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April 1,
2009 Vol
2, Issue 5
PO Box 2040 Orange,
CA 92859
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Dear Friend
of AFEDJ,
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Al Ahli
Hospital in Gaza reports that they continue to be overwhelmed with patients
like the little burn victim above. Since the embargo is still in
force, they suffer from shortages in basics such as toilet paper,
detergent, sheets -- things you don't think of as being
important until you don't have them. Imagine trying to run a
hospital without them.
Suhaila
Tarazi, Director of the Hospital writes, "Through your most
recent donation, we have bought fuel and medicine and have
sustained the running of the free medical missions. Since January
we have treated 1074 patients and can distribute milk, safe water and
nutritious biscuits to more than 1200 children. We also provide
medical care for 200 chronically ill women."
Ann
Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF, recently toured Gaza. She
expressed deep concern about the war's effect on
the children. "The children are the innocent victims
with the nightmares," she said. "In Gaza, with 58% of
the population under the age of 18 and so many schools severly damaged,
there is an incredible amount of [psychological] work to be done."
Please
keep the staff and patients in your prayers and in your hearts as we
move toward Holy Week. Too many in
the Holy Land are suffering and you can help by going to our
website at www.afedj.org and clicking on the Donate Now button. Give a
meaningful gift this Easter by helping a family back to health and
healing.
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St. Anselm's in Garden Grove CA
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On March 18, St. Anselm's brought together clergy and
community leaders from all three Abrahamic faiths, Jews,
Christians and Muslims, to mourn the suffering in Gaza. A
generous offering will help us provide supplies to Al Ahli
Hospital.
The powerful liturgy ended with everyone in attendance
coming forward to have tears of ashes placed under each eye. The
Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, Rector of St. Anselms and AFEDJ Missioner,
who orchestrated this moving service, urges each of us to
pray for peace.
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Special thanks
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St. Andrew's
in Clawson, Michigan honored their retiring rector, the Rev. Harry T.
Cook by giving contributions in his honor to AFEDJ to help those in
Gaza. Mr. Cook is a noted writer and social activist who has long
associations with the mission of the Diocese of Jerusalem.
We are
deeply grateful to all the St. Andrew's donors and to Mr. Cook for his
tireless efforts on behalf of those with no voice.
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Quick Links
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National
Episcopal Church:
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Events and ideas
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TUTORING IN THE DENVER AREA
Alida Scarborough Hilton offers those in the Denver,
Colorado area a novel way to support those in Gaza. Alida is a
tutor in reading comprehension, speed reading, math through algebra II,
writing, ACT?SAT prep and study skills. "I want to help by
giving all
proceeds from tutoring to AFEDJ," she told us. If you're in
Hill Top, Cherry Creek or Park Hill, contact Alida at alidastutoring
@yahoo.com
"LEMON TREE" AUTHOR TO SPEAK IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
Sandy Tolan, noted author of The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew and the
Heart of the Middle East
will speak at the First Parish Church in Harvard Square on Wednesday,
April 29 at 7 pm. For more information, contact jwjip@yahoo.com.
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Today's students will lead tomorrow's peace
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 Despite
grinding poverty, Lorena works hard to do well in her school in
Ramallah. Thanks to full scholarship aid, she's able to stay in
sixth grade despite her parents' sporadic employment. School is a
struggle for her and her two brothers, but they know that with an education
comes choice for the future.
Merna comes from Jericho. but lives at the Diocesan
school in Ramallah. Now in 10th grade, she's at the top of her
class and works hard to stay there. There are no Christian
secondary schools in Jericho, and Merna's parents are not able to
pay her school fees. Scholarship help is the only way she will be
able to attain her goal of college and a teaching career. She
wants to help other children learn and grow.
We can insure that these children stay in school through
our contributions. With our help, future civic leaders can build
peace in a troubled land.
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 The AFEDJ is a nonprofit, non-political 501c3 which
helps sustain the institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of
Jerusalem. These include 13 schools, 3 hospitals, 5 institutes
for the disabled and 4 affiliates spread over Israel, Palestine,
Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. All provide for those in need
regardless of religious background. All foster mutual respect and
tolerance in a land torn by turmoil and poverty. Learn more about
the work of the AFEDJ or the Diocese of Jerusalem. Visit www.afedj.org to contribute to any of
the important work done in the region. Or visit www.j-diocese.org for a direct
link to the Diocese of Jerusalem.
While Gaza
is in crisis, all the work of the Diocese continues to need your help
and support.
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