SHARE:  

Fostering a just peace in Israel and Palestine through education

October 2024

Ms. Nawar Mussallam, Father Elias Chacour, Rev. Bruce Rigdon

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friend,


Freshly back in Colorado after a truly heartwarming time accompanying Fr Chacour and Ms. Nawar Mussallam in Indiana and Michigan, I feel enormous gratitude to the many hosts for their warm welcome and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with new audiences (and so many old friends too!!).


Each presentation by Fr. Chacour was met with a full room and rapt audience. Fr. Chacour did not disappoint and below I’ll give you links to the recordings in case you were not able to tune into the live-streams.


We met our matching campaign goal of raising $140,000 to fund 200 scholarships at MEEI. In fact we raised more — over $160,000! We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity and with your help we will send yet another grant to Mar Elias so that they can nurture the very leaders of tomorrow that are essential if we may ever see peace and justice for all.


Many blessings,


Essrea Cherin

Executive Director

Donate Now

Abuna and Nawar Gratitude to Supporters

Fr. Elias Chacour with long-time support Silvia Pedraza

Gratitude from Abuna:


“Indeed, I don't find the proper words to express my gratitude and my very deep appreciation for the role you played during my last visit with you. I found far more than what I expected. I want to convey my deep gratitude for all those whom we encountered. One thing Nawar keeps saying to me, we need to learn from the hospitality and the smile of friendship that we received from everybody who we encountered during the two past weeks we spent with you.


To all the other friends we raise our prayers to God to multiply citizens in America like those we met, as I told you there, you represent the beautiful face of America. It's stronger than any financial [support] and very specially than any destructive weapons. The friendship we received is far more important than the funds we raised for the survival of the school.


Yours sincerely,

Archbishop Emeritus Elias Chacour”


Gratitude from Nawar:


“Dearest Friends at Pilgrims of Ibillin,


Upon my return to Ibillin, I am compelled to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional hospitality you showed me during my visit to the USA. Your warm welcome made my stay not only comfortable but profoundly memorable.

From day one, I was moved by the generosity and kindness each of you demonstrated. The effort you put into making every moment perfect is something I hold dear. The delightful hospitality, enriching conversations, and the chance to forge meaningful connections with so many among you are things which will always remain in my heart.


Thank you once again for everything you do for the extended family of MEEI. We eagerly look forward to hosting as many of you as possible in Ibillin.


With deepest appreciation,

Nawar Mussallam”

Donate With Your Retirement Account

While in Indiana and Michigan, I was asked by several attendees about the process to make a contribution directly from one’s Retirement Account. Since others may have this question too, here is what you need to know:


Funds must be transferred directly from an IRA to Pilgrims by the IRA trustee in order to qualify for the tax break. If you withdraw the money from your IRA and later donate it, it won't qualify as a tax-free qualified charitable distribution.

You have to make the distribution check payable to Pilgrims of Ibillin directly, if it is sent payable to you, that would not be considered a qualified charitable distribution.


You will just need to give your fund manager (or IRA trustee) our Federal Tax ID: #38-3243253. Some make a direct deposit into our bank account that they have on record (such as Fidelity) while others send a check to Pilgrims at:


c/o Davidson College Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 337, 100 North Main Street

Davidson NC 28036


Thank you for your generous support!

Recordings of Abuna’s Presentations

Father Chacour with Michael Spath Director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace in Fort Wayne, IN 10/10/24


Father Chacour's presentation at Greencroft Retirement Center, Goshen, IN, 10/11/24

Watch Recordings of Father Chacour's Presentations

Mar Elias Update: Upholding Christian Values in Education Amidst Conflict and Crisis

At the heart of Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI) is the blending of faith and education. This philosophy goes beyond just academic success to help form our students' character and spirit, anchoring them in values of love, compassion, and hope during times of unprecedented violence in Galilee. With the ongoing conflict and the necessity for schools to remain closed, it is more crucial than ever that we continue to uphold our Christian values, even though digital means.

The shift to online learning, driven by the current climate of uncertainty, presents its own set of challenges. Nonetheless, we are surely committed to continuing our unique educational approach, ensuring that our students receive the support and guidance they need, consistent with MEEI’s core values.


Our digital classrooms have become vital spaces for connection, where we strive to maintain the essential human-to-human interaction that is a cornerstone of our educational approach. Our educators do more than teach; they are mentors, spiritual guides, and stable figures for our students during these unstable times. The importance of our mission only grows as the conflict intensifies.


When sirens warn of danger and the sounds of bombs and rockets become too close, our teachers quickly take on roles that go beyond traditional teaching. They become sources of calm and reassurance. Upon hearing sirens, MEEI teachers calmly direct students to mute their microphones and, if comfortable, turn on their cameras for visual support, helping maintain a sense of connection in the class.


Many teachers also use a "virtual safe room"—a separate, secure video call where students can regroup during emergencies. In these safe rooms, teachers engage students with lighthearted conversation and activities meant to restore a sense of normalcy.

Students in Safe Rooms

This not only helps manage the immediate crisis but also fosters long-term resilience and trust between teachers and students.


What sets MEEI apart is not just the implementation of innovative educational methods, but the unique composition of its staff and the community it fosters.


In particular, MEEI employs Jewish teachers who fully embrace their Arab students, treating them as their own. This approach is a rare find in today's educational landscape in our region, as it transcends typical cultural and national boundaries, forming a microcosm of unity and mutual understanding. This aspect of MEEI is not just a policy but a testament to its deep commitment to integration and peace-building.


The presence of teachers from different ethnic backgrounds working harmoniously together exemplifies the institution's broader mission: to educate and unify diverse groups.


The map image represents the areas in Galilee, including Ibillin, that are under threat from missiles and rockets. The red icons on the map mark the specific locations targeted, highlighting the zones where sirens are activated to warn residents of incoming threats. This depiction emphasizes the urgent and distressing reality faced by the communities in these regions, underlining the need for constant vigilance and preparedness in response to such dangers


Submitted by Dr. Emil Haloun, International Relations Director

Sermon on the Mount Translation - Update

You may be wondering whatever happened to Father Chacour’s book, The Sermon on the Mount, that we raised funds to translate 3 years ago.


I’m really happy to share with you that the manuscript is in the hands of the publisher now and we are in the midst of finalizing details. I hope to share with you next month when you can expect to purchase a copy.


The publishing process took some time as the first obstacle was identifying the right translator. The next step was to find the right publisher, with the right fit for the book’s content, which we did with the help of former Pilgrims’ board member, Rev. Dr. Duncan Ferguson who graciously connected Father Chacour’s manuscript with Wipf and Stock Publishers, in addition to a masterful editing contribution.

We are grateful for your support in making this possible and appreciate your patience as we get the work to print.


Stay tuned in the new year for a series of monthly Study Sessions with Fr. Chacour with in depth discussions of each chapter of the newly published book. (I’ll get you dates and registration links shortly).

Giving Tuesday 2024

During Father Chacour and Nawar Mussallam’s visit when asked what dreams and visions do you hold for Mar Elias, knowing that Fr Chacour’s mind is full of ideas of how to support Palestinian Christian society within Israel. Sadly, the response given was that right now, they dare not dream. Funding has been cut so severely that all their attention is going to keeping the doors open.

This Giving Tuesday, December 3 we invite your generous support to help Mar Elias to thrive. What a gift not only to Israel, to the Middle East, but to all of us — we all benefit when today’s youth become the peacemakers of tomorrow.


Thank you for your support! 

Donate Today

Fr Chacour Interview - Towards Understanding

Father Chacour was recently interviewed by an Australian Christian radio program Towards Understanding by Clayton Bjelan.


You can access the recording here:

Fr. Chacour Interview

Your donations support the ongoing work of

Pilgrims' Peace Partners in fostering a just peace

through education in Israel and Palestine.



Thank you.

Essrea Cherin

Executive Director, Pilgrims of Ibillin

(303) 928-0923

essrea@pilgrimsofibillin.org

www.pilgrimsofibillin.org