from Colorado Homes & Lifestyles

Building Bridges for Peace

By Janna L. Graber

Denver resident Melodye Feldman is pursuing world peace in – of all places – Colorado’s high country.   For the past four years, Melodye has run a unique program called “Seeking Common Ground,” which brings together teenage girls from enemy countries in the Middle East.  The idea behind the program is simple: It’s hard to hate someone who has become your friend. 

With the help of two Middle Eastern youth organizations, Melodye brings 36 teenage girls from Palestine, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip to a three-week mountain camp in Colorado.  American girls of all ethnic groups also attend. "The girls live, eat, and hang out together," says Melodye.  "Each day, they get to know each other a little better, and the barriers come tumbling down."

While the camp has many fun activities, the goal is to teach communication skills.  "Before you can get along with someone, you have to listen and understand how they feel," says Melodye.  And while the young women may never agree on the conflict in their home countries, at least they better understand another point of view. 

The result of the program so far?  Former enemies have become lifelong friends.  "I’ve learned not to generalize," says one participant.  "I look for the human side of people now, not the fearful, hating sides of our hearts." 

With the help of Denver's Congregation Emmanuel, Seeking Common Ground is Melodye’s dream come true.  "I traveled to the Middle East several times and got to know people on all sides of the conflict,” says Melodye. “I began to dream of a way to bring people in conflict together, so that they could just get to know each other.  Seeking Common Ground is the result of that dream.”

"We spend enough time teaching war and hatred, but few teach peace,” Melodye adds.  “Maybe it's time we gave our kids the skills to make peace – even if we do it one child at a time."

For more information, call Melodye at (303) 388-4013.