Category: Abuna Elias Chacour

Doubling Down for Peace – Triathlon Fundraiser

He did it! Cranberry TriFest Triathlon:  $2,424 raised through 8/30!

Now you can help reach the goal.  Click here to make your secure donation online.
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The Event:  Following his 2011-12 Hebrew College year in Israel, rabbinical student David Fainsilber committed himself to support grassroots organizations working for a non-violent resolution to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To fulfill his promise last year, David participated in his first-ever triathlon and raised $4,000 for the Mar Elias Educational Institutions.

Now he did it again: Doubling Down for Peace on 8/25/13!

The Goal: David’s working to raise $4248 in 2013 to benefit the Mar Elias Educational Institutions’ interfaith programming through his Triathlon August 25th. Why such an odd number? It’s last year’s goal of $3600 + 18%! Thanks, David.

A Matching Grant! A generous donor will match your gift dollar for dollar. Please be generous; you’ll literally be doubling down for peace.

What’s the background? David discovered the Mar Elias Schools after his Boston-based group of students spent an electrifying hour with Archbishop Elias Chacour during in Haifa in 2012. Abuna’s story of Building Peace on Desktops through the unique school he founded in Ibillin made David eager to see for himself. He found his way to Ibillin and spent an inspiring hour with Elias Abu Ghanima, Mar Elias’ spokesperson. A passion was born, and as soon as he returned to the US, David launched his support for Mar Elias’ dream of overcoming differences and teaching students to find a neighbor in “the Other” is lived out every day.

As a result: On August 25, 2013, David will race in his second triathlon to raise funds and awareness for Pilgrims of Ibillin in the USA and Peace it Together in Canada. Both organizations support programs in Israel that bring young people together across religious lines to cultivate peace and mutual understanding.

Why Pilgrims of Ibillin? It’s a US-based organization dedicated to supporting the Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Ibillin, Israel (founded by Fr. Elias Chacour), as well as other mission projects that cultivate a just peace in Israel-Palestine. Pilgrims of Ibillin provides this support through financial resources, education, and peace building projects.

Want more information about Pilgrims of Ibillin? Visit www.pilgrimsofibillin.org.

Both Pilgrims of Ibillin (USA) and Peace it Together (Canada) are registered charities. You will receive an official tax receipt with your donation, if you live in the same country as the charity through which you contribute.

Click here to make your contribution! It will be doubled by the matching grant and will directly benefit the students of Mar Elias. Then invite your friends and family, through emails or your own social networks, to join you in supporting this worthy cause.

Laguna Beach & San Marino Visits April 14th by Archbishop Elias Chacour

“What Are the Things That Make for Peace?”

Peace advocate and author Archbishop Elias Chacour will speak at church gatherings in Laguna Beach and San Marino, CA on April 14, 2013.

Archbishop Chacour was born in Palestine in 1939. He became a priest in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, which traces its roots to the Byzantine period. Father Chacour is Archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and All Galilee. He has worked tirelessly for reconciliation between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East and is author of several books, including Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. He is a recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award and the Niwano (Buddhist) Peace Prize for his work in education as founder of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, which have more than 3,000 students and faculty, including Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Jews.

All are invited to hear this well-known advocate for a peaceful resolution of the “Arab-Israeli” conflict.

Sunday, April 14, 8:30 & 10:00am — Preaching in both worship services at Laguna Presbyterian Church,
415 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA.  For information about worship call the church at (949) 494-7555.  Click here for worship times and travel directions.

Sunday, April 14, 7:00pm — Presentation, “What Are the Things that Make for Peace?” at San Marino Community Church, 1750 Virginia Road, San Marino, CA.  Click here for  Google Maps directions to the church.  Questions for the church: Call (626) 282-4181.

Questions about Pilgrims of Ibillin, the sponsor of Abuna’s visit?  Contact Executive Director Joan Deming at (608) 235-1046 or email jdeming7@gmail.com.

Download an order form here for books/DVDs by and about Archbishop Chacour.

Washington, DC Area Presentations by Abuna Elias Chacour – April 10-12, 2013

“What Are the Things That Make for Peace?”

Peace advocate and author Archbishop Elias Chacour will speak at church gatherings in the Washington, DC area April 10-12, 2013.

Archbishop Chacour was born in Palestine in 1939. He became a priest in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, which traces its roots to the Byzantine period. Father Chacour is Archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and All Galilee. He has worked tirelessly for reconciliation between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East and is author of several books, including Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. He is a recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award and the Niwano Peace Prize for his work in education as founder of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, which have more than 3,000 students and faculty, including Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Jews.

All are invited to hear this well-known advocate for a peaceful resolution of the “Arab-Israeli” conflict.

Wednesday, April 10, Presentation at 7:00 PM — Washington National Cathedral, Perry Auditorium. (Download a flyer for this event and share it with others!) For more information contact Grace Said at pal-isgroup@cathedralcongregation.org.

Thursday, April 11, Fundraising Dinner followed by Public Presentation — Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, on the Campus at Randolph-Macon College, 201 Henry St, Ashland, VA.

  • 5:30pm Dinner, Fellowship Hall. Suggested donation $50.  Contact the church office for reservations: 804-798-7224
  • 7;00pm Presentation in the Sanctuary, Free and open to the public.  A free-will offering will be received to provide scholarships for students at the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, founded by Fr. Chacour in Ibillin, Israel

Friday, April 12, Presentation at 7:30 PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (Event held in School)
8800 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003.

Abuna Elias Chacour’s Christmas Greetings!

December 24, 2012

Dear Friends,

Although I have kept silent too long from writing to you, that means in no way forgetting to pray with thanksgiving for your friendship and for your continued support to Pilgrims of Ibillin.

I keep mentioning what you have done for the schools in Ibillin during the past few years; it was an extremely important help and an encouragement to our faith here in Galilee.

I am writing right before Christmas.  During this week we are kept very busy mainly because of the important visits of dignitaries from within Israel and from abroad. We started the reception for Christmas by greeting the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, and among others we are expecting the Palestinian Minister of Religious Affairs sent by Abu Mazen.  Many Parliament members also come to congratulate through us all the Christians of the Holy Land. We make sure that representatives of major Christian denominations are invited to join us with this honor, as well as the directors of our schools and our clergy.

During this past month we had exciting visits with each of our Melkite schools where we met with the faculty to have an open discussion of questions and answers – before wishing them a Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.

At MEEI, besides meeting with teachers and with the students themselves, I had the pleasure of welcoming new leaders of both Mariam Bawardi Elementary School and Mar Elias High School.  Some of you know very well Ms. Nawar Mussallam, who retired in 2012 after leading our kindergarten and elementary school from their very beginning.  (Although retired, Nawar continues to carry important responsibilities for our whole school.)  We had to find a new principal for that very successful school and we appointed Juhaina Matar, a very special, wise, and committed teacher, to replace Nawar.

As for the High school, we celebrate that our Principal, Mr. Asem Khoury, has become the inspector in Hebrew Language instruction for all the Israeli schools.  I met several times with all the teachers to discuss the needs of the school. In December, we appointed a new director who has in fact been a leader in the school already for a long time: Elias Abu Ghanima.  We look forward with much hope to his leadership; he will promote the level of achievement of the schools.

As we move into a new year, we will discreetly accompany these leaders in their new jobs. Please pray for them and pray for us and our work so that the name of the Lord may be better known.

I could write more and more exciting things about experiences in the schools such as the famous story of our director in Nazareth who requested a leave for one month to go into the election campaign in order to become a Parliament member. (Stay tuned: the election is in January.)

We do not have a dull time here! As we go from one major event to another, we try to keep our serenity and it is only through prayer and reading the bible that we can find such serenity. As we said to the President of the State of Israel during his visit, Christianity means for us to have confidence like the angels who said to the shepherds: “Fear not; today we bring you good tidings, a savior has been born for you.” The angels announce the same message for each of you: “Be not afraid, rejoice for a savior has been born for you, Jesus Christ”.

I wish you a Happy Christmas and a very blessed New Year.

Yours with special affection and gratitude,

 

† Abuna Elias Chacour

Melkite Archbishop of Galilee

Join Bob Sawyer for a Living Stones Pilgrimage – Jan/Feb 2013

Living Stones Pilgrimage Opportunity — Travel with a Purpose

January 29—February 11, 2013
Led by Rev. Bob Sawyer & George Shalabi ~ pilgrims@triad.rr.com or 336-499-5310

The winter Pilgrims of Ibillin Living Stones Pilgrimage still has openings, but the registration deadline is around the corner. Join us for a tour that’s more than a tourist experience of Israel/Palestine. Check our website for full brochure and registration form.

Cost: $1600 program fee to Pilgrims of Ibillin; pay airfare separately to our travel agent for the New York-Tel Aviv round trip, plus the cost of your connecting flight from wherever you live to New York.

Registration deadline—October 15, 2012. (We have a few days wiggle room on this deadline, but do call today for more information.)

Click here for the full pdf brochure and registration form.

More information:  call or email Bob Sawyer, 336-499-5310 or mailto:pilgrims@triad.rr.com.

Viral Fundraising: Cutting the Dreds, Running the Race – for Peace

David Fainsilber's dredsFollowing his 2011-12 Hebrew College year in Israel, rabbinical student David Fainsilber committed himself to supporting grassroots organizations working for a non-violent resolution to the conflict in Israel and Palestine.  To fulfill this promise, on August 14th David launched a fundraising campaign: “Cutting the Dreds, Running the Race – for Peace.”  He’s working toward a goal of $3600 to benefit Mar Elias Educational Institutions this fall.  Thanks, David!

Why?  David was inspired to visit Mar Elias after his Boston-based group of students spent an electrifying hour with Archbishop Elias Chacour during their year of studies in Haifa.  Abuna’s story of Building Peace on Desktops made David eager to see the school and meet the people. Once in Ibillin, a conversation with Elias Abu Ghanima, Mar Elias’ spokesperson, sealed David’s commitment to work after he returned home to support this school where the dream of overcoming differences and finding a neighbor in “the Other” is lived out every day.

As a result:  On September 1, 2012, David will run his first ever competitive race in the Lake George Triathlon (upstate NY) to raise funds and awareness for Pilgrims of Ibillin in the USA and Peace it Together in Canada.  Both organizations support programs in Israel that bring young people together across religious lines to cultivate peace and mutual understanding. Later in September, he plans to cut his dreds, which have been 13 years in the making.

Want to know more about what David’s doing and why he’s doing it?  Check out his blog at http://www.twominutesiren.blogspot.ca.  Or read his story (and then make a donation) on his MEEI fundraising page.

Watch David’s video — and please respond generously!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdj4Plg0l98.

Hailing from Montreal, David Fainsilber currently lives with his wife, Alison, and toddler, Adar, in Jamaica Plain, MA, where he is entering his fourth year at Hebrew College’s rabbinical school. David has been involved in social justice and interfaith work for many years as a Kol Tzedek Voices of Justice Speaking Fellow for American Jewish World Service, and as a Spiritual Mentor at the Interfaith Youth Initiative. David has also served as a Hebrew College-Andover Newton CIRCLE Fellow, developing and implementing an Interfaith Hospitality initiative for seminarians of various faiths. Working in the Jewish community for more than a dozen years, David has led High Holiday services at Kolot Chayeinu in Brooklyn and MIT Hillel, and will bring in this coming year with Tufts Hillel. He is currently the rabbinic intern at Nehar Shalom, with a focus on community organizing and creating musical, soulful prayer experiences for the community.

Check out his fundraising site: https://bos.etapestry.com/fundraiser/PilgrimsofIbillin/cuttingthedreds_runningtherace-forpeace/.  Better yet, make a contribution! It will directly benefit the students of Mar Elias. Then invite your friends and family, through emails or your own social networks, to join you in supporting this worthy cause!

We’ll keep updating David’s results through comments on this page. So come back often!

“We Belong to the Land” – A One Man Play

Shakespearean actor and writer Bruce G. Bradley has created a captivating adaptation of the book We Belong to the Land—the inspirational autobiography of Abuna Elias Chacour. Bradley has presented his 45-minute performance in Wisconsin, California, and Illinois, and is eager for more opportunities to share Abuna Chacour’s important story and vision. Bradley lives near Madison, WI.

With stunning accuracy, the actor “becomes” Archbishop Chacour as he tells about working for peace in Israel/Palestine over the past 45 years. Audiences hear how Abuna (“Father” in Arabic) Elias Chacour, against all odds, established the multi-cultural Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Ibillin, where Christians, Jews, Muslims and Druze are educated without regard to religion or ethnic background.

Proceeds from these dramatic performances will support the Mar Elias Schools, part of Archbishop Chacour‟s ongoing effort to “Build Peace on Desktops.” A time for questions will follow each performance. Interestingly, a few questions after every performance so far reveal that some in the audiencee forget that Bruce is an actor portraying Abuna Chacour. The questions are addressed as if to Abuna himself.

For further information, or to discuss sponsoring Bruce Bradley’s dramatic reading in your area, please call Joan Deming at 608-235-1046.

Resources by & about Archbishop Elias Chacour

Hear Archbishop Chacour’s contribution to a panel at the Vatican in October 2010 on Preventing Conflict.
Click here to watch or download a podcast of Abuna’s lecture, “Unity within Diversity: Myth or Reality?” – part of Calvin College’s excellent January Series in Grand Rapids, MI, January 26, 2010.
“Making the Holy Land Holy,” a PBS episode of “Inner Compass,” features an interview from January 2010 with Archbishop Elias Chacour in Grand Rapids, MI. View it here, or download the podcast through the iTunes Store.
Watch YouTube video greetings from Four Mar Elias Seniors and one MEEI Graduate: hear their thoughts about school & the future.

View a 23-minute video about Abuna Chacour and the Schools he founded in Ibillin: “A Man of Galilee” on Vimeo.

Finally: have you read these books by or about Abuna Chacour?

  • Blood Brothers, by Elias Chacour with David Hazard, foreword by James A. Baker III
  • We Belong to the Land, by Elias Chacour with Mary E. Jensen
  • Blessed Are the Peacemakers, by Patricia Griggs with Elias Chacour (for middle school readers and above)

Download an order form here.