Update on schools of the ELCJHL

The "calendar" pages distributed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) have featured schools this summer. While the calendars are not available on the church's web page, you can subscribe and receive them on a regular basis. Contact Allison K. Schmitt, communication assistant: communication@elcjhl.org


September 2009
Ramallah students graduate, dance, advocate and learn


Like all the schools of the ELCJHL, the Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah is a busy place, even during the summer break. In recent months, it awarded diplomas to 37 young people, its 30th graduating class. Its environmental club organized activities on World Water Day. It
hosted “Expo 17,” a vocational, technological, scientific and art exhibition.

The Al Raja Dance Troupe, perhaps the school’s best known group, was active as well. The Troupe’s 30 dabka dancers, who range in age from 7th grade to 11th grade, showed off their considerable talents to a large audience of appreciative parents, distinguished guest, family members and peers at the Ramallah Cultural Palace in June.

Dabka is the traditional Palestinian dance that reflects daily life in Palestine. Dabka dance weaves Palestinian culture, history, tradition and national identity into this lively, joyful form of line dance. For the students, it is an expression of their hopes for freedom and a just peace.

After a busy summer, everyone at the School of Hope is preparing and looking forward to another successful school year.


Prayer:
God of all: We thank you for giving us the ability to learn. Be with all those who begin studies this month, giving them curious, creative minds and talented educators. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.


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August 2009
“Extras” are the tradition at Dar al-Kalima School

In education, there’s curriculum – math, science, language, social studies – and there’s extra-curricula – sports, music, art and the like. But developers of the ELCJHL Dar al-Kalima School
in Bethlehem felt so strongly about training the whole child that the so-called “extras” were built into the school day.

Since its founding in 2000, Dar al-Kalima’s school day has included seven periods of traditional classes as well as one period for an extra-curricular subject of the student’s choice. The Extra-Curricular Program, as it is called, offers a wide variety of options, from traditional subjects such as geography and chemistry to non-traditional offerings such as drama, embroidery, art, music and story-telling. Students choose their ECP schedule based on their own interests and are encouraged to value and care for their own personal development, paying equal attention to academic, physical and spiritual needs.

Students also have access to facilities of the Dar al-Kalima Health and Wellness Center, a fitness center and clinic located on the campus of the school. Classes in swimming, aerobics and dance are offered regularly.


Prayer:
Creator God: You created us to reason, move, relate and create. Help all your children develop into what you made them to be and to use those gifts to serve others. In Jesus' name. Amen.


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For more about the schools of the ELCJHL, see this link at the churches' website: http://www.elcjhl.org/ed/emmission.asp