Foundation grant allows the Jerusalem Princess Basma Center to add audiology clinic to its menu of services |
|
Meet Farah. Since the age of six months, Farah has been attending the Jerusalem Princess Basma Center, where she has flourished under their care.
Now at the age of five, she shows confidence and displays impressive skills such as walking and running, and she fills the Centre with joy and happiness. Farah's mother is grateful for the center's nurturing environment.
Until recently, a hearing assessment for a child like Farah would have required her to visit another clinic - not an easy thing for West Bank families whose freedom of movement is hampered by the need for permits to travel. Now, with a generous grant from the The Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation, JPBC's speech therapists have received training to certify them to conduct screening and assessment in the new audiology clinic.
Therapist Miral Sarras spoke recently of the importance of offering speech therapy and hearing assessment as complementary services for each other. By providing both services under the same roof, the Basma Center ensures a seamless and holistic approach to supporting children with disabilities. This integration allows for a deeper understanding of the child's needs and facilitates effective communication between the professionals involved in their care.
Thanks to the generosity of AFEDJ donors who offer undesignated gifts, AFEDJ staff can pursue foundation grants such as this.
|
|
Welcome to Diana Branton, new Director of Marketing and Communications! |
|
Diana and retiring Communications Director Heidi Shott enjoy passing the baton. |
|
After a national search, Diana Branton was selected to join the team in late June as AFEDJ's new Director of Marketing and Communications, a role previously held by Heidi Shott, who recently retired after 5 years of dedicated, passionate service.
Diana, an award-winning graphic artist, author, public speaker, and communicator of over fifteen years, comes to AFEDJ from Christ Episcopal Church just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana where she served as Director of Communications, garnering top industry awards for her design work in collaboration with the church's robust outreach music festival ministry. Prior to joining the Episcopal community, she worked in the film industry as Chief Creative Officer for a global leader in special effects. During her tenure there, Diana secured licensing partnerships with HBO's Game of Thrones™ and Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe, trained intelligence professionals in the art of clandestine disguise, and served as panelist and speaker at film festivals throughout the world. She also passionately "made science cool again" through interactive demonstrations for children in grade schools and Maker Fairs.
When asked about the decision to select Branton, the Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel, AFEDJ Board Chair shared, "I have actually encountered Diana in years prior in our collective work in the Church. I have never failed to be totally impressed, and also inspired by her work. When I heard her name as one of the finalists for this new position at AFEDJ, I could not believe our good fortune. We are absolutely blessed in every way to have Diana on our team. She upped our game tremendously from the moment she said 'yes'!"
As a religious humanist with a deep commitment to interfaith relations, inclusivity, and capacity-building, Diana is excited, honored, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring her unique gifts to help further AFEDJ's mission in support of the humanitarian institutions in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Diana lives with her incredibly kind and patient husband, their two children, a dog, a bearded dragon, and a very shy tarantula.
|
|
Hear voices of hope from the Holy Land |
|
Be among the first churches to share Bearing Witness with your community
|
|
"Bearing Witness is one of the greatest gifts the American Friends will offer our leaders, our churches, and the people of the Episcopal Church and beyond. Bearing Witness speaks to the heart."
– The Most Rev. Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem
|
|
Three years in the making, Bearing Witness: A Journey with Holy Land Christians is a five-session video-based education program that provides church communities and faith-based organizations with the biblical basis, the inspiration, and the tools to walk together with Christians in the Holy Land.
Those interested in becoming a facilitator or simply interested in learning more about Bearing Witness are invited to sign-up to receive notice of upcoming Facilitator Training/Information Sessions here.
|
|
We thank you. We appreciate you. We need you.
|
|
Thanks to your generosity, we've raised over $85k in unrestricted donations during our Spring campaign.
In the Holy Land, conditions can change in an instant. When war and unrest strike, the pressing needs of institutions - fuel to power generators, additional medical supplies and medications - become more urgent than ever.
Your donation, designated for “where the need is greatest,” allows AFEDJ to partner with our Christian brothers and sisters in bringing hope to the families they serve, reminding these remarkable leaders that they are not alone in this difficult, critical work.
Your donation helps us sustain and support the abiding Christian witness in the birthplace of our faith. Your donation transforms lives.
Your prayers and continued support are the lifeblood that fuels these vital ministries.
|
|
To everyone who donated: Thank you for being a Friend. |
|
Share our spring appeal on your social media channels |
|
Thanks for your help to amplify our message of hope and healing! |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
