About Us ...
Our organization brings together people in North America and the rest of the
world whose family origin is from Bethlehem, Beit Sahur, and Beit Jala in the
Holy Land. Many of our members in the U.S. have been living here
for over 30 years. They bring with them a rich Palestinian heritage
accumulated over the ages since the birth of Christianity in their small home
towns. We welcome you to visit our web pages for news and information on
the Association, its activities, its members, upcoming events, what we are
doing to alleviate the present desperate situation in the Bethlehem region,
and links to other interesting sites.
Association Profile
The Bethlehem Association is a charitable
organization founded in 1985 by Dr. Edward A. Hazboun and
several interested friends. It is chartered in the State of
Pennsylvania, as a nonprofit, charitable and cultural
corporation with a constitution and bylaws. It is a
membership organization primarily for people whose family origin is from
Ephrata, the area of Palestine that includes Bethlehem, and
the adjoining towns of Beit Sahur and Beit Jala.
It has no religious affiliation. Other friends of Bethlehem are
also welcome to join. Donations are tax deductible.
Most of its twelve thousand members live in the
U.S., although there are sizeable groups in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico,
Honduras, El Salvador, Brazil, Chile and the rest of the world. Historically, more Bethlehemites emigrated to central and south America
than to the U.S.
Social activities such as banquets, dinners,
and picnics keep local communities and chapters in touch with each
other. The annual convention has been very successful
in bringing together hundreds of members from all over the world. Past
convention locales include Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, Toronto, San Diego, Miami, Monterrey - Mexico, Atlantic City,
Chicago, Washington, Orlando, San Diego, Whippany-NJ.
The Association has raised thousands of
dollars to help people of the Bethlehem region through
established charities and scholarships at Bethlehem University.
The Association is governed by a Board
of 15-20 Directors who advise a volunteer Executive Committee
that runs the organization. Past presidents have been
Edward A. Hazboun, PhD; Hanna N. Canawati, PhD; Dr. Anton S. Dahbura, Dr.
Edward A. Hazboun for a 2nd term, David Handal.
Board of Directors
|
Suheil Baddour,
CA |
Albert G. Hazbun,
CA |
|
Nina Bazouzi-Cullers,
VA |
Edward A. Hazbun,
PA |
|
Robert Dabdoub,
Jamaica |
Edward S. Hazboun,
OH |
|
Muna Handal-Dayeh,
CA |
Joseph N. Hazboun,
NJ |
|
Joseph F. Dibsy,
CA |
Nasser Hazineh,
Canada |
|
David D. Handal,
NJ |
Maro S. Hazou,
DC |
|
Domingo Handal,
NJ |
William G. Shahin,
CA |
|
Linda D. Handal,
NJ |
Yvonne Neno-Ulrich,
PA |
|
|
|
Executive Committee for 2007 - 2008
|
President
|
Muna Handal-Dayeh,
CA |
|
Vice-President |
William G. Shahin,
CA |
|
Scholarship Committee |
Edward A. Hazbun,
PA |
|
Treasurer |
Yvonne Neno-Ulrich,
PA |
|
Executive Secretary
|
TBA |
|
Convention Chairperson |
Joseph F. Dibsy,
CA |
|
Webmaster
|
Joseph N. Hazboun,
NJ |
LOGO - The Association logo is based on the fourteen pointed silver
star that marks the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is on the floor of
the sacred grotto below the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem,
Palestine.
Contact Information
