Participants in our programs come together, learn communication skills, and create relationships of peace and understanding. Here is what a few of them have said.
Building Bridges for Peace
"We were attentive to each other and put energy into seriously thinking about inclusivity and our roles in our communities. The panel was inspiring, all of the discussions were relevant and rewarding, and we spent good quality time together, lots of time talking and connecting, and all in a setting that was as energetic and colorful as we are. It was more than I could have asked for, and I’m so grateful to have gotten a chance to bond even more with our Home Group.
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- Ali - BBfP 2006 Leader in Training
"The first night [we discussed] what ‘inclusive communities’ means. Some people felt it is about having equal rights within a community, some felt it is about equal participation from community members, some issues that arose were how to have an inclusive community, how can people be included in different communities. The panel was extremely inspiring; we learned a lot from [panelists] about issues of activism and working with communities, and they gave us ideas for work we can do in our own communities.
We also reflected on our BBfP experience and what we want to get out of our follow-up experience. We did an activity where we looked at how we predicted our BBfP summer experience to be, in comparison to how it really was. We discussed all of the different ways we were transformed by the experience. We had opportunities to share ideas with one another about individual projects and discuss what we got out of the weekend. People felt rejuvenated and inspired, and excited to work on individual projects back home, and felt connected to BBfP.
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- Stephanie - BBfP 2006 participant
"This summer I participated in a summer intensive called Building Bridges for Peace. I could say that this peace program changed a lot of things in me.
One day, during a drawing activity where we expressed how we viewed peace, I found myself in a corner with a Jewish girl called Moriya. We started to talk about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and every word became difficult. Throughout this challenging argument we mentioned “freedom fighters.” We chose this issue to discuss because I was with the freedom fighters and she couldn’t believe it. She was simply in shock.
When Moriya started to talk about feelings, I felt pain like a person being stabbed with a knife. It's true that I made her cry and hurt her when I told her that I agree with the freedom fighters, but she was the only person that made me cry because of what I've said.
After we finished arguing, I went out from the room for maybe 10 minutes. I smelled the fresh air of the mountains, heard the whispering of the birds, and saw the beautiful blue sky, and I realized that there is still hope. As Moriya changed my perspective maybe I can change what Moriya thinks about the Palestinians.
The next day I went to apologize to her because our friendship means a lot to me. If I really think deep in my heart, I would say that the argument with this special girl and the program, itself, changed so much in me. The experience made me a better person in society. I am a person who can now handle pressure and stay open-minded to the other side’s beliefs. It was an experience that I can’t forget because it truly made a difference in my life.
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- Zena - BBfP 2004 participant
"We are sure that the Building Bridges for Peace Program will have a long-term affect on our daughter and the other participants. They have touched each other and have built strong connections. In a world of hatred and hostility, we pray that these connections will be a constant reminder in their lives of the necessity of humanity and solidarity.
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- A letter from the parents of an Israeli-Jewish 2004 Building Bridges for Peace Participant
"Building Bridges for Peace gives me hope for the future. It has successfully equipped several hundred young emissaries for peace with the constructive tools to inject positive energy into the world. The participants bring their newly acquired skills of nonviolent conflict resolution, of active and compassionate listening, to all of their interactions with others. They bring these skills to their relationships at school and in the workplace, to their places of worship and on the streets, and they will eventually raise their own children to cherish these values that they learned in the Building Bridges program.
I'm thrilled to have shared my daughter Mollie's involvement with the program since she was a young teenager, and our family is privileged to have participated in Building Bridges for Peace these many years. We have all grown from our participation, and we now see the world through a more tolerant and compassionate lens.
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- Robyn Jacobs, Mother of Mollie Jacobs, Bay Area Home Group Leader and 1998 Building Bridges for Peace Participant
"My daughter attended the 2004 Building Bridge for Peace program in Colorado. Her experience was invaluable. It opened up her heart and mind to the value of dialogue work and strengthened her resolve to incorporate it into her life. I thank you so much for allowing her to have this experience and helping her to touch other lives and widen the circle of peace.
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- Mother of a 2004 American Building Bridges for Peace Participant
Face to Face - Faith to Faith
"I attended the Face to Face/Faith to Faith program as a participant in 2001, as a Leader in Training in 2003 and as a Staff Member in 2004. Attending camp in 2001 was a turning point in my life. For a long time I had been searching for direction in my life, trying to discover my purpose. Participating in the program allowed me to mature in ways I had never imagined possible. The program gave me the opportunity to look at the world through a new set of eyes; it gave me the confidence and the inspiration I was seeking.
At F2F I had the opportunity to converse with Jews, Muslims, and Christians from Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and America and discuss the issues that affect us as the youth of the world. Coming to know the participants gave me so much hope for the future. I have forged friendships that will stand the test of time. Camp was a utopia, and if everyone could share in a drop of the experience, the world would be a better place to live in.
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- Rashaad - F2F 2004 staff
"Since Face to Face/ Faith to Faith I have been a Student Mentor for the first-year pupils of New-Bridge Integrated School. In this position I find myself practicing the skills I learned from camp. I am also planning to do some volunteer work in Romania with New-Bridge which will provide another opportunity for me to share what I’ve learned. I hope to make Youth Work a career in the near future.
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- Thomas - F2F 2004
"Upon returning home, many people have asked me if this summer was as fantastic as last summer. The truth is that no matter how similar the situation, each experience is completely unique. Thank you for making this past summer so special. I am inspired to work even harder towards the common goal of making peace.
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- Suhair - F2F 2004
"I think the sense of longing is unanimous – we all miss each other and camp. I learned more about my country, the world, and myself in those concentrated two weeks I have in my entire life. It was an honor getting to know all of the participants, an honor and a pleasure. Thank you for witnessing me change and grow, and for sharing your stories and your lives with me. I will be eternally thankful and grateful, and will always remember our time together.
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- Zak - F2F 2004
"When I arrived in New York, I felt excited about the program and all that I was going to do. I was determined to have my say and have an impact on those around me. I believed that I had so much to share with the world and that this program was my opportunity to do so. But then the program started and, although I did have things to share, I realized it just wasn't my time to shine. It was my time to listen. By listening to other people’s stories, I learned so much more.
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- Kelly - F2F 2004 participant
"At Face to Face I was challenged in every single way possible. Realising that there is more to my life than just me is one of the most intense and exhilarating realisations I’ve ever had.
I now have a greater sense of appreciation for my life and for the opportunities I have to make change. This gives me a passion to give everyone else on this earth those same opportunities. Face to Face gave me that passion. Meeting people who are different to me but essentially the same, gave me that passion. There is a slogan in South Africa that says there is more that pulls us together than pushes us apart - this is so true.
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- Jenny from South Africa, 2004 Face to Face Participant
"When people say Face to Face has changed their lives, they mean it. The program proves to you in two weeks that co-existence is possible, then sends you out into the world to show others. I came back with an enormous sense of social responsibility and confidence in my ability to effect change in the world. I'd never felt that before.
I wish the program and all involved only the best for the future and plead with those who've been lucky enough to be a part of it to share and make use of what they've learned, and to never lose hope in the dream we all share - an end to conflict.
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- Emile from South Africa, 2003 Face to Face Participant, 2004 Leader In Training
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