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February 2023
Archbishop Naoum asks for support for those affected by the earthquake in northern Syria
Since Sunday night when the first news of the disastrous earthquake in Central Turkey and Northern Syria arrived, we have been watching with great sadness the destruction across the region and the rescue and relief efforts.

The effects of the earthquake were felt far from the epicenter. Archdeacon Imad Zoorob, head of St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in Beirut, sent video of light fixtures rattling in this family’s fifth floor apartment. Dua’a Bisharat, director of Saviour’s School in Jordan, said she thought she awoke with a dizzy spell before she realized it was an earthquake.

However, not all areas of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem were so fortunate to avoid the devastation.

Archbishop Hosam Naoum said in a statement on Wednesday, “The reports from northern Syria—a region that falls within the Diocese of Jerusalem—are especially dire. Because the territory is largely inhabited by refugees fleeing an eleven-year civil war, the situation there is literally “an emergency within an emergency,” as one of the local victims put it. That very war has made it particularly difficult for relief to reach those whose need is most desperate. Thankfully, through our Diocesan church network, which was not directly affected by the earthquake, we have the ability to channel such aid and relief to those victims.”

The Rev. Canon Fa’eq Haddad, rector of Church of the Redeemer, Amman, will work on behalf of the Diocese in partnership with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization. With its well-established supply chain and convoy system, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization will allow all donations to American Friends to go directly and immediately to those affected in North Syria. As always, AFEDJ ensures 100 percent of funds designated for a specific purpose go directly to the intended institution or fund.
 
Archbishop Naoum added, “I invite you to join us in lifting up those affected in prayer, asking for God's healing, comfort, and strength upon them as they seek to survive the difficult days ahead.”
Pilgrim Stories: AFEDJ Trustee Suhail Qumri talks about the power of returning home
More than 20 years ago, Suhail Qumri left his home in East Jerusalem to study in the United States and ultimately settling with his wife and children in Chicago.

While he's returned many times to visit his family and friends in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Jordan, his trip last October as an AFEDJ trustee to visit the schools and hospitals of the Diocese of Jerusalem offered him a new perspective on our call to help sustain the Christian witness and serve our neighbors in the Holy Land.
Donor survey reveals high confidence in AFEDJ and support for our mission
Last fall, AFEDJ conducted our first donor survey. Thanks to the 171 of you who took the time to respond to our questions and offer thoughtful feedback on why you give, what keeps you engaged, which parts of our mission you most care about, how well we recognize your generosity, and more.

Here are a few of our findings: (Click to enlarge)
Here are a few of your comments:

I know social justice issues are tricky in Palestine, but I like hearing about them and being given the chance to participate in actions on behalf of Episcopal churches in Holy Land.


I first heard about AFEDJ when I participated in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land sponsored by our church. I was impressed by the work AFEDJ does - it provides badly needed services to people who otherwise would not receive help.


I have seen the suffering and injustice of Palestinians first hand and am committed to helping as I can. I also love the Christian witness and that the love and help is available to all in need. I trust AFEDJ in a way I might not trust every anonymous-to-me charity.


The Arab population of the Holy Land, Christian and Muslim, suffers injustice and consequent violence and poverty. This is the land in which the Son of God lived his earthly life and witnessed and acted for the poor and oppressed. These facts motivate my monthly support for AFEDJ and my designation of AFEDJ as a beneficiary of my estate.
Bearing Witness: A Journey with Holy Land Christians gets closer to launch
As the final work on the Bearing Witness website and plans for a pilot program are put in place, we encourage you to sign up for updates on the launch of Bearing Witness: A Journey with Holy Land Christians.

AFEDJ's five session, video-based education program will launch in mid-2023. If you are interested in learning more about becoming trained as a facilitator or launching an in-person or online group with your church of community group, please sign up below.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM

AFEDJ offers a safe, secure channel to make gifts to support the work of the humanitarian institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.