LOIZOS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Camp 2008 (continued)
FACE OFF: Ahmad (front), along with other Seeds turned counselors, compete in a rope tug during staff Color Games.
“
Rose & Thorn” is a game that my bunk counselors taught us when I was a camper in 2004. Before we went to sleep, each person in the bunk gave account of the best and worst parts of his day (the rose and the thorn, respectively). It was the only moment of each day when the otherwiseLeo rambunctious and (New York) loud bunk environment became quiet and respectful, marked by collective reflection. Since 2004, I hadn’t thought of “Rose
I
started my journey with Seeds of Peace four years ago. As part of the Palestinian delegation in 2004, I headed to Camp determined to represent Palestine, to talk to other people from different parts of the world and understand their opinions and backgrounds, to make a change and communicate. Waking up in a bunk full of different people with different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and lifestyles was a whole new experience in itself. Last summer, I applied and was accepted as a counselor—I was full
& Thorn” until the first evening in the bunk with the campers this summer. We had taken care of all the night’s logistics, the campers were tired out from traveling, and we three firsttime counselors were faced with a question: “What do we do now?” At that moment, “Rose & Thorn” came into my mind, along with a vivid recollection of how useful that time of reflection was for me as a camper. I quietly suggested it to my co-counselors, they approved, and we tried it. This summer, not a single night passed in our bunk without listening to each other’s roses and thorns.
I was proud to pass on this ritual of reflection, an exercise that represents an essential part of my experience at Seeds of Peace. Each day there, campers and counselors alike are engaged physically as well as mentally. It is at once a challenge and a joy to balance the physically-taxing elements, like Steal the Bacon, with the mentallytaxing ones, like Dialogue. As a camper and as a counselor this summer, I find that striking this balance is an exhausting endeavor, such that by day’s end, and after a quiet round of “Rose & Thorn,” I feel healthier than I have in a long time and ready to fall asleep.
of happiness and couldn’t believe myself for a moment. I soon began to realize what it truly feels like to be a counselor. I felt the love and the trust as Ahmad (Ramallah) a counselor. I tried to help the campers as much as I could, giving them their own space to think about themselves and discover something unique inside each one of them that will motivate them to learn as much as they can.
I also wrote a song called “The Hummus Song.” Everyone loved it. People started singing it all the time: around Camp, in the dining hall, in the bunk. It was everywhere! I tried my best to remain close to my campers, especially since I had been in their shoes. (And I have to point out here how great it was working with people who were my counselors four years ago.) After experiencing all these different positions at Camp, I realize what it truly feels like to be part of the Seeds of Peace realm, and how special it is.
looked around and thought about how much I’d miss them all. In retrospect, my canoe ride with the bunk captures my whole summer experience at Camp. Going back to Otisfield as a counselor reveals the massive effort that goes into creating the camp experience—from the kitchen, to the ropes course, to the infirmary. Knowing how things work takes none of the magic away. The butterflies still fly in your stomach on the first day of Camp, flag-raising is still difficult, the Sea Dogs baseball team still lose all their games, Casco lemonade is always fresh, and Color Games is still the best part of Camp. And on top of that, there’s still a lot to learn from everyone around you—campers and counselors alike. Being able to stay behind after all the buses are gone and everything turns quiet again, revealed to me the essence of Camp: that Seeds of Peace is not the bunk-line by the lake; it is the people who wear the green shirts. Camp magic exists because of them. DEVON, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
friends and work with Seeds outside of Camp—anything to get closer to what I thought would answer my questions. While Seeds became a motivating force in other aspects of my life, I remained ill-at-ease and moved from one interest to the next, trying to do as much as I could to find the same sense of inner-calm I found at Camp. However, questions remained unanswered, and these feelings unfounded until the last day of my job this summer, when I had the opportunity to address the entire Camp after coaching the Blue Team during Color Games. I had not planned what I was going to say or had even truly reflected on the amazing experience of coaching. But standing next to the bonfire and looking at all the kids who had come off a bus just three weeks ago apprehensive and unsure—and now seeing them hugging and crying, feeling like I had a part in bringing some of them together, and forming friendships with many of them—brought me
BACK IN GREEN: Eldad (top, on right) belays a Seed high off the ground. Below, more counselors in 2007 who were once themselves campers.
back to the inner peace I had desperately sought the past four years. I felt like I had finally started and finished something from start to end, and I could see the fruits of my labor right in front of me. I’m just as confused as I was four years ago. I think one of the amazing qualities about a Seeds experience is the unsettling feeling it leaves you with. If we all left resolute and sure of our friends, our enemies, and ourselves, no one would come back to Camp, or go to seminars to seek out past friends or unresolved issues. Dialogue would never improve or change as time passed, as we would all move
on to different parts of our lives the day we left, not needing to look back. Conflicts would rage on because every side is sure of themselves and the others around them. We wouldn’t question our own surroundings or actions in regard to others—a very dangerous thing especially when it involves human suffering and the ongoing struggles we face in our daily lives. After being a counselor this summer, I have learned to recognize the necessity of this uncertainty, and will use it to pursue my passions and goals in life. Who knows—maybe as a counselor again in 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: SARAH BIGNEY
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Dialogue
CAMERA MAN: Shadi, an Israeli Seed, films a scene for “Heaven Forbid.”
A
Using dialogue & film to break down barriers
I
Two Seeds participate in Peace it Together’s program to empower young Israeli, Palestinian & Canadian leaders through film-making.
had the opportunity to work with young people from the other side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict this summer at Peace it Together’s camp on Bowen Island, near Vancouver, Canada. Ten Israelis, 10 Palestinians, and 10 Canadians came together, each with his or her own opinions about the other side—opinions based mostly on the information received through the media. The first week involved tough dialogue between the Palestinians and Israelis. Each side tried to present the other as the guilty party, sharing very emotional stories about the difficult
situations in which both sides live. The Palestinians focused on suffering from the Separation Wall and Israeli checkpoints located Mahmoud inside the Palestin(Hebron) ian territories, and shared their personal experiences about how the Wall separates their lands and their life and how they feel humiliated at the checkpoints. The Israeli participants spoke about their suffering from the Qassam rockets fired from Gaza and the suicide
PHOTO CREDITS: AVI GOLDSTEIN, Amber Houssian
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bombers, and how these affect their daily life—how they can’t ride buses or do normal things that most other people in this world can. The dialogue process imposed respect by giving every side the freedom to speak. Everyone had to listen to the other side completely, before they had the right to ask questions and comment. At first it seemed hard for both sides to keep listening, because you could only speak when the other person was done. But day by day, we become more aware of the importance of discover more online www.peaceittogether.ca
FILMMAKERS: Palestinian Seed Mahmoud learns about making movies with an Israeli & a Canadian.
this process—how important it is to listen and feel what other participants have to say—which in turn helped us realize how similar our connections, dreams, hopes and problems are. We spent the second and third weeks learning how to make films. Israelis, Palestinians and Canadians worked together in small groups based on the subject of their film. It was the start of having one goal. The groups were like a small family; people started caring about each other. It was also very emotional. At one point, Avner (an Israeli participant) requested that his group adjust focus and show more about Palestinian life
t first, the dialogue sessions were not that hard, because no one wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings. But as we got deeper and deeper into the history of the conflict, people started to open up and talk about the way they see the conflict and their real thoughts about Shadi (Tira) the other side. After dialogue, we started making movies. First we learned about different types of film. Then we were separated into threeor four-member groups that included all nationalities. My group decided to create a story connected to the conflict that would represent all of our thoughts and feelings about it,
and that would be balanced to both sides. Our film, called “Heaven Forbid,” is a drama about two girls that meet on an island after escaping a drowning death. Neither one has any memories about their past. They become friends discovering the island together, until at the peak of their relationship, they begin to recall their past: one of them is Palestinian, the other Israeli. They meet on the beach, facing each other, and the film ends with a final flashback of them at the Separation Wall, one as an Israeli soldier holding a gun, the other as a Palestinian holding a rock. We had great communication within the group, and I think the result was very good. After completing shooting and editing, we screened the film for 500 people in Vancouver.
in its film. The moment inspired Majd (a Palestinian participant) who continued to be inspired by Avner. As we ate together, laughed together and thought about each other, the human connections became stronger than any other feelings, and we started to understand one another more and more. Each side found the other to be normal people who want to live and to be part of the democratic nations. At some point, both sides found they had the same needs—both want to feel safe. We also found that the image the media presents about the other side was not reflected at camp. Instead, we discovered that all of us teenagers have very similar dreams and wishes. This leads to something impor-
tant and something that is ignored by many people, which is that our common humanity is the main link between us. It is therefore possible to break the fear and boundaries which were created inside us. Fear that is the result of what the media shows us or what people who do not represent the majority of our societies do. Respect, listening and understanding are the principles that we took back home with us. These are not easy concepts, but they will stay with us forever as tools to improve communication between Palestinians and Israelis. We will be showing the films that we made to our communities, each one of us in his own way, improving ourselves as young leaders who are willing to fight for peace. Carpenter in Herat.
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Where are they now?
THE
SEEDS film
Ever wonder what happens to Seeds after Camp? We find out where people from ’02 & ’03 who appeared in the SEEDS documentary are now. PHOTO CREDITS: Parisa Taghizadeh, BOBBIE GOTTSCHALK, Yana Gorskaya
Koby (Tel-Aviv)
I graduated from Yale in 2006, after which I decided to travel around the world a bit to clear my head. I then joined McKinsey & Co. in New York City. I am still very much involved with SOP, helping out with fund-raising & programming in the US, and am still in touch with many of my Seeds friends. Seeds of Peace still holds a special place in my life.
Adir (Ashqelon)
After my military service as a producer & editor with army radio, I became involved in areas related to society, politics & media, and am now the spokesperson for the Tel Aviv University Student Union. I’m still involved with coexistence programs, and recently went to Jordan with the Geneva Initiative to dialogue with Palestinians.
Tamer (Cairo)
After Camp, I worked at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where I conducted research on promoting democracy & rule of law in the Middle East. I then received a law degree and Masters in International Politics from American University. I’m now married and living in Washington, DC, where I’m an attorney.
Ariel (Givon Hahadasha) Since 2003, I managed to finish high school, served in the army for three years, and traveled around Central America, New York and finally India. These days the only thing I do is study computer engineering and physics at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (and look forward to vacations to come).
Zaqloub (Bethlehem)
Areen (Haifa)
Teju (Mumbai) After my brilliant Camp experience, I
Tareq (Jatt) I participated in various SOP activities
Sami (Abu Ghosh) I worked for SOP in 2005, help-
Marj & Joe (the filmmakers)
I graduated from Earlham College with a degree in Economics. During the summers I returned to Camp as a counselor. I returned home in 2004 to work for Seeds of Peace full-time as the Palestinian Program Coordinator in Ramallah. I just finished my MBA from the University of Chicago, and am working in New York City.
went on to finish school. I am currently in my 3rd year of a Fine Arts program, specializing in painting & having the time of my life. I hope to do my Masters in graphic design, and work in the same field. SOP has remained an important part of my life all these years, and I’m sure it will continue to do so.
ing with a media project for younger Seeds. I received my degree in Biology from the Hebrew University. I also picked up a degree in Musicology (and still play the piano). I’m currently doing medical research, in parallel with an engineering program, and in anticipation of a PhD in Biotechnology.
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Right after my high school graduation, I started my undergraduate studies in Occupational Therapy. Thankfully, I managed to graduate, and I’m currently a certified occupational therapist working with disabled children.
up until 2005, when I started working as a program coordinator for newer Seeds. I’m now studying medicine at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (in fact, I’m writing this while studying for the final exams of my fourth year). I’ll be done with my studies by 2010, at which point I will be a doctor.
Since shooting SEEDS, Marj Safinia moved to Los Angeles, got married and is now busy working on several new documentary projects. She continues to be involved with SEEDS, and thanks to Facebook, with many of the subjects of the movie! Joe Boyle also got married, and is now the father to a beautiful baby boy,
Sebastian. He now works producing reality shows for the Discovery Networks. The SEEDS DVD is currently available for purchase by schools, colleges and community groups. Visit www. mergemedia.tv for more information, and if you’d like to reach Marj or Joe, e-mail seeds@mergemedia.tv.
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GAZA CITY Through the Lens of Gaza’s Seeds
Photos by Homam, Ola & Aya
SKYLINE: Gaza City’s many apartment blocks. “It’s is one of the most heavily populated places in the world” (Aya).
BEACH: A man plays near the Gaza seaport. “The sea always makes me think of freedom” (Homam).
CANDLELIGHT PROTEST: “Children demonstrate against electricty cuts by Israel” (Ola). UNIVERSITY STREET: “I think Gaza is a beautiful place” (Aya).
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EMPTY: A street is car-less due to fuel shortages. “Gaza in this period is like a city without a soul. As you walk in the streets, it’s as if there is no population” (Ola).
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