Blog Post - David
June 26th 2007
As you may or may not have heard I am in the most dangerous part of the world. I am a stranger in a strange land, sending out and SOS! to major Tom. We are is plunged into intrastate strife and hellfire, aliens, awaiting the apocalypse, shivering in the dark jungles of Guatamala with Mel Gibson and the whole damn crew of Tribulacion 99.
But no, actually I am deeply in love with the social work of painting and eating arabic food, as well as colloqual arabic classes here. The years I took Arabic at Princeton don't help me much on the streets of Palestine b/c that was standard/formal arabic. My teacher here is a fanatic from al-Quds (Jerusalem) and he's good at getting us to jive with the locals and their lingo.
Blog Post - Phillip
I am at the halfway point in the one month programme and in a good position to reflect on the plethora of experiences here in the Bethlehem area. The overnight flight and subsequent four-hour wait in Israeli immigration at Tel Aviv airport now seems a distant memory, but an amusing one. Departure on Sunday and arrival on Monday merged into one and devoid of sleep Hisham made the bleary eyed 3-part journey to Bethlehem after reaching landside at 8am. First we got a taxi to Jerusalem along with a mix of Americans and, surprisingly, two guys from Northern Ireland. We took a short trip round to Damascus Gate where we tried to arrange travel to Bethlehem. Unable to call our taxi driver we fell back on Hisham’s father in England who somehow managed to have success despite calling from England. We made it, and just in time for our first Arabic lesson at Bethlehem University – any thoughts of bed were delayed by another two hours.
ARSP 101 Introductin to Palestinian Spoken Arabic
45 Academic Hours, 3 Credits
Professor from Bethlehem University
The course will cover the standard Arabic dialect used in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Students will study daily language, basic grammar, common vocabulary, and will begin to converse in real-life situations. Studying the language in the area where it is spoken will speed students’ progress in understanding and speaking. By the end of the course, students will be able to conduct basic, everyday conversations.
Methodology used: Spoken Arabic for Foreigners, M. Halloun, Jerusalem 2003.
III. Grade Distribution:
Class discussions are an integral part of the learning process. The student is expected to play an active role in each class. Class attendance and performance are crucial elements in the final grades. He or she is expected to come to class prepared and to give critical reports on both required and outside readings. Likewise, he or she is required to present two papers both oral and written.
| Name of Organization | Al-Harrah Theatre | |||||
| Address | Beit Jala – Beside Arab Orthodox Club | |||||
| Contact Person | Marina Barham | |||||
| Phone # | 2767758 | |||||
| Fax # | 2767758 | |||||
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ||||||
| Website | www.alharah.org | |||||
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Arts Summer Camps, PerformancesOffice Work, Youth Workshops | |||||
| Skills needed | Computer Skills, proposal writing, website designTheatre directors , actors , light designers | |||||
| Additional Notes | Puppet makers | |||||
| Name of Organization | Arab Educational Institute (AEI –Open Windows) | |||||
| Address | Bethlehem-Milk Grotto Street 96 | |||||
| Contact Person | Mr. Fuad Giacaman | |||||
| Phone # | 2744030 | |||||
| Fax # | 2777554 | |||||
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ||||||
| Website | www.aeicenter.org | |||||
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Youth Group Activation and Leaderships activities Collecting materials for www.palestine-family.net English communication skills Advertisements Skills |
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| Skills needed | Communications skills Documenting ,writing articles skillsYouth Leadership skillsMedia skills | |||||
| Additional Notes | Please supply us with the volunteer C.V. in advance | |||||
| Name of Organization | Arab Orthodox Club – Beit Sahour | |||||
| Address | Beit Sahour | |||||
| Contact Person | Samer Tawel | |||||
| Phone # | 2772247 | |||||
| Fax # | 2772247 | |||||
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ||||||
| Website | www.aoc-beitsahour.org | |||||
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Proposal writing personReport of project | |||||
| Skills needed | Proposal writing Follow up on projects and donors | |||||
| Additional Notes | Knowledge of youth need and scouts requirements Knowledge of sports teams needs is a plus | |||||
| Name of Organization | Doha Municipality | |||||||
| Address | Bethlehem | |||||||
| Contact Person | Sami Mroua | |||||||
| Phone # | 2764343 | |||||||
| Fax # | 2770233 | |||||||
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ||||||||
| Website | none | |||||||
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Planning , Engineering | |||||||
| Skills needed | Proposal Writing and computer skills | |||||||
| Additional Notes | Good Knowledge in English | |||||||
| Name of Organization | Environmental Education Center ( EEC) | ||
| Address | Beit Jala – Beside Talitha Kumi School | ||
| Contact Person | Simon Awad | ||
| Phone # | 2765574 | ||
| Fax # | 2765574 | ||
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |||
| Website | www.eecp.org | ||
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Webpage DesignLeadership TrainingProposal Writing | ||
| Skills needed | Computer Skills Good at reports writingExcellent at English writing | ||
| Additional Notes | |||
| Name of Organization | Islamic Charitable Society |
| Address | Beit Sahour |
| Contact Person | Mr. Khalil Issa Jobran |
| Phone # | 2772040 / 0599524413 |
| Fax # | 2772040 |
| None | |
| Website | None |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Painting Classrooms |
| Skills needed | |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | International Middle East Media Center |
| Address | Beit Sahour - YMCA str. |
| Contact Person | George N. Reshmawi |
| Phone # | 2772018 |
| Fax # | |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.imemc.org |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | news reports and editing |
| Skills needed | The Ability to write news report and editing |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Maher Center for Children |
| Address | Beit Jala – opposite to Al-Hussein Hospital |
| Contact Person | Yehia Abu Sheriff |
| Phone # | 0599288142 |
| Fax # | 2760053 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.mahercenter.org.ps |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Social Working with Kids |
| Skills needed | Skills Dealing with Children with CancerProposal writing Organizing activities for children |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Bethlehem Peace Center |
| Address | Bethlehem -Manager Square |
| Contact Person | Michael Nasser-Director |
| Phone # | 2766677 |
| Fax # | 2741057 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.peacenter.org |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Children Activities and Languages |
| Skills needed | |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Psyche-social Counseling Center |
| Address | Bethlehem – Dehesha Road – Faiz Abed Rabo Street |
| Contact Person | Khawla Qaraqe’a |
| Phone # | 2745578 / 2750895 |
| Fax # | 2745578 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | none |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Designing website to the center |
| Skills needed | Person who have skills in Designing websites and manage this website |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Rural Women’s Development Society-Bethlehem Branch |
| Address | Bethlehem / Jerusalem-Hebron Street |
| Contact Person | Mrs. Nadia Harb |
| Phone # | 2770812 |
| Fax # | 2770812 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.rwds.ps |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Rural Women’s Trainer |
| Skills needed | Project Report WritingProposal writing Training for Women’s (held work) |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Working Committees Health – Elderly Club |
| Address | Beit Sahour – Wade Hanna Saad |
| Contact Person | Elen Qassis |
| Phone # | 2774449 (Club) , 2773950 (Home) |
| Fax # | 2774449 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | none |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Projects Writing |
| Skills needed | Design Website Ability to write projects Good English in writing and reading |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Senior Citizen Society |
| Address | Beit Jala |
| Contact Person | Fakhri Habub Ghniem |
| Phone # | 2766370 |
| Fax # | 2766371 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.scsbj.org |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | |
| Skills needed | Proposal Writing and office work |
| Additional Notes | Computer Skills |
| Name of Organization | Bethlehem Municipality |
| Address | Bethlehem P.O.BOX 48 |
| Contact Person | Dina Nassar |
| Phone # | 2741323/4/5 |
| Fax # | 2741327 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.bethlehem-city.org |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Fund Raising Proposal writing |
| Skills needed | Effective Communications Skills |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Beit Sahour Municipality |
| Address | Beit Sahour / Municipality St. / P.OBOX 1 |
| Contact Person | Maha Atrash |
| Phone # | 02-2773666 / 2774007 |
| Fax # | 02-2773502 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.beitsahourmunicipality.com |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Different Project |
| Skills needed | Excellent writing skills Editing skills Willing to work under pressure |
| Additional Notes | Thank you for this initiative |
| Name of Organization | Beit Sahour Medical Center |
| Address | Beit Sahour / Almadares Street |
| Contact Person | Dr. Raouf Azar – Director |
| Phone # | 2774443/4 |
| Fax # | 2775567 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | none |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Poly-clinic , Day care , Medical Center |
| Skills needed | Doctor Nurses ER Staff OR Staff |
| Additional Notes |
| Name of Organization | Bustan Qaraaqa |
| Address | Wadi Hanna Saad, Beit Sahour |
| Contact Person | Alice Gray |
| Phone # | 274 8994 |
| Fax # | N/A |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | http://www.greenintifada.blogspot.com/ |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Environmental project – help create a model permaculture farm, demonstrating cheap, easy techniques for sustainable living and food production. Work alongside Palestinian farmers, help them resist land confiscation and demand environmental justice. |
| Skills needed | Skills needed: A strong back, a willing pair of hands and an open heart. |
| Additional Notes | Accommodation is in a dorm shared with other volunteers. The house has a very international atmosphere, and is a busy and vibrant place. |
| Name of Organization | Al Malath Society |
| Address | Beit Sahour - Palestine |
| Contact Person | Mrs. Ghada Isaac |
| Phone # | 02-2756895 |
| Fax # | 02-2756895 |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Website | www.malath.ps |
| Type of Project in need for Volunteers | Social Work |
| Skills needed | Skills for programs for youth with special needs |
| Additional Notes |
Program Are Subject to Change
Monday:
Am: Volunteer work
Pm: Arabic and History Classes at Bethlehem University
Evening: Group Arabic practice
Tuesday:
Am: Volunteer work
Pm: Arabic and History Classes at Bethlehem University
Evening: Film viewing and discussion at Siraj Center office, in coordination with Rapprochement Center.
Wednesday:
Am: Volunteer work
Pm: Arabic and History Classes at Bethlehem University
Evening: Debkeh Dancing Training
Thursday:
Am: Volunteer work
Pm: Arabic and History Classes at Bethlehem University
Evening: Lecture and discussions at Siraj Center office, in coordination with Rapprochement Center. Topics include Palestinian-Israeli geopolitical issues, health standards in the West Bank, media coverage of Palestine, and the Palestinian non-violence movement.
Friday:
Am: Voluntary work
Pm: Arabic and History Classes at Bethlehem University
Evening: Free activity. The group gets to together and decides what to do.
Saturday:
Day tours to Palestinian cities: Hebron, Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Nablus, Jinin.
Sunday:
Free Day (Potential hiking day)
All of the above activities are optional.
The Governing board of PCR is called the Board of Directors. The Board is elected every two years directly by the General Assembly. Memberships in the GA is open to every Palestinian, male and female, Christians and Muslims who have completed the 16 years of age and has applied to become a member of PCR by submitting a written application, which should be approved in a board meeting.
Members are required to pay an annual registration fee determined by the board of directors. To be elected to the board, one is requested to have served as a volunteer in any of PCR's activities for a period that is no longer than six months, in order to be known to the General Assembly if he/she decides to run for the board.
The most recent members of the board of Directors elected in February 2017 and will serve until February 2019 are:
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EYAD A. JOMA, PRESIDENTBorn in Beit Sahour, received his diploma in Jordan as a Dental Technician. Involved in Rapprochement Center since 1998. Secretary of the board of the Trade Union of the Speciality Association of Science and Technology of Dental Laboratories for two years. Joined the board of Administrators of PCR in 2006, he served as treasurer for a while and this year he was elected President. |
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MAHIRA B. ISAAC, MEMBERMahira's history in PCR is not long, however, she expressed high interest in serving the community and settled that PCR is one of the ways she believes can get her involved in community service and development work. Mahira holds a BA in Mathematics, Applied Economics. She currently works as the head of the accounting department at the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ) |
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ISSA N. ANDONI, TREASURERIssa joined PCR in 1992 as part of the youth group of the center and have helped organize some of the activities and projects, especially the annual candle procession. In the past ten years, Issa has been following up with PCR activities and decided to join the board this year. Issa works in the maintenance department at Mercedes-Benz in Beit Sahour. |
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RAED M. RISHMAWI, SECRETARYRaed has been involved in PCR since 1992. After completing his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Al-Mousil University in Iraq, he worked for the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture. However, after taking some training courses as PCR in web design, he pursued this track for his future career and became the webmaster for Palestine News Network, before quitting and building his own web design business. |
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JOHNNY TAWEEL, VICE PRESIDENTJohnny has been involved in PCR since 1992. He was among the youth group of the center and have helped organize some of the activities and projects, especially the annual candle procession. Johnny is very active in the community. He is one of the main organizers of a Football Tournament in Beit Sahour known as the Beit Sahour Family Tournament organized on annual basis, where thousands of people from Beit Sahour participate in a family activity. |
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JANE S. HILAL, MEMBERJane has been involved in PCR since 1992. She holds a Master Degree of Science in Environmental Management and is currently the head of Water and Environment Research Department at the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ). after several years of being busy at work, she decided to share some of her accumulated experience in running and managing projects to help PCR develop its programs. |
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TARIK M. SA'AD, MEMBERTarik has been involved in PCR since 1992. He works as a salesman at a souvenir shop in Bethlehem. He was a member of the youth group and helped with organizing the annual candle procession several times. |
More...
The price for the Palestinian Summer Celebration depends on what participants choose to use from the offered services so the prices will be as the following:
The prices will be Automatically generated when you sign up for the program and fill the registration form.
Program registration is: $200 non refundable and rate do not include the registration fees
One month options
Home stay $ 2530 including:
1- Accommodation with local families (Bed, Dinner and Breakfast)
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Private apartment $2280 including:
1- Accommodation at private apartment only bed, no meals
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Shared apartment $2010 including:
1- Accommodation at shared apartment only bed, no meals
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Two Month option:
Home stay $ 4900 including:
1- Accommodation with local families (Bed, Dinner and Breakfast)
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Private apartment $4400 including:
1- Accommodation at private apartment only bed, no meals
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Shared apartment $4000 including:
1- Accommodation at shared apartment only bed, no meals
2- Arabic course
3- All day trips
4. Arabic Courses Books
5. Cooking Classes
6. Dabka Classes
Notes:
1. If we do not have enough participants we may cancel the cooking class and the dabka classes
2. Rate do not include the registration fees 200 USD
3. For the participants that choose shared apartment If we do not find someone to share the room with you, then you need to pay extra 200 USD
Videography Equipment Fundraising
Moving forward:
A group of Palestinian activists has been researching available Palestinian products and services that can be exported. We are also assessing what we have and what we need in terms of skills, knowledge, and infrastructure, as well as our potential for carrying out projects that have not been done in Palestine. Once it is compiled, we will put all the data on a website that will serve as a catalogue for these products, services, and potentials. We have already found local volunteers and a host for this website—at no cost. What we need now is a pilot project. After much thought, we have decided that the pilot project will be a video production unit, because:
- Its first task can be to make a video that highlights Palestinian products and services, one we can use to jumpstart other projects.
- The production unit, once up and running, can be used at low cost to offer video production services to international advocacy groups, visiting international groups, etc.
We are thus seeking support for this initial phase of the project, which will demonstrate our ability to plan and execute projects of the highest caliber, and generate other opportunities for production. Within six months, the website will be functional and will include not only a substantial database of products and services, but a link to the video promoting Palestinian products and services. The video production unit would be the first unit to offer services immediately, and at competetive prices, to organizations and individuals. To do this we need equipment. We seek modest donations of money or equipment to get going:
|
Item |
Description |
Cost |
|
Video Camera |
Sony DSR-PD170 Camcorder |
$3,700.00 |
|
Tripod |
Regular Tripod |
$300.00 |
|
Player |
HDV/DVCAM Player/Recorder HVR-M15E |
$2,900.00 |
|
Microphone |
Wireless Neck Mic (400 X 2) |
$800.00 |
|
Microphone |
Boom Mic |
$300.00 |
|
Computer |
Sony / Mac with extra Monitor |
$4,500.00 |
|
Hard Drive |
External Hard drive 500 GB |
$900.00 |
|
Miscellaneous |
Tapes, Transportation, DVDs, etc |
$500.00 |
|
Sub Total |
|
$13,900.00 |
"A Witness in Palestine", by Emily Neumeier
Article for Catholic Radical - "A Witness in Palestine"
by Emily Neumeier
The Parish of Beit Sahour
The Parish of Beit Sahour
The Greek Catholic Parish in Beit Sahour was established in 1891 in the time of the Patriarchal vicar in Jerusalem, Archbishop Fillip Malouk. Some Beit Sahourian families joined the Catholic Church, and the Patriarchate exerted efforts to build a church for them. St Michael Church was built in 1895, and father Khalil Abu Sada was the first priest to serve the Parish and the people of Beit Sahour. He was followed by father Elias Sida, and father Bulos Antaki (now the Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria).
The Parish increased in number, and begot its devoted son the Patriarchal Vicar, the late Archbishop Jubrael Abu Sada. He worked hard to serve his people and his town Beit Sahour. In 1955 he built the current church known as “Church of Shepherds’ Lady”. He also helped in building schools and clinics in all over the patriarchate. In Beit Sahour, a seminary (Seminary of Shepherds’ Lady) was built in 1958, and in 1965 Archbishop Jubrael Abu Sada laid the cornerstone of the Greek Catholic School. Archbishop Elarion Kaputchi continued its building.
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With this prosperity in Beit Sahour, Archbishop Jubrael Abu Sada asked for the assistance of Basilian Salvatorian Order to help him in taking care of people and institutions of Beit Sahour. The attention and regard of Basilian Salvatorian Order played a great role in the development and progress of the Christian community.