Young women, ages 15-17, of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths attend summer camp each year in New Mexico. Three will appear in Las Cruces on Tuesday, Aug. 10. (All photos courtesy of Creativity for Peace)
“It is hard for me to understand violence,” Maya Hochstadter, 19, a Jewish Israeli, wrote during the 2009 war in Gaza.
“I look at the victims as humans – whether they are `my people’ or `the enemy’s’ doesn’t matter to me. Pictures of war are in my head and the only thing that is clear is that I want peace.”
Three young Palestinian and Israeli women will share their visions for peace in Las Cruces Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. at Dona Ana Community College, main branch, room 96.
Give peace a chance
They will speak publicly about their experiences living in conflict and violence and their work for peace as part of Creativity for Peace’s young leader program, which offers year-round training in Israel, Palestine and the United States in the emotional and practical skills needed for future leadership and peacemaking.
Speakers include Hochstadter; Mai Shbeta, 19, the daughter of a Jewish Israeli and a Palestinian who lives in an intentional Arab-Jewish community in Israel; and Dima Khalifa, 20, a Palestinian living in Israel. Maya attended Creativity for Peace’s New Mexico summer camp in 2006 and returned as a junior counselor in 2008; Mai was a camper in 2008 and Dima in 2006.
Since its establishment in 2003, Creativity for Peace has held 11 summer camps in New Mexico for 146 young women, ages 15-17, of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. The camp focuses on dialogue, art, field trips and social time.
Friendship brings understanding
Young leaders attend camp as junior counselors and make media and public appearances to speak about their efforts to achieve peace for their people. The 12th camp took place from July 17-August 6, with 16 participants.
The girls inspire people wherever they appear. A student at Alvernia College in Reading, Penn., wrote, “You are three of the most beautiful and intelligent women I have ever had the privilege of meeting. You are opening the doors of peace and truth.”
Creativity for Peace’s mission is to nurture understanding and leadership in Palestinian and Israeli adolescent girls and women so that they aspire to and take on significant roles in their families, communities, and countries that advance peaceful coexistence.
Programs include the three-week summer camp in Santa Fe, NM; ongoing gatherings for 146 former campers in the Middle East; advanced communication and leadership training for 40 young leaders; and academic scholarships.
A video of the 2009 young leaders speaking before a Santa Fe audience is available for viewing at www.creativityforpeace.com/mediagallery/videos.html. For more information, contact Dottie Indyke, Executive Director (505) 982-3765 or dottie@creativityforpeace.com.
