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About the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese
of Jerusalem
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The American Friends was founded in 1989 by Bishop
Peter Lee of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and
Bishop Samir Kafity of the Episcopal Diocese of
Jerusalem. Their partnership invited Christians
from the USA and around the world, to "Remember
the Forgotten Faithful of the Holy Land", the
Arab Christians who have preserved the Christian
presence in the Holy Land for centuries.
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The two Bishops raised $2 million for repairing
and enlarging two hospitals and six schools in this
diocese that includes the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,
Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
In 1996 Bishop Kafity retired and Bishop Claude
E. Payne of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas became
President of the American Friends, replacing Bishop
Lee. At this time, The Rev. Nicholas T. Porter,
who served as Chaplain to Bishop Kafity, forged
an informal partnership between AmeriCares (the
world-wide charity) and A.N.E.R.A (American Near
East Refugee Aid). A meeting was held in New Canaan,
CT and $10,000 was immediately raised for the cost
of the ocean freight to ship $500,000 of free/donated
medical supplies from AmeriCares to the Holy Land.
A.N.E.R.A. facilitated the clearance of the supplies
through Israeli and Palestinian authorities. |
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Since then,
over $20 million of medical and school supplies,
cash grants to projects,
clothing and baby items has been donated freely
and sent (many times at no freight cost) via this
partnership to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Over $2 million has been given in cash grants. A
new $50,000 elevator and a new $50,000 ambulance
has been donated to the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
In 2002 and 2003 the American Friends became a major
partner with the Jerusalem 2000 Campaign of the
worldwide Anglican Communion. Under the leadership
of Phoebe Griswold, wife of the Presiding Bishop,
a total of $3,415,800 was raised to construct new
schools, hospital emergency rooms and churches.
$30,000 was donated by the American Friends. |
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The Rev. Charles Cloughen served as Chairman of
the Jerusalem 2000 Diocesan Representatives Committee.
His efforts were so productive that when Bishop
Payne retired in 2003, Cloughen became President
of the American Friends. His dynamic leadership
and organization skills are already resulting in
major additions to our funding, establishment of
nationwide Missioners, and a growth in the number
of Friends to over 5,000. Our near-term giving goal
is $500,000 per year in cash, plus a continued and
enlarged flow of free/donated medical and school
supplies. |
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We hope to resume the short, medium and long-term
mission program, where people in the medical and
social service fields spend weeks or months serving
in a diocesan hospital or school. More than a
dozen men and women have served in these volunteer
positions, which have been restricted due to current
political and military conditions. We are currently
receiving applications for these positions. |
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Membership in the American Friends is free, open to people
of any denomination. Nobody will solicit you, and you
will receive several free issues of our newsletter each
year.
To join the American Friends of the Episcopal
Diocese of Jerusalem, send your name to:
The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
P.O. Box 2040
Orange, CA 92859
americanfriendsjerusalem@gmail.com
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