Young ambassadors promote understanding in Israel

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers PEACE TALKS- Amri Shaffer and Rabia Eghbaria, both 15, learn that Arab and Jewish teenagers can coexist in harmony when they approach life with compassion rather fear. The boys and 18 other teens traveled from Haifa, Israel to attend Project TRIUMPH at American Jewish University in Simi Valley recently. "I have proof that a great friendship between Arabs and Jews is possible," said Amri Shaffer, a Jewish teen who recently spent two weeks at the American Jewish University Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley as a participant in Project TRIUMPH. He lived with 19 other teenagers- some Arab, others Jews- from Haifa, Israel.

Now Shaffer is back home and in a stronger position to promote peace and cultural understanding among his peers in Haifa.

Ilan Migdali, a member of the Newbury Park Rotary Club, founded Project TRIUMPH about four years ago in an effort to improve relationships between Jews and Arabs. The project's name stands for "Today's Revolution Is Understanding, Make Peace Happen."

"While here, the teenagers learned to identify their core qualities, such as honesty, optimism or compassion so they can start approaching life from those places, instead of jealousy, fear and feeling small," Migdali said.

"This is all about paying it forward toward the future," said Ron Block, a Newbury Park Rotary Club member who was also involved with the project from its inception. "If you want to be the ultimate environmentalist, you have to work toward coexistence of the human race," he said.

Suicide bombers, war threats and historical conflicts are serious causes for division among teenagers in the Middle East, but young people there still have much in common.

"Our ultimate goal is to create a society and leaders in the society who can change the world in their lifetime," said program instructor Frances Fujii.

Since schools in Israel are segregated by religion, the lack of interaction between students can foster an atmosphere of distrust and fear.

"I believe in the power of individuals who can start to make a change. Everybody in his or her unique way can change others in their minds and respect others as humans," said Rami Yahia, an Arab chaperone. Change could be achievable in the long term, he said, if young people are provided with tools to plant seeds of goodwill.

"When I got here I didn't expect to meet real friends with whom I could discuss tough subjects, but I found that good friendships can develop despite differences," said Rabia Eghbaria, an Arab teen selected to attend the monthlong camp.

"We can all discuss things, and even if we disagree we can still be friends," he said.

Peace can only occur when people are willing to understand each other, Shaffer said. It can't be forced through treaties.

"Just getting a signature on paper isn't going to produce peace because people aren't prepared for that," he said.

Both Arab and Jewish people in the Middle East are inclined to dwell on the past, but the teenagers who attended Project TRIUMPH want to look toward the future, said Diane Rumbaugh, who handles publicity for the project.

"Peace won't happen from nothing. Somebody has to take the first step to promote it," said Eghbaria.

Although both cultures will continue to exist, Shaffer and Eghbaria said, they want to introduce a new point of view to their peers in Haifa.

Shaffer plans to become an officer in the Israeli army so he can educate others on improving relations with people of Arab origin.

"These two weeks gave us a lot and we can go back empowered to change, starting in Haifa," Shaffer said, adding that he and his fellow travelers plan to start a website and promote dialogue between Arabs and Jews.

"Now we know how to approach the subject and treat people," Eghbaria agreed.

The program emphasizes connecting with your own greatness and changing the trend, said Migdali.

"When you're more comfortable with others, you connect with your essence, and everyone can move forward," he said.

High school principals in Israel select the participating young adults based on their leadership skills. The students must speak English and have an open mind, Migdali said. Teens first attended meetings in Haifa to prepare for their time together in California.

They also committed to being involved in service projects in Israel to advance intercultural exchange and demonstrate that peace is achievable.

All the local Rotaries, including clubs in Camarillo, Conejo Valley, Moorpark and Simi Valley, cosponsor the project with Rotary clubs in Haifa to plant seeds of goodwill for future generations.

"Project TRIUMPH tries to find common grounds between Arab and Jewish people," said Cliff Williams, president of the Moorpark Rotary Club.

To learn more about Project TRIUMPH or to contribute to the nonprofit endeavor, please visit www.projecttriumph.org.