Your gifts help MEEI students succeed and offer hope for a better future. |
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Executive Director Message |
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We did it!
Together we not only reached our goal to purchase 42 new computers for the Mar Elias Elementary School Computer Lab, but we exceeded it!! We are ever so grateful for your generous support of this effort!
I have learned that the computers have been ordered and will be installed during this summer break.
In other exciting news we have just learned that scholarship funds are available for the Fall Living Stones Pilgrimage — get the details below.
Since the last newsletter we hosted a webinar with MEEI English teacher Dr. Emil Haloun and Pilgrims of Ibillin board president Dr. Rev. Peter Henry — if you missed it, you’ll find a link below to watch the recording and get an update on the latest at MEEI.
Thank you not only for your donations but also your prayers and care for the well-being of our friends working for a just peace for all in Israel and Palestine.
Blessings to you this summer,
Essrea Cherin
Executive Director
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Jerusalem Peace-builders for Arab and Jewish Educators
During the summer school break, Dr. Emil Haloun, HS English teacher and International Relations Liaison, represented MEEI in the Jerusalem Peacebuilders’ EXCEL program held last month at St. Catherine’s College in Cambridge, UK.
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The program aims to increase educators’ capacities to integrate the practices of peace-building and youth leadership in their classrooms and curricula. The program engages educators through experiential and hands-on andragogy suitable to adaptation for high school classrooms. While learning skills, participants build group relations to foster understanding, empathy and community. |
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EXCEL Program
EXCEL is a three-part professional development program that combines peacebuilding, storytelling, critical reflection, networking, curriculum design work, and language studies to empower participants with an array of professional skills, relationships, and recognition.
EXCEL aims to help participants:
- Increase capacities to integrate the practices and theories of experiential education, intergroup relations, and conflict management in their classrooms and curricula.
- Understand intergroup dialogue and communication skills.
- Advance diversity and intergroup relations.
- Appreciate conflict analysis.
- Become familiar with conflict transformation for schools and the community.
- Enrich their language through literature and language sessions with experts in the field.
- Learn how to integrate the study of human rights in their EFL classroom.
- Engage in dialogue through the study of literature.
- Develop empathy through story exchange.
- Participate in cultural activities that widen their perspectives.
- Meet educators from diverse backgrounds from Israel and the UK.
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Why Pilgrims is critical to the success of Mar Elias |
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MEEI is a special school whereby students from different religious backgrounds study together on campus to change their reality and society at-large. Unlike many schools for Palestinian students in Israel, the vast majority of MEEI graduates go on to higher education. By test scores they rank among the ten best high schools in Israel, compared to ALL other schools — Jewish or Arab.
While MEEI does receive funding from the Israeli government, because education is federally funded rather than locally funded in Israel, the money they get is limited to paying for teacher salaries, at a minimum wage and a limited number of hours per week.
Like all schools for Palestinian children within the Israeli school system, they do not receive scholarship funds. Further, Mar Elias gets no tax money to help pay for buildings, maintenance, curriculum, or educational equipment and technology. (Jewish schools, on the other hand, do get funding for these sorts of expenses.)
That's why support from Pilgrims of Ibillin has been so critically important over many years. An exceptional education for Palestinian youth on a beautiful campus are provided thanks to the friendship and generosity of caring people, like yourself, who donate through Pilgrims of Ibillin and a small number of other supporting groups.
There are absolutely students at Mar Elias who would not attend a decent high school, if not for scholarships given through Pilgrims of Ibillin, so thank you!
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Computer Lab Fundraising — We Did It! |
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Huge thanks to the many supporters who stepped forward and made very generous contributions to help MEEI purchase 42 new computers! The eagerly-awaited funds are on their way, and the computers will be installed this summer.
We appreciate the many dozens of you who helped with this effort — and particularly those who stretched their giving to new levels.
I am certain that the students will be overjoyed to have modern technology to work with to complete their assignments.
Thank you for your generous support!
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If you missed the MEEI Overview Webinar...
MEEI, the inspiration of Abuna Elias Chacour, offers students much more than an education – a genuine appreciation for embracing and celebrating differences – exactly what the world needs more of today.
In this video, you'll get a peak 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.
Some of the questions addressed are: is part of the curriculum formal learning about the various faiths that exist within the borders of the Holy Land? Can you comment on efforts to engage with the Jewish community, students, etc.? What are your sources of funding besides donations from individuals who believe in your mission? and many more!
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Hope School - Alternative to Violence Project |
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Taghyeer
Taghyeer is a locally-based organization that leads Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) in the community. Taghyeer means change. They believe in changing society through promoting positive values among young people, which complies with Hope School’s mission. In partnership with Hope School, Taghyeer conducted an eight-day capacity-building training course targeting social leaders, teachers, and mentors to enhance their leadership skills in addressing violent incidents.
Three of our staff along with 17 youth leaders from Bethlehem and Hebron areas participated in the workshop. Tula, the school deputy, confirmed that the workshop represented an added value in introducing up-to-date awareness and techniques in mediation, conflict resolution and in enhancing peace-building values among children. “It was great to get to know new concepts, idioms, and techniques on how to absorb the anger of our children” she said.
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Pilgrimage – Scholarships Available |
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Pilgrims of Ibillin has recently learned that a limited amount of funds have become available to help defray the cost of participating in a Living Stones Pilgrimage.
All who desire to visit the Living Stones of the Holy Land deserve to have the chance. However, we understand that the cost can be prohibitive, particularly for young adults.
Therefore, scholarship funding will go first to young adults from diverse communities with demonstrated need. All applicants will be asked to use their passion and skills to advocate and educate on behalf of Pilgrims of Ibillin upon their return.
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Request a Scholarship Application
If you, or someone you know, fits the criteria and would love to join the fall pilgrimage (Sept 29 - Oct 11), indicate your interest by replying to this newsletter, and we will send you a scholarship application that is due by August 15.
In addition, we encourage all applicants to raise support from their personal networks. Fundraising is an effective way to get people engaged in the mission of Pilgrims of Ibillin.
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Your donations will 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
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