Check out these videos! Archbishop Elias Chacour and MEEI Students & Graduates are on  YouTube and Vimeo:
Click here to watch or download a podcast of Abuna's lecture, "Unity within Diversity: Myth or Reality?" - part of Calvin College's excellent January Series in Grand Rapids, MI, January 26, 2010.
STILL WAITING FOR GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS TO MEEI:
As of mid-February, 2010, MEEI Teachers are still owed back pay, and your help is still needed:
 Please continue to send faxes to support the teachers at Mar Elias Educational Institutions,who have been working without full pay because subsidies used to pay teachers are being withheld by the Ministry of Education. The reason is a dispute over whether MEEI had permission to open a school in the village of Dabourieh in 2007. Even though the Dabourieh school has been closed, funds are still being withheld.
The total owed by the Ministry of Education to MEEI reached 6 month's pay - more than 9 million shekels, or $2.5 million. In November and December partial payments were received, but the amount owed is still more than $1 million. The Ministry of Education has promised that the balance will be paid, but Abuna Chacour requests that we continue sending faxed letters asking for a speedy resolution.  Click here for an updated copy of the letter. Thank you!
Through many meetings Archbishop Chacour and advocates for MEEI have tried to resolve the situation, without success.  Send a letter to Israel's Minister of Education, Mr. Gideon Sa'ar, and ask others to do so too. (It seems best to fax during Israeli business hours - 7 hours ahead of the US eastern time zone).
- The fax number from the U.S. is 011 972 2 560 2223.
- An alternative would be to fax the Director General at 011 972 2 560 2336.
Archbishop Chacour is well-known for his work in education and peacebuilding. A remarkable group of faculty and staff join him in that work, and they both need and deserve our support. Your prayers and letters will be deeply appreciated. Feel free to ask others in your network to join you in this appeal. We will certainly let you know when there is a resolution to this challenging situation.
 Executive Director
The Latest Pilgrims' Post is Here!
February 2010 Pilgrims' Post
October 2009 Pilgrims' Post
August09 Pilgrims' ePost
Also check out our Pilgrims of Ibillin photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/groups/pilgrimsofibillin/pool/.
For links to back issues of the newsletter and more stories about MEEI, Archbishop Chacour, and our other Peace-Building Partners...
Past newsletters are also available:
June 2009 Pilgrims' Post
March 2009 Pilgrims' Post
Holiday 2008 Pilgrims' Post
Sept 2008 Pilgrims ePost
July 2008 Pilgrims Post
March 2008 Pilgrims' Post
August 2007 Pilgrims' Post
March 2007 Pilgrims' Post
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