Phone: 972-2-626-6800 FAX: 972-2-628-5764 ADDRESS: Muristan Road P.O. Box 14076 Jerusalem 91140 via Israel
ELCJHL Director of Education Dr. Charlie D. Haddad recently addressed the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages at George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.A., on the topic of peace education.
In his Feb. 7 address, Haddad described the school’s efforts to integrate peace education and interfaith dialogue into the curriculum. Haddad explained the steps the ELCJHL is taking to respond to deteriorating socio-economic conditions, declining income and increasing fanaticism in the region. Haddad was encouraged by the response to his message.
“Many of the attendants who are TESOL teachers have already contacted me by e-mail since the conference expressing interest in doing twinning programs, exchanges and pen-pal correspondence with our schools,” Haddad said. Some expressed interest in volunteering in ELCJHL schools and TESOL president Dr. Shelly Wong invited Haddad to join the organization.
A day earlier, Haddad met with congressional aids in Washington, D.C. He said his message there was that “most Palestinians want real peace where Palestinians and Israelis can again live together as good neighbors,” but that measures by the Israeli government are “widening the gap between Israelis, Palestinians and also the West!” Haddad was accompanied by Pastor Russ Siler, who formerly served as pastor for the ELCJHL's English-speaking congregation in Jerusalem.
by Kendra Kintzi
In
a world filled with mounting concerns about the effects of our human actions on
the environment, many of our most precious resources have taken on new
dimensions of social and ecological significance. As a critical resource
essential to the continuation of all forms of life, water holds a uniquely
pivotal place in the spectrum of these debates over natural resources. Access to
adequate, safe water is one of the most fundamental human rights necessary for
the realization of basic human dignity. Yet for many Palestinians, the struggles
of water shortage and daily water insecurity are an all too pressing reality.
The primary water source located under the West Bank, the Western (Mountain) Aquifer, is at risk of overuse and contamination as the construction of military barriers and water-intensive, environmentally-damaging Israeli settlements continues, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs. Individuals and communities who are dependent on agrarian or ruminant lifestyles are particularly vulnerable to this infringement on natural water sources, as their entire social and economic livelihood is jeopardized. Given the strictures imposed by Israeli control over regional water sources, conservation education is the only tool by which Palestinians can take action and maintain access to this crucial resource and human right. /p>
Within this context, the Environmental Education Center has worked hard over the past months to bolster and expand its water conservation programs through educational outreach in public schools. In an effort to reach out to more remote communities beyond the Bethlehem vicinity, the EEC started up a new educational program in November and December with students from government schools in the villages of Janata and Rashaida. Within these rural villages, most families earn a significant part (if not all) of their income either from herding sheep or goats, or cultivating local crops.
Staff members visited these schools with interactive presentations to introduce concepts of responsible water management and sustainable water use, involving the students in hands-on activities to further explore the meaning and significance of this important resource in their lives. After these presentations, the students were taken on field trips to the EEC campus in Beit Jala, where they toured the botanical gardens and learned more about water recycling at our waste-water renewal and natural treatment facility. The students enjoyed a picnic amongst the native trees surrounding the outdoor classroom, and learned more about the importance of water for local bird biodiversity with demonstrations from the bird ringing station.
Teachers, principals and numerous parents also participated in a seminar concerning conservation strategies and simple steps that individuals can take to improve community health and protect precious natural resources at their disposal. Although these are only small steps toward restoring equitable water distribution and sustainable resource use, these activities provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with this pressing issue and begin to formulate innovative new strategies to benefit their communities.
KKendra Kintzi is a volunteer at the EEC through the ELCA’s “Young Adults in Global Mission” program. She is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Santa Maria, Calif.
Following an invitation from Peace Not Walls staff, on Jan. 5 Lutheran filmmaker Tim Frakes donated his time and expertise for two website and video production workshops for high school students at ELCJHL schools. Ten students, a teacher, a volunteer and a principal attended at no cost during their winter school break and in spite of the fighting in the nearby Gaza Strip.
Participants were instructed in basic camera technique, composition, and sound recording, and were also introduced to new video social networking sites, blogging, and Facebook. Students showed interest, and through Facebook some now have continued their conversation with Frakes. Frakes told the students, “I don't want to teach you how to make videos; I want you to change the world through your videos.”
The workshops were held at the Dar Al Kalima Lutheran School in Bethlehem and at the Evangelical Lutheran School of Beit Sahour and were organized by Sister Sylvia Countess, ELCJHL Director of Education Dr. Charlie Haddad.
(Reproduced with permission from elca.org)
An addition at Dar al-Kalima School (left photo) will provide space for
science labs and administrative offices. Overseeing the work is contractor Anwar
Hilal. At Beit Sahour (right photo) a new third floor will be made into science
labs. (S. Countess photos)