muskie) are Mohammad Hakki, former Press Counselor at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington and Christine Covey, wife of Jack Covey the former No. 2 at the US Embassy in Cairo.

As for the boys (Seeds), they were selected by their respective educational establishments on academic and character now that an unusual friendship has been born between 46 children in the United States, what is next? Capitalizing on this unique experience, Seeds of Peace is branching out in different but related directions. There is a newsletter so that participants can stay in touch. A stateside road show was held for the posters that were made at the summer camp. More summer camps will be held. A fund raising dinner will come also to be attended by the senior delegated (Palestinian, Israeli, and others) who attended the Peace Conference. There, they will listen to live testimonials from Seeds of Peace returnees.

Hopefully, there will be some cross-border visits between the Seeds of Peace alumni. In Egypt, the returnees have already spread their message to eager listeners including Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, and Minister of Youth Emara.

As Tarek Mohana remarked, the 14 year old Egyptian returnee (CAC student) said, it is now up to the “trees of peace” to make the next move.

Zabaneh, Tunkel, and Palakurthi Rao join Seeds of Peace Board of Directors

Apr 25, 2022 / No Comments

Seeds of Peace proudly welcomes three new members to its board, Samir Zabaneh, Anna Tunkel, and Sushant Palakurthi Rao—proven leaders with the skills and commitment to help lead the organization into its third decade and advance its mission of creating more just and inclusive societies.

“All three bring a depth of expertise and global experience and will help drive our ambitious agenda for growth and impact,” says Seeds of Peace Executive Director Josh Thomas.

Samir Zabaneh is a Palestinian-Canadian based in Toronto and is chairman and CEO of TouchBistro Inc., a software company providing various restaurant management and payments solutions. He received a Master of Science in Finance from Boston College, an MBA from Suffolk University, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University.

“I have a strong conviction that just and lasting peace is possible through dialogue and common understanding. This conviction became even stronger when I listened to young Seeds in various areas of conflict talk about their experiences,” he says.

Anna Tunkel is a 1995 Israeli Seed and is an executive director and head of strategic partnerships and global engagement at APCO Worldwide. She has nearly two decades of experience at the nexus of business strategy, ESG, public affairs and communications, advising global organizations from leading Fortune 100 companies to sovereign wealth funds, family offices and disruptive start-ups on advancing business and societal impact.

Anna is an advisor to Massachusetts Institute of Technology flagship Solve initiative focused on Resilient Ecosystems and Economic Prosperity, serves on B-20 Taskforce for Energy, Climate and Sustainability as part of Indonesia’s 2022 G-20 Presidency and is member of World Economic Forum Future Agenda Council on Transparency and Anti-Corruption. She holds a Master of Science with academic distinction from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Mandarin and East Asian Studies from Tel Aviv University.

“Seeds of Peace is a transformational organization. Its programs focused on youth leadership development are changing legacies of conflict and are more relevant and pressing today than ever before. Seeds of Peace changed my life,” Anna says.

Sushant Palakurthi Rao is a German-American and overseas citizen of India based in Hamburg, Germany, and is Managing Director, Global External Relations at Agility. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Affairs from Columbia University, and a Master of Global Leadership from INSEAD in conjunction with the World Economic Forum. Prior to joining Agility, Sushant was the head of Asia Pacific and a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum from 2005 to 2015 in Geneva.

“I am deeply honored to join the board of Seeds of Peace to contribute to the advancement and evolution of its mission,” he says.

Seeds of Peace equips exceptional youth and educators with the skills and relationships to work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies.

Summer camp is Heaven on Earth­
Courier Post (New Jersey)

Nov 23, 2004 / No Comments

Seeds of Peace

Seeds of Peace Bunk 8 was made up of counselor Mandy of Chicago (top row from left), Nouf of Kuwait, Kavita of Georgia, Kaitlyn of New Jersey, Janet of Texas, counselor Fadia of Chicago, Jess of Chicago (bottom row from left), Sarah of Yemen, Safi of Egypt and Shatha of Jordan.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final part in a series by Static Writer Kaitlyn McMahon that chronicles her experience at a unique camp this summer.

At camp, there was writing all over. Writing on the walls, on the ceilings, on the bedposts, even in the bathrooms, and though the messages were written alternately in English, Arabic and Hebrew, most conveyed a similar message: Seeds of Peace is heaven on Earth.

For the first few days, I wasn’t sure if I agreed with this idea. As my bunkmates and my counselors can attest to, it took me awhile to get accustomed to being without the luxuries of home. With about 15 minutes’ time allotted for showers each day and a half hour to get up and out in the morning, there wasn’t much room in the schedule for blow-drying hair or putting on makeup. Bad hair? No makeup? Surely this was not paradise!

I admit it took me far too long to realize that my camp predecessors weren’t talking about the material elements or the facilities at camp; they were talking about the people and the environment, the safety, the comfort. These are the things I miss most about Seeds of Peace. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I was there again, knitting with my bunkmates or debating with my dialogue group, feeling like we were all in our own world where cultural differences didn’t separate us.

Near the end of each camp session, everyone is randomly split into two teams for Color Games. The green team and the blue team face each other in intense competition for two to three days. Color Games highlight all kinds of abilities (with activities in areas like athletics, music, art and even cooking), and they manage to include and to unify the whole camp.

All disagreements or biases are forgotten when you and your teammates must work together for the common good of green or blue.

The Color Games were amazing. We all became attached to our teams, feeling emotion with each win or loss and making up cheers for team spirit. We worked and played hard, and it was worth every moment of the experience. Color Games broke down all the boundaries at camp and in the end, they brought us together more than any of us thought possible.

The same night Color Games concluded, we had a big campfire. Each of the eight coaches from our teams gave speeches, mentioning how proud they were of us for working together so well and hoping that we had as much fun as they did. Tim Wilson (camp director and Seeds of Peace vice president) gave us a speech as well, saying that he hoped we had valued our time at Seeds and enjoyed every moment.

I started to cry while Tim was speaking. I didn’t take advantage of the experience as much as I should have, I thought. Maybe I spent too much time dwelling on the insignificant things and not understanding and treasuring the big picture. What a wonderful place, what fantastic people—and now I had only one day left at camp to enjoy them.

The last day, we met with our dialogue groups one final time. Group E had a little party, laughing and joking and having fun with each other. Ahmad Al-Shammri, from Kuwait, said he had some gifts for the American girls—he gave all four of us traditional Kuwaiti dresses. We put them on over our clothes and exclaimed how beautiful they were. I had brought some gifts to give to my new friends also, so I gave out souvenirs from Cape May.

Bader Jamjoom, from Saudi Arabia, said, “Hey Kait, what’s Cape May?”

The next morning we got up, ate breakfast and finished packing. Buses were waiting to take all the kids from Beyond Borders to Boston. We shared warm goodbyes with many of our counselors who could not join us on our trip because of obligations at work or school. We boarded the buses and waved goodbye to camp, missing it already.

Boston was great. We went shopping in Quincy Market, and all the Arab kids rushed into the Gap to buy “American clothes.” We also went sightseeing on a Duck Tour and later had dinner in the John F. Kennedy Library.

When it was time for us to leave Boston to board our planes and head back home, many of us were crying. We had all become so close in the last two weeks, sharing an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and now we’d have to go six months without seeing one another.

Beyond Borders will meet again in Jordan for a week in March. We will be visiting historical and cultural sites, hearing speakers and meeting again with our dialogue groups for continued leadership training.

I miss my friends, especially Bunk 8 and Group E, every day. Often I say to myself, “Ash would think this was hilarious!” or “Joan would love this song.” All of us are connected by this experience. We will all hold special places in our hearts and minds for Seeds of Peace—and for one another.

Interview with Indian, Pakistani Seeds
BBC News

Dec 23, 2010 / 1 Comment

Two young people extending the hand of peace across the divide between India and Pakistan. 25-year-old entrepreneur Qasim Aslam from Lahore in Pakistan, and 23-year-old law student Parinaz Vakil from Mumbai in India share their experiences of working towards a better future. 

Matthew Bannister (BBC): Hello and welcome to Outlook from the BBC World Service. This is Matthew Bannister with more extraordinary personal stories from around the world. Today … two young people who are working for peace across the divide between India and Pakistan. […]

There are many conflicts around the world which just seem to defy all attempts at resolution—historic, deep-seated struggles where mistrust and hatred are deeply embedded on both sides. Examples include the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and the tensions between India and Pakistan. There have been many attempts to break down the barriers, so far without great success. But now a project called Seeds of Peace is targeting the next generation of potential leaders in conflict zones like these, in the hope that seeds planted today will bear peaceful fruit in the future. Young people who join this scheme attend summer camps in the United States and take part in exchange visits to homes in each other’s countries.

I’ve been talking to two of them: 25-year-old entrepreneur Qasim Aslam from Lahore in Pakistan, and 23-year-old law student Parinaz Vakil from Mumbai in India. I asked Qasim what preconceptions he had about Indian people when he was heading off for his first summer camp in the USA.

Qasim: I had never met an Indian before I went to Camp. Most of the stories that we had heard about the Indians were through our parents, through our grandparents, and most of those were pertaining to Partition and how the Hindus had brutalized the Muslims while they were migrating to Pakistan. So we had a very demonized image of the Indians in mind.

Bannister: And when you got to the Camp, did you have trouble meeting up with the Indian kids? Did you have arguments with them?

Qasim: I was just 14 years old and I didn’t care that much, so when they arrived they were just like any other kids. But once we actually got talking about our histories, we saw that there were quite stark differences in our histories, and I realized that they were attacking the version of history that I had learned throughout my life. And then all of a sudden that pseudo-patriotic sense kicked in and then I started hating them.

Bannister: Right, so you did get into some quite violent arguments about the different versions of history?

Qasim: Not necessarily violent, but definitely passionate arguments. After quite a few days of heated arguments, we actually realized that they’re quite friendly people. They’re actually, you know, just like us.

Bannister: Now Parinaz, you went to Camp for the first time in 2002, a year later than Qasim. Did you have a similar experience?

Parinaz: Absolutely, absolutely. There were a lot of times when we disagreed. We argued, we fought. But at the same time, we got along so well.

Bannister: Did it make you challenge your idea of what the truth actually is?

Parinaz: Absolutely. You go there with this history that you’ve studied, and then you go there and they, like Aslam said, have an absolutely contrary version of the same history. So, you know, it really makes you question any information for that matter that you just take as truth.

Bannister: It’s interesting that it wasn’t just people from Pakistan and India at this camp, as I understand it there were also people from across the Israeli-Palestinian divide. Were they going through the same experience and the same anguish, really, of challenging each other’s point of view?

Parinaz: In my opinion, I think it was a lot easier for the Indians and Pakistanis to get along than it was for the Israelis and the Palestinians. They got to Camp [and] literally freaked out about each other. I mean, in my year there were kids that didn’t want to sleep in the same bunks because they were scared that they’d be hurt by the other side while they were sleeping. But for the Indians and Pakistanis it was a lot easier to be friends.

Bannister: Right. I was going to ask you about that, Qasim, because presumably you and Parinaz met. Did you find yourself becoming friends despite the differences between you?

Qasim: Absolutely. Like Parinaz said, Indians and Pakistanis also have quite a few interests in common, like Bollywood movies and sports—we’re passionate about the same sports. So we had a lot in common. We had a lot to talk about.

Bannister: And Parinaz, do you keep in touch outside of the Camp?

Parinaz: Initially, when we got back from Camp, we kept in touch very frequently. But then people started working, or school happened, and at least in my experience, we would contact each other less frequently, maybe once in two weeks, maybe once a month. But in times of crisis, for example, whether it’s a natural calamity or a bomb blast, not even necessarily in the city where the Seeds are, we find that you get inundated with calls from the other side. And I think it’s really, really remarkable given the fact that it’s not easy to call the other side in times like that. Chances of your phones being tapped, chances of the police coming knocking on your door asking why you’re calling them, are quite high in times like those.

Bannister: Well, it’s interesting, Qasim, because not only did you go to Camp in the United States, but you also went on a Homestay in Mumbai with the family of a friend from the Camp. Did you feel nervous when you first went to Mumbai?

Qasim: Not at all. I was actually curious about the differences. It was interesting to see that once we landed, it was pretty much the same.

Bannister: I think, Parinaz, you had quite an interesting journey by bus traveling to Pakistan for your Homestay experience.

Parinaz: We were the first year that went to the other side. We actually got to alight from the bus at the border, and walk across the actual White Line. We got such an amazing reception on the other side. We were ushered into this special diplomatic guesthouse and given cold water to drink. I mean, it was fantastic hospitality.

Bannister: But of course, Parinaz, you had an experience of the reality of the conflict, because you were in Mumbai when attacks happened on the hotel there and on other areas in the city. Can you remember where you were and what happened to you during those attacks?

Parinaz: I stay not far from the Taj Mahal Hotel—I stay about 30 seconds away. It was an awful place to be for those three days.

Bannister: But there was a lot of anti-Pakistan feeling in Mumbai after those attacks. Did you see any of that?

Parinaz: Well, I did. There was a candlelight vigil that was being held about three days after it ended. And not far from me there was this group of really burly men who were shouting slogans. Well everyone was dealing with it in their own way—there were people who were talking against the government and I mean, heaps of things—so I didn’t really pay much attention to it. Until I heard someone scream “Pakistan murdabad,” which essentially translates as “death to Pakistan.” And at that point I don’t know what quite what got into me.

I wielded my way right into the middle of the mob. My mom was quite terrified. And I started screaming to be heard over their shouting. And I asked them who they thought actually did this, what it is they thought they were going to achieve by, say, bombing Pakistan, whether they actually thought that killing innocent people was going to achieve anything. I just kept asking them all these questions. And slowly they began to answer me. They started questioning me. They started questioning my loyalties, you know: “What side are you on?” “How can you justify this?” They questioned me; I responded to them.

On that really high emotional note, we were actually engaging in dialogue. And I really do believe that Seeds of Peace is to—well, I can say blame—but, yeah: it has to be given complete credit for it.

Bannister: Qasim, it’s an interesting name: Seeds of Peace. Do you think that by planting these seeds, the organization is going to have an effect on the future conflict between the two countries?

Qasim: The ideology of Seeds of Peace is to train the leaders of tomorrow so that they can be better than the leaders of today. So as far as ideology is concerned, I think they’ve got it spot on.

Bannister: Qasim Aslam in Lahore, and Parinaz Vakil in Mumbai.

Listen to Matthew Bannister’s Outlook (BBC) interview »

Camp nudges youngsters closer to peace
The Advertiser Democrat (Maine)

Jul 30, 1998 / No Comments

BY CHARLES E. HOWELL | OTISFIELD Governor Angus King faced an audience last Thursday during his visit to the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield that was powerful and unique in Maine, if not the world.

King stepped before the 175 teenage Arabs and Israelis on their fifth day of a three week stay at the camp, during which they will try to find common ground for peace with the hope that they can have influence when they are adults. It was an audience skeptical and hardened after lifetimes of strife against the words of a politician, although they were polite, attentive and self-controlled.

After introductions, the audience, ages ranging from 13 to 17, sang their song, “I am a Seed of Peace,” which was delivered with a stirring power that can only be understood by the circumstance of their lives and their present mission.

The subtitle under a camp banner says, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders/A Training Ground for Peace.” John Wallach, the founder of the camp, said that mission is carried out at the camp in two legs: regular daily camp activities like any other camp for teenagers and twice-daily “coexistence sessions,” one in the morning, one in the evening.

The camp director is Tim Wilson, the first chairman of the Maine Human Rights Commission, who served under Governors Curtis, Longley and Brennan. He views his job as having one more chance to reduce hatred and prejudice.

All the teens are thoroughly and continuously mixed in their cabins, their sports and other activities, said Bobbie Gottschalk, the Seeds of Peace executive vice-president. The teens come from Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia and Qatar.

In the coexistence sessions, while the group is mixed by country of origin, they continue meeting together for the entire three weeks. It is during these sessions that they talk about their issues, monitored by facilitators.

“We’re trying to give them the tools they’ll need to work for life for coexistence. We’re teaching them to respect each other,” said Gottschalk.

Graham Baxter, a counselor from Toronto, who is majoring in architecture at the University of Toronto, said that at the time of the governor’s visit, it may be the most difficult for the young people. They are just over jet lag and the excitement of travel, he said, and they want to express their feelings. They have not had time yet to work things out or even get a firm footing. Later, he said, they will have formed more bonds and found at least some common ground of agreement.

The need to be heard and the overwhelming influence of emotions and pain made interviewing a mixed group of teens a sometimes wild affair, in spite of their continual efforts of self-control.

After the talk by King, I spoke with Badawi Qawasmi, a Palestinian; Zeina Hassan, an Egyptian; Nadov Stark, an Israeli; and Inbal Shacked, also an Israeli. The group never failed in manners with the exception of frequent interruptions, which is remarkable considering the storms of emotions that each person felt. All had lost relatives, friends or homes in the conflicts of the Middle East. All had been in the middle of the conflict since birth and feel that the “other side” has put forward many lies. Each also hold separate reasons for anger.

During the interview, the talk constantly slipped back to the troubles in the past and present in the Middle East, even though all four tried to keep to the subject of the present at the Seeds of Peace Camp. Discussion was often heated, although calm would return after a minute or so. Their efforts at calm discussion and politeness were admirable, even though the efforts at calm discussion so frequently failed.

Shacked, an Israeli who lives on the Left Bank, gives her residence as one reason for her anger, but does see the possibility for progress.

Hassan, from Egypt, is no less angry than Qawasmi of Palestine, but she does see a window of opportunity. Yet, she said that her greatest feeling at the beginning of the camp was of Arab unity.

Speaking of her coexistence sessions, she said, “When I was arguing, it was very interesting, I wanted to really know who these Israelis are. I knew there was a stereotype about Israelis. [But] I believe some of them want peace.”

Qawasmi said that living in Jerusalem, he has “a lot of contacts with Israelis, some friendships, not only in business but soldiers and settlers.”

He said he is changing his opinions somewhat at the camp already.

Stark, an Israeli from Kibutz Yahel, agreed. He said he met a lot of friends, “yea, even Palestinians,” with a smile.

After one strong emotional but brief argument, I observed that they often had trouble hearing each other because of a wall, but was cut off by Qawasmi, who finished it with a hand gesture of a wall going us, “of emotion.”

It was remarkable that even in the short, often confused exchange, each learned a little about his or her historical adversary and their own side that they had not been aware of. Each side obviously had incomplete information about the small details of their own recent history. They surprised each other with small snippets of information that showed with comments like:

“The settlers, too? I didn’t know that.”

The mis-information also showed:

“The Arab people know about the Holocaust. Come on. Many just don’t believe the numbers, that’s all.”

At the end of the interview, despite their differences, they parted politely, shaking hands, having listened some, if not agreeing much. They were trying hard, so hard.

During the introduction of King, Wallach called the young people “unique in the world.”

Earlier he described the setting of the camp. His own children had attended the camp when it was just a regular kid’s camp, Camp Powhaten. Seeds of Peace started at the camp and had moved to Wayne for an interim before returning to the present site two years ago.

After six years total, the camp has a million dollar budget, all raised privately.

He said that the governments of each country choose the youths who attend. Each youth must be fluent in English, and they are all expected to speak English during the entire program.

The camp will soon start a very small radio station called “Peace Radio.” Wallach said that the camp will soon have had 1,000 young campers go through the program.

Does it work?

“We are successful,” said Wallach. “They’ve all been fantastic.”

In the Middle East, there is an eight page newspaper called “The Olive Branch,” with articles written by present or past Seeds of Peace campers, said Wallach. Former campers meet in their own countries.

In his speech, Governor King praised Maine’s neighborliness, citing the January ice storm and early Maine history.

“Hatred comes from differences,” he said. “Civilization is an unnatural act. It takes work, constant effort to succeed.”

King pointed to the German people’s mistake of being misled by “lousy politicians” before World War II.

“You,” he said pointing to the audience, “are in a unique situation. You can make a difference.”

Seeds of Peace announces line up for “Stand Up for Peace” Comedy Benefit

Dec 1, 2009 / No Comments

Stand Up for Peace

UPDATE: the Comedy Benefit at Gotham Comedy Club in New York was a fantastic success! »

NEW YORK | The 6th Annual “Stand Up for Peace” Comedy Benefit takes place on November 30. The event will be hosted by Amer Zahr with Tim Young, Dan Nainan, Eman el Husseini, Seth Herzog, Mike Batayeh, Jim Dailakis, and Laura Spaeth.

 
Tim YoungTim Young headlines clubs all over North America, has performed on over 500 colleges campuses as well as comedy festivals in New York, Montreal, and Seattle, and he’s a fixture in the New York City club scene. He’s appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Tough Crowd, and Shorties, and you may have seen him as a commentator on VH1, MTV,TLC and the E! Channel.

 

 

Dan Nainan

Dan Nainan got his start by taking a comedy class to get over the nervousness of speaking on stage in his job as a demo engineer with Intel Corporation. After leaving Intel to pursue comedy, Dan has toured with Russell Peters. Dan has appeared on network television including “Last Comic Standing” as well as in feature films and radio and television commercials. He just completed a comedy tour of India and is performing at the upcoming TED Conference in Mysore.
 

 

Eman el Husseini

Eman el Husseini started stand-up in NYC in 2006. In her first year she founded and co-produces the monthly show BOOM (best of open mic). In 2008 Eman opened for the Axis of Evil Tour in Ottawa and was invited to be a part of the 5th and 6th NY Arab-American Comedy Festival. In 2009 Eman has been touring the US with 1001 laughs, and was a part of the first ever Arabs Gone Wild tour in Montreal. In December Eman is heading to the Middle-East for the 2nd annual Amman Comedy Festival.

 

Seth Herzog

Seth Herzog was the subject of the short film Zog’s Place. In addition, Seth hosts his weekly show Sweet at the Slipper Room on Tuesday nights. He has also enjoyed roles in such films as Safe Men, The Ten, and The Baxter. Seth has also acted in numerous commercials and on such TV shows as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Chappelle’s Show and VH1’s Best Week Ever.

 

 

Mike Bateyeh

Mike Batayeh is a native of Detroit who is of Jordanian descent. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he is a working comedian/actor/writer. As a writer he has two screenplays, one of which is in process to be produced. He was also, co-writer of a one-person show, entitled Machomen and The Women That Love Them, which was filmed at the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards) and will soon be released as a television special and DVD.  As an actor he has appeared in many television and film roles. As a comedian he has performed all over the world for all kinds of audiences in such places as Dubai, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and will soon be in Australia. NOW, KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!
 

Amer Zahr

Amer Zahr is a Palestinian-American currently living in Michigan. His comedy comes from his experiences and thoughts growing up as an Arab-American. Amer has been performing stand-up for many years and before that was an active pro-Palestinian voice. His activism included dozens of published writings and appearances on TV, including two appearances on ABC’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. He has traveled the world, performing throughout America, as well as in the Middle East, including Jordan and Oman.

 

Jim Dailakis

Jim Dailakis, an Australian Greek actor/writer/comedian and voiceover artist now based in New York City, has been touring the USA for the last 12 years headlining in the major New York comedy clubs including Caroline’s, Standup New York and Broadway. He’s also performed in Las Vegas, The Borgata in Atlantic City, The Cayman Islands and Canada. On stage, Dailakis talks about relationships, love, and mimics movie stars with an uncanny ability of being able to contort his face so he can look like them too. His performances have earned him standing ovations and adoration from audiences across the US. Being an Aussie in America is another part of his act.
 

Laura Spaeth

Laura Spaeth is a stand up comic and an actor living and working in NYC. Her comedy has been referred to as, “Tina Fey minus the cash.” A spirited host and featured act, Laura has performed regularly at The Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Caroline’s, Stand Up New York, Don’t Tell Mama’s Poole Party and Danny Aiello’s, Upstairs at Danny’s in Hoboken New Jersey. She has also participated in Gilda Radner’s Laugh Off. Blunt, acerbic with and uncanny ability for characters and impersonations, Laura is a favorite everywhere she performs.

Toll Bros. Volunteer Day & Islamic Games | Newsletter

Jun 18, 2008 / No Comments

Toll Bros. volunteers prepare Camp for Seeds

Toll BrothersToll Brothers Inc. is America’s leading luxury home builder and Bob Toll, Chairman and CEO, is a member of the Board of Directors. Over 80 people from throughout New England arrived at the Seeds of Peace Camp in Otisfield, Maine, on May 31 to lend a hand at painting, carpentry, expansion/ renovation and general repairs throughout the property. Seeds of Peace would like to give a tremendous thanks to Bob Toll, Jane Toll, and the Toll Brothers staff, including Tony Casapulla, for their hard work. They organized and recruited volunteers and created a wonderful atmosphere at camp, including great food and a fantastic raffle at the end of the day.

Upon completion, the camp officially opened for its 16th season, ready to welcome hundreds of young Americans, Egyptians, Indians, Israelis, Jordanians, Pakistanis and Palestinians for a summer of dialogue, communication and leadership training.

Seeds join Islamic Games ’08

Islamic GamesThe Islamic Games is a professional sports event within the Muslim community that develops an appreciation for sports and encourages participation from young people. In attendance were teachers, Imams, Muslim non-profit groups and other community leaders.

For Seeds of Peace, it was an opportunity to reach out to the local Muslim community. At the event, Jake Toll (YLC Member and Junior Board Member) spoke to the audience and encouraged them to stop by the Seeds of Peace booth for information and conversation. Sadeq Damrah, the Olympic swim team coach for Palestine, was also present on behalf of Seeds of Peace. Others SOP representatives such as Rami Qubain, Eitan Paul and Charles Poliacof were also present to distribute materials and promote awareness.

Seed to Seed: A friend in Gaza

This program pairs Seeds now living in Gaza with American Seeds from across the United States and allows them to communicate about current events and continue to practice dialogue and leadership skills. In addition to the one-on-one correspondence all participants can interact through a group list-serve. Already the group has started to brainstorm ways to share their experiences from the program with outside communities through Podcasts, presentations and video blogging. Thus far, 11 pairs of American and Palestinian Seeds have joined the program.

Graduate Seeds Association pools talent for peace

Returned to the Middle East and South Asia, many of our older graduates are completing their university studies and beginning careers in business, government and the professions. These young leaders are beginning to have influence in their societies and want to pool their talents to work for peace across borders and in their respective communities.

Approximately 50 of these older graduate Seeds from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and the U.S. met in Aqaba in late April and decided that an organization within the larger Seeds of Peace created for and directed by older Seeds could potentially harness the skills and abilities of interested older Seeds and encourage more of them to join. This Association is taking shape and will soon name seven young representatives for older Seeds in the Middle East, South Asia and the U.S. Once the structure is in place, more and more of our older graduate Seeds will be able to reconnect with the organization and their counterparts, have a voice in the stewardship of Seeds of Peace, launching projects in business, community service, media and government—tasked with advancing peace and understanding in their respective communities and regions.

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American Seed selected as one of top youth volunteers in the United States

Feb 9, 2016 / No Comments

Gavrielle Kamen honored for organizing dialogue sessions for over 260 US, Middle East, and South Asian students via Skype

WASHINGTON | 2015 American Seed Gavrielle Kamen was named a 2016 District of Columbia top youth volunteer by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 21st year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Gavrielle is a junior at Georgetown Day School, which nominated her for the award. She organizes weekly dialogue sessions at her school that bring together teens from the United States, Middle East and South Asia via video-conferencing to share their experiences and perspectives.

Growing up with a mother who is a psychologist, Gavrielle says she learned the importance of honest, sincere communication in resolving human conflict.

“Understanding and communication are the most primary basis for human change,” she said. “The best way to go about creating change is for people to learn how to respect, trust and communicate.”

Gavrielle returned home from her Seeds of Peace Camp experience determined to apply what she had learned and continue to build bridges among young people in countries with deep animosities.

“I decided that the way I could help the most in my community was to have as many people as possible speak face to face with other humans their age in different regions involved in the Middle East conflict,” she said.

Using large-screen Skype technology, she began hosting weekly forums involving teens from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, as well as students at her school. Her sessions began with over 60 American participants and more than 200 from overseas.

“Together, we are learning how to empathize, and what it means to obtain peace and justice,” she said.

Gavrielle was one of 102 young leaders honored for their work this year through the The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which comes with a $1,000 prize.

“Prudential commends each of these young volunteers for using their creativity and compassion to bring positive change to their communities,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We hope their stories inspire others to consider how they can make a difference, too.”

“We are pleased to honor these students not only for their exemplary acts of service, but for the powerful example they’ve set for their peers,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “Congratulations to each of the 2016 honorees.”

About The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Riya: Speaking up, raising funds for India’s migrant workers

May 17, 2021 / No Comments

At a time when the sheer devastation of COVID-19 is paralyzing swaths of Indian society, Riya is channeling empathy into action.

“My experience with Seeds has taught me that we, the young people, have the capacity to lead the change to help people, and that is what I intend to do,” she said.

The 2019 Indian Seed is working to raise funds and awareness for migrant workers who she describes as “the real backbone of India.”

It is estimated more than 140 million people from rural India migrate seasonally to bigger cities in search of work, but COVID has taken an especially deep toll on this community. Not only does the virus spread quickly among the cramped conditions in which day laborers often live, but has dried up much of the work opportunities and their ability to support themselves.

“I decided to help this section of society in whatever way I could, rather than just sitting at home and feeling helpless and sorry for them,” Riya said.

She has partnered with a volunteer-run community kitchen in Delhi that provides migrant workers and daily wage earners, including those affected by COVID, with free meals. It takes about ₹20,000 a day to run the kitchen, and she is currently about a third of the way to her goal of ₹2,00,000 (or $2,857.)

Riya said that the pandemic has deeply impacted her family and friends, on an emotional level and in terms of loss of life. She has been encouraged, however, by evidence that “the spirit of humanity is still alive and kicking,” especially in the form of people around her—including many fellow Seeds—reaching out and stepping up in times of crisis.

“It is an amazing feeling to see the community around me, rallying together to find beds, medicine, and hospitals for people who need it, and provide other areas of support to people from all walks of life,” she said. “Of the many things I learned as a Seed, the most important thing is that young people like me can help other people and make a difference in the world. It is because of my ‘Seeds of Peace’ community that I decided to start this fundraiser—so we could help people together.”

Learn more or support Riya’s fundraiser ››