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GATHER Fellows London Blog

Oct 16, 2015 / No Comments

Seeds of Peace’s first class of GATHER Fellows convened last week in London for the New Fellows Retreat.

Over the course of five days, this intensive leadership accelerator offered the 2015 GATHER Fellows a multitude of experiences and opportunities by drawing on London’s diverse offerings, resources and status as a hub for social change.

Mohamed Rahmy, Director of Seeds of Peace Graduate Programs, shares highlights from the week.

From beginning to end, using Impact Hub Westminster as our base camp, the New Fellows Retreat was a journey through which Fellows, guided by their own personal and professional needs and varying stages of project development, picked up various resources along the way in the form of skills, connections, and new learnings that serve as a requisite to their personal and their project’s growth and development.

On the first day, we started with Street Wisdom, led and facilitated by inspiring social artist David Pearl and a team of passionate volunteers. Street Wisdom encouraged Fellows to ask questions about their future and engage in an interactive exercise that helped them identify personal and professional goals, while seeking intuitive, creative and inspiring answers from the most unconventional places to do so: the streets of London.

David Pearl – GATHER

David Pearl leading a group of Fellows on the streets of London as part of Street Wisdom.

By the end of the activity (check out David’s blog), participants had come to realize that a new door of opportunities for personal and professional betterment was opened for them, and that new avenues to seek advice, reassurance, feedback or even straight-on answers to some of life’s questions exist and are easily accessible. Fellows felt energized and warmed up for what was to follow.

TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS

Building off previous successful engagements with the GATHER initiative in Jordan and Jerusalem, Serial Entrepreneur and Brown University Professor Danny Warshay led a workshop for the GATHER Fellows that kicked off with the “think-big” and “envision forests not seedlings” mantras and approaches as a key ingredient to a future-focused and innovative entrepreneurial thinking, before honing in on one of the most critical skills in entrepreneurship: bottom-up research. The workshop guided the Fellows on how to identify and validate unmet needs in an attempt to better strategize their approaches and thus scale the impact of their work.

Emanating from the importance of storytelling and the necessity of communicating a compelling narrative about the ‘alternative’ world these brave change-makers seek to create through their innovative endeavors and initiatives, an engaging and interactive Communications and Media training was led in partnership with Burson-Marsteller, one of the top-10 public relations and communication firms in the world.

In a combination of classroom session, hands-on workshop and practical work, the Fellows benefited from the world-class training capabilities of the trainers who coached them on messaging development before moving to Burson-Marsteller’s own in-house studios for on-camera mock interviews, followed by individualized feedback that put the training’s learnings into practice.

GATHER mock interview

From the control room, GATHER Fellow Christina conducting her mock-interview at the Communications and Media training.

In the Funding Strategies session, Paul Grant, founder of the Funding Game, drew on his experience with start-ups and his background in finance to share his insights and learnings with Fellows on the various options, tools and approaches that help them select the most appropriate financing or fundraising strategy for their ventures and projects.

CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING

Guest speakers were invited throughout the week to connect with the Fellows. Through telling of their personal and professional trajectories or addressing themed topics such as leadership or sustainability, these established business and industry leaders passed their knowledge, shared their success, (and failure) stories, let Fellows into their moments of self-doubt and vulnerabilities, allowing for engaging conversations to unfold in an intimate and informal setup that encouraged interaction, learning and inspiration.

Connecting with established leaders was not limited to guest speakers. At Credit Suisse, in the heart of London’s financial district at Canary Wharf, a special closed networking event was organized for the GATHER Fellows where they connected with some of the bank’s senior executives and engaged with them in small group discussions, presenting their work and seeking advice and feedback.

Fellows further heard from representatives from the Credit Suisse Modern Muse Program who organized a Q&A session for the Fellows and presented the program’s efforts to advance the economic participation and empowerment of women and girls.

Credit Suisse – GATHER

GATHER Fellows at Credit Suisse’s Networking Event.

An Exchange between Social Change Leaders was the title of another important networking event attended by the GATHER Fellows, jointly organized with and hosted by the U.S. Embassy in London. Attended by more than 40 organizations and individuals representing London’s leading social change players and agents, the event connected the Fellows with their U.K.-based peers working on similar issues. The ensuing round-table discussions allowed for networking, conversation, and exchange of practices. After the round-tables concluded, all attendees regrouped for insightful remarks given by Ambassador of the U.S. to the U.K. Matthew W. Barzun.

GATHER Roundtable

Round table Discussion, “An Exchange between Social Change Leaders” event hosted by the US Embassy in London.

GATHER group photo

US Ambassador to the UK Matthew W. Barzun taking a picture with GATHER Fellows.

While the retreat was full of events and connections established with diversified audiences, it was the Peer-to-Peer Sessions that were truly the highlight of the retreat. These sessions offered Fellows the space and time to present their work to one another, solicit questions and remarks from each other as peers living in similar environments and facing similar challenges while motivated by similar drives to change. The level of insightful and thoughtful feedback that Fellows gave to one another, the suggestions and recommendations they made and the connections that were sparked were all indicative of the incredible potential that the simple act of a conversation holds—a conversation among a community of like-minded individuals whose work focus may vary yet experiences, personal journeys and commitment to shared values are all too important to dismiss.

Rasha – GATHER

GATHER Fellow Rasha presenting her project at the Peer to Peer Session.

On the last night of the retreat, Fellows concluded the week of activities and sessions with a special dinner and networking evening hosted in their honor, in the company of more than 150 members of Seeds of Peace’s U.K.-based community. Indeed, the GATHER community draws its strength from the passion, dedication and commitment of Seeds of Peace’s community of alumni, educators, and supporters that are spread all around the globe. Each Fellow had the opportunity to present their work to the wider audience, before indulging in informal networking and socializing throughout the rest of the night.

AND THE JOURNEY CONTINUES …

With a group as diverse as the GATHER Fellows, hailing from different backgrounds, speaking different languages and working tirelessly and passionately across different sectors and on a variety of social change issues, it was important that the New Fellows Retreat offered experiences that inspire innovation, spark new thinking and facilitate connections necessary to the progress of Fellows’ projects and their abilities to lead them.

At the end of the week, one of the Fellows said it was “exhausting and exhaustive:”

“I hope each person jumps in the ocean and swims with their project. Giving each other thoughtful feedback for seven full days built strong and lasting connections as respected people and builders. I hope Seeds is the key to keep projects going.”

Indeed, it is the GATHER initiative’s mandate to support the Fellows with the incredibly important and valuable work that they are doing and, as the New Fellows Retreat ended, our work continues and so does their commitment to relentless press ahead with their life-changing ideas and efforts.
 
LONDON PHOTOS

For 130 new Seeds, Camp is just the beginning

Sep 21, 2021 / No Comments

OTISFIELD, MAINE | Over 130 youth from across the Northeast United States participated in the 2021 Seeds of Peace Camp, marking a much-anticipated return to the shores of Pleasant Lake in Maine after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

And while it was a summer that was unprecedented in the nature of its obstacles, it also showed, now more than ever, the need to empower youth to work across lines of difference and lead change in their communities.

“We knew from early on that this summer would hold myriad challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said Sarah Stone, (a.k.a. Stoney) who served as Camp co-director alongside Spencer Traylor (2008 Maine Seed) and worked with a team of Camp leads hailing from across the Northeast.

“But youth and staff showed up ready to work across lines of difference with brilliance, compassion, and courage. There was so much beauty in their ability to share space and create a strong community rooted in care and in action, despite all the uncertainty and fear in the world right now.”
The summer kicked off in July with a two-and-a-half-week session for campers from across the Northeast U.S., followed by another session in August for only youth from Maine.

Closely monitoring ever-evolving CDC guidelines and following advice from public health consultants, a decision was made early in 2021 that only youth from within driving distance of Camp would be eligible this summer—meaning that for the first time in Seeds of Peace Camp history, there would be no international campers.
Instead, youth at Camp—and in all countries where Seeds of Peace works—began their Seeds journey by engaging in dialogue over issues within their own communities and countries, rather than focusing largely on cross-border conflicts.

For campers, it provided a much needed opportunity to discuss divides within the United States, with dialogue sessions tackling topics like religion, socioeconomic status, race, and political affiliation.

After a year full of political unrest, violence, and deepening societal divides, there was plenty for youth to dig into. But after a year that also wrought a heavy toll on mental health and greatly restricted opportunities for in-person social interaction, Camp staff also had to be mindful of when campers’ comfort zones might be overstretched.

“With so many schools hybrid or fully remote, youth’s social lives and interactions were mostly curated by themselves online and they hadn’t been re-accustomed to engaging with one another outside of this context,” Stoney said.

“At Camp, we did a lot of work to learn to see and hear one another not with the distance or wall of Facebook statuses or TikTok videos, but up close and personal, truly listening, unlearning, learning.”

The expectation for dialogue, of course, has always been that Seeds would apply those experiences to take action for change in their schools and communities. This year, however, a series of workshops that prepared students to do just that were baked into Camp programming. Initiated and designed by Stoney, Community Action challenged campers to work together to identify and prepare to address issues they want to change back home.

As Danielle Whyte, a 2019 Maine Seed and Co-Leader of Community Action, described it: “Community Action is the art of amplifying the voice of the collective.”
Grouped with campers from their hometowns, youth created action plans to bring anti-racist curricula to their schools, hire more diverse faculty and staff, and build school decision-making structures that are more inclusive of student voices, to name a few. For Cayen, a Seed from Maine, it was an opportunity to return home with “concrete, realistic” plans for change.

“I feel that Community Action allows me to be reassured, organized, inspired and ecstatic that my fellow peers and I have a solid chance at bringing positive and undeniable change in myself and my community,” Cayen reflected in a Camper Report. “Community Action provides a plan, a way to enact the plan, confidence that the plan will work, and a purpose.”

The focus on youth-led action underscored many of the summer’s new additions and highlights—from camper reports in which youth shared their first-hand perspectives, to youth-led special activities, to daily inspirations provided by a different bunk at each morning lineup.

Writing in one of the reports, Faysal, a camper from Maine, said he had come to “expect the unexpected” at Camp.

Whether it was trying a new activity for the first time or having the opportunity to branch out of their groups and meet new friends at Café Night, campers explored their capabilities and how these strengths might add to the greater good of their communities.

“Seeds of Peace is an opportunity for you to find yourself in a place where you can be yourself,” Faysal wrote. “There needs to be change in the world, and here is where that starts.”

Solutions exist, peace is possible
The Jewish Journal (New Jersey)

Aug 20, 2012 / 1 Comment

BY VILMA FIRCE | “Treaties are negotiated by governments; peace is made by people” reads the mission statement of Seeds of Peace, a non-profit international organization that since 1993 has set the standard in international peace-building by providing exceptional young people and educators from regions of conflict with an otherwise impossible opportunity to meet their historic enemies face-to-face at its International Camp in Otisfield, Maine.

This summer Andrew Singer, 15, of Toms River, was one of the 211 campers representing 8 delegations: Afghan, American, Egyptian, Indian, Israeli, Jordanian, Pakistani, and Palestinian. Andrew was part of the American delegation.

“It was a deep and moving personal experience,” said Andrew, who knew about the Camp through his father and grandfather, both funding partners of Seeds of Peace since the early 1990s. “I created strong friendships with people from far away countries.”

The selection process to become a “Seed” as campers are called, is very competitive. Through written essays and an interview the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English and leadership skills.

For three and a half weeks the Seeds are given the opportunity to confront their prejudices and fears through a conflict-resolution program that tackles the issues that fuel violence, hatred and oppression at home.

According to Seeds of Peace, “Every aspect of the program fosters trust and respect and challenges assumptions. The program’s intensity is deliberate.” By the end of the Camp, every Seed had participated in over 25 hours of facilitated dialogue.

“I did realize that as an American Seed we know very little about the conflicts and countries I learned about,” said Andrew.

The campers are grouped by the conflict region they live in. This summer the regions were the Middle East and South East Asia. The Seeds of the same group share a bunk and participate in the same dialogue sessions. American campers are divided into the different groups. Andrew was assigned to the South East Asia group that included campers from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. “There were 15 Seeds in our group.”

Meals and recreational activities are encouraged to be shared among members of all delegations. “We were encouraged to meet and develop a relationship with as many Seeds as possible, doing activities that build trust, communication, and understanding with each other,” said Andrew. “We spent a lot of time outdoors, playing cricket, soccer and Frisbee. I was also able to attend Muslim and Hindu services, besides a Jewish service.”

A typical day at the Camp included 90 minutes of dialogue sessions between members of the same group to discuss their conflict region specific issues. Guided by professional facilitators, Seeds were encouraged to tackle the most divisive issues defining their conflict, share their personal experiences, compare competing historical narratives, and challenge each others’ inherited prejudices. “The set-up was very casual. We seated in plastic chairs around a circle.”

“In my group we discussed the Kashmir conflict and the Durand Line, among other heated topics, but always with respect,” said Andrew. “We also talked about women’s issues and religion. No subject was off-limits.”

The immediate goal of the Camp’s dialogue sessions is not necessarily agreement of consensus, and there isn’t any expectation that the campers should adopt or embrace each other’s viewpoints. “I believe the goal was to plant the seeds of peace within each community allowing them to then spread the knowledge they have learned,” said Andrew.

To the question, “Did you come back a different man?” Andrew replied quickly, “Absolutely,” and then added, “Being at Camp made me realize new ideas and new perspectives; that one should actually listen and to not just hear what someone has said. I know what I have experienced and more importantly felt created a bond that can’t be broken.”

Regarding political views, “My ideas of the conflicts in the Middle East and South East Asia are completely changed since I left for Camp,” affirmed Andrew.

Finally, to the question of what would he tell a disenchanted adult who doesn’t believe there is a resolution in sight for these conflict regions, Andrew responded, “There are always two sides to a story – listen to the other side. I don’t know what the future holds for these regions in conflict, but like everyone else we can hope that together we can try to create a better future. I would tell him what we were told by the camp head, Will Smith, the first day, “You must first go to war with yourself before you can make peace with anyone else.’”

Seeds of Peace does not prescribe or advocate for particular political solutions, nor are they affiliated with any political party or religious institution. The organization was founded in 1993 by journalist John Wallach.

Selection of American Seeds is conducted directly with participating high schools, and usually begins in March. For details and more information send an e-mail to: camp@seedsofpeace.org

April 10, 2014 | TRANSFORM (New York)

Apr 10, 2014 / No Comments

On Thursday, April 10, join the Seeds of Peace Young Leadership Committee in an evening of dialogue, music, and impact as we showcase the Seeds of Peace experience. Featuring dynamic and inspiring Seeds of Peace graduates, short films, a musical performance, and a special talk given by Ami Dar, Founder and Executive Director of Idealist.org. This event will give meaning behind our mission, relaying the transformative power of social change.

ADDRESS: 333 W. 23rd St. (between 8th & 9th Avenue)
DATE: April 10, 2014
TIME: Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: SVA Theater
WEBSITE: www.seedsofpeace.org/transform/
CONTACT: Jenn Lishansky | jennifer@seedsofpeace.org

Seed Stories: Living outside the box

Apr 5, 2019 / No Comments

For the first 15 years of my life, I lived in a box where where my aspirations were restricted by the people around me. I never knew there was a world beyond that box—until I learned about Seeds of Peace.

Camp gave me the courage to step out of that box and experience a completely different, inspiring, satisfying, inclusive, and better world. I started living and dreaming in that world.

At Camp, I met so many people who influenced the direction my life has taken, like my dialogue facilitator, Lulu. From spending time with me when I wasn’t feeling well, to teaching me pickleball, to helping guide me on my work to this day, she gave me confidence and support I had never had before.

Krisha, an Indian PS whom I met on the bus back to the airport on the last day of Camp, is now one of my lifelong friends and has encouraged me throughout my journey. If Camp is all about meeting the “other side,” I couldn’t think of a better way of doing so.

Not long after arriving at Camp, an American Seed named Caitlin told me about an amazing project she was running to bring people from different countries together. I was in awe that she was already developing her own project at such an early age.

I remember telling one of my counselors how inspiring the idea was, and how courageous Caitlin is to run the project. But I told him that if I had tried to do something like this back home, I would have been discouraged by the people around me. They would tell me that I needed to study first and be somebody before starting a project like that.

Then my counselor gave me two of the most important pieces of advice I’ve ever heard. First, that I’m already somebody: I’m me. Second, that age is just a number, and if you have the passion and will, all you need is the courage to believe in yourself to start something.

It was experiences like these that helped me discover my true passion: to serve my community by helping other young people follow their passion and live a meaningful life. After coming back from Camp, I started True Education, a social media campaign to help youth understand how curiosity and learning can help them find their calling.

During this journey, Lulu and Seeds from across the globe helped me develop ideas that made my campaign go from a Facebook page with no following, to reaching over three thousand people through videos, to connecting to—and advising—schools and educational organizations, to teaching in underprivileged communities.

When I aspired to make my ideas grow bigger, Seeds of Peace was a huge support. I was invited to attend the 2016 Paradigm Shifting and Leadership Program in Cyprus, which made me think about the practicality of my ideas with guidance and questions from my peers and staff members. In February 2017, I launched ACT Youth Force, a youth organization for empathetic and compassionate youngsters who want to bring change in their communities.

In two years, Act Youth Force has impacted over 4,000 people and conducted sessions with over 1,200 students in fifteen different schools across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. In 2017, my journey was featured in 50 Social Geniuses of Pakistan.

Seeds of Peace will always be the reason for where I am today. It was the push that gave me the courage and vision to start my journey. It blessed me with an amazing community that continues to support and guide me.

With the mark Seeds of Peace left on me, I am making a mark on the people around me. I now live outside the box that others had built for me. My team and I are helping students learn how to do the same; to be who they are, not what society wants them to be.

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.”

Seed Stories: Searching for humanity and dignity

Jan 22, 2019 / No Comments

Monday night flight from Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, to London where I now live.

I reach the top floor of Terminal 1. The first security officer looks at my passport and asks me to follow him and head to the line on the far right. We’ve been through this before, I know the way.

When we get there, the second security officer tries to guess what’s in my bag. Dates? Ma’amoul? I smile and say baklawa. She tells her colleagues I have baklawa. “Did you guess?” someone asks. “No, I talked to her,” she admits. From their chuckles I think this is a game they play to pass the time.

Second security officer says into her radio, “I have a ‘Mikey.’” I’m the Mikey. She asks me to put all my belongings into baskets and follow her. She needs to search my body.

Why? She doesn’t bother answering. She just says to sit down and take off my shoes. I ask if she needs me to take off my socks, too. No. Then she directs me to a small curtained space where she plans to search my body.

Me: “What about the big x-ray machine with all the radiation?” I prefer that to being felt up by a stranger.

Her: “It’s not possible at this time. You keep asking ‘Why?’ There’s no point, I just do what I’m told.”

Me: “Why was I moved to a different line?” As if I don’t already know.

Her: “I don’t know.”

When she asks me to unbutton my jeans, I unzip them and pull them down.

Me: “Is this good enough?” This doesn’t go over well.

Her: “Just the button.”

Me: “Why?”

Her: “Take off your shirt.”

I do and tell her I’m wearing another shirt underneath. “Want me take that off, too?”

Her: *hesitating* “Yes.”

She informs me she’s going to touch me with a metal detector and gestures at her breasts.

Me: “You mean you’re going to touch my breasts?”

Her: “Not with my hands.”

She runs the metal detector over my chest and says, “Good, no wires.” She’s referring to my bra.

Me: “Yes, aren’t wireless bras more comfortable?”

Her: “That’s right, me too,” and runs the metal detector over her own chest. “Turn around so I can check your hair.”

As she runs her gloved fingers through my hair and over my scalp I make a joke about not having worn enough deodorant today.

Her: “Don’t worry, you smell nice.”

She calls in her walkie-talkie for a ‘mefasek’ because she needs ‘havshala’. Mefasek means circuit-breaker; havshala means ripening.

Me: “What’s a mefasek?”

Her: “It’s a person’s job. Don’t worry, while we’re in here they’ll finish searching your belongings.” As if this is meant to reassure me.

Me: “Can you make sure they don’t eat my baklawa?”

Her: *laughs* “Has ve halila, I’m watching them.”

Me: “Do you like your job?”

Her: “Sure.”

She asks where I bought my baklawa. I answer, even though the line between small talk and interrogation is unclear. She asks where I’m from. I answer. She says her parents live nearby. I ask where. She answers. I say that’s very close to where I bought the baklawa. I ask if she lives with her parents. She says she doesn’t. I ask where she is from. She answers and tells me she recently moved house. She asks if London is fun.

Even though she won’t allow me to button up my jeans, she has allowed me to put on one of my shirts. We’re practically best friends.

Finally, her colleague, the Mefasek presumably, arrives. She introduces herself as Marva, Head of Security. She wants me to unzip my jeans and pull them down to my knees. Why? Because the metal detector was activated—probably by the metal button on my jeans. And even though her colleague has already seen my underwear and thighs, she needs to have a look for herself. I pull down my jeans as far as they’ll go.

Me: “Good enough? Need me to turn around?” I start to turn around.

“No!” they both protest. Because clearly asking me to turn around would be too much.

Me: “Are you sure?”

Marva the Mefasek: “Yes.”

Me: “Do you like your job Marva?”

Marva the Mefasek: “Yes, I believe in it,” she says with conviction.

I smile. Not sure what it is she believes in so strongly, my crotch posing a threat to passenger security or my baklawa and belongings needing to be searched in my absence. But I keep quiet. I’ve run out of things to say and I have a flight to catch. Marva the Mefasek apologises for any discomfort. I say “I’m comfortable if you are.” My new best friend offers to help me pack my stuff and wishes me a good flight. I say goodbye without making eye contact and head to the gate.

I wrote the above in anger to post on my Facebook page. It is not something I particularly enjoy sharing on social media—it is a private moment made public by an oppressive political reality and I tend to be cautious about what I share these days. It is also not an uncommon occurrence. Almost every Arab or Palestinian passing through Ben Gurion Airport is aware of the term “Mikey.” Every time I walk into Ben Gurion I feel anxious and prepare myself for what I know is coming. I also know there is far worse injustice in the world today. Ultimately, I consider myself lucky because I have always been allowed to board the plane. Not everyone is so lucky.

My way of coping is by appealing to the security officers’ humanity. The lesson I learned through Seeds of Peace is that we are all human. Finding common ground— lack of wire under our breasts and our parents being neighbours—made the experience more bearable for me, and hopefully reminded her that I am a person who deserves to be treated with dignity.

While this story is not unique, sharing it with my friends and receiving messages of support—many from Seeds—is unique and powerful.

I’ll leave you with one from my close friend Karen Golub: “I’m sorry that you’re not treated with the same dignity I am when we go through the same airport. I’m sorry we are not equal under our government. To me, home is not home without you.”

Changing the Histories of India and Pakistan
The Wall Street Journal

May 2, 2013 / No Comments

“What’s the first thing you think of when I say ‘Jinnah’?” Ayyaz Ahmad asks a Grade 10 history class in Mumbai.

“He looks like Voldemort,” one girl says, prompting everyone to erupt in laughter. “Traitor,” said another, “Evil, responsible for partition [of India].”

Many Pakistanis would be offended to hear children talk about the founding father of their country in such a way. But Mr. Ahmad isn’t surprised his question elicits this response. Indian history tends to portray Mr. Jinnah in a negative light.

Mr. Ahmad is a co-founder of The History Project, a Lahore-based group that has compiled a book to draw attention to the differences in India and Pakistan’s portrayals of history. The book contrasts the Indian and Pakistani narratives of historical events in high school textbooks.

“Our Indian textbooks place the responsibility for partition on Jinnah, while the Pakistani ones say that Gandhi was instrumental in partition
 and neither side talks in detail about the tragedy and violence during partition,” said Navaz Batlivala, a history teacher in Mumbai.

Mr. Ahmed and the two other co-founders of The History Project presented their work at four schools in Mumbai last month. They will visit 10 schools in Lahore when they return home in May.

“We are trying to give youth from India and Pakistan access to the other side of the story. Most of the time, they only hear one side,” said another co-founder of the project, Qasim Aslam.

The book includes excerpts from three Indian and nine Pakistani textbooks about 16 historical events, from the first war of independence in 1857 to the partition of the Subcontinent in 1947.

Stark contrasts emerge in the portrayal of political leaders, as well as the causes, consequences and even dates of events.

In 1905, Bengal was divided into two: West Bengal—with a Hindu majority—and East Bengal—with a Muslim Majority. The History Project refers to Indian textbooks that say the British claimed the partition was for administrative reasons, but a “hidden reason” was to divide Hindus and Muslims and curb a “rising tide of Indian nationalism.” Congress and other nationalists launched an anti-partition movement, in which both Hindus and Muslims marched, chanted slogans and composed songs to show their unity.

The Pakistani textbooks they refer to accept the British justification for the partition, saying there were “obvious administrative problems in trying to control such a large province.” But they say only Hindus launched a “violent agitation” against the partition, while Muslims were happy because they became a majority in East Bengal.

By June, The History Project team hopes to launch a Twitter feed that imagines political figures tweeting about historical events. “For example, after thousands of people showed up for the Lahore Resolution, Jinnah would tweet, ‘nailed it’ and Gandhi would comment, ‘show off’,” said Mr. Aslam.

Another event the two countries disagree on is the “Civil Disobedience Movement.” In Indian textbooks, it is celebrated as the coming together of disparate social groups to boycott British goods and join Mahatma Gandhi on the Salt March in April 1930. A blank page in The History Project suggests that Pakistani textbooks have omitted this movement from history.

“Princely States,” the final chapter of The History Project, raises the curtain on the ensuing conflict over the northern state of Kashmir, which was not delineated as part of either country when the British withdrew in 1947.

The Indian textbooks say armed intruders from Pakistan attacked Kashmir in 1947. Hari Singh, then ruler of the state, signed an agreement to join India, after which the Indian army went to defend Kashmir. But the Pakistani textbooks say Mr. Singh started a violent campaign against Kashmiri Muslims. When they revolted, with Pakistan’s support, he was forced to ask for India’s help. The Indian government agreed on the condition that Kashmir would sign an agreement to join India, the textbooks say.

The high school history curriculum in both countries doesn’t cover events after 1947. The History Project book also concludes here.

“We don’t want to raise emotions. We want children to question what they believe is the truth, and it’s easier to do that with history,” said Mr. Aslam.

The History Project juxtaposes narratives directly from textbooks, without including analysis or opinion. The illustrations use a “faceless man” to avoid stereotypes that are attached to well-known political personalities, said Zoya Siddiqui, the book’s illustrator.

The idea behind the project came from Feruzan Mehta when she was director of programs in India for Seeds of Peace, an international camp for teenagers from countries in conflict held annually in Maine.

“Historical events are politicized to substantiate present events
 and textbooks become a tool to bolster a political agenda,” said Ms. Mehta, adding that she hopes teachers in both countries use The History Project as a reference tool, going beyond the prescribed curriculum.

“Textbooks all over the world are one-sided
 each country tends to praise its own good deeds,” said Ms. Batlivala, the history teacher in Mumbai. It’s important to teach children to have an open mind, she added.

Read Shanoor Seervai’s article at The Wall Street Journal â€șâ€ș

Can Maine camp play role in Mideast peace?
Heritage Villager (Conn.)

Jun 19, 1998 / No Comments

BY LORE JAMUL | Is there anything in this world that the governments of Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Palestinian sector can agree on?

Indeed there is. It is the value of an organization of Mideast teenagers named Seeds of Peace, an internationally recognized conflict-resolution program. Yasser Arafat called it “the hope and aim which we are working to realize, namely just peace in the land of peace.” Benjamin Netanyahu said, “I wholeheartedly support your efforts,” and President Clinton agreed by saying, “I know Seeds of Peace will be remembered by an entire generation of children who have grown up in the shadow of conflict in the Middle East. The success of Seeds of Peace will mean a brighter future for the region and the world.”

Founder Speaks

Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Waterbury and Northwest Connecticut learned about Seeds of Peace from its founder and president, John Wallach, when he spoke at the Federation’s 59th annual meeting on June 7. Wallach spent most of his career as a journalist and author. He served as foreign editor for the Hearst newspapers and appeared on the PBS program Washington Week in Review for many years. His books include Arafat: In the Eyes of the Beholder, Still Small Voices, and the The New Palestinians. He has been honored by UNESCO, B’nai B’rith, and the National Press Club, and received the Medal of Friendship from Mikhail Gorbachev and the Legion of Honor from King Hussein of Jordan.

In 1993, around the time of his 50th birthday, Wallach decided that he did not just want to record history, he wanted to help make it. It was shortly after the World Trade Center bombing, and Wallach felt a need to extend a message of hope to counteract the fear the bombing had created. He asked the men then heading the governments of Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians—Rabin, Mubarak and Arafat—to permit a group of teenagers from their countries to come together for three weeks at a camp in Maine. His theory was that if you get the kids to a neutral scene and permit them to coexist in an atmosphere of love and understanding, of getting to know each other as people, that they could learn to overcome the hate which is endemic in their home countries.

Alumni Gather

Wallach’s program has been enormously successful. This May, 72 alumni of the program got together for a week in Switzerland with the mission to negotiate a peace treaty. It was a time when the peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians were at a standstill, and the young delegates faced a daunting task. But they found points of agreement on each of the issues, and managed to come up with a 50-page peace agreement, copies of which have been sent to leaders of the countries concerned with resolving the conflict.

Wallach explained that the participants in the Seeds of Peace program each summer are chosen by the governments of their home countries. The guidelines are that the youngsters must know English, and submit an essay on “Why I want to make peace with the enemy.” At least a quarter of the places are reserved for kids from poor homes. This year there were 2,200 applications for 300 spots.

The participants spend three weeks together at the Maine camp, where they share all the usual camp activities as well as regular coexistence groups, which help them learn about each other and about conflict resolution.

“At first they have trouble listening to each other, each side thinking of itself as victims. But before the three weeks are up they bare their souls to each other and begin to understand their common humanity,” Wallach said.

Follow-Up

There is an emphasis on follow-up programs as well, so that the feeling of friendship is not dissipated. A newspaper published by the youngsters called The Olive Branch tells of visits across the border. Israeli youngsters visited friends in Bethlehem and in Jordan, while Palestinians came to a Purim party in Israel. Many of the young people stay in touch by email.

The program has been praised by many government officials, but nothing they said can equal the impact of a story told by Saeb Erekat, the lead Palestinian negotiator in the peace talks, which is quoted in the Wall Street Journal of January 22, 1998.

“My daughter attended an Israeli-Palestinian peace camp last year in Maine,” he says. “After the flood hit Jericho, not one of my Israeli friends or counterparts in the Peace Talks called to ask me about my family or how I was doing. But 21 Israeli kids, 13 to 15 years old, called her. Every single one of the kids from that camp called Dalal to ask if she was OK—to see if we were OK. This is the future. This is what I am working to build, the culture of peace.”