Scott Kennedy, Presente!

It is hard to start this note to describe many years of camaraderie activated by an incessant desire to pursue peace in one of the most troubled areas in the world, namely the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Scott’s dedication to the cause of attaining peaceful resolutions mushroomed into a successful network of individuals and organizations of like minds on both sides of the divide ardently working towards conflict resolution. Scott Kennedy will be missed, but his legacy, his teachings, and his endless energy will survive and shared among those who truly seek peace and are willing to pay the price.

It was back in 1987 or ‘88 that I was interviewed by Scott, David Schilling, and Doug Hostetter to become part of the Eye Witness Delegation heading to Palestine/Israel to help with translation issues that might present themselves. The interview was via conference call and the emphasis was on nonviolence and the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s history and teachings, all of which was new to me since I had no idea of what was happening in the world of nonviolence and I did not know anything about FOR.

Scott did not lead the delegation that time, but since the time I went to Nyack, New York, for my first orientation, I became a member of the FOR family, Middle East Task Force, and later member of FOR’s National Council. Scott has led the way for me to join the nonviolent struggle, become a peace activist, and lead or co-lead delegations to the region.

Thank you for the good times, thank you for the struggles, thank you for your leadership, and most of all thank you for your friendship.

Tarek El Heneidy served on FOR’s National Council from 2003-09, and chaired its finance committee. Born in Egypt, he lives in Rockport, Massachusetts, where he is a member of the North Shore Coalition for Peace and Justice and other regional justice organizations.