Executive Director Message |
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Hello,
Well, school is out for the summer. Mar Elias students had a full and successful year - achievements such as debate team national competition, girls football (soccer) team clinching the national title (see below), program participation with Jewish elementary, junior high, and high school students, and so much more. We hope they are enjoying the much deserved downtime!
I wish to remind you that the successes you read about below are possible due to your generous support. The students, faculty, and staff of Mar Elias do so much on a very tight budget. Support from friends around the world help make the difference allowing students to excel in ways that just would not be possible without your help.
The board of directors, Paige, and myself have been in the midst of reaching out to people like you! Those of us who care deeply about supporting Abuna Chacour’s school designed to teach peace on the desktop. The conversations have been very inspiring and heartwarming, feeling the breadth of love, caring, and generosity in our community. I thank each of you for having stepped up to help with the elementary school computer lab campaign to replace the old computers — we are so very close to reaching our goal!
If you’re considering joining the fall trip to the Holy Land, you may want to sign up earlier than later, the early bird discount of $200 off the trip cost of $3,100 ends July 15 — act now and pay only $2,900 (more on this below).
Blessings to you this summer,
Essrea Cherin, Executive Director
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We are so proud of the students achievements, particularly impressive given the challenges of completing coursework during a pandemic.
We wish the seniors huge success in the next chapters of their lives!
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Mar Elias High School wins the Israeli High School Football National Championship for girls |
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The Mar Elias High School girls team won the Israeli championship in football for high school. Kiryat Hayim Stadium hosted the final match as the Mar Elias team played the Reali School in Haifa on June 15, 2022.
The game started enthusiastically with the hall filled with fans from both schools. The Mar Elias girls quickly dominated the course of the game and ended with an overwhelming victory with a score of 4 - 0.
On the Mar Elias team, Alissar Salman scored three goals, and Sarah Daas finished the game with a stunning fourth goal.
Players: Najwan Qasum, Sarah Daas, Sarah Saleh, Mays Abdulkarim, Marietta Salman, Jana Anbtawi, Maya Khoury, Rawan Sheikh Ahmed, Arwa Taha, Roya Odeh, Bayan Osman, and the Left Salman - Guided by Coach, Mr. Zahi Alian, and the Sports coordinator at Mar Elias High school. Ms. Boran Awkel.
We send our hearty congratulations to the girl’s team!
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Article in HAARTZ features Mar Elias Junior! |
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In Shfar'am, a revolution is taking place in the field of riding. Much thanks to an ambitious 16-year-old girl 16-year-old Munira Yassin started mountain biking only a year and a half ago, but has already achieved a lot of things. Her success is the vision that stood before the eyes of Mohammed Subuh, founder of the Shfaram Sports Association: "I want to see more riders like her"
On the face of it, it seems that the agenda of Munira Yassin (16) from Shfar'am is no different from that of any girl her age: she wakes up every morning around 6:00 A.M., tries to get organized quickly, and goes to the Mar Elias High School in the village of I'billin. The day before yesterday, she finished 10th grade in the school's gifted class, and these days she is still debating what will be the subjects she will choose to deepen her studies in ("On the one hand, I am very interested in psychology, but biotechnology and the environment also attract me. I'm a little nervous because I have to decide soon"). In the afternoons, she meets up with friends and talks to her mother ("my best friend"), and spends the rest of her free time reading ("I really like reading history books. I don't know why, it excites me”).
The article is in Hebrew only for paid subscribers, otherwise I’d offer you a link to the full article.
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Can you help bring us to our goal of $42,000 raised to replace the out-dated computers at Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI)? We are so very close and just need a few more generous souls to step forward. |
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We have been asked by the administration at Mar Elias to replace the 42 computers in the elementary school computer lab following a recent visit by the Israeli Minister of Education who deemed the 10-year old computers to be unacceptable for today’s computing needs.
To purchase and set the equipment up will cost $1,000 each. (We are aware that in the US you can purchase capable computers for less than this price and have been informed that technology costs more in Israel and thus the higher than expected per computer cost.) We invite you to consider sponsoring a computer (or a portion of one) for MEEI students!
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.
(or more) in your name is donated to Mar Elias.
We join the students in our gratitude
for your generous help!
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July Webinar – MEEI Overview |
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Hear from Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI) High School English teacher and international relations liaison Dr. Emil Haloun to get an overview about MEEI: a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land – and around the world.
MEEI, the inspiration of Abuna Elias Chacour, offers students much more than an education – but a genuine appreciation for embracing and celebrating differences – exactly what the world needs more of today.
This webinar will offer a glimpse into what sets MEEI apart as well as a brief history, its goals, how students are selected, what a typical day looks like and the MEEI facilities.
We hope you can join us
MEEI Overview Webinar
Friday, July 29
noon ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT
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After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email containing a
secure Zoom link for joining the webinar.
A $15 donation is suggested for
Pilgrims of Ibillin
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We also send our hearty congratulations to the 15 seniors who just graduated from Hope School in Bethlehem!
In her speech addressing the audience, Nour said “I am so grateful to the school staff and principal who gave us this opportunity and practiced our right to education” she continued “it is a new beginning, a month ahead we will move to a new life, new set of relationships, laws and people.” Adam’s father said: “I am excited to see my child climbing the graduation podium” “it is his dream to climb the graduating stage, thanks be to God, that He permitted me to see this moment”.
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The past few months have been busy here at Wi’am.
Wi’am seeks to address the whole family as a unit, emphasizing work with women, youth, and children, in order to bring about more holistic and sustainable change. Both our youth and women’s groups are meeting throughout the summer.
Recently our women’s group went on trips to Abu Ghosh, Latrun, and the beach in Jaffa. It is important not only to visit other places and learn more about the country, but also to spend time in nature and to have experiences that allow people to release stress and other pent-up emotions.
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Summer Camp
With a similar goal, Wi’am is in the middle of our annual summer camp. About 60 kids are coming each weekday to play games, make art, swim, and practice some Dabke. Our campers are developing valuable social skills and unleashing their creative potential as they participate in group and individual activities.
There is an abundance of activity at Wi’am these days!
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Early Bird Discount Deadline - July 15
Act Now to receive $200 OFF!
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July 15 is the Early Bird Discount Deadline. After July 15 the price increases from $2,900 to $3,100 per person.
Living Stones Pilgrimage to Israel & Palestine
September 29 - October 11, 2022
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“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).
Get your deposit in before July 15 to secure your spot at the lowest price of $2,900!
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At the May Board Meeting, Pilgrims of Ibillin began the process of identifying new strategic goals for the coming years. We hope to finalize these goals at the fall board meeting and will share with you as soon as they are approved. |
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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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