Nominee Bio - Hamsa Newmark

In support of nomination of Hamsa Kurth Newmark

Before Deborah and I officially moved to Fayetteville we already knew about the incredible work Hamsa was doing on many different fronts. She has always shown a commitment to justice and equality for the less fortunate of the world and she never lets the pessimism of others dampen her enthusiasm to accomplish the task at hand. She continues to see the value in having good representation in government and has worked successfully to get people elected to the Fayetteville City Council. At a time when most folks would be looking for ways to enjoy their coming retirement, Hamsa is still exploring opportunities to make other people’s lives better.

We have been friends with Hamsa and Moshe for over twenty years and we always enjoy their company, their perspective, and their constant drive to contribute to the improvement of our global society.

It gives us great pleasure to recommend Hamsa for the Hero’s Award of the Omni Peace Center.

Dan and Deborah Coody

Support for Hamsa Newmark from Ginny Masullo 5-11-08

Dear Omni,

It is my understanding that Hamsa Newmark is a nominee for the Omni Peace Hero award. I would like to add my two cents regarding Hamsa as a worthy choice.

“What is so Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?” was a popular song among peace activists in the 60’s and 70’s. I do not know if Hamsa ever sang that song but as someone who has known Hamsa for more than twenty years, I can say, unequivocally, that she has lived her life believing and acting for those values.

If you’ve read Hamsa’s biography you can see from it that she has worked tirelessly to make the world, both locally and globally, a better place. Being involved with some of those projects myself, I can personally avow to how Hamsa has the ability to light a fire under people, keeping them focused and inspired .

Much of the biographical info speaks to Hamsa’s more public acts. While endeavors like Bridge of Peace provided extensive assistance to many, I want to address her quieter acts that are an intricate part of Hamsa’s way of life. She is someone who responds in positive and concrete ways to individuals in need. She is one who stays with people in their darkest hour whether that darkness is the loss of a loved one to a violent death or a friend’s lingering illness. She is just THERE in her Hamsa way, taking the baby of a worn out mother, or cooking a special dish for a poorly nourished stranger. Numerous times she and Mosche have opened up their home to youth for weeks and months, providing for those youth a break from a difficult time, physical as well as spiritual sustenance and someone to believe in and encourage them.

Hamsa’s work on Hands Across America, Puente de Paz, and her extensive community work are enough to merit the Omni Peace Hero award. But these quieter, everyday acts of peace, love and understanding also make Hamsa Newmark a true hero for peace.

Sincerely,
Ginny Masullo

HAMSA NEWMARK -- NOMINATION FOR OMNI AWARD from Dick Bennett
4-30-08

Joanne, Moshe called to ask me to write in support of your nomination of Hamsa for an OMNI Peace Hero Award, and asked me to send to you. I am glad to do that, and here it is.  But it is difficult to do because I always thought and do now think of Hamsa and Moshe as working together on their projects.    I trust it is acceptable for me to write Hamsa and Moshe even though you are nominating only Hamsa.

Hamsa Newmark
Support for her nomination for an OMNI Peace Hero Award

I first became friends with the Newmarks during the 1980s and the CIA/"Contras" invasion of Nicaragua. They organized a water relief mission called "Puente De Paz" to provide potable water to a village there. They raised the money and sustained the project until completed. Necessarily they also functioned as a local defender of Nicaragua against the illegal CIA -operated invasion.

The second significant peace achievement of Hamsa and Moshe in my personal knowledge is their over decade-long support of the Witness for Peace/Pastors for Peace bus which because of the Newmarks travels through Fayetteville each year on its way to Cuba via Mexico, carrying medical and other needed supplies. The Newmarks have gathered friends each time to raise money and warmly welcome the travelers with potluck dinners and entertainment.

We observe a special aspect of the minds and morality of these fine people, as they support the victims of US bullying-- small countries that have not followed US bidding slavishly.

    And the third outstanding peace achievement is the creation of their unique Bamboo Peace Garden, in which their back yard offers astonishing refreshment to all who enter.  One leaves the US of acquisitiveness, violence, wars, and enters a place of beauty and reflection that is transformative. According to Moshe this project is primarily Hamsa's.

Dick Bennett