Celebrating Easter in Palestine |
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Executive Director Message |
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Greetings to you,
As I write this note, violence and tension are on the rise for the people of Israel and Palestine. The day will come when I can report otherwise, but I continue to hear that the situation is worsening. Times are hard, particularly for our Palestinian brothers and sisters whether they are in the Occupied West Bank or even citizens of Israel.
These daily realities weigh heavily upon the children of the region and thus your support for programs that create opportunity and teach dignity and respect for all provide some hope for a better future.
Mar Elias serves as an island of happiness and connection that helps assuage unease that is too common in Palestinian-Israeli communities – In this newsletter you’ll find:
- a brief update about Mar Elias and the need for new computers in the computer lab
- a profile of an MEEI alum who is in the midst of obtaining a medical degree
- a brief message from Abuna Chacour
- an invitation to learn more about Peace Partner Seraj Libraries in the May webinar
- an invitation to join our Living Stones pilgrimage this fall
Sending prayers for an ease to the unrest!
Warmly,
Essrea Cherin, Executive Director
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Seraj Library Project
Continuing with the 2022 webinar series, we feature peace partner Seraj Library Project, to learn about how they serve the needs of communities across Palestine with books, culture, and convening spaces.
Seraj develops libraries in rural Palestinian villages, assisting in the education of Palestinian villagers of all ages and faiths through high quality and accessible library programs. The project is based on the belief that civic education is the best route to democracy, human rights and peace.
Sign up and Join Us Online
Saturday, May 14
12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT
(19h00 in Palestine)
You’ll hear uplifting stories about how
communities are providing access to libraries
to every Palestinian child and family.
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After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation
email containing information about
joining the webinar via Zoom.
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We need your help!
The Israeli Ministry of Education recently visited and deemed the aged computers at the MEEI lower school computer lab in need of updating.
Can you help us provide
42 computers at $1,000 each?
Please consider sponsoring a computer for MEEI students! Current computers are over 9 years old and can no longer handle the complex software that students use such as robotics and other demanding software.
With up-to-date computers, students can accomplish a variety of academic tasks, including:
- Computer assisted learning in a variety of academic subjects.
- Practice with language skills. In first grade they begin to study Hebrew and in the second grade, English. (These two languages, in addition to Arabic, are part of the curriculum at every grade level and including the university.)
- Research via the Internet and specialized computer programs.
- Develop writing skills when preparing reports, papers and creative writing.
- Learn video production techniques using the latest digital technology with cameras and computers.
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Computers will significantly enhance the education the 1st through 8th grade students receive. With the latest models, 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, you can sponsor a new computer capable of today’s programs for the lower school students of Mar Elias.
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We’ll make sure a computer (or more) in your name is donated to Mar Elias.
Students send you their deep gratitude
for your generous help!
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Meet Rasmia Haider
Rasmia Haider graduated from Mar Elias Educational Institutions in 2016 and from there went on to study medicine at the Arab American University, which includes two years studying in Jenin, two years in Aruba, and 1 1/2 years in US hospitals. Rasmia is now in Chicago, working in area hospitals, practicing what she learned in the previous four years of study.
When I asked Rasmia about her education at Mar Elias, she attributed her being where she is today to the exceptional education she received at MEEI, “…one of the best schools in Israel…”
Some stand-out moments were the opportunity to visit the US — traveling with former Pilgrims of Ibillin Executive Director Joan Deming and Dr. Emil Halloun from Mar Elias Educational Institutions High School, meeting Americans in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois — as well as when Americans volunteered at MEEI, helping out in the classrooms. Meeting people from another culture offered an invaluable opportunity to better understand the world.
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Rasmia Haider
Read the complete alumni profile of Rasmia Haider on our website.
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Abuna Chacour's Easter Message |
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We received a letter from Abuna Elias Chacour in April. This is an excerpt of that letter for you:
“The school is going back to normal, not without some expected problems of discipline. Two years of absence from school created a problem for us to restore peace of mind and communion with each other. We are sure we shall overcome this problem. We have a great faith in our young people. Last week we received the results of the final exams for the twelfth graders, the “Bagrut” examinations. Out of three hundred students, 93% finished with honors despite all the distractions of COVID-19.
We are overjoyed with this results. It means that all these students are yearning to further their studies in higher education in universities. This means that we will have an additional over 300 leaders in our society, leaders who have been imbued with our vision and dream, ‘God does not kill, God is love.’”
To read the message in full, go to this page on our website
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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
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Alan and Luke, leading Pilgrimage devotions |
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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.”
The trip is both magical and enriching, not to mention life-changing! You’ll meet local peacemaking colleagues in the West Bank and the Galilee when we visit Christians, Muslims, and Jews working to plant and nourish the seeds of a just peace. Our tours include visits to holy sites and conversations which connect our experiences with our faith.
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Your donations will support the ongoing work of
Pilgrims' Peace Partners in fostering peace
through education in Israel and Palestine.
Thank you.
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Essrea Cherin
Executive Director, Pilgrims of Ibillin
(303) 928-0923
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