Fostering a just peace in Israel and Palestine through education | |
Mar Elias HS students filling Christmas boxes for needy familiies | |
Executive Director Message | |
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Dear friend,
I hope that your holidays replenished your spirit so that you are ready to take on some of the difficult issues of our time.
Unfortunately, much to our dismay and heartache, we have not seen a ray of light in Palestine and Israel, revealing a path forward that brings about a dignified just peace for all.
The escalation in violence puts pressure on all in the region; what I am hearing from colleagues at Mar Elias is that the school year has been very very difficult — particularly because students witness their peers in Gaza suffering tremendously and feel much uncertainty about their own future in their land.
Unemployment for Palestinian families in Israel has increased, particularly in the North where I’billin is, which heightens the challenge for families to keep their children in school.
Further, since September, the Israeli Ministry of Education has cut payments to Christian schools across the country — creating an unbearable strain on their budgets. Christian schools now receive hundreds of thousands of dollars less each month than in 2022. We are not sure how this will impact Mar Elias and the ability to keep its doors open. I hate to be the bearer of this news, but you need to know the dire situation that we have arrived at. (If you have the means to help close what we expect to be another large funding gap by providing scholarships and contributions for staff salaries, please reach out to discuss this possibility.)
That said, on a brighter note — with your incredibly generous support this past year we successfully reached our fundraising goal of $130,000 to cover the cost of renovating the Safe Rooms at Mar Elias. Students have returned to their classrooms after the winter break just yesterday. I cannot express my gratitude enough for your care and concern for the well-being of Father Chacour, MEEI students — as well as all across the Holy Land.
I hope that in my next newsletter I can share more uplifting news of the status of MEEI and for that matter, an end to the violence.
Blessings to you in the new year, and may we see the dawning of a just peace for all,
Essrea Cherin
Executive Director
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Mar EliasEducational Institutions Update | |
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We reached our goal!
Thank you for your generous support!!!
We successfully raised over $150,000 to close out the year. Your generosity touches my heart deeply. With your help, the Emergency Shelters have been renovated and the students to returned to school yesterday!
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MEEI Begins Second Semester | | |
MEEI HS Students Fill Gift Boxes for Needy Families | |
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While this is a very exciting development, the past few months have been more difficult than usual. Here are some updates from each level at Mar Elias:
After the full renovation of all shelters at the various schools at Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), the students have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability in the wake of the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in the region since October 2023. The war, which has significantly disrupted daily life and education systems, has not dampened the spirit of these students. They have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to continue their education despite the challenging circumstances.
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All students, at various schools, have completed their first term exam and a meeting with the parents is scheduled for next Saturday afternoon. The parents will hear from the teachers about the progress of their sons and daughters in the first Semester in which, during the weeks of October and November, the faculty and administration have adapted to the new reality, incorporating online learning platforms and flexible schooling arrangements to ensure uninterrupted education. These adaptations have not only allowed for academic continuity but have also prepared students to be adaptable and resilient in the face of change.
Mar Elias Educational Institutions, known for their emphasis on intercultural and interfaith dialogue, have become a symbol of unity and peace in a region often torn by conflict. However, the recent weeks have been challenging in particular in light of the escalating tension on the Northern border which is not far from the campus in Ibillin. It is worthwhile mentioning that more than 10 teachers live very close to the Northern border. They, despite everything, have been keeping their daily teaching schedule free of interruptions. Mrs. Maisa Dahbor, the English coordinator at the High schools is one of these highly committed teachers who adds, “When leaving my home in Melya, located less than five kilometers from the border, I am fully aware than I go to my second home in Ibillin.”
In addition to the challenges posed by the war, Christian schools in Israel, including MEEI, are facing significant financial difficulties. These schools, which have long been pivotal in providing quality education and promoting interfaith harmony, are grappling with a decrease in funding by the Ministry of Education. The decrease in funding is not just a threat to the quality of education but also jeopardizes the schools' ability to maintain their role as beacons of peace and understanding in a region fraught with religious and cultural divisions. The financial struggles of Christian schools in Israel highlight a critical need for support and investment in these institutions, to preserve their legacy and ensure they continue to serve as vital centers for education and intercultural dialogue especially in these challenging times we are going through in Galilee.
Update provided by Dr. Emil Haloun, Internationl Liaison, MEEI
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From a recent Hope School newsletter:
“War in the Holy Land continues to swallow more innocent victims, demolishing more houses, displacing more families. It is an insane and devastating war, that is expected to have long-term impact, not only on the Gaza strip or the Holy Land, but on the Middle East at large. So far, the war has victimized and killed thousands of innocents, including children, women, elderly people, journalists, fire-fighters, doctors, and international employees. It did not spare hospitals, schools, ambulances, churches, mosques, and UN agencies.
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Since eruption on October 7th, 2023, Hope School was extremely affected and closed its doors and premises, given that all the roads that leads to the school were blocked. We converted to online learning where children attended classes from home, however, part of the children found difficulties to do so, because lack of devices. The school was able to provide devices with the help of God and friends who did not hesitate to extend a hand of help to address the problem.” | |
And from the school’s director, Khader Saba “I am so grateful for Pilgrims of Ibillin for your highly appreciated support which helped us to solve part of the problem, please find the attached photos for 30 tablets which were purchased recently, we are the only school that were able to provide such gift for our needy children.” | |
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And in very devastating news:
Hope School mourns the loss of a father of six children who was shot dead near one of the barriers which were erected on the roads near the school. On Dec. 28th, Mr. Jundi tried to open the iron gate crossing the road which leads to his home. People routinely opened the gate to get their cars in, when there are no soldiers nearby and then close it back. Unfortunately, the soldiers were hidden near the place when Mr. Jundi who lives 700 meters away from the school, tried to get his car in, to the other side of the barrier. He was shot dead immediately.
Three of Al Jundi’s children are at Hope School; Sayel (5th grade), Zein (4th grade), and Mayar (4th grade and 1st in her class). They are so lovely children who are ambitious, active, and clever.
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His son, Zein, won the championship (third level) in the Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) International competition in Mathematics, a program designed for children to develop their latent mental power at a very early age when brain development is reaching its peak. UCMAS has been recognized worldwide for its exceptional results. Zein of the third grade at Hope School won the first prize of level three: he solved 134 Mathematics calculations in 8 minutes! | |
Journeys of Hope Program | |
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Pilgrims Center of Hope in San Antonio, TX has produced, as part of its Journeys of Hope series, a program to highlight Archbishop Emeritus Elias Chacour, Mar Elias Educational Institutions, and Pilgrims of Ibillin with board member (and former Executive Director) Robert Sawyer.
The program will become available on the Pilgrims Center of Hope’s website and on podcast platforms beginning January 18.
Journeys of Hope encourages, teaches and challenges listeners on topics of faith.
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Pilgrims’ Study Tour Status | |
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We will make a final decision about whether to go forward with our April Study Tour at the end of January — perhaps the violence will have subsided? We can always hope! In the meantime, please keep your prayers focused on not only an end to the violence but perhaps even an end to the injustice that has gripped this land for far too long.
I will let you know in the next newsletter what the Program Committee has decided.
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We have sent to churches and book groups across the country nearly 1,000 copies of Archbishop Emeritus Father Elias Chacour’s book, We Belong to the Land, with roughly 200 or so copies remaining. Many group leaders have shared with me that the book was very helpful to better understand what is happening right now in Gaza.
This is an incredible opportunity to share Abuna’s inspiring story as well as help enlighten folks in your community or congregation. Take advantage of this offer while you still can — the copies will not be around much longer.
Request your copies today!
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Go to this web page: pilgrimsofibillin.org/we-belong/ and complete the form to request your copies of We Belong to the Land.
The form only allows you to select 10 copies, but if you wish to receive more than that, please let us know how many in the comment field. Our only request is that you cover the cost of postage to one address, approximately $1/book.
We are grateful for a donation from Middle East Books in Washington DC of nearly 1,200 copies of Father Elias Chacour’s influential book, We Belong to the Land.
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We seek graphic design support and assistance. Perhaps you are looking for a way to plug in and support our work to foster a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel through education? And promoting Archbishop Chacour’s vision of building peace on the desktops of students?
Please reply to this email if you have graphic design skills and experience with InDesign, Photoshop, Constant Contact, Wordpress, or other sorts of design skills and would like to help out — I’d love to have a conversation with you to learn more about your skills, interests, availability, and all that! Thank you so much for considering!
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Your donations support the ongoing work of
Pilgrims' Peace Partners in fostering a just peace
through education in Israel and Palestine.
Thank you.
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Essrea Cherin
Executive Director, Pilgrims of Ibillin
(303) 928-0923
essrea@pilgrimsofibillin.org
www.pilgrimsofibillin.org
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