Tag Archives: middle east peace

by | May 16, 2013 · 2:52 pm

Spreading the Love – An Afternoon of Peace in the Middle East

American volunteer Jack Randolph posing with some of the girls from Usaphiya

American volunteer Jack Randolph posing with some of the girls from Usaphiya

Last Friday PPI – Middle East held a Peace League event for two Jewish teams from the cities of Haifa and Holon, one Arab team from Tamra, and a Druze team from the city of Usafiya. PeacePlayers runs events like these to give participants a chance to come together and play in competitive games on mixed teams with kids from different areas.

PPI participant Yael from Holon goofing around!

PPI participant Yahel from Holon goofing around!

For Jack Randolph, our American volunteer, it was his first time witnessing a Peace League event. Jack noticed how as an observer you would have no idea that the players are of religions that rarely mix with each other. Instead, you would see is a large group of teenage girls having a great time enjoying each other’s company and playing sports. Afterwards Jack said, “I was extremely impressed by the girls basketball ability and physical play. What was even cooler was that while the games were very competitive the participants really seemed to care about each other and want everyone to succeed.”

This is type of attitude PPI hopes to develop and teach all of its participants, and Peace Leagues are just another exciting way to show everyone that despite our differences we can come together and make the world a better place. Yahel Jovanovic, a new Jewish girl from the Holon team had this to say: “Playing with the Arab and Druze girls is normal to me now. I have been in PPI for over half a year so I know these girls well and consider them my friends. It was weird in the beginning when we first started playing but it isn’t anymore.”

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by | May 2, 2013 · 3:41 pm

At The Feet Of Heroes – Brigham Young Students Visit The Middle East

The girls and Chad celebrating with a PPI ME team

ESPN Senior Writer and BYUH Professor, Chad Ford, and his students, Caitlyn, Tenealle and Taylor, celebrating with a PPI – ME team

PPI – Middle East had the great pleasure of hosting Global Board Member and friend, Chad Ford, and three of his students this past week. Chad is a Professor at Brigham Young University – Hawaii (BYUH) and Director of the University’s McKay Center. He is known for his study of conflict resolution with an emphasis on large group ethnic and religious conflict, as well as for his sports journalism with ESPN. This week’s blog features highlights from an interview with his three students, Caitlyn Nalder, Tenealle Tenwolde and Taylor Rippy, who were given the opportunity to visit the Middle East for the very first time.

Why did you apply to come on this trip with Chad to the Middle East?

Tenealle: I decided to apply for this trip because of the amazing stories Chad has told us about PeacePlayers and my personal interest in conflict resolution. The opportunity to put all my peace building studies to work and really see a different culture. I had to apply!

What did you want to get out of this experience?

Caitlyn: The thing I wanted most out of this trip was being able to spend time with the people, particularly the girls. I wanted to learn from them and in exchange maybe they could learn a thing or two, something small from me.

Caitlyn, Taylor and Tenealle getting some culture while visiting holy sites

Caitlyn, Taylor and Tenealle getting some culture while visiting holy sites

Can you tell of something that surprised you or what you walked away with after this experience?

Taylor: I reflect back on everything and I can’t believe I was there and experienced what I did. I was so overwhelmed with love for the people I met, specifically the PPI players. I wasn’t even anticipating it, but the first day I walked into the gym where the girls were warming up, I almost exploded into tears. It was the greatest warmth and love that just rushed over me. I truly immediately loved each one of them. And now I’m crying as I write this. The region itself is beautiful and the cultures, the people, the land. I close my eyes and it all comes back. I never want to lose that.

Were there any moments that really touched you in your time here?

The girls, Chad and some PPI participants learning from each other!

The girls, Chad and PPI participants learning from each other at a PeacePlayers activity

Caitlyn: I was deeply touched when walking into the gym with the girls warming up for a game. Music was bumpin’, and the energy was alive. There was a special spirit there. Tears fell down my cheeks and the thought clearly and distinctly entered my mind, “You’re at the feet of heroes here. These girls are going to change the world. Powerful leaders and influences for good are in front of you, stay connected with them. They have a lot to teach you.” From that point on things changed. I couldn’t help but want to get to know them, no matter the language and cultural barriers. At the heart of it all, we are alive, breathing, and people. And above all, we have the capacity to love.

Tenealle: Seeing the biblical sights, the amazing architecture and the religious perspective was amazing and influential. But the moments that really touched me was how we all interacted around the table. The culture of food is so inviting, not only because absolutely everything I ate was delicious but also because it wasn’t just a time to eat together it was a time to share our thoughts and share the joy. We would always share our dishes and exchange our thoughts openly and freely. It was an invigorating feeling and strengthened our relationships and showed how commonalities in cultures can bring us together.

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by | April 25, 2013 · 7:57 pm

Catching up with Coach Khaled

Coach Khaled with some members of his team from Issawiya

Coach Khaled with some members of his team from Issawiya

This week’s blog features an update with Khaled, one of the several PPI members that has gone through the program and has graduated to being a coach.  As one of the very first members of PPI – ME, he has a very unique perspective and is an inspiration to all of our younger participants.

When did you become a part of the PPI organization?

I was one of the first participants ever in the PeacePlayers Middle East program. I began when I was about 13 years old and also went through the Leadership Development Program (LDP). I am still a member of PPI but my role has developed, as I am now a coach.

How many teams do you currently coach?

I coach a boy and a girl’s team from Issawiya, which is the village I am from. Aside from that I also coach a team made up of young participants (minis) in Ein Rafa and two others from the Hand in Hand school. I also help out with another team from Qirvat Anavim so I definitely keep busy!

Khaled having some fun with his team from Ein Rafa

Khaled having some fun with his team from Ein Rafa

How does it feel to be involved with PPI as a coach instead of a participant?

It feels very nice because I remember what it was like and how much I loved being a participant in the program. I want to make PeacePlayers as special and exciting for the kids as I know it was for me. It also feels really good to be able to give back to the program that has given and continues to give so much to me.

Has PPI changed your views about “the other side”?

Khaled hanging out with other members of the PPI family

Khaled hanging out with other members of the PPI family

PPI has definitely changed my mind about Jewish people. As a participant, in the beginning I was very scared when I learned I was going to play with a Jewish team. Because of the conflict that exists every day here I wasn’t so sure I wanted to be a part of this. However, after only a couple twinnings I began to feel comfortable with the other side and I made friends with Jewish participants that I have kept in touch with to this day.

What is the most important thing PPI has taught you?

PPI has taught me to truly respect others in a way I didn’t know how to do before. The program has also given me the opportunity to meet people from different religions and neighborhoods that I would not have been able to. They allowed me to do this all through basketball, which is a sport I have grown to love. Most of all they have taught me how to be a good leader and given me the skills to be able to coach my own teams.

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by | April 4, 2013 · 6:01 pm

Making a Difference: PeacePlayers Project Manager, Nissreen Najjar

Nissreen hard at work teaching Arbinger at one of PPI's twinnings

Nissreen hard at work teaching Arbinger at one of PPI’s twinnings

This week’s blog features an interview with PPI – Middle East staff member Nissreen Najjar. Nissreen has two roles within PPI as an Arbinger Facilitator and Project Manager. In addition to her position at PPI she is also a professor and lectures at Bethlehem University and Dar Al-Kalima College.

How long have you been a part of PPI and why did you want to become a part of this organization?

I have been apart of this organization for 3.5 years. I wanted to work here largely due to my past experiences. I have worked with Jewish and Arab youth before and it was not always the best situation. I was looking forward to the opportunity of being able to work with these groups again but this time I wanted to focus on ideology. I wanted to have the chance to make a positive impact on all our realities here in the Middle East.

Can you share an experience at PPI that has impacted you personally?

PPI ME's Arbinger Faciliator and Project Manager

PPI ME’s Arbinger Faciliator and Project Manager

The best example is probably the relationship between two girls teams at Hand in Hand (Arab team) and Bet Shemesh (Jewish team). After the 2nd Gaza war these two communities really gave me hope that PPI can make a difference in peoples lives. At one of the twinnings immediately after everything happened the girls were really able to open up and communicate with each other about the conflict. They did it in a very mature way and were not disconnected at all. It was amazing to see them sharing their feelings after such an emotional and trying time for everyone.

What is something that has inspired you about the participants in the program as someone who has prior experience in this field?

Something that inspires me every day I work in PeacePlayers is how open and honest the kids are. They speak with such innocence and candor and are so open with me and with each other. It is extremely inspiring and refreshing to be apart of such an amazing group of people.

Do you think programs such as PPI really work?

Nissreen and PPI Participant Miryam

Nissreen and PPI Participant Miryam

It is a very difficult situation here but I think PPI does work because it is changing the mindset of the youth in the program. You cannot change everyone but if you can change and open up one person’s mind then you have done your job. The participants in PPI will in turn share what they have learned with others and their families, which is how we are able to make an impact on communities.

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by | February 28, 2013 · 2:59 pm

Changing hearts, one twinning at a time!

Two participants from Hand in Hand and Bet Shemesh taking a picture break

Two participants from Hand in Hand and Bet Shemesh taking a picture break

PeacePlayers Middle East pulled off another set of successful twinnings with two teams of teenage girls, one comprised of Israeli girls from Beit Shemesh, and the other comprising of Palestinians from Hand-in-Hand School in Jerusalem. In the first twinning, the girls started off with some fun, team building basketball drills, and ended the event with an Anatomy of Peace curriculum workshop led by facilitator Nissreen Najjar.

There had recently been some tensions between the girls, stemming from their experiences during the Israel-Gaza conflict this past November. It was amazing to see the girls describe honestly and respectfully how they felt and to attempt to understand the other side’s perspective. When it was time to leave, there were plenty of hugs and smiles going around.

PPI Participants about to kick off their first game of the night

PPI Participants about to kick off their first game of the night

The second twinning also included a few scrimmages of mixed teams. It was easy to see how much fun the teams were having and how normal everything seemed. Nastya, a graduate of PPI and a former member of the Bet Shemesh team who still visits PPI activities on a regular basis, said, “I really like when the two groups meet and play together. It is very special to see and to also be a part of. I have been in PeacePlayers for 5 years, and it is very important to me. Seeing the Arab girls always makes me smile.”

Witnessing these two teams play together, similar to any other team without the baggage of conflict, truly displays how important PPI’s work really is. The organization not only works to bring people from different sides of the conflict together, but also works to change the way they view the “other side” and the world in general.

The girls getting ready to join in on some different basketball activities

The girls getting ready to join in on some different basketball activities

Aia, a participant from the Hand in Hand team, added, “Before we started twinning with them I didn’t think [the Beit Shemesh girls] liked Arabs, but now you can see the change in them and also in ourselves. We didn’t think we would bond with them and now when I know we are going to be with them it makes me really happy.”

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by | January 24, 2013 · 5:19 pm

The PeacePlayers MiniFest #2 Comes to Jerusalem

Coach Vito Gilic leading a session of entertaining basketball drills

Coach Vito Gilic leading a session of entertaining basketball drills

Over 50 Jewish and Arab “Minis” (PeacePlayers ages 8 to 10) from four different Jerusalem communities came together this week for another action-packed twinning. Girls and boys from the Arab communities of Beit Safafa and Esawiah, as well as the Jewish school Keshet and the mixed Hand in Hand school, met at the Hand in Hand gym to learn some basketball, have a great time, and hopefully make some friends from “the other side.” This was just one of many large twinnings that all four of these teams will have together throughout the year. These teams already had their first encounter of the year in December, at this season’s Abe and Irene Pollin Holiday Happening.

A Jewish mini from Keshet and an Arab mini from Beit Safafa having a blast working together

A Jewish mini from Keshet and an Arab mini from Beit Safafa having a blast working together

Vito Gilic led participants in lively basketball sessions filled with unique relay races. Coach Vito not only had the kids working on their dribbling skills but also created special activities where partners made up of one Jewish participant and one Arab participant had to trust one another and work together.  At one point the partners had to run across the court holding a basketball in between them without using their hands.

Another event included one partner holding the other’s legs while the other raced across the floor on their hands, also known as “wheelbarrow racing.”  This taught the kids to trust and depend on each other while hysterically laughing the entire time.  It was truly remarkable to watch kids from different worlds learn to communicate and work together.

Arbinger facilitator Nissreen Najjar working with a group of minis on the Anatomy of Peace curriculum

Arbinger facilitator Nissreen Najjar working with a group of minis on the Anatomy of Peace curriculum

In addition to the basketball portion of the gathering, interactive Anatomy of Peace Curriculum sessions were held by facilitators Nissreen Najjar and Renana Gal. The kids sat down together in the courtyard outside and were encouraged to discuss their own thoughts and feelings as well as learn about important topics such as “seeing people as people” despite any differences they may have. It is extremely heartwarming to experience such a wonderful event, seeing kids who may harbor many misconceptions about other’s religions and cultures, come together and learn that we all have many more similarities than differences.

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by | January 17, 2013 · 9:02 am

PeacePlayers serves diverse communities throughout Jerusalem

Twinning for children of Keshet and Beit Safafa

Twinning for children of Keshet and Beit Safafa

PPI – ME is proud to work in a wide variety of diverse communities throughout the Jerusalem area. It is extremely important for the program to deliver on bringing kids of all backgrounds together through sport. One of the reasons PeacePlayers is so effective and unique is that these kids are able to meet and interact with others in ways they never would have without PPI. Many participants claim that this is the only way they have met and became friends with people from “the other side.” Below is a short description of some of these communities:

Map of areas where PPI - ME operates

Map of areas where PPI – ME operates

Beit Safafa: In 1949, Beit Safafa was divided between Jordan and Israel, separating family members by a fence manned by the Israeli and Jordanian militaries. When Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, many families in the village were reunited. Beit Safafa is also a disadvantaged community with the median wage being about 2,400 shekels (or $600) per month. PPI-ME currently maintains five teams in Beit Safafa, serving boys ages 6 – 14 and girls ages 6 – 16, and Beit Safafa youth are also members of the Leadership Development Program [LDP].

Beit Shemesh: A socially conservative Jewish suburb of Jerusalem, with a less advantaged population that includes a significant immigrant population, many from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. PPI – ME currently operates one girls’ team in Beit Shemesh, many of whose members are new immigrants.

Esawiah: An Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem, which borders on the Hebrew University. The neighborhood, which is one of the toughest in the city, suffers from many injustices and inequalities that plague much of East Jerusalem. In August 2012, 3,000 students from the neighborhood protested the deficit of classrooms, with 800 children without a place to study. PPI – ME has been active in Esawiah since 2005 and currently has two teams there.

Givat Ram: Located in West Jerusalem, the Jewish neighborhood of Givat Ram is home to the Knesset and many other government agencies. PPI – ME has been active in Givat Ram since 2008 and currently has one team there.

One of our teams from the community of Beit Safafa

One of our teams from the community of Beit Safafa

Ein Rafah: A small Arab village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Most residents descend from a single extended family. PPI – ME began working in Ein Rafah in 2010, and currently has one children’s team in the town.

Kiryat Anavim: The first kibbutz to be established in the Judean Hills, founded in 1920 by Jews from Eastern Europe. PPI – ME has worked with the kibbutz since 2011, and currently has one team there.

PeacePlayer’s work in these communities is extremely vital. In many cases this is the only activity offered to the children there.  The opportunity to be involved in a program that offers sport and peace education is extremely valuable as it empowers the children and the future of each community.  The goal of PPI is that these children will take what they have learned through the program and reach out to others to continuing the cycle of change.

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by | January 3, 2013 · 2:54 pm

PPI – ME marks the end of 2012 with the very first Tamra/Haifa Twinning

Everyone celebrates after a successful first Tamra/Haifa Twinning

Everyone celebrates after a successful first Tamra/Haifa Twinning.

As 2012 came to close, PPI – Middle East celebrated with its very first Twinning between two young girls’ teams from Tamra and Haifa. Tamra is an Arab-Muslim town, and while Haifa is a mixed Arab-Jewish city, a large degree of separation exists within the city between Arabs and Jews, in neighborhoods and often even schools. The new Haifa team, a product of a recent cooperation with the basketball club Maccabi Haifa, is an example this separation, and before joining PPI, the girls of the Haifa team had only ever played with other Jews. The Twinning program aims to bring together teams like these, which under normal circumstances would miss out on the opportunity to meet and interact with one another.

Due to the fact that this was the very first meeting between the two groups, the twinning was a bit challenging. Initially the teams sat separately and did not communicate with each other. However, as soon as the coaches encouraged the kids to share information about themselves tensions quickly wore off and the chatter and excitement began. Small, mixed groups were then formed and the kids were able to get to know each other on a more personal level.

The girls bonded while communicating in small groups

The girls bonded while communicating in small groups.

It was extraordinary to see just how quickly the girls let their guard down and talked to each other as normal kids do, without any attention being paid to religious or ethnic differences. Tons of fun basketball drills and exciting activities followed these interactive sessions. Each girl was paired up with another girl from the “other group” for team building exercises and crazy relays. The girls embraced one another, as they had to run up and down the court holding a basketball between each other’s bodies without using their hands.

The girls displayed teamwork and unity by working together to complete these fun exercises

The girls displayed teamwork and unity by working together to complete these fun exercises.

It is during these times that one can truly see the effect that PeacePlayers continues to have on all of its participants. Sport really does provide a medium for these young girls to relate to each other in a unique and unintimidating way. PeacePlayers’ mission is that this type of thinking and behavior will continue to be apparent in every aspect of their life.

The Haifa-Tamra Twinned Team is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Acharai Fund.

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by | December 21, 2012 · 6:20 pm

PeacePlayers – Cyprus Winter Tournament

PPI Cyprus players from across the island come together at PPI's Winter Tournament

PPI – Cyprus players from across the island come together at PPI’s Winter Tournament

This past Saturday PeacePlayers – Cyprus hosted one of its marquee events of the season, the Winter Basketball Tournament.  Over 130 Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot youth from PeacePlayers teams all across the island joined together at Polyproponitirio Gymnasium in Nicosia for a full day of basketball playing with one another on mixed 3 on 3 teams.

This year’s Winter Tournament was supported by the European Commission in Cyprus, in celebration of the Nobel Peace Prize.  This year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the EU on December 10th in Oslo, Norway for their commitment to the advancement of peace and human rights among their member countries.  With the efforts of PeacePlayers in connecting the youth of Cyprus and promoting peace building efforts on the divided island it was fitting to have PPI’s Winter Basketball Tournament connected to the celebration of the receiving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Greek Cypriot girls and Turkish Cypriot girls unite with their friends on the court

Greek Cypriot girls and Turkish Cypriot girls unite with their friends on the court

George Markopouliotis, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Cyprus joined PPI at the tournament this past weekend saying, “I am delighted we support this initiative.  Sport is the best way to overcome any dividing lines and to create an environment of cooperation and trust among our youth.”

The Winter Tournament created just such an environment for our PeacePlayers participants.  The tournament united over 130 players from 8 different towns and villages on both sides of the island.  It was an opportunity to showcase all of the hard work that the youth have put in on the court thus far into the season.  Parents, volunteers and coaches alike enjoyed the atmosphere alongside the players.  The day was a celebration of all the efforts the kids have put in on the court; in addition, it was also a celebration of having all of our PeacePlayers together in one gymnasium hooping it up alongside their friends from both communities.

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by | September 21, 2012 · 7:43 pm

PeacePayers Participates in the Second Annual Cyprus NGO Fair

Hooping it up at the NGO Fair

This past Saturday PeacePlayers – Cyprus took part in the “NGO Fair 2012” hosted in the Old City of Nicosia.  27 NGOs from all over the island participated in the 2nd annual fair, engaging local citizens and informing them of the work of Cypriot Civil Society.  Each organization had the opportunity to represent their NGO at the fair with an informational booth and to interact with those in attendance.

PeacePlayers set-up an informational table but the majority of our interaction with attendees came through basketball.  We set-up a hoop on Ledra Street, where the fair was held.  Ledra is an open pedestrian street that links the old city of the north and the south it is filled with restaurants and shops, making it a very popular place to spend a weekend afternoon.  Kids walking by with their families stopped to take a few shots giving us an opportunity to share with them the work of PeacePlayers in the local community.

The event energized the downtown city street with music, dance, clowns, face painting and of course a little basketball.  Local radio and television stations covered the event giving good publicity to PPI – CY as well as the other NGOs.

The fair not only provided great opportunities for PPI – CY to share the our work with the general public, but it also provided a great platform for us to network with other local NGOs and build connections and unity among fellow Cypriot organizations.  We look forward to participating again next year in the “NGO Fair 2013.”

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