Job: Associate Researcher and Analyst | Global Terror AlertIn what ways has your experience at Seeds of Peace impacted you as a person?
Seeds of Peace has tremendously changed my perspective when treating sensitive subjects relating to the conflict in the Middle East, and the various other conflicts SOP seeks to facilitate the coexistence of. When I first attended camp, it was my first time meeting someone from Israel, or any Jewish person actually. This reversed the natural cultural encasement I had, and it opened my eyes to many things I was oblivious about, especially how "the other side" is viewed, and should be viewed. It taught me to understand the differences and work on micro-solutions for the differences found between others and myself.
How does your work or education relate to building a more peaceful world?
I have a B.A. in Political Science and Holocaust Studies from Manhattanville College, and currently I attend the New School University in pursuance of M.S. in International Affairs (class '10). I currently I work as an associate researcher on foreign policy (specifically on international terrorism) with an international terrorism consultant. My understanding of the world has obviously changed since first joining SOP in 2000, and it is changing with the continuous changes in the world. One thing that has changed the circle of contemporary events is the tactic of terrorism, and through having a solid belief in peace, encouraged and developed by SOP, I work with others on fighting violence through analyzing and translating terrorism-related material, in order to help understand, and consequently fight, this phenomenon. Understanding the meaning of peace automatically makes fighting evil an obligation.