Amity School on The Wall Street Journal


Date posted: August 2, 2013

Brooklyn teens from the Turkish and Jewish American community gathered for a twinning event at the Masbia Soup Kitchen. Though this is not the first time that these teens are getting together in a project; they formed an initiative called “Young Peace Builders”, which aims to foster better understanding between the two communities. They believe that working together in projects like this will benefit the New Yorkers now and in the future. In fact, this is a model that can be copied by various communities in order to promote peace and harmony in the society.

Twinning between Muslims and Jews is an international initiative, which raise awareness of brotherhood and sisterhood between Jews and Muslim as Abraham is considered the forefather of the two Abrahamic religions. Muslims also consider Jews as their cousins due to same reason. On this occasion, Turkish-American teens from Brooklyn Amity School and Jewish-American teens from Kings Bay Y Community Center put their hands together to help Hurricane Sandy victims who got hit hard at the Sea Gate and Far Rockaway districts of Brooklyn. Teens are seated in mixed groups where they can talk and exchange ideas and thoughts about twinning and ways to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

This has been an exceptional experience for the teens as they shared their personal stories aftermath of Sandy. It’s notable that most of the teens live in the hurricane zone and they are out there to help those who are in more desperate need. During the twinning event, the teens helped cook lunch for the hungry as they shared their own stories. Almost all of the teens said that they volunteered in relief efforts in Brooklyn and Staten Island.

Hayrunnisa Kalac said that she volunteered in Far Rockaway by distributing hot soup and coffee to the victims on the second day of the hurricane. She said that she was devastated by the magnitude of the storm and its aftermath. She said that it was a great feeling to make people happy.

Aysenur Akoglu, the group leader said that many teens are eager to help; they were never tired or complained about hours of walking, knocking on the doors, and distributing hot meals. There is a great lesson to be learned for all of us as teachers and students. Such a devastating storm can change the lives of thousands of people in one day.

Bill and Hasan, volunteers from Connecticut, came to help the victims at the Sea Gate residential area of Brooklyn. They are visiting homes and asking if they needed any assistance. Bill said that they are helping victims with people from all different religious backgrounds, and we are thrilled to see the same activity is going on here with teens, too. What’s important is that people at Sea Gate need help! Hasan also said that he was moved by the volunteerism he saw at the soup kitchen. He said that he is here to show support and help people cover over this and get back to their normal life.

Alexander Rapaport, the Executive Director at the Masbia Soup Kitchen said that he is happy to get support from community organizations. The lunch prepared by the volunteers and the staff will be distributed to victims’ homes by volunteers’ personal cars. There is a great deal of collaboration and energy here today. Today, thousands of residents in Far Rockaway and Sea Gate will be served hot meals and thanks to the volunteers.

“We believe that youth projects in one of the smartest investment for our future” said Mehmet Kilic, VP of the Turkish Cultural Center. “We are planning to create a culture of peace, a culture of living together in our community. We are sincere on what we believe and we are happy to find partners who feel the same way” he concluded. Daniel Zeltzer, Program Director at the Kings Bay Y Jewish Community Center congratulated the teens for their volunteerism and dedication. Teens were presented with Certificate of Recognition during lunch at the Kings Bay Y in the afternoon. After all, it was an enjoyable and fulfilling day.

Source: Amity School , November 30, 2012


Related News

EastWest Institute honors Gülen with 2011 EWI Peace Building Award

The EastWest Institute (EWI) honored well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen with its 2011 EWI Peace Building Award at an awards dinner held for his contribution to world peace. EWI Peace Building Award recognizes individuals who made great strides in building peace across borders and cultures.

Prominent businessman Akın İpek pledges huge support to Kimse Yok Mu

A huge support campaign has grown to back Kimse Yok Mu after the recent Cabinet decree which banned the charity’s ability to accept public donations without government approval. Koza İpek Holding Chairman Akın İpek has donated 1000 animals for Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice.

Kimse Yok Mu helps 2 mln people across the world during Ramadan

Turkish charity association Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?), which has operational activities in 113 countries around the world and 31 branches in Turkey, is planning to reach out to more than 2 million people worldwide by providing hot food at iftars (fast-breaking dinners) during the holy month of Ramadan.

Man campaigning for anti-Gülen protest in US Turkish Communist Party member

A statement on the herkul.org website, which broadcasts weekly speeches of Gülen, said Gülen’s doors are open to everyone. “We are following the path of 13th-century Sufi philosopher and poet Rumi. Our hearts and doors are open to everyone. We have all kinds of tea and refreshments here. Freedom of expression and thought is what we have also been defending unless it contains insult.

Carter Center gives certificate of appreciation to Kimse Yok Mu

AYŞE TOSUN, İSTANBUL The personal foundation of former US President Jimmy Carter has awarded a certificate of appreciation to Turkish aid organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) for the association’s worldwide charitable activities. The certificate was presented to Kimse Yok Mu officials in İstanbul by Carter’s consultant, Ryan McDonald, on behalf of the former […]

‘Hizmet is a social movement worldwide, that has a heart, and it’s always from the heart.’

Hizmet works around the world to overcome poverty, and they do it in a very unique way, I think. In some ways, in a model way that could be emulated by others.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

“Peaceful Coexistence” – Workshop Organized Jointly by KADIP and Korean Religious Leaders

Liberia: VP Boakai Breaks Ground for New Light-International Campus

Bridges of love extending from Konya to Kenya

Gov’t profiling of individuals found unacceptable, unlawful

The Gülen Movement: Paradigms, Projects and Aspirations

Once, it was democracy that brought Erdogan and Gülen together

Policeman, teacher wife and premature baby under arrest over Gülen links

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News