Greetings from Bethlehem University

17 October 2011

Bethlehem

Dear Alumni and Friends of Bethlehem University,

Greetings from the Holy Land where we are about halfway through the Fall semester of classes.

On Sunday, 16 October 2011, The Miami Herald published an Op-Ed piece, “ Israel’s travel ban harms ‘entire generations,’” written by our Vice Chancellor, Brother Peter Bray. As you will see, Brother Peter writes about the value of investing in education as we build a nation and on the negative impact of Israel's travel bans that prevent freedom of movement for education, especially freedom of movement between Gaza and the West Bank for education -- which is part of our ongoing efforts of the Gaza initiative at which we continue to work. Here is the link to the article in The Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/16/2454501/israels-travel-ban-harms-entire.html

Allow me to share with you some good news about some activities here at Bethlehem University.

• We recently learned about the publication of a book edited by one of our 2010 graduates, Ms. Marian Saadeh, along with Mr. Harry Katz, one of our benefactors from the United States whose son in of Palestinian ancestry in that his maternal grandfather was born in Bethlehem. The book, which is available on Amazon.com, is entitled: “ A People Without a Country: Voices from Palestine.” It is a collection of essays about life in the occupied Palestinian territories written by Christian and Moslem Palestinians. The collection from students, artisans, housewives, historians, and everyday people presents eyewitness accounts of the impact of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian daily life.

• This Week in Palestine, the largest cultural publication in Palestine, included a profile of Mr. Ibrahim Daboub, friend and benefactor of Bethlehem University, in their October 2011 edition. Mr. Dabdoub has recognized the unique quality of Bethlehem University and our business faculty, which is being named the Shucri Ibrahim Dabdoub Faculty of Business in honour of the late son of Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Dabdoub. “I have a great desire to see the young generation of Arabs have the opportunity to benefit from a first class business education at such a prestigious institution as Bethlehem University,” says Mr. Dabdoub. Click here to read the write-up from This Week in Palestine.
  

• Mr. Isam Andoni, a 1986 mathematics graduate of Bethlehem University, is now married, living and working in the United States as the President and Chief Technology Architect at ZEVA, a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner in Identity and Security, and a comprehensive leading provider of solutions and expert consulting services in the field of Enterprise Identity Management. He and his wife, Jihan, also a Bethlehem University graduate, have hired two other graduates of Bethlehem University. One of whom is working at their Virginia-based technology company and the other is working full-time with the company from his home in Bethlehem. We are delighted to see the Andoni's doing well in their business and also hiring some of the Bethlehem University graduates. You can read more about the Andoni’s and the upcoming Young Arab Science and Technology Competition they are sponsoring by visiting our website.
  

VISITORS: We are grateful you keep coming to visit us!

• Archbishop Patrick Kelly and Bishop William Kenney from the UK led a pilgrimage to Bethlehem University in early October.
  

• This was preceded by September visits of Bishop William Michael Mulvey leading the Southwestern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order.

• Fr. Robert Kurvers also led the pilgrimage of The Netherlands Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order.

Thank you for your support, prayers, and visits – all deeply appreciated.

Blessings to you,

Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD
Vice President for Development
jcurran@bethlehem.edu

Bethlehem University in the Holy Land
Rue des Freres
Bethlehem - Palestine
Tel: +972-2-274-1241
Fax: +972-2-274-4440
www.bethlehem.edu