Dear *{{Name}}* 

THANK YOU to all who made our

Benefit a roaring success!!!

The Tally.  Our Supporters set the pace.

As of late October, 116 generous donors have contributed gifts and pledges totaling $61,643. We are overwhelmed and most appreciative! Our virtual-pandemic-Benefit has proven to be our MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER.  Wow!

The timing is perfect. Seraj has some very exciting projects ready to go, as soon as Palestinian society opens up. This Benefit has positioned us well, but the road stretches ahead. Making a difference for Palestinian children, their families and communities is an ongoing year-by-year effort.

Thanks for YOUR partnership in our large network of partnerships!

One More Video: 

Looking Forward: Connecting with Laurie & Estephan in Palestine. (2:41 minutes)

Our annual Benefit is one of the ways we have stayed in touch with our co-founders, Estephan & Laurie Salameh. Given the limitations of Covid and the inadequate Palestinian internet, we determined to try a small Zoom with our Advisory Council.

The meeting was successful, and very valuable. In coming months we’ll hope to share more of Laurie’s comments about our two new exciting projects - 1) the Storytelling Center in Kufor Aqab and 2) a new Arts Center & Library in old town Birzeit.

For now, you can share in the enjoyment Laurie & Estephan express as they connected with old friends from their university days in Chicago. And the wider celebration of the many successes of our Project.

Did you see all 5 of our Week with Seraj videos? These videos have already been viewed 1,056 times to very positive reviews. 

All of the week's YouTube videos are available on our website.

Why I support Seraj?  A Few of Your Responses to our Efforts & the Week:

Thanks to all who provided us with heartfelt and thoughtful comments:.

Dr. Ghada Talhami, Elmwood Park, IL

Being involved with the Seraj Library Project is a source of pride and gratification for me. It is seeing the commitment and work of so many good people that excites me. I never cease to wonder about this commitment to children they have never met, lands they probably never visited and causes which hold so much promise but few know of. I especially rejoice when Americans get involved in humanitarian causes involving children and furthering the knowledge and enlightenment of entire families and communities. From one Palestinian American who is proud of her both identities, Kudos.

Linda Pierce Knutson, Sarasota, FL

I have watched all 5 videos tonight- professionally and beautifully executed. There was warmth, compassion, hope, and joy shining through each video. I especially liked seeing Pauline thank the donors. The series of 5 videos make an excellent presentation. It is a blend of the educational with a dash of history, culture, and the energy of young people pointing to a better world built on peace and love.  Congratulations Seraj.

David Bebb Jones, Downers Grove, IL

This was the most creative 'gala' I've seen, with a beautiful display of Palestine, children, libraries, sense of history and vision for maintaining Palestinian culture. Seraj has come so far from the first library visited in 2007. Thanks.

Patience Kramer, Wilmette, IL

I just wanted to tell you that I think all of you did a masterful job with the online benefit. I'm speaking not as your friend, but as a professional in corporate and nonprofit communications (including fund-raising) for 40+ years. It was so gratifying to find hope and possibilities in what is an obviously heartbreaking situation. Thank you for that. Well done.

JoAnn Rapp, Morton Grove, IL

I visited Israel/Palestine myself and saw firsthand a library in action & the kids love of learning. Education is light, but it is also powerful self actualization. Peace without justice is not peace, or justice.

A little more data about our Benefit.

• 1,265 Seraj emails were read during the 5 days.
• 1,005 videos were watched during the Benefit week.  That's about 84 hours of video!
• An uncounted number of people learned more about Palestine, the Occupation and the empowerment efforts of Seraj Library Project.
• We added 27 new people to our mailing list in this period.

Follow us on social media! 

Thank you for being part of our Seraj support community. 

We welcome your participation and friendship.

Seraj's Master Storyteller, Fida'a Ataya, in action.

This newsletter crafted by the Communications Committee

Amelia Miller, Chair 

Let us know your questions or concerns.

Contact Us.