News

Journey to the Center workshop with Tom Crum

Leicht presentation at Berkshire Dojo

June 25, 2008
Following the June 25 class of the Shobu Aikido of Berkshire Dojo Bill Leicht Ss. offere a presentation about AE work, including the current Peace Dojos initiative. The presentation featured a screening of the DVD, “Training Across Borders."

AE Executive Director chosen

June 16, 2008
The AE Board of Directors approved unanimously the appointment of Brandon WilliamsCraig as Executive Director. Supported in this new role by the non-profit Association Building Community, Brandon is also Assistant Instructor (4th dan) to Kayla Feder Sensei at Aikido of Berkeley. Find out more about him via his website http://bdwc.net

Training Across Borders - Zürich

June 12, 2008
Close to a dozen veterans of the historic Training Across Borders seminar in Cyprus assembled in Zürich as part of the "TAB-Z" Summer Camp, now in its third season under the direction of Sensei Kurt Bartholet. Original TAB participants also include Assi Moualem who teaches Salaam Shalom Aikido classes in Jerusalem, Tesfaye Tekelu who manages the Awassa Peace Dojo , and half a dozen aikidoka from four Arab countries..

Aikido based prep school getting started

The Crystal Farm initiative, first publicized at the 3rd International AE conference in 2001, has moved to an operational phase. This will be a college preparatory residential high school in Holyoke, MA, which uses aikido principles as the unifying theme of the school's liberal arts curriculum. Students will train aikido twice daily along with related practices. See http://www.crystalfarmschool .org/

Robert Kent wins PeaceCamp funds

May 28, 2008
AE member Robert Kent was just awarded $10,000 as a winner of the Peace Pioneer Contest sponsored by Ben and Jerry's. His winning submission was based on an essay, This I Believe. Rob will donate his award to The PeaceCamp Initiative, co-sponsored by Aiki Extensions, a program that brings future Israeli and Palestinian leaders to one of the oldest and finest summer camps in America.  The award was featured at a press conference event in Times Square on Tuesday, May 27. For further info write rk@peacecampinitiative.org

Phillip Emminger announces infrastructure challenge grant

April 2008
In order to root AE's support structure for the long term, recently emeritus Board Member, Phillip Emminger, has called for the appointment of a half-time Executive Director and offered $10,000 U.S. if it is matched by another $30,000 from additional sources. Much gratitude to Phillip and to those working to match his generous challenge.

Awassa Peace Dojo celebrates two breakthroughs

Jan. 31, 2008
The AE mission in Ethiopia marked two leaps forward in January. Visiting AE President Don Levine inaugurated a new dojo built by students from bamboo and other local materials. He also spoke with
the Curriculum Director of Addis Ababa public schools, who wishes to introduce a requirement of aikido training for all high school seniors and asked AE to help provide intensive training for staff over the summer.

Peace Dojos International gets under way

Jan. 3, 2008
An AE task force has begun to explore next steps in organizing an international network consisting of martial arts dojos of any discipline that train explicitly for peace and involve a social outreach activity. Besides aikido, dojos teaching capoeira, karate, and taekwondo have joined the enterprise. The team consists of Bill Leicht, chair; Danny Hakim; Paul Linden;  Steve Thomas; and David Weinstock.  For more information, contact Bill Leicht.