On the 22nd of October, the Environmental Education Center of the ELCJHL facilitated the 22nd Annual Olive Harvest Festival, in cooperation with the Bethlehem Governorate and the Ministry of Agriculture. The olive harvest is very important for the Palestinian economy, and a significant cultural and historical occasion as well. Today, community members gathered for an … [Read more…]
From August 31st to the 8th of September, delegates and representatives from the ELCJHL were in beautiful Karlsruhe, Germany for the 11th Annual World Council of Churches. The theme of this assembly was “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity”. In total, the ELCJHL was represented by Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Reverend Imad … [Read more…]
Did you know there is a bird ringing and monitoring station at the ELCJHL’s Environmental Education Center? Throughout the year, Executive Director Simon Awad, along with bird researcher Michael Farhoud and college student and EEC researcher Bashar Jarseyeh, document and study birds who come through the center through their ringing process. In 2015, the center … [Read more…]
One of the EEC The Environmental Education Center ’s biggest events of the year is the annual Palestinian Conference for Environmental Awareness and Education. Environmental researchers, experts, and enthusiasts gather from around the country (with some international presence as well!) to share insight, research, and experience. In addition to sharing, the conference also has an … [Read more…]
When it comes to Environmental Stewardship, the ELCJHL walks the walk. Just this past week, we launched the “Zero Waste” initiative, which will eliminate all plastic use from 3 of our 4 schools. The Environmental Education Center facilitated this movement, and greatly aided by providing reusable lunchboxes and water bottles for each student. Plastic is … [Read more…]
The Bethlehem community filled Manger Square with Joy on October 30th to celebrate another Palestinian olive harvest! Festivities included opening words from Bishop Azar among other community and political leaders. Attendees shopped among the many market booths open selling local Palestinian foods and homemade goods. Students from the Evangelical Lutheran School of Beit Sahour as … [Read more…]
Today marks the Palestinian National Olive Harvest Day. On this day, farmers, community members, and students all throughout Palestine picked olives in celebration of this annual tradition that is very important to the culture and history of Palestine. The ELCJHL was represented today by the executive director of the ELCJHL’s Environmental Education Center Simon Awad, … [Read more…]
This week, students from all ELCJHL schools participated in an olive harvest campaign. In Palestine, olive picking is a joy and an important part of the Palestinian identity, but it is a lot of work. Often, farmers recruit many family members, friends, and volunteers from the community to help harvest all the olives and ensure … [Read more…]
It’s bird week at the Environmental Education Center! This week, students from 9 different schools, as well as several community members and government officials, are flocking to the EEC to celebrate and learn about the birds of Palestine. Today, Bishop Ibrahim Azar visited to partake in the festivities. He offered an important piece of wisdom … [Read more…]
Celebrating the Environment; Responding to Climate Change Bethlehem – The Environmental Education Center (EEC) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) launched its Tenth Annual Palestinian Awareness and Education Conference Green Life Practices, Models, and Climate Change and Jerusalem–Capital of Arab Environment 2019 with the blessings of ELCJHL Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar. The … [Read more…]