Seraj governance US

Seraj Board of Directors in the USA

The Seraj Library Project is governed by two Boards - one in Palestine and one in the US.  Both are recognized by their respective governments as non-profit agencies, eligible for charitable donations and legally able to pursue their respective missions.  Thus, corporate decisions with respect to the governance and activities of each Board are made locally.  The two Boards work collegially and cooperatively.  
Seraj/Palestine employs a program staff which administers the programs of Seraj in the West Bank. Direction and mission for the work are determined in Palestine.  Seraj/Palestine is a community organization directed by Palestinians, for Palestinians and other West Bank residents.  The Seraj Library Project is funded substantially through Seraj/US but Seraj/Palestine also works to secure local and international grants in support of its work.

Seraj/US, once known as Friends of Seraj, has two focus areas: fundraising for Seraj/Palestine and education in the US about the situation in Palestine and the importance of the work of Seraj, including through West Bank tours. Seraj/US has no staff.  All work is conducted by volunteers.  
More about the Seraj US Board follows:

Founders - Estephan & Laurie Salameh

Estephan and Laurie founded the Seraj Library Project in 2005.

Estephan has a PH.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister.

Laurie has a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University and is the Executive Director of Seraj in Palestine.

The US Board members:

  • Galen Burghardt

    Board Chair

    Financial Research

  • Mai Khader Kakish

    Board Vice Chair

    PR Consultant

  • John Cassel

    Board Treasurer

    Adult Educator

  • Rima Najjar Kapitan

    Board Secretary

    Attorney

  • Pauline Coffman

    Board Nominations

    Adult Educator, Ed.D

  • Case Hoogendoorn

    Board Attorney

    Attorney, Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP

  • Anne Cordes

    Board Newsletter Editor

    Occupation goes here

  • Mary Bigelow

    Board Member

    Artist

  • Diane Fite

    Board Member

    Artist

  • Tamara Ghattas

    Board Member

    Book editor

  • Margaret Griffiths

    Board Member

    Senior Psychologist

  • Miranda Kharsa

    Board Member

    Public Policy Research

  • Anne Koerber

    Board Member

    Retired Professor Emerta

  • Amelia Miller

    Board Member

    Infant Specialist

  • Senator John Millner

    Board Member

    Former IL State Senator

  • Nasser Nabhan

    Board Member

    Educator

  • Elisabeth (Libby) Trost

    Board Member

    Educator

  • Sue Uhlig

    Board Member

    Professor

  • Martha Witwer

    Board Member

    Occupation goes here

The Advisory Council

The Advisory Council comprises people who have demonstrated a passion for supporting the work of Seraj and  was created in 2018 to strengthen their connections with Seraj.   Participation in the council is intended to be both interesting and free from undue responsibilities.

Membership of the Advisory Council changes regularly.   Address any questions or comments to our Board Chair, Galen Burghardt.

See the Palestinian Board of Directors below: