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Community
Calendar

46

Mazel
Toy!

49

Resolving Conflicts

Teens' frank discussions about cultural di erences
lead to enthusiasm and belief in peace.

Benjamin Siegel, 17, of Bloomfield Hills listens intently to the discussion. MGM candies
finds common ground in humor:

were used during an exercise about cultural relationships. Dalia Mohammec4 16 of Troy

tures.
RONELLE GRIER
Multi-colored stickers were used to
Special to the Jewish News
symbolize different cultural and religious
identities, and M & M candies repre-
ust as the mightiest trees in the
sented assets that people in different soci-
forest come from small begin-
eties might acquire. The participants
nings, a group of local teens of
then were asked to form their own
Jewish and Middle Eastern
groups without using any verbal commu-
descent came together to prove that
nication.
something as monumental as world
"It was very cool to be able to relate
peace can grow from a few well-tended
this to our own lives, to realize how peo-
seeds.
ple in our society are judged or exclud-
The Michigan Chapter of the interna-
ed," said Jennifer Bloom, 16, of West
tional Seeds of Peace organization held
Bloomfield. "From now on, I'm going to
its first teen workshop in Farmington
try and include people more."
Hills last Sunday. The day-long program
As the day went on, the group dis-
was coordinated by Lisa and Hannan Lis
cussed
a variety of controversial topics,
of Farmington Hills, who chair the
such
as
the ongoing conflict in the
group's local Teen Committee, and board
Middle
East and the Sept. i1 terrorist
members Nabil and Nazli Sater of
attacks
on
America.
Bloomfield Hills.
Julia
Tapper,
17, of Orchard Lake
The day was called an unqualified suc-
found
the
program
very worthwhile.
cess by the dozen or so teens who attend-
"Normally, I wouldn't sit around at lunch
ed and the adult Seeds of Peace staff
and talk with my friends like this," she
members and volunteers who facilitated.
said. "But this was a totally non-threaten-
The program began with activities
designed to help the teens get acquainted ing environment. We didn't always agree
with each other, but we were always
and also to get in touch with some of
respectful."
their prejudices and preconceived
Noha Elsharkawy, 18, agreed. 1 really
notions about people from other cul-

lilr

"On my last birthday, I got e-mails
from all over the world," she said.
"[Last Sunday] was exceptional," said
Lisa Lis. "The kids were brilliant, and
very excited about the program."
The participants unanimously agreed
to continue meeting as a group on a reg-
ular basis, with the goal of expanding
throughout the community. Several teens
Amazing Openness
expressed interest in attending this sum-
Seeds of Peace was founded in 1993 by
mer's camp program.
John Wallach, a New York journalist
"We were thrilled with the openness
whose parents survived the Holocaust.
and
the participation," said.Brenda
The group is devoted to fostering peace-
Rosenberg
of Bloomfield Hills, a peace
ful coexistence between nations in con-
activist who serves on the executive board
flict by bringing together teenagers of all
of the local Seeds of Peace chapter.
nationalities to learn about each other's
"What was most important was that this.
cultures and to form new understandings
was
a group of young adults who knew
and lasting relationships.
they
could make a difference, who want
The focus of the program is a summer
to
make
a difference, and who know that
camp in Maine, where teenagers from
peace
is
possible.
I think they would have
around the world develop tolerance,
stayed
till
midnight
if they could have to
empathy, respect and communication
come up with more solutions."
skills through a combination of recre-
Said Waleed Brinjiki, 17, a West
ational activities and daily conflict-resolu-
Bloomfield
teen of Middle Eastern
tion sessions.
descent:
"By
the end of the day, I could
Ariella Lis, 15, the daughter of Lisa
really
feel
that
there is hope. If we can do
and Hannan, attended the Seeds of Peace
this,
then
we
can
actually be the 'seeds of
camp last summer. She still corresponds
peace'
for
the
future."
with many of the teens she met there.

liked the way we got to meet with people
on opposite sides of the conflict," said
the West Bloomfield teenager, who is of
Muslim descent. "A lot of misconcep-
tions were cleared up, and I learned more
about the Jewish religion."

For information about Seeds of Peace, call Lisa Lis, (248) 770-1559, or visit
www.seedsofpeace.org .

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