Tag Archives: Middle East

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 13, 2013 · 4:21 pm

Shine Your Light

New WBNA Player Brittney Griner hopes to be a light that inspires others to love themselves

New WBNA Player Brittney Griner hopes to be a light that inspires others to love themselves

In a recent article for the New York Times,  top WBNA pick and Baylor University senior Brittney Griner, who is openly gay, discussed her new job with the Phoenix Mercury,  her experiences with bullying and how she hopes she can inspire others to love themselves and others for who they really are. Growing up, Griner was bullied about her sexuality, appearance and height (she’s 6’8) .  Even though she would always put on a tough face and try to let the hateful words roll off of her, she said it was always painful to hear those things. Despite those hard times, she says “I never thought that to be beautiful, you had to look any certain way at all. In my opinion, you’re beautiful because you are you.” The more comfortable she became with herself, the more open she could be with her family and friends and focus on the things she loves in her life, like basketball.

Griner hopes she can be a “light that inspires others” and  wants “everyone to feel at peace and O.K. with being who he or she is.”

PeacePlayers participants learn to shine their light and love their teammates for who they are

PeacePlayers participants learn to shine their light and love their teammates for who they are

PeacePlayers strives to inspire every child who participates in their programs to shine their light and love themselves and their teammates for who they are.  Through the game of basketball, they learn life skills and peace building skills that give them the confidence to be themselves and love others.

In Northern Ireland, teammates learn to see each other not as Catholics and Protestants, but as friends. In the Middle East, Jewish and Arab children respect and learn from their differences and play together. In Cyprus, Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cpyriot children work together as united Cypriots. In South Africa, children of different races and socio-economic backgrounds see past those differences on the basketball court.

How do you shine your light and inspire others? Tell us in the comments!

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by | May 9, 2013 · 2:24 pm

An Instant Connection – BYU Student Tenealle Visits PeacePlayers – Middle East

Tenealle and the girls getting silly at an LDP junior event

Tenealle (in blue) and some PPI-ME participants getting silly at an LDP junior event

This week we have a guest blogger, Tenealle Tenwolde. Tenealle was one of Chad Ford’s students from BYU that was featured in the blog from last week. Below Tenealle shares what PPI meant to her and what she learned from the program.

Believing that “children who play together can learn to live together” is an inspiring belief that was strongly translated in the PPI organization members. Meeting all the staff, from the International Fellow and the volunteers, to the Managing and Operating Directors, I felt a sense of family between them all. They didn’t just operate as co-workers but with a loving friendship of importance. Greeting us with hugs and laughs we immediately felt welcomed, a genuine love and meaningful relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Project Manager Galit Sahar leading the LDP junior event along with the BYU students

Project Manager Galit Sahar leading the LDP junior event along with the BYU students

That authentic care has positively influenced the kids they work with and I’m so grateful I was able to experience and feel it. As Caitie, Taylor (other BYU visiting students) and I entered the gym to a mini’s practice, we were shown so many smiles, hugs and even basketball tips from the kids. We instantly felt a connection and the phenomenon of seeing people as people was in full effect. Even though everyone spoke different languages, we all understood the happiness that was felt.

Like every family or organization, problems will arise and struggles will appear, but with that genuine love and shared passion to bring children together to find peace, PPI comes together to overcome, sustain peace and strengthen their family relationships.

The girls coming together to pose for a picture!

The girls coming together to pose for a picture!

I’m so happy I was able to be a part of that for the brief time we spent there. It has inspired me so much and shown me that we all need each other to grow, love and overcome obstacles. Even the smallest act can bring the greatest change and I believe PPI is making those small changes to create influential greatness.

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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 11, 2013 · 2:36 pm

PPI ME celebrates another outstanding Mini Fest!

PPI minis having a blast playing together!

PPI minis having a blast playing together!

Last Friday PeacePlayers International - Middle East wrapped up another successful mini fest. Mini fests are a fantastic opportunity for several teams of young PPI participants to get to know each other. Over 50 kids from the ages of 6-8 gathered in the gym for an afternoon of basketball and fun. In the beginning of the event the minis spent some time mingling, running around and shooting baskets together. Once everyone arrived, the coaches set up three different stations of ball handling, passing and shooting and another with games. The kids were then divided into three groups, each of which contained participants from every team present at the event.

The minis had a blast interacting with new kids while they worked on their basketball skills. To conclude the event super coach Vito Gilic brought all the kids together to partake in creative relay races.

Coach Vito Gilic setting up relay races at the conclusion of the event

Coach Vito Gilic setting up relay races at the conclusion of the event

It was incredible to see all of the kids screaming and cheering each other on the entire time. A spectator would never be able to recognize or notice that many of the participants come from very different communities and would normally not have any contact with one another let alone be sharing an afternoon of sport and activities together.

Another inspiring aspect to the event was that PPI-ME’s Leadership Development team (LDP) took a significant role in the mini fest as well and led each station. This was a great opportunity for the young PPI participants to interact with the older leaders of the program. They were able to observe and spend quality time with positive role models within their own communities.

PPI participants taking a quick break to pose for a picture

PPI participants taking a quick break to pose for a picture

Many of the LDP members began in PPI at a young age so it was incredible to see the two groups bonding. To have the LDP members’ giving back to the minis is a big part of what PeacePlayers is all about so the occasion was effective and positive in more ways than one!

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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 | March 28, 2013 · 2:28 pm

LDP Boys pull off close win against the Jerusalem School

LDP team watching intently as the coach draws up a play

LDP team watching intently as the coach draws up a play

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) Boys team played a suspenseful, exciting game this past Tuesday against the Jerusalem School boy’s team. From the very beginning the game was tight as there were several lead changes throughout the entire match. The team held a 7-point lead at half time but the Jerusalem boys never quit and the game was tied up again half way through the fourth quarter. It was an intense battle throughout the game but the LDP boys fought hard and played together to pull out a 50-43 victory in the end.

LDP boys are exposed to a wide variety of activities throughout the year as they practice together weekly and participate in numerous Arbinger sessions and creative workshops.

The game getting intense in the final quarter!

The game getting intense in the final quarter!

However, many of the LDP participant’s favorite activity is when they have the opportunity to test the skills they have been practicing on and off the court in a real game. LDP member Bashar commented,

“We really enjoy playing in games and we are improving every day. I hope we keep getting better and better as we get more experienced and continue to play together.”

The team has pulled out wins in several of their last few games. This is a direct result of how remarkably well the boys play together due to all the time they have spent getting to know one another. Not only does this include long hours practicing

LDP participant Laith getting ready for the game

LDP participant Laith getting ready for the game

but also time spent learning how to play as one and better understanding each other on and off the court without a second thought to race or religion.  Anyone in the crowd watching the game on Tuesday would never know how much these kids have overcome by playing together which is perhaps the most extraordinary part of it all.

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by | March 21, 2013 · 1:17 pm

PPI – Middle East Gets Busy Up North

All participants coming together to celebrate yet another PPI twinning

Haifa and Tamra participants coming together to celebrate yet another PPI twinning.

PeacePlayers – Middle East has been hard at work planning and putting on several exciting events for its participants as the Jewish holiday of Passover quickly approaches. Jewish PPI teams will have off for a couple of weeks during this period so we tried to pack in as many joint activities for Arab and Jewish kids before the start of the holiday season. Just in the past week we have hosted several twinnings and peace league tournaments to give kids multiple opportunities to get together.

For example, this past Friday PPI – ME hosted a peace league tournament in the north in the Druze community of Usafiya with their Jewish twinned team from Holon. You might remember meeting these girls in last week’s blog about the recent Peace Education Retreat.

A Jewish participant from Holon and a Druze from Usaphiya having some fun together at half court

A Jewish participant from Holon (left) and a Druze from Usafiya having some fun together at half court

The Druze are an Arab religious minority in Israel (they are neither Muslim nor Christian), and this young girls’ basketball team adds yet another dynamic to the diverse mix of PPI participants. This diversity further demonstrates how,  regardless of religion and other differences, PPI is teaching participants to see and treat each other as people.

Another event that occurred this past week was an extra large twinning including three Arab teams from Tamra and their three twinned Jewish teams from Haifa. The girls, whose ages ranged from about age 6 to 13, partook in basketball activities on several courts. The older girls enjoyed scrimmaging with each other on mixed teams and practicing the basketball skills which they have been learning. At the same time, younger girls competed in intense drills together in order to sharpen their dribbling and shooting abilities.

Girls from Tamra and American fellow Jamie Walsh having some fun during the twinning in Haifa

Girls from Tamra and American fellow Jamie Walsh having some fun during the twinning in Haifa

At both of these events it was clear that the girls were focused on playing basketball and having fun together, rather than focusing on any differences that could separate them.

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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 | February 21, 2013 · 5:41 pm

Jerusalem All-Stars: Mid-Season Update

"We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first."

The Jerusalem All-Stars shocked fellow league participants and fans by finishing the 2012 season in second place, showing everyone what is possible when you cooperate as a team.  (photo: Fran Meckler)

In 2010, the Jerusalem All-Stars, a team made up of both Arab and Jewish elite girl basketball players, ages 12 to 17, began competing in Israel’s National Youth League, the highest level of youth basketball in the country. It marked the first time ever that integrated teams emerged from East and West Jerusalem (Arab and Jewish communities, respectfully) and the first time ever that girls from East Jerusalem had the opportunity to participate in the league. Two years later, the Jerusalem All-Stars are a permanent presence in the league, and a force to be reckoned with. The Jerusalem All-Stars are now on a mid-season break until the beginning of March. What better time to catch up with them and see how the season has been going? For the three teams, the season has been a series of successes both on the court and off. Read on to see how the under 14, under 16 and under 18 All-Stars are doing.

Under 14

The youngest All-Star team has finished the first half of the season with zero defeats. Go girls!

Under 16

The Under 16 team is poised to take the regional championship.

The Under 16 team is poised to take the regional championship.

The Under 16 All-Stars have only lost one game so far this season, and are poised to finish the season in first place, which would catapult them to a higher division next season. Through their victories in basketball, the All-Star teams are showing that Palestinians and Israelis can be a winning combination. These girls are not just successes on the court, however; their team identity continues to be forged off the court as well. One recent example of this is the “coexistence sleepover” that took place earlier this month at a team member’s home. It is virtually unheard of in the Israeli-Palestinian context for kids from one group to visit the home of a peer from the other group, let alone for a sleepover party! But for these girls, it is all a normal part of being together on the same team, and normal is certainly something we could use a little more of in these parts.

“We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first.” – Jerusalem All-Star Player

Under 18

This month's pot-luck dinner gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other's cuisines.

This month’s pot-luck dinner gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other’s cuisines.

The Under 18 All-Stars is the most competitive team of the three, competing in the national league, which includes all of the top players from around the country. They are in the top half of the league roster, having won the majority of games they have played. The team got off to a slow start, as it took some team members – those who had never met girls from the other side before – time to adjust to playing on a mixed team. One such player looked back at the beginning of the season and observed, “In the end it made us a better team because we were forced to learn how to work together. We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first.” One example of how far the team has come socially is a recent pot-luck dinner that was held earlier this month at one team member’s house. Everyone brought tasty treats from home, which also gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other’s cuisines.

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