SPECIAL SECTION
CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE
Pains of war, seeds of peace
PAUL ROCKOWER | GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
A mid the sylvan splendor of the Maine
woods, I spent a summer back in
2006 working as a counselor at Seeds of
Peace International camp. Seeds of Peace
is a camp that brings teenagers together
from areas of conflict. Teens from Israel,
the Palestinian Territories, Egypt and
Jordan, as well as India and Pakistan are
brought together to learn about each
other, and to meet their enemy face-to-
face. For two, three-week sessions dur-
ing the summer, this veritable “camp o’
conflict” is abuzz in its mission of creating
dialogue and friendship for groups that
have never so much as sat down together.

Seeds of Peace is absolutely amazing in
its ability to break down the barriers that
exist between communities, and fashion
friendships and understanding between
divergent groups. I will readily admit
that I became a drinker of the proverbial
Kool-Aid, as I witnessed my own bunk
of Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and
Egyptian teenagers coalesce together over
endless games of soccer and basketball.

The campers spend their summer in
dialogue sessions, learning about the
conflict from the eyes of the other side.

Moreover, they also spend much time on
the sports field, competing together and
learning to play with their teammates.

The competitive nature of sports does
much to help break down the barriers
that exist between all sides.

Beyond traditional sports activities,
these kids learn to value and trust their fel-
low campers through ropes course group
challenges. The ropes course activities
force the campers to learn how to work
with, and rely on each other, despite
their previous differences. Furthermore, a
thriving music and arts program helps the
kids express their creativity and identity
in alternative fashions. Through a wide
variety of activities, the campers learn to
do what their parents have never been
able to achieve — to co-exist together.

Over the summer, the campers learn
to trust the process that brings them
together and the environment surround-
ing them as a safe place to discuss their
differences. Making peace among enemies
is never easy, even in an idyllic Maine
setting. Yet even amid the currents of
political instability and the torrents of war
that flooded throughout the Middle East
this summer, the kids were able to tread
above the conflict and reach understand-
ing. As the violence in the region reached
its apex during the first session, the kids
were caught up in the coup de grace of
the session: color games. [Note: I was
there in 2006 during the Israel-Lebanon
War, this was the first summer where war
broke out during a session]
During color games, the entire camp
was divided up into two teams, completely
irrespective of religion or nationality. The
two teams, blue and green, fought pitched
battles of competition on the sports
fields. Green Israelis cheered on green
Palestinians and rooted against their rival
blue Israelis. For nearly three days, the
most intense sports competition of their
lives raged and enthralled these precocious
teens. Finally, when the winning team was
announced, the green team ran pell-mell
first into Pleasant Lake, only to be joined
moments later by their blue opponents.

As both teams splashed in the lake, and
washed away both victory and defeat, the
lesson of the summer was apparent to all
sides: identities that have been forged over
a lifetime are as arbitrary as that of the divi-
Paul Rockower, right, during his time as a counselor
for Seeds of Peace International camp.

COURTESY OF PAUL ROCKOWER
sions of blue and green shirts.

The motto of Seeds of Peace is that
they do what no government can — make
peace between people. I saw with my own
eyes that summer that this statement is
more than any buzzword-filled catch-
phrase; rather the Seeds of Peace mission
is alive in all of the wonderful teens who
gain such tremendous growth, under-
standing and empathy for each other and
all humanity. JN
Paul Rockower is executive director of Jewish
Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix.

This essay was submitted in his personal capacity.

REGISTER TODAY!
S SPEND
P E N D S SUMMER
U M M E R 2 2023
0 2 3
A T C CAMP
AT A M P S STEIN!
T E I N !
for incoming
An established AMI certified school that utilizes Dr. Maria Montessoris
method of teaching through the scope of Yahadut and Torah. A tried
and true approach for over 100 years! At EMA children succeed at their
own individualized pace in a loving and peaceful environment.

Grades 2 - 10
PRESCOTT, AZ
The only Jewish Montessori school in all of Arizona! Est. 2012
Nido/Toddler program as well as the primary class (age3-6)
available for the 2023 school year.

ARCHERY HAVE QUESTIONS?
SPORTS Contact us at camp@cbiaz.org
for any questions or
more information.

HORSES AND MORE!!!
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
CAMPSTEIN.ORG Contact Us: 480.316.2022
Email: emunahmontessori@yahoo.com
Website: emunahmontessori. com
JEWISHAZ.COM @CAMPSTEIN
@CAMPDAISYANDHARRYSTEIN JEWISH NEWS
JANUARY 6, 2023
B5