People

Sarah Schofield-Mansur is an experienced and passionate fundraiser with a unique interdisciplinary background spanning from the world of modern theater to anthropological archaeology of the Ancient Near East. She comes to AFEDJ from the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, where she most recently served...

After a thorough nationwide search, Diana Branton was selected to join the team in late June as AFEDJ’s Director of Communications and Marketing, and “Bearing Witness” Program Director. Diana, an award-winning graphic artist, author, public speaker, teacher, historian, and communicator of over fifteen years, comes...

Q&A with Bishop Greg and Marti Rickel: Taking the next step along the pilgrim way Bishop Greg and Marti Rickel have made many pilgrimages to the Holy Land. In October 2022 they accompanied AFEDJ trustees and sta! on site visits to a dozen diocesan schools,...

Thanks to Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center (ETVTC) volunteer extraordinaire Jo Bronson of Portland, Oregon, for sharing a story and photo from this year’s high school cooking competition. Jo spends several months each year in Ramallah at ETVTC tutoring, supporting, and nurturing vocational students as well...

Spencer will become AFEDJ’s new executive director in December After a thorough, thoughtful national search, Eileen Spencer joined AFEDJ as its Executive Director-Elect on September 6. She will work alongside John Lent, the current Executive Director, who will retire at the end of this year....

Eileen Spencer begins the transition process to become AFEDJ’s new executive director on December 1. Early Tuesday morning Eileen Spencer joined a Zoom call with leaders of the Princess Basma Center in Jerusalem to learn more about the USAID grant project to make all areas...

The Board of Trustees of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eileen Spencer of Dutchess County, NY, as Executive Director-Elect of the organization. She will join AFEDJ in September and work alongside John Lent,...

Forging strong relationships with leaders in the Diocese of Jerusalem is vital to carrying out the mission of American Friends. While Zoom is a useful tool that has helped maintain close ties during the pandemic, AFEDJ’s Executive Director was glad to return to Jordan in...

John Lent, executive director of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ), has announced that he will step down at the end of 2022 after seven years with the organization. Lent, a lifelong Episcopalian, came to AFEDJ after a career in educational...

“As Episcopalians it is in our DNA to be via media, the middle way, as a bridge to bring people together. That voice of moderation is absolutely intrinsic and essential to our ministry in a place where there is so much struggle.” — Archbishop Hosam...