Jerusalem friends launch schools appeal, seek development officer
Episcopal News Service. June 27, 2008 [062708-03]
The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) has begun a new fundraising appeal to help diocesan schools educate students and increase peacemaking in the region.
The organization is also seeking a development officer (job description posted below).
AFEDJ board members in April visited schools in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem "whose excellent teachers are leading the effort to educate future leaders and provide a strong Christian presence," the organization notes in a letter signed by board president Dennis C. Hensley and president-elect Phoebe Griswold.
Schools visited included St. George's School in Jerusalem, the Arab Evangelical Episcopal School, and the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center, both in Ramallah.
Also, farther away, the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf near Amman, Jordan, and St. Luke's Center for the Disabled in Beirut, Lebanon, have trained and provided a place in society for marginalized young women and men.
"These schools are one of a kind in their area," the letter notes. "Each has a unique mission and its own challenges, though we heard one common problem again and again -- that donor dollars aren't going as far anymore because of weakness in the U.S. currency."
"Education is the cornerstone for reconciliation," Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani writes on the new diocesan website. "At our educational institutions, we teach Christians and Muslims Christian values, as well as awareness of each other, of citizenship, human rights, tolerance, peace and justice."
"We saw a diocese with new vision, putting highly skilled men and women into positions of leadership," the board leaders wrote in their letter, emphasizing that Dawani's "reformed diocesan structure has prioritized accountability, transparency and effectiveness in its work overseeing schools, hospitals and parishes."
For more information about supporting AFEDJ, and to make online gifts, visit the website.
A job description for the development officer's position follows here:
Dynamic Episcopal Agency Seeks Development Officer
The Board of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a quarter-century-old ministry dedicated to advancing the historic Anglican mission in the Holy Land, is seeking a part- or full-time development officer to build on a growing annual giving program. Candidate should be willing to approach work as ministry, work well with volunteers, be knowledgeable about board development, be a self-starter, have strong written and oral communications skills and able to supervise a growing database, publications schedule and website updates. Development experience is very helpful, but many skills can be taught if the person is a good manager of their own time and highly organized. Salary negotiable and candidate can work from home or local parish office. If interested, please send your resume and letter of interest by email to Joan Goehler, the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, at jdgoehler@aol.com (by July 10). For additional information on the American Friends, visit the website at www.americanfriends-jerusalem.org.