Gina Miles wins silver medal in equestrian ‘eventing’ at the . Page 17 Let’s put the

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PAGE 14 PEACE

CAMPMENLO PARK RESIDENT BRINGS ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO A SUMMER SPORTS CAMP IN THE U.S. COVER STORY TEAMING UP FOR PEACE MENLO PARK RESIDENT BRINGS ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO

Photo by Josh Oryhon SUMMER SPORTS CAMP IN THE U.S.

By Selena Simmons-Duffin “This I Believe” essay series. gram. His aikido work fostered tage of Camp Susquehannock’s camp, but because of the process Special to the Almanac “I believe that the incandescent the support of Budo for Peace and 103-year-old traditions of sports- of getting visas and traveling to joy of a happy child transcends Aiki-extensions — both organiza- manship: “It’s about the integrity America, not because they were obert Kent never expected every ethnic and economic dis- tions work in Israel with young with which you play, sportsman- all from Israel. to find himself brush- tinction humankind has invented martial artists of both Jewish and ship, the pleasure of trying hard,” Zahi explained that the other Ring shoulders with actress to keep us apart,” he wrote. “I Palestinian descent, providing the Mr. Kent says. “I think there’s American campers in the camp Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jerry believe that every prejudice, every population of students Mr. Kent magic in play — that’s the magic were very welcoming, and after Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s, lying oppression, every resentment, draws on for the scholarships. I’m tapping into here.” the first week, didn’t press them in a peace sign-festooned bed, and and every misunderstanding can The students who receive schol- for details about their back- spooning a new ice cream flavor be cured more quickly by mix- arships through the Peace Camp Long-awaited arrival ground. “They didn’t actually care before a crowd in Times Square. ing everyone’s children together, Initiative already have a back- For three weeks this summer, where we’re from and what we Yet this past May, there he was, making two teams, and letting ground in martial arts (both Adam Horovitz, Zahi Tuama and are. They just want to know who as he accepted a Ben & Jerry’s them play than by any form of aikido and other forms such as Ahmed Hamudi went to Camp is there. They just want to know “Peace Pioneer” award for found- conflict resolution, court inter- ), and experience training Susquehannock, and for all of me.” ing an organization called the cession, or legislation we’ve come with students from the other side them, the experience exceeded Adam added that getting past Peace Camp Initiative to bring up with so far.” of the conflict. Having studied expectations. those details of the ethnic con- together Israeli Jews and Palestin- Mr. Kent’s background makes

ians in a traditional American clear how this belief has informed

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After Times Square, the Menlo degree black belt aikido instruc- A

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Park resident headed to the Penn- tor, and directs the youth pro- T

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e Christian, and one Muslim — camp in Pennsylvania called V sits up and notices and tries to help.’

y b who were the first recipients Camp Susquehannock, where he o t o h ROBERT KENT OF MENLO PARK of scholarships from the Peace has been involved in some capac- P Camp Initiative. Over the next ity for the last 32 years. few weeks, the three boys lived and Two weeks after he finished his played with students from all over essay, he realized his statement the country and the world. of belief could be the impetus martial arts, “the kids are already “The people here are so nice flict is not easy. He is 14 years old It is a kind of grand experi- for action. He spoke to his friend comfortable with the idea of and everybody cares about each and has been studying karate for ment — one man’s attempt to do and fellow aikido instructor conflict occurring with a lim- other. The spirit of the place is so almost 10 years. “[To] not care something good with a lifetime of Jamie Zimron about her work ited chance of violence,” Mr. Kent amazing,” said Zahi, a 15-year- what happens in their hometown organizational connections and using aikido for conflict resolu- says. “They are predisposed to old aikido student. “This camp is and only care about who they are the aplomb to follow through on tion in the Middle East, and had think that the right solution is one really special.” — it’s something hard to find if an epiphany. the idea to found a scholarship in which all the kids are working Ahmed agreed. The visa of the you don’t look deep enough,” he program to send several kids towards a post-partisan future.” 16-year-old karate student almost said. “I think whoever let us come From belief to action from Israel and Palestine to At the camp, the kids are ordi- didn’t get approved in time to here did look deep enough to let Although the idea for the initia- Camp Susquehannock. Soon, the nary campers, learning popular visit the camp this year, but with us have this chance. tive has been floating around for Peace Camp Initiative was born. American sports such as lacrosse the assistance of U.S. Sen. Dianne “I think this entire project really some 20 years, the push to make and , studying aikido Feinstein’s office, he was able to will affect us in our life.” it a reality happened in the fall “Magic in Play” with Mr. Kent, and meeting other come, too. of 2006 when Mr. Kent sat down Mr. Kent’s practice of aikido campers from all over the world. The three boys listed each Give ice cream a chance to write a submission for NPR’s serves as the vehicle for the pro- In this way, the kids take advan- other as their closest friends at the The likelihood that more stu-

14 ■ The Almanac ■ August 20, 2008 The Bowman program builds confidence, creativity and academic excellence.

Lower School - Grades K - 5 Middle School - Grades 6 - 8 Individualized, self-directed program Zahi Tuama, a 15-year-old Rich international and cultural studies aikido student of Palestinian Proven, Montessori approach descent, gets flipped over by his State-of-the-art facility aikido instructor, Hanna Jiryis. Low student-teacher ratio Far left: Peace Camp scholarship students, from left, www.bowmanschool.org Adam Horovitz, 4000 Terman Drive  Palo Alto, CA  Tel: 650-813-9131 Zahi Tuama and Ahmed Hamudi stand with Robert Kent on the last

Photo by Ann Kent day of camp.

dents in the coming years will have tries to help.” Kent says. “It’s almost always about the chance that Zahi, Ahmed, and respect. When you can find a way Adam had is much more certain Hybrid vigor for people to express their respect thanks to the Peace Pioneer prize Mr. Kent’s project is truly a they have for the other side, you’re from Ben & Jerry’s. cross-cultural, multi-organiza- most of the way there.” The award was the result of a tional effort that combines Japa- nationwide search for leaders in nese, Middle Eastern, and Ameri- Organization and growth contemporary efforts for peace. can cultural influence. (Now that Mr. Kent still has a long way to Of 275 individuals and organiza- Ben & Jerry’s has contributed its go before he reaches his goal of tions nominated for the prize, Mr. support with the “Peace Pioneers” 12 students a year. Even when he Kent was one of two winners, and prize, you can add John Lennon’s had the money for two students to was awarded $10,000 from the ice pacifism to the mix.) come last summer, the visas took cream company. This blend makes perfect sense too long to process, so the trips The prize was awarded in Times coming from Mr. Kent. In addi- were delayed until this year. Square during a commemorative tion to his work at Aikido West Fundraising, he says, is still in Peace Bed-In in coordination and Camp Susquehannock, Mr. the friends and family realm. He with the John Lennon Estate and Kent is a professor of a course on emphasizes the importance of AMAZING GAMES nonprofit Peace One Day. Ben & ethics and aikido at Williams Col- growing organically, and is seek- Jerry’s also unveiled a new flavor lege in Massachusetts and a tele- ing both individual donations Saturday, August 23 for the occasion: a caramel ice commuter for a Maryland-based and renewable grants. “Long term cream base with toffee and choco- tech start-up that makes robotic viability would be based on some 11:00am late peace signs called “Imagine equipment to sand airplanes. of both,” he guesses. Center Pavilion Whirled Peace.” With Peace Camp, Mr. Kent He hopes that next summer will “The flavor is really good,” combines strengths from each of bring a larger group, with both Celebrate fun, confidence-building activities and challenges as attests Mr. Kent. these roles. His academic training male and female participants, The Simon Kidgits Club Amazing Games get underway. From The prize money paid for the in philosophy and ethics draws and more formalized teaching jump-roping and hula hoop contests to ball and ring tosses, this tuition and flight of one Peace him to Israel, where, he says, each and a discussion component for is a fantastic way for kids to get fit while also teaching them Camp student this summer and side has “a seemingly legitimate set the students. about sportsmanship, team spirit and friendly competition. will also allow Mr. Kent to travel to of claims.” Without an ethnic link Israel in the winter. There, he will on either side, (“I grew up vaguely Ending words Kidgits members will receive a jump rope, sports wristband, meet the people he’s been work- Presbyterian,” he notes), Mr. Kent Mr. Kent is modest about found- medal and achievement award while supplies last. ing with over the last few years says he was always interested and ing the Peace Camp Initiative and make new connections. The kept well informed about the situ- and winning the Peace Pioneers Not, a member, sign up on-line at www.simon.com/kidgits remainder will pay for another stu- ation in Israel between Jews and award: “There’s a way for every- or at the event for just $5. dent’s scholarship next summer. Palestinians. He has never visited body to make a difference; this Mr. Kent says he is impressed Israel or done previous activism on just happens to be my way. with the sincerity of the Ben & the issue. “I have to imagine that for any- Jerry’s company, and thankful for The start-up work, he explains, body reading this, there’s some- this financial contribution. gives him background in fund- thing they thought about trying. “This is just one guy’s modest raising and promotion. The world has already given us attempt to try to make a dif- In addition, working as a camp permission.” A ference just because the pieces counselor for a long time gives him seemed to fit naturally,” Mr. a strong background in conflict For more information, go to the Kent explains. “Sometimes the resolution. “I’m used to facilitating Peace Camp Initiative Web site: world sits up and notices and people hearing each other,” Mr. http://peacecampinitiative.org.

August 20, 2008 ■ The Almanac ■ 15