February 2010                                                                                                           Vol. IV, No. 2

Quaker Meetinghouse Marks 100th Anniversary

From the Program Coordinator

This year Ramallah Friends will mark the 100th anniversary of the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse.  The meetinghouse was dedicated on March 6, 1910.  This year the members of Ramallah Friends Meeting, attenders, and many who have been associated with the Ramallah Friends Meeting will to acknowledge the contributions of Quakers in the past and present and to work towards creating a vision for future Quaker work in Palestine.  

Many people have passed through the doors of the Meetinghouse during these 100 years.    If the stones of the Meetinghouse could speak, they would have some very interesting stories to tell.  However, we need to rely on the people who have passed through its doors to tell those stories.  Some of these stories have been preserved in books, reports in files, and pictures that many have preserved.  Many of the stories have been lost.  

As we prepare for the 100th anniversary of the Meetinghouse, we continue to acknowledge that there was a Palestinian Quaker presence long before the Meetinghouse was built.  The building of the Meetinghouse was a recognition that this group of Quakers/Friends who had been meeting in different places in Ramallah for worship, needed to have a permanent place to be and to worship.  It has been this meetinghouse, this place of worship that kept the Quaker community together all these years.  In 1940 the Annex was added in order to have a place to hold Sunday/First Day School and organize community projects.  

The Ramallah Friends Meeting today is small.  Many of its members have emigrated and are living elsewhere around the world.  The situation in the West Bank has affected everyone, and Ramallah Quakers/Friends have not been immune to the effects of the Israeli occupation.  However, Quakers/Friends continue to have an impact in the Palestinian community.  The Meetinghouse and the Meeting for Worship on Sunday mornings continue to be the heart of Quaker work in Palestine.  Quaker principles and theology continue to inform all Quaker work.  And today, many Quakers and others who work in Palestine or pass through make it their spiritual home by joining in worship in the Meetinghouse and in the activities at the Friends International Center in Ramallah, a ministry of Ramallah Friends Meeting.     

(Click here to read more about emigration and its effects on Palestine)  

Ramallah Friends Meeting exists in the context of the changing situation in occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.  

The continuing Israeli military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem has many implications for everyone – Palestinians living there and Internationals working there.  Gaza does not have Israelis living there or patrolling the streets, but Israel continues to impose the blockade, completely controlling Palestinians lives there.  We continue to ask:  How can the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state be developed under occupation?  How can democracy flourish under occupation?  How can Gaza rebuild what it lost during the War on Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009 on top of living with the past 43 years of occupation?  

(Click here to read about the situation in Gaza as told by Rabbi Lynn Gottleib)

From the Friends International Center in Ramallah (FICR)
The Friends International Center in Ramallah (FICR) was established in March 2005, when Ramallah Friends, Quakers from the US and Europe, and sojourners met to talk about the future of the newly renovated Meetinghouse and Annex.  FICR was established as a Ministry of the Meeting.

(Click here to learn more about the vision of FICR: www.ramallahquakers.org)

Since that time, the activities of FICR have increased.  It has become home to many Quakers and others who have passed through it.  
In addition to welcoming individuals, the Friends Center has been host to many groups passing through and local groups that need a place to meet.  

Scott Kennedy from the Center for the Study of Nonviolence with a group of peace activists from the US

From the Ramallah Friends Meeting

Some events have already been scheduled for Centennial Week in 2010: 

Friday, March 5 at 3:00pm – A walking tour to learn about the architecture of the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse and other old buildings in the old city of Ramallah, including the two Friends Schools Saturday, March 6 at 7:00pm – An evening of traditional dance and music at the Boys Friends School Sunday, March 7 at 10:30am – Meeting for Worship in the Meetinghouse Sunday, March 7 at 6:00pm – an evening of sharing past experiences with the Ramallah Friends in the Meetinghouse   Monday, March 8 at 6:00pm – a lecture and discussion: “The Quaker Peace Testimony and Speaking Truth to Power” by Max Carter and Jim Fine   Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00pm – Concert in the Meetinghouse   Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00pm – Presentation -- “The History of Ramallah Quakers and Current Quaker Work” Jean Zaru and staff of Quaker institutions Saturday, March 13 at 7:00pm – Concert in the Meetinghouse by Barenboim-Said Foundation

 Watch for the final program in the March Newsletter and Website
www.ramallahquakers.org

(Click here if you would like to see a list of places you can stay in Ramallah)

We have produced some items for people to purchase when they come to visit us in Ramallah – a Centennial cup and prints of a painting of the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to mail these items to you.  You will have to come to Ramallah to purchase them.  
We will keep you informed of additional events that will be planned in 2010 in future FICR newsletters.  You can e-mail Sonia for more information at ficradmin@palnet.com.

On January 31, Ramallah Friends Meeting organized a welcome lunch for Paticia Sellick and her son Kwame.  Patricia is the new Middle East Regional Director of AFSC and the Quaker Representative in Palestne and Israel.  (www.afsc.org)

Patricia in the center at the welcome lunch on January 31

Kwame, Patricia’s son, at the welcome lunch.  Kwame is 11 and attends the Anglican School in Jerusalem.

From the Occupation: Monthly Action Focus:

We continue to keep alive and in front of you the issues faced by Palestinians living abroad and Internationals when they attempt to enter the oPt (occupied Palestinian territory) via one of the ports that Israel controls.  
Currently internationals are facing an additional issue – that of work permits.  All International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs), except 12, have been told by the Israeli authorities that they will no longer be granted B1 (work permits) in order to work here, but instead will receive B2 (one year visitor visas).  It means that the Internationals working with an INGO based in Jerusalem, will be able to live in Jerusalem but not work there.  This change will have huge implications for all INGOs in the future and no one knows where this change will lead.  

(Click here to read an article by Amira Hass about Israel’s refusal to issue Work Permits)    
(Click here to read the latest situation update of the Right to Enter Campaign)
  
The Right to Enter (RTE) Campaign continues its focus on the responsibility of third states concerning the matter of Right to Enter/Re-Enter the oPt (occupied Palestinian territory) via one of the entry ports Israel controls.  The Campaign continues to call on third states to assume their responsibility in enforcing human rights and international law in a situation of military occupation.  

The Campaign continues to collect the names of persons - Palestinians and Internationals who have been denied entry at one of the ports Israel controls (Ben Gurion Airport or one of the bridges across the Jordan River from Amman).  If you are a person who has been denied entry or know of someone who has been denied entry, please contact Anita Abdullah at anita_abdullah@hotmail.com.  

Due to the fact that there is no clear policy for denial of entry, a person is allowed to enter via one of the ports controlled by Israel at the discretion of the Israeli immigration official.  The denial of entry is random.  People continue to be given a one-week visa, a new trend and alternative to being denied entry completely.  

For more information on "Right to Enter/Re-enter" go to www.righttoenter.ps

NOTE:  Please click on the FICR website below and go to the Newsletter page to read previous newsletters that you may not have received and would like to read.  


Kathy Bergen
Program Coordinator
www.ramallahquakers.org