Rebuilding Gaza  
September, 2014

Dear Friends,

        The bombs are quiet. But families are still living in schools and patients face long recoveries.  Still, it's time to think about how to move forward.

Families are still crowded into schools with inadequate bathing and no cooking facilities.  

$7.8 billion is the latest estimate for the cost of rebuilding Gaza. Housing, schools, the power plant and infrastructure for water and sanitation all need funding. Fortunately, Al Ahli Hospital was less damaged than others and continues to offer high quality, compassionate care to all who enter.

 

        The hospital saw an average of 45 burn cases a day during the emergency, half of them children. They face a long and painful recovery. Children continue to suffer from infections, rashes and scabies as a result of the damaged water and sanitation systems. The hospital is working hard to contain communicable diseases and other hazards from the pollution. They're distributing first aid kits and cleaning and disinfecting supplies to area shelters to try to help. Over 120 patients a day arrive at Al Ahli for treatment for these problems. And they will continue.

 

        The outpouring of support has been inspiring.

Suhaila with pink woman
Suhaila Tarazi, Al Ahli Hospital Director,  provides uplifting comfort to all.  

Patients are unable to pay, supplies are depleted as soon as they're replenished and repairs are costly. Generators still power the hospital at $2000 a day. Your support has made all the difference. Over $300,000 of your gifts has been sent to relieve suffering and provide comfort. Thank you, thank you!

And the staff and patients are grateful. Here's what Suhaila Tarazi, Director of Al Ahli Hospital wants you to know:

 

"We at Al-Ahli Hospital are profoundly grateful for your donations, which have made a difference to each patient - many of them children - who has entered our doors seeking medical treatment, shelter or food.  Your generous support helps us to continue to be a beacon of light and hope to our devastated community.

 

"Many of our patients have lost loved ones, in some cases their entire families; have no homes to return to; and suffer from terrible injuries.  We are tired, but we cannot give up yet; there is much work still to do.

Thank you for your solidarity; together we will continue eliminating the sufferings of the injured and the needy.

God bless you all."

Amen.

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The Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani will be speaking in Boston, Sunday, Sept. 14
Emmanuel Church
15 Newbury Street, 5 - 6:30 pm. 
All are welcome
Bp Suheil smiling



Gaza Benefit Concert
New York City
Thursday, Sept. 18
7 pm, St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 225 West 99th Street
Vigil and concert featuring violinist Michael Dabroski performing Bach and an original suite for Gaza.
www.tolef.org violin-playing.jpg





The AFEDJ Board of Trustees
invites you to a reception at
St. James' Commons
65 E. Huron St.
Chicago
Thursday, October 2, 5 - 7 pm
All are welcome


Gaza Needs

First aid and disinfecting kits                              $50 each

Doctor visits for children with burns                   $20 each

Medical scholarships for those unable to pay    $100 to $500

Rehab equipment                                              $2500

Psychosocial support                                         $50 per session

 

Other Important Needs
Irbid sight impaired girls

Scholarships for girls in Jordan     $1500

Deaf student scholarship               $2000

Weaving supplies for handicapped workshop         $100


 

Events & Pilgrimages
Friday, September 5 - October 17
The Jerusalem Fund Gallery at 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington is showing the work of Helen Zughaib, "Fractured Spring." Paintings, calligraphy.

Sunday, September 21 and Monday, September 22
My Name is Rachel Corrie
If you're in the Rochester NY area, this acclaimed one woman live performance will be performed at noon on Sunday and 8 pm on Monday at the Multi-use Community Center, 42 Atlantic Avenue.  Tickets and more info

 

Throughout October

Tree of Life Conferences

Each year, TOLEF hosts a series of educational opportunities throughout the Northeast with speakers who have direct experience with the issues in Israel/Palestine.  Currently scheduled events include Oct. 19 at the Old Lyme  Congregational Church in CT, Oct. 22 at Central CTTree of Life logo State Univ. in New Britain CT, Oct 23 at St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan, 7 - 9:30 pm including concert.  325 Park Ave.  Oct. 24 at the Storrs CT Congregational Church, Oct. 25 at St. Peter's in Harwich MA, Oct 26 at the South Glastonbury CT Congregational Church, Oct 27 at Teamsters Local 671 in Bloomfield CT and Nov. 1 in Boston MA at a location TBD. They also offer an olive harvest journey, Oct. 7-15. Check the Tree of Life website for updated information.  

 

October 19-November 1 Join a group of Episcopalians under  the leadership of the Rev. Canon Mark Stanger and Palestinian Christian guide Iyad Qumri for a unique pilgrimage that includes sacred and historical sites with special off-the-beaten-track experiences. Contact Lynn Lantz for details.  

 

October 31-November 10 Fr. Earle King is organizing an Iyad Qumri pilgrimage. In addition to the usual holy sites, the trip will also visit at least three churches in the Diocese of Jerusalem. There will also be a number opportunities for worship. The cost is $1,625 plus airfare. Visit the pilgrimage site for details or email Earle King.  

 

November 6 and other dates

St. George's College in Jerusalem is offering its popular Palestine of Jesus course null Nov. 6 to Nov. 19.  Includes accommodations and visits to holy sites.  This course is offered several times each year and is one of a rich variety of offerings at the College, which is located in St. George's Cathedral Close.  Visit  

 

November 7-8 Madison WI

Sabeel conference, Voices for Peace and Justice, will include a range of speakers and interactive workshops.  Pyle Center, UW Extension, 702 Langdon Street.  More information at fosna.org.  

 

November 8-15 Churches for Middle East Peace 2014 Board of Directors Study Tour. This trip offers an excellent dual narrative travel experience that offers a unique vantage point on peace building efforts in Israel and Palestine. Cost is $2,738 pp. Visit site for details.  

   

November 12 - 20  

Sabeel Witness trip to Israel/Palestine.  Includes conversations with Palestinian Christians and Muslims as well as Israeli Jews.  Visits to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth plus other holy sites. Cost is $1450 plus airfare.  More information at fosna.org. 

   

November 16 - 24 Rochester NY Witness Palestine Film Series at The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.  When I Saw You, which takes place in a Jordanian refugee camp will be screened on Nov. 16 at 2 pm.  Nov. 17's offering at 7 pm is On the Side of the Road, from the perspective of a Jewish immigrant from Kiev.  Nov. 23 at 2 pm is Voices Across the Divide, is a personal journey from Russia to the US to Israel/Palestine.  Stone Cold Justice will be screened on Nov. 24 at 7 pm.  Each screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.  More info.   

 

December 1-11 Episcopal Church Women are sponsoring a trip called "A Journey wall through olive grove to the Holy Land," coordinated by Lynn Headley and the National ECW President, Nancy Crawford. This is an Iyad Qumri trip, and will celebrate Advent in the Holy Land! Contact Lynn at [email protected] for details.

 

January 30 - February 10, 2015

In the Footsteps of Jesus

Visits to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Hebron and Nazareth.  Accommodations are designed to increase contact with local residents and facilitate conversation.  Arranged by the Siraj Center and Sabeel.  Cost is $1900 plus airfare.  

 

April 24 - May 5, 2015

Join a pilgrimage headed by the Very Rev. Gail Greenwell of Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati.  This Lightline trip includes time in Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus and Nazareth. Cost of $4095 includes airfare to Cincinnati, but can be adjusted for other US destinations.  More info at [email protected]. 

 

October 6 - 17, 2015

Rev. Deborah Dresser and Rev. Tom Verde will lead an Iyad Qumri trip to the Holy Land which will include a range of holy sites plus visits to the Judean desert, Ramallah and Taybeh, one of the few Christian villages in the West Bank.  Cost is $1870 plus airfare and tips.  More info at

[email protected]

 

As a non-political, independent nonprofit, AFEDJ acts as a partner with the Diocese of Jerusalem by helping to increase its capacity to teach and heal. AFEDJ raises funds for, and promotes the humanitarian work of, the Diocese of Jerusalem and its institutions so it may better serve the needs of all people in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Israel. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.