Sport Israel Project #25794

Young Leaders of the Middle East On the Rise

by Ultimate Peace, INC.

Young Leaders of the Middle East On the Rise

Project Report | Nov 27, 2017
Camp 2017

By Jim Levine | Coach

Avishag on the Ultimate Field

200 Middle East teens descended on Kfar Silver for Ultimate Peace camp in July. As usual, culturally mixed teams were formed on the first day of camp, and friendships developed over the week that they spent together. This is the beauty of Ultimate Peace. We use the values of the sport of Ultimate, mix in talented coaches from around the world and dedicated young leaders from the Middle East, bring in the campers, and watch the magic happen.

I had the honor of coaching an amazing group of young girls. A story about their interactions exemplifies the great things that happen when you bring diverse kids together.

Toqa and Sadan, two Arab girls on the team, roomed with Avishag and Nomi, two Jewish girls on the team. These were girls from four different communities that had some contact with each other prior to camp from some of them playing on the National Team, but generally they didn't know each other. Right from the start they got along really well - I don't think anyone externally would have been able to tell which were the Arab girls and which were the Jewish girls from their interactions. Avishag was "the funny one", and Nomi was the one whose laugh was infectious.

In the team's final night discussion we talked about our appreciations of one another. Toqa gave the appreciation that started the tears flowing. She said that the four of them talked and laughed all the time, but one night, when Toqa told the others that she was going to say her prayers, Avishag and Nomi showed great mutual respect by being quiet throughout. Toqa added that once she was done with her prayers they all (of course) went right back to talking and laughing.

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