St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Taybeh, Palestine .
Introduction:
Greetings from the Holy Land of our Savior. We are asking your support for a vital housing project aimed at helping Palestinian Christians keep their roots and presence in the land of Christ 's birth. As mentioned in a Washington Post article dated March 17, 2000 ".long-term trends have contributed to Christians' extraordinary exodus from the land of their forefathers. Arab Christians make up no more than 2% of Israel and the West Bank ." Many problems resulting from the political instability in the Middle East have contributed to this exodus: the Israeli occupation, severe roadblocks, curfews, the apartheid "security" wall, inferior housing and education, and lack of jobs. The last four years have seen horrific destruction, violence and daily suffering. We seek your help in reversing this trend by addressing one of these basic needs, housing for low-income families in the village of Taybeh .
Solidarity Appeal:
You can help by participating in the "Holy Land Housing Campaign." Adopting more than one of the following options will build housing sooner.
The $1 Campaign: Annually pass a tray during Christmas and Easter Church services to help Taybeh.
The $1,000 Option: Raise $1,000 at your church towards the cost of one house. Fifty churches can build one home which costs approximately $50,000.
The Lenten Appeal: Adopt Taybeh as an annual almsgiving project or missions' project during Great Lent.
Background:
Taybeh, located between Jerusalem and Jericho is the only all-Christian town that has maintained a totally Christian population in Palestine to this day. Taybeh is the modern name given by the Islamic leader Salahadin for the Biblical village of Ephraim . It is best known for the time Christ came to the village to escape and rest with his disciples before his crucifixion. (John 11:54).
At the present time there are three churches and one small chapel in Taybeh. The first Greek Orthodox Church of St. George was built in the late fourth century and now remains as ruins and a special place of worship. Our present church was built in 1931 after the original church was destroyed twice. The other two churches are the Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches and one small chapel built by a French monk.
The local residents of Taybeh number only 1300. Thousands of Palestinian Christians from Taybeh live abroad. Christians in this little village trace their roots to the time of Christ. In l998, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem allocated land to the church in order to help needy families use land for free in building their first homes. A committee was appointed to fundraise and manage the housing project licensed under the Orthodox Youth Club of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church under the Palestinian Authority.
Project Objectives:
1. Improve the living conditions of families that do not have their own homes.
2. Help young married couples have their own homes at a reduced cost.
3. Create temporary jobs.
4. Sustain the Christian community in this unique village and discourage immigration.
Beneficiaries:
The first phase will benefit 10 families as soon as $300,000 is raised to start construction of the first homes. The housing project is intended eventually to help thirty needy families acquire their own homes at a low cost if they meet a strict financial need requirement. Homes may not be sold for profit. Each family must agree that they will not sell their unit except to another needy family or leave it for their own children. Funds raised will be shared equally among the ten families in this first phase of the project. Each family was initially paying on a monthly basis about $70.00 towards the total cost. However, due to the tragic situation in the Holy Land , we have more than 60% of the people currently unemployed. The family payments are about $50,000 in the Arab bank and the amount fundraised as of September 2004 is approximately $50,000.
Project Duration:
This housing project is expected to be completed within five years and the Holy Land Housing Campaign will stay in effect until Easter 2006.
Management :
Contributions are managed by the housing committee in Taybeh and held in an account at the Arab Bank-Ramallah, Al Balad Branch. Your help is greatly needed. Donations may be sent by check to Taybeh O.C. Housing Project, P.O. Box 867 , Ramallah, Palestine VIA ISRAEL . Or by electronic transfer to Arab Bank-Ramallah, Swift code ARABPS 22090, Al Balad Branch Account # 9090-662656/4/510 Taybeh Orthodox Club Housing Project, Via the Arab Bank New York , swift code ARAB US33.
Please notify by email if there is a check in the mail/money transfer for better tracking.
In the United States checks may also be made payable to:
"Metropolis of Boston Holy Land Housing" and mailed to:
Metropolis of Boston , 162 Goddard Avenue , Brookline , MA 02445 .
Housing Committee :
Fr. Daoud P. Khoury
Mother Agapia Stephanopoulos
Dr. Grace C. Muaddi
Mr. Naseem Fqier
Mr. Elias Naser
Mr. Iskandar Mshirki
Dr. Maria C. Khoury (Chair)
For more information or to view engineering plans visit us at www.saintgeorgetaybeh.org . You may also contact Fr. Daoud P. Khoury at 972 (970) 2 289 8969, or Maria C. Khoury, khourymaria@hotmail.com Tel/Fax 972 2 289 8022.
Your solidarity and support is deeply appreciated. Please share this project with others who might be able to help. Your prayers are needed.
With great appreciation,
The Housing Committee
View Gallery with pictures related to the housing project
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