by Silvi Margia, Director, Young Leaders Program, Israel

Creativity for Peace’s program in the Middle East is growing in a beautiful way. Girls from the first summer camp five years ago continue to attend our reunions and 19 of 98 former campers are taking part in our young leaders program.

This summer we held three meetings in the Middle East. Two workshops were geared to developing the personal and professional skills of our young leaders. One taught methods to achieve reconciliation and the other presented techniques for emotional, spiritual, and physical self-care.

Twenty-eight former campers spent a few social days together at Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, the first time that Creativity for Peace held a gathering at a kibbutz. For the Palestinian girls it was a chance to observe this unique way of life. Hawad, a 2003 camper, came to visit. She could not stay because of her work schedule but joined the gathering for a few hours, noting that it felt like a grand celebration of peace.

We made art and spent time in nature, canoeing on the Jordan River. At a local park, Ameera, Hazar, and the young leaders facilitated games for peace they had learned at the workshop the week before. We observed summer birthdays with a picnic by the pool, where we danced and swam into the night.

Noy’s family invited us for lunch at their home in Kahal. This Jewish family opened their hearts to the sacred work we are doing together. Around the dining room table Khadra from Tulkarem sat talking with Noy’s Egyptian grandfather. It was a powerful gathering and we thank Noy’s family for the warm hospitality and the delicious food. On the way home in the car, Juana from Jenin said to me, “Silvia, I feel like we are a big family that is getting bigger all the time. These girls are truly my best friends.”

I observe these strong young women, whose love and closeness is tangible, with so much pleasure. They are living examples of how well we can live together.

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