Dear Beloved friends,

I wonder if I am allowed to make an appeal which is more like an S.O.S.; I am not used to issue such appeals.

The Mar Elias Educational Institutions is overwhelmed with the financial situation, resulting from the sudden drastic cuts of the small subsidies which we used to receive from the Ministry of Education. 

The reason is financing the ongoing war in Gaza. We used to receive 70% of what the governmental schools enjoy every month. With the new drastic cuts our subsidies became 35%, which handicaps us. It's a problem of paying the salaries of our 200 staff members. 

The association "Amuta" took drastic measures of imposing on the parents 300 NIS more per year. Likewise, they limited to the minimum the important daily expenses and were able to reduce the deficit to about 30%, but still there is a deficit from September 2023 to May 2024, amounting to over Three Million Shekels.

We are contemplating to take a bank loan, but for the association it's legally impossible. That would impose on us the interest on the loan. We hesitate seriously in taking this step, since we need to insure paying the loan back to the bank plus the interest. 

I call on you since you were always our refuge and our supporters. Indeed, I am embarrassed to ask you for such help, but we need to overcome our shyness. 

We hope that soon the war would end and peace would come back in order to be reestablished. The situation has been aggravated with the closure of the country, no tourism, no visits from abroad which bring very little if any additional income to cover the deficit.

I dare leave all that to your care, to your possibilities, and to your generosity. Any contribution would be highly appreciated.



Yours Fraternally,

Abuna Elias Chacour

Archbishop em. of Galilee

Dr Mouna Maron, a member of the MEEI Amuta (Governing Body) is the first Arab rector of an Israeli university. Professor Maron is a world-renowned researcher in the field of neuroscience and post-trauma. 

Maron has been a trailblazer for the integration and advancement of women in the sciences, particularly within the Arab community. She was the first Arab woman from her village to earn a doctoral degree and Israel's first Arab professor of neuroscience.

Ms. Olla Salem, an environmental science teacher, artist, and calligrapher has built a unique experience for her students in the world of education: an escape room themed around global warming for students, in collaboration with Dr. Fadi Sakran. 

The room's purpose is to explain environmental concepts engagingly and entertainingly. This experience is not just a game but an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment. Ms. Salem has invited all students to try out the escape room to motivate and capture their interest in environmental issues and global warming innovatively and interactively.

The escape room aims to achieve several educational and awareness goals, including:

• Increasing environmental awareness and enhancing the understanding of students and teachers about the importance of ecological issues and the impacts of global warming and climate change.
• Providing an interactive environment that allows students to apply their analytical and critical thinking skills to solve environmental puzzles and problems.
• Encouraging teamwork and fostering collaboration and cooperation among students and teachers through challenges that require combined efforts and effective communication.
• Inspiring innovation and sustainability by encouraging using recycled and upcycled materials to create innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

Sustainable and up-cycled materials were used to promote recycling and environmental sustainability. These materials include:

• Recycled garbage: Using plastic bottles, cardboard, and old electronic parts collected from waste and recycled to form the puzzles and necessary tools.
• Up-cycled materials: Utilizing natural and household materials that can be reused, such as glass bottles, old fabrics, and metal can lids.
• Recycled wood: Using old wooden pieces collected and renewed to form parts of the room decor and wooden puzzles.

The escape room targets all educational levels, with participation from students in grades nine to twelve. This allows all age groups to engage in an interactive and diverse educational experience.

The escape room also allows a wide range of teachers, especially environmental science teachers from different schools, to participate. The benefits can include:



• Sharing educational experiences and enhancing cooperation among teachers by exchanging ideas and effective teaching methods in environmental education.
• Practical training provides a hands-on educational experience for teachers to help them develop similar interactive classroom activities.
• Stimulating innovation in teaching, inspiring teachers to use innovative teaching methods to raise students' awareness of environmental issues.

By organizing this escape room, Ms. Salem aims to create an integrated educational environment that encourages interaction, innovation, and environmental sustainability, contributing to a generation aware of the importance of preserving our planet.

Pilgrims of Ibillin Co-Sponsor of STONES CRY OUT VIRTUAL DELEGATION

Maintaining the Momentum, Mobilizing for Change

Online Webinars throughout the summer

WEBINAR ONE - Sam Bahour, Policy adviser to Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network; Chairman of Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy; Co-editor of HOMELAND: Oral History of Palestine and Palestinians (Olive Branch Press).

Wednesday, June 5, 1:00pm ET / 10am PT (TODAY!)

WEBINAR TWO - Omar Haramy

Omar Haramy carries a combination of identities: Arab, Palestinian, Jerusalemite, Christian, and Greek Orthodox. Since 2017, Omar has served as the director of of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. Sabeel is a Palestinian ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement that deepens the faith of Palestinian Christians, promotes unity among them, and guides them to engage for justice and peace. Omar also serves on the Kairos Palestine steering committee.

Monday, June 17, 1:00pm ET / 10am PT

WEBINAR THREE - Rifat Kassis & Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac

Rifat Kassis is a Palestinian human rights and political and community activist, founder of Defence for Children International and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is Munther Isaac is a Palestinian Christian pastor and theologian. He now pastors the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour. He is also the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and is the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint conferences. Munther is passionate about issues related to the Palestinian theology.

Thursday, June 20, 1:00pm ET / 10am PT

Throughout the summer, we will hold a series of webinars with important Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars, activists, and NGO leaders, then gather in Washington DC during the week of September 23-27. 

The webinars will focus on context, strategy, leveraging, and messaging with members of Congress, the State Department, and the Administration. 

At this date, we have confirmation from the following interviewees: Rifat Kassis, Munther Isaac, Sam Bahour, Issa Amro, Omar Haramy, Ali Abunimah, Mads Gilbert, Neve Gordon, Huwaida Arraf, Josh Ruebner, Wendell Griffen, Jonathan Kuttab, and Mark Braverman. 

And more still to come!

Your donations support the ongoing work of

Pilgrims' Peace Partners in fostering a just peace

through education in Israel and Palestine.



Thank you.