Learn more about Stand Up for Peace and joining other socially-conscious young professionals on the event’s Host Committee!
ADDRESS: 239 3rd Ave (21st and 3rd Ave)
DATE: October 3, 2013
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Stand
WEBSITE: www.standupforpeace.splashthat.com
CONTACT: Jenn Lishansky | jennifer@seedsofpeace.org
Tim Wilson has more than 50 years of experience in education, public service, and athletic coaching. Currently, Tim serves as Senior Advisor to Seeds of Peace, an organization that he has been with since its founding in 1993, and Director of its Maine Seeds Programs.
Until 2006, he was the Director of both the Seeds of Peace Camp in Maine and the Seeds of Peace Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem. Prior to and during the early years of his appointment with Seeds of Peace, Tim served as the Director of Multicultural Programs for Pierce Atwood Consulting in Portland, Maine.
Tim has been appointed by three Maine Governors to posts including Chair of the Maine Human Rights Commission, State Ombudsman, and Associate Commissioner of Programming for the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Corrections. He also served as Director of the State Offices of Community Services, Civil Emergency Preparedness, and Energy. He has been the Associate Headmaster at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine, and the Director of Admissions at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
NEW YORK | Eighteen young Israeli, Palestinian and American youth leaders from Seeds of Peace will sail a 125-foot tall ship into New York Harbor on July 9 as part of the ground-breaking Seas of Peace sailing and conflict resolution program.
Started in 2011, Seas of Peace uses sail training and the secluded nature of life at sea to foster empathy, teamwork, cultural awareness, and intellectual curiosity among youth from Israel, Palestine and the United States.
“Seeing the program become a reality has been incredibly rewarding,” says Seas of Peace Co-Founder Monica Balanoff, age 24. “More importantly, those who participated in Seas of Peace have described the program as the experience of a lifetime that has the power to change the lives and minds of many.”
During their time at Seas of Peace, the students discuss who they are, where they come from, and how conflict has affected their lives.
“In choosing an environment as isolated as a sailing ship,” says Co-Founder David Nutt, age 25, “the program challenges the students to truly engage with one another, offering them no choice with whom they interact. These interactions are essential to understanding and feeling understood.”
This summer, the teens will crew Ocean Classroom Foundation’s Spirit of Massachusetts from Portland, Maine, to Newport, Rhode Island, and then to New York City before heading northeast to end in Boston.
“To go a mile in someone else’s shoes teaches empathy,” says Nutt. “Our students sail 1,000 miles together. By the end of the voyage we are family.”
“At the end of my experience at Seas, I remarked to my facilitators that I felt there was an important difference between a completed voyage and a successful one,” said one of last summer’s participants.
“It was the difference between the [ship] carrying 15 kids into Boston, and The Spirit being sailed by 15 Seeds into Boston. And for anyone who has not sailed on a schooner, it is no easy task. It requires unwavering trust in others, the ability to lead when it is required, and the maturity to follow.”
Both Nutt and Balanoff completed circumnavigations in sailboats at early ages. Nutt grew up sailing in his home state of Maine and spent six years circumnavigating with his family during his teenage years. Balanoff began sailing as a teenager. She completed a circumnavigation at age 17 with the high school program Class Afloat.
“Politicians might make treaties, but it is people who make peace,” says Balanoff. “Seas of Peace offers hope and a sense of possibility for a generation that will soon be leading their respective countries.”
For press inquiries, contact Eric Kapenga at eric@seedsofpeace.org.
www.facebook.com/seasofpeace
SEAS OF PEACE PHOTOS
NEW YORK | T-Fund is proud to announce the 2nd Annual T-Fense World Tour 2002, a charity benefit involving 18 hip streetwear labels, each designing a limited edition hand signed and numbered T-shirt around the theme of Global Peace with all proceeds to benefit Seeds of Peace, one of America’s most respected charitable organizations. The event will bring together New York’s top artists, designers, DJs, and urban trendsetters to help raise money and awareness for the cause.
The four-week exhibition will kick off with five simultaneous opening receptions on Saturday December 7th in Brooklyn, San Francisco, Pasadena, Berlin and Tokyo. At Brooklyn’s Halcyon Saturday night opening, top New York guest DJ Kenny “Dope” Gonzales will spin with other surprise guests throughout the evening. The exhibition will also feature one-of-a-kind pieces created by some of the world’s hottest artists and designers assembled by each host gallery. The $35.00 T-shirts will be sold at each location and available for purchase online at www.karmaloop.com.
T-FUND is a New York based not-for-profit corporation formed by halcyon owner Shawn Schwartz and T-Fense curator Ben Ewy. T-Fund’s mission is to finance and produce events like the T-Fense World Tour 2002 that raise funds and awareness for specific charitable organizations whose programs address the concerns of global youth culture. T-Fund projects draw together a worldwide community of small business innovators, independent artists, freelance designers and DJs. T-Fund serves as a facilitator, providing an inroad for established charities wishing to align themselves with the next generation of volunteers and donors.
HALCYON is Brooklyn’s world-renowned DJ Lounge/Coffee Shop/Record Store/Mid-Century Modern Furniture atelier. Halcyon has earned its reputation as an epicenter of NYC’s underground community since opening in 1999.
ADDRESS: Halcyon, 227 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY
DATE: December 7, 2002
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
CONTACT: Jason Charles | (212) 614-1514 or jasoncharles@earthlink.net
Stand Up for Peace, presented by the Seeds of Peace Young Leadership Committee, brings together 600 people in New York City for an evening of top comedy benefiting Seeds of Peace.
ADDRESS: 237 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
DATE: October 21, 2013
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
WEBSITE: www.standupforpeace.splashthat.com
CONTACT: Jenn Lishansky | jennifer@seedsofpeace.org
Join Seeds at Haifa’s Holiday of Holidays festival, celebrating the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays that coincide at year’s end. Seeds will be participating on Saturday, December 22 and Saturday, December 29, as part of the USAID-funded community dialogue program. The program addresses internal issues, for both Israelis and Palestinians, vital to peace-building efforts.
ADDRESS: Wadi Nisnas, Haifa
DATE: December 22, 2012
TIME: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
LOCATION: Haifa
WEBSITE: www.haifahag.com
CONTACT: center@seedsofpeace.org
OTISFIELD, MAINE | Dozens of volunteer carpenters, landscapers, painters, plumbers and electricians affiliated with Toll Brothers are spending June 8 preparing the Seeds of Peace International Camp for its 21st summer of work with youth from the Middle East, South Asia and Maine.
“I am very happy with the work we accomplished on the 15th Toll Brothers Seeds of Peace day,” said Shawn Nuckolls, Senior Project Manager at Toll Brothers. “Our annual Camp clean-up day has become a great tradition for Toll Brothers and our subcontractors. We are extremely proud to support the Seeds of Peace mission and we look forward to continuing our support every year.”
Toll Brothers Inc. is one of America’s leading luxury home builders.
Volunteers this year removed debris from across the entire Camp, performed carpentry work in every bunk, and rebuilt many of the steps and railings leading to Camp buildings.
“On behalf of our campers and staff, I would like to convey my deepest thanks to Toll Brothers and their incredible crew of volunteers,” said Seeds of Peace Executive Director Leslie Lewin.
“For 15 years now, we have been honored to host what we call “Toll Brothers Day” here in Otisfield. We are incredibly grateful to the hundreds of skilled volunteers who have dedicated their weekend to making our mission possible. We could not run this camp without their help.”
Seeds of Peace inspires and equips new generations of leaders from regions of conflict with the relationships, understanding, and skills needed to advance lasting peace. Toll Brothers is the nation’s premier builder of luxury homes. Toll Brothers, Inc., is the successor to three generations of home builders and is a publicly owned company whose stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:TOL, www.tollbrothers.com).
TOLL BROS. DAY 2013
OTISFIELD, MAINE | Armed with hammers, rakes and paint brushes, dozens of volunteers from the New England Division of Toll Brothers Inc. descended June 2 on Seeds of Peace’s International Camp to prepare the facility for its 20th summer of work with young leaders from global conflict regions.
“In one day, over 100 people affiliated with Toll Brothers work diligently to spruce up Camp,” said Executive Chairman Bob Toll. “They’ll prepare the property for the onslaught of campers who will create memories and forge lifelong friendships with previously perceived enemies.”
Toll Brothers Inc. is one of America’s leading luxury home builders and Toll is a member of the Board of Directors of Seeds of Peace.
This is the 14th consecutive summer that Toll Brothers employees, friends and family from all over the Northeast have headed to Otisfield in anticipation of the arrival of over 250 campers from the Middle East, South Asia and the United States.
“Those that come out on this one day tackle plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting, along with many other special projects,” said Toll. “The critical mission of Camp is understood and all are proud to do their part. At the end of the day there is a huge cookout and we relish the accomplishments.”
“I am so grateful for the continued dedication of Toll Brothers and their amazing volunteers and sub-contractors,” said Seeds of Peace Executive Director Leslie Lewin.
“Each year they share their talents with us, strengthen our facility and in turn strengthen the impact of our Camp program—and we have a good time doing it! On behalf of the hundreds of people who will benefit this summer from their hard work, I extend our sincerest thanks.”
Seeds of Peace inspires and equips new generations of leaders from regions of conflict with the relationships, understanding, and skills needed to advance lasting peace. Toll Brothers is the nation’s premier builder of luxury homes. Toll Brothers, Inc., is the successor to three generations of home builders and is a publicly owned company whose stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:TOL, www.tollbrothers.com).
EVENT PHOTOS
Clean Comedians announced today that they will present Comedy for Peace! featuring comedian Rabbi Bob Alper (Showtime, Good Morning America and Extra) and Palestinian-born Arab-American comedian Nazareth (NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and Comedy Central).
The shows on August 2nd and 3rd will offer non-political fun and laughter starring two funny men from different backgrounds who have become friends. Both shows will be preceded by a 30-minute live auction designed to raise funds for peace in the Middle East.
Clean Comedians plans to donate $10,000 of the show’s profits to Seeds of Peace, the conflict-resolution and coexistence program. Through its Camp in Maine and at its Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem, participants develop empathy, respect, communication/negotiation skills, and hope—the building blocks for peaceful coexistence. Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated over 2,000 teenagers representing 22 nations, including many Israeli and Palestinian youth from the Middle East.
Adam Christing, event host and president of Clean Comedians, said: “We have watched the continuing tragedy in the Middle East on the news, and are eager to reach out with our support, laughter and friendship. I hope that Comedy for Peace! will mobilize Southern Californians to join us in our efforts to raise funds for Seeds of Peace. Our business has proven to us that the shortest distance between two people is a smile. Nothing brings people together like laughter.”
The event’s corporate sponsor, Phil Liberatore, and his company, IRS Problem Solvers in La Mirada, embraced the event, as it supports his own hope for conflict resolution.
Mr. Liberatore said, “Laughter can sometimes be the best medicine.” Both of the comedians echo those sentiments and know that humor can pull down barriers and begin building bridges not only between Israelis and Palestinians, but all people.
Clean Comedians represents entertainers who believe that it doesn’t have to be filthy to be funny. The company books stand up comics, impressionists, musicians, professional and motivational keynote speakers, magicians and jugglers primarily for corporations; special events like this one are open to the public.
For more information about Clean Comedians, please visit www.cleancomedians.com.
WHEN: Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: JT Schmid’s, 2610 East Katella Blvd., Anaheim, CA (across the street from “The Pond” of the Mighty Ducks), (714) 634-9200
WHEN: Sunday, August 3, 2003 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Doubletree Hotel in Santa Monica, 1707 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA (Exit 4th Street on the I-10 Freeway), (310) 395-3332
WHAT: Clean Comedians comedy show featuring nationally recognized comedians Rabbi Bob Alper and Nazareth. There will be a 30 minute live auction before the program to help raise funds for the non-profit group Seeds of Peace.
TICKETS: Tickets are $69 and a t-shirt, dessert and other giveaways are included with each admission.
In celebration of Ramadan and the Jewish New Year, 86 Israelis and Palestinians from Camp 2010 met in Jerusalem over the weekend for a joint Iftar/Rosh Hashana dinner.
Before sitting down to share the meal, the Seeds had the opportunity to worship in the Old City and engage in dialogue with each other about the holy city’s personal and religious significance.
In Cairo and Amman, Seeds organized Ramadan Iftars to benefit local charities, while Palestinian Seeds engaged in a clothing drive for families in need.
And in Pakistan, Seeds mobilized in response to the country’s devastating floods and are working with their Indian counterparts and Seeds around the world to raise funds for relief aid.
I could not be more proud of their efforts.
On behalf of our Seeds and staff, Eid Mubarak and Shana Tova!
Leslie Adelson Lewin
Executive Director
PS Please take advantage of an opportunity to help send more Seeds to Camp in 2011. Our exciting new partner Kiss My Face has issued a challenge via Facebook. For every 10,000 that pledge online, they’ll fund another “campership.”
Pledge by going to www.thepledgeforpeace.com. If you can, please share this with your friends on Facebook. We’re well over halfway to our first campership, but time is running out!
