Fostering a just peace in Israel and Palestine through education.
June 2022
See how Seraj Library Project brings light to Palestinian communities. View May's webinar.
Executive Director Message
Greetings dear friend,

As I write this note, violence and tension are on the rise for the people of Israel and Palestine as well as in the Ukraine and Russia.

You may have heard the devastating news of the shameful and senseless murder of well-known and beloved Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, ‘The Voice of Palestine’. My heart aches for my Palestinian brothers and sisters when I saw the horrifying images of mourners in a funeral procession beaten with batons by the ever-present occupying police force, even in what should have been a sacred moment of grief and loss.

The cycle of violence sometimes seems without end. As the Head of Churches of the Holy Land said in a recent statement, “As long as a regime of military occupation continues to be imposed on those who live in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and as long as a regime of discrimination continues to be administered within the State of Israel, there will be no end to the cycle of violence.”

This tragedy is a painful reminder of the unceasing injustice that prevails for all too many in Israel and Palestine.

These daily realities weigh heavily upon the children, thus your support for programs that create opportunity and teach dignity and respect for all provide hope for a better future.

Mar Elias, an island of happiness and connection, serves as a healing balm to the unease, all too common in Palestinian-Israeli communities.

Please join me in sending prayers for an end to the violence and progress toward a just peace for all to emerge.

Warmly,

Essrea Cherin
Executive Director
Mar Elias Computer Lab Fundraiser
Can you help us replace the outdated computers at Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI)?

A delegation from the Israeli Ministry of Education recently visited and deemed the nearly 10-year old computers at the MEEI lower school computer lab to be unacceptable for today’s computing needs.

We’d like to provide 42 computers at $1,000 each and we invite you to consider sponsoring a computer (or a portion of a computer) for MEEI students!

The current computers cannot manage the complex software that students use such as robotics and other demanding programs.

With your help we are excited to supply MEEI with new computers to significantly enhance the education the 1st through 8th grade students receive such that students can increase their knowledge and skills in the use of the computers and the wide world to which they are introduced via the internet.

The need is great because government funding for private Arab schools has been reduced in recent years.

With your gift of $1,000 or more, sponsor a new computer capable of today’s software for the lower school students of Mar Elias.
    
Click here to make a secure donation and we’ll make sure a computer (or more) in your name is donated to Mar Elias.
Students are deeply grateful for your generous help!
Saraj Webinar - Recording
If you missed the May Webinar...

In May we hosted a beautiful webinar with our peace partner Seraj Library Project, to learn about the critically important role they play in communities across Palestine.

The two founders of Seraj, Estephan and Laurie Salameh, shared with us their history as well as they latest developments: in Birzeit, a library and cultural center, and in the village of Kufor Aqab near Jerusalem, a Library and National Storytelling Center.

Enjoy the inspiring and heartwarming story of Seraj’s service to the betterment of Palestinian communities and society with this video of the recent webinar.
Birzeit Cultural Center
Mary McAliley - 12 Days to Jerusalem
Long-time friend of Abuna Elias Chacour, Mary McAliley, recently published a book sharing the story of her life-changing first visit to the Holy Land.

Twelve Days to Jerusalem is about the authentic reality of the presence of God in life. This book shares the true story of religious writer Mary McAliley during her unanticipated trip to the Holy Land. Filled with words that swell in the mind and melt the heart, this book will give you more reasons to believe, to strengthen your faith, and to make your pilgrimage to the Holy Land (see below for your pilgrimage opportunity).
In addition, Ms. McAliley with Abuna Chacour’s guidance and input, designed this eternal peace necklace.

Proceeds from both the book and necklace go directly to support three worthy organizations — Mar Elias Educational Institutions and Abuna Chacour is one of the three. Income from sales this month will support new computers for the MEEI elementary school lab.

You can read the book's electronic version here and purchase the eternal peace necklace at https://twelvedaystojerusalem.org/products.
We have a few spaces remaining for this fall’s Living Stones Pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine and we’d love for you to fill one!

Living Stones Pilgrimage to Israel & Palestine
September 29 - October 11, 2022
Pilgrimage Leaders:
Instructor, Rev. Dr. James Thomas
West Bank Tour Guide, Usama Nicola
Tour Coordinator, Brenda Mehos

“Living Stones” Pilgrimages are unique tours of witness and pilgrimage in the service of peace in the region a third of humanity call “The Holy Land.”

On this trip you will get to know the “Living Stones” of Israel/Palestine. You will meet Pilgrims of Ibillin’s peace-building partners in Ibillin, Zababdeh, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. You will hear from leaders of organizations that seek a nonviolent path to a just peace.
 
You’ll also get to visit key biblical sites in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Hebron, and the Galilee (including Nazareth), and learn why the Holy Land is known as “the Fifth Gospel.”  

Perhaps best of all, you will experience Palestinian hospitality, including during a home-stay in Zababdeh.
 
You’ll have a chance to get to know students and leaders at the Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Ibillin and visit with MEEI founder and peace activist, Archbishop Elias Chacour (schedule permitting). 
 
For prices, itinerary, and to indicate your interest –
Trip Coordinator Brenda Mehos
will be in touch!
Your donations will 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