L ife offers all of us choices, opportu › nities, and challenges. Early on and with the grace of God I chose to ded › icate my efforts towards helping the orphans and those in need. It was not a sense of pity but rather a sense of moral responsibility that drew me to this endeavor. Social and moral responsibilities are deeply rooted in the Druze faith. This is reflected in the tremendous support and the growth in the institutions car › ing for the orphans and those in need, specifically Beit al›Yateem in Abey. This institution is living proof that a community can pull together success › fully to take care of its own without entirely depending on the state or government to do so. However, having achieved the basic needs of housing, feeding and the primary education of thousands of children over the years, there is now a need to look towards a more complex future that demands much more than just the basics. It has now become essential to pro › vide the orphans and other underpriv › ileged children with advanced techni › cal and academic skills so that they can have a better chance of becoming productive and self›reliant. This is an area, which needs more focus and attention by every Druze professional The ever›growing DOCO team looks forward to adding new talent to our ranks. Our work is expanding but our human resources are rather limited. I would like to invite your comments and suggestions on ways to recruit volunteers who are willing and able to give their time and expertise and help guide our steps into the future. We need Doctors, social workers, teachers NEWSLETTER MARCH 2002 DRUZE ORPHANS & CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION VOL. 4 NO. 2 Druze Orphans and Charitable Organization Inc. PO Box 1433 New York, NY 10018 Return Service Requested NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK NY PERMIT #4006 Stand and be counted Rabih at the fund raising dinner f International By Mrs. Afifi Masri Chairperson One at a time dreams can come true R abih is an orphan whose father, a concrete worker, died falling off the top of a building trying to provide for his family. Besides the tragic loss, Rabih felt that this was the end of his dream for a better life since he had no other means of support. Rabih was lucky to find shelter at the orphanage in Abey. For the next six years, he was well cared for, nurtured, protected and given a good education until his graduation with a Brevet degree (equivalent to tenth grade). After graduation, at the age of fifteen, he had to leave the security of the orphanage. He had to face the harsh world and try to eke out a living and forget about his dream of a better life through higher education. That is where he got lucky again and came to the attention of the Secondary Schooling for Orphans (SSO). Today Rabih is very happy to be enrolled at a good private school, Amjad School. He is studying hard and making good grades. Best of all though, is the fact that he is on his way to realizing his dream of going to high school and hopefully on to col › lege. As he puts it: I can t believe I am in such a good school with all the caring I am getting. I can t believe I don t have to worry about whether or not I will be able to go to school tomorrow. I can t believe I am really going to have a future and not only dream about it. I am so happy and thankful that the Secondary Schooling for Orphans believed in me and other orphans, and that we needed to have a fair chance at a successful future through higher education. I am also very thankful for the care What Your Contributions to SSO Means T he organization Secondary Schooling for the Orphans (SSO), appreciates all the help and assist received from DOCO supporters. SSO has started its noble mission f great cause: subsidizing the educat of graduates of Druze orphanages through the high›school years. A group of dedicated ladies are wor › ing very hard to organize the progr and set a solid foundation for achi › ing their objectives. They have enl › ed the help of private schools and already arranged to enroll a number orphans for the academic year, 2001 Continued on page 3
Transcript
Life offers all of us choices, opportu›nities, and challenges. Early on and
with the grace of God I chose to ded›icate my efforts towards helping theorphans and those in need. It was nota sense of pity but rather a sense ofmoral responsibility that drew me tothis endeavor.Social and moral responsibilities aredeeply rooted in the Druze faith. Thisis reflected in the tremendous supportand the growth in the institutions car›ing for the orphans and those in need,specifically Beit al›Yateem in Abey.This institution is living proof that acommunity can pull together success›fully to take care of its own withoutentirely depending on the state orgovernment to do so. However, havingachieved the basic needs of housing,feeding and the primary education ofthousands of children over the years,there is now a need to look towards amore complex future that demandsmuch more than just the basics.It has now become essential to pro›vide the orphans and other underpriv›ileged children with advanced techni›cal and academic skills so that theycan have a better chance of becomingproductive and self›reliant. This is anarea, which needs more focus andattention by every Druze professionalThe ever›growing DOCO team looksforward to adding new talent to ourranks. Our work is expanding but ourhuman resources are rather limited.I would like to invite your commentsand suggestions on ways to recruitvolunteers who are willing and able togive their time and expertise and helpguide our steps into the future. Weneed Doctors, social workers, teachers
Druze Orphans and Charitable Organization Inc.PO Box 1433New York, NY 10018
Return Service Requested
NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDNEW�YORK NYPERMIT #4006
Stand and
be counted
Rabih at the fund raising dinner for
International
By Mrs. Afifi MasriChairperson
One at a timedreams can come true
Rabih is an orphan whose father, aconcrete worker, died falling off
the top of a building trying to providefor his family. Besides the tragic loss,Rabih felt that this was the end of hisdream for a better life since he had noother means of support. Rabih was lucky to find shelter at theorphanage in Abey. For the next sixyears, he was well cared for, nurtured,protected and given a good educationuntil his graduation with a Brevetdegree (equivalent to tenth grade).After graduation, at the age of fifteen,he had to leave the security of theorphanage. He had to face the harshworld and try to eke out a living andforget about his dream of a better lifethrough higher education. That iswhere he got lucky again and came tothe attention of the SecondarySchooling for Orphans (SSO). Today Rabih is very happy to beenrolled at a good private school,Amjad School. He is studying hard andmaking good grades. Best of allthough, is the fact that he is on hisway to realizing his dream of going tohigh school and hopefully on to col›lege. As he puts it:
�I can�t believe I am in such a goodschool with all the caring I am getting.I can�t believe I don�t have to worryabout whether or not I will be able togo to school tomorrow.I can�t believe I am really going tohave a future and not only dreamabout it. I am so happy and thankfulthat the Secondary Schooling forOrphans believed in me and otherorphans, and that we needed to havea fair chance at a successful futurethrough higher education.I am also very thankful for the care
What YourContributions to SSO
Means
The organization �SecondarySchooling for the Orphans�(SSO),
appreciates all the help and assistancereceived from DOCO supporters. SSO has started its noble mission for agreat cause: subsidizing the educationof graduates of Druze orphanagesthrough the high›school years.A group of dedicated ladies are work›ing very hard to organize the programand set a solid foundation for achiev›ing their objectives. They have enlist›ed the help of private schools andalready arranged to enroll a number oforphans for the academic year, 2001›
Continued on page 3
Dear DOCO,
I want to thank everyone working forDOCO and tell you that your hardwork is really appreciated. I alwayslook forward to receiving the DOCONewsletter in the mail because italways puts a smile on my face andreminds me of how blessed I am.I lost my dad to a heart attack at theage of fifty›one. I was seventeenyears old, but I was blessed to havemy mom and my older brothers sup›porting me through that tragedy. Myfamily consists of nine boys and onegirl and I am very thankful that we arereally close to each other and weshare everything and we support oneanother.I am not rich by any means. I work asa math teacher for LAUSD at a highschool in Southern California. It makesme really happy to see that our orphanbrothers and sisters are getting theeducation that they deserve. I wouldlike to know if our orphanages havetheir own websites so I can keep upwith their news and progress. Also, ifDOCO has its own website would youplease provide me with it. Finally, youcan always count on my support andon the special place that you have inmy heart. May God bless you and keepyou in the best of health so you cancontinue your noble mission.
Sincerely yours,Zak Tay
Torrance, CADear Richard Showkier,
I would like to express my gratitudefor what you are doing to help ourcommunity here in Lebanon, andthank you for the 2 pacemakers youhave sent to our hospital. I hope wewill be able to reinforce our links in thefuture and establish long›term cooper›ation, for the sake of our community.Thanking you again for your continu›ous support and efforts.
The Masri family was saddened bythe passing of their beloved
Tamam Masri, in Lebanon onDecember 31, 2001. Funeral serviceswere held in Mreijat, Lebanon. She issurvived by sons Muneer, Issam,Samir, Salah and daughters, Waseela,Hayat and Leila and 12 grandchildrenand brothers Halim and Faez. Shewas eulogized as a devoted mother, aloving wife, and a pillar of her com›munity.
Donations in her memory were madeto Beit al Yateem as follows:Muneer & Nabila Masri400Faez & Afifi Masri 400Sami & Leila Masri200Akram & Luna Masri200Nabil & Eman Masri200Nadim & Nazek Masri100Zouheir & Daad Masri100Melhem & Susan Masri100Aniseh Assaf 100Abboud & Amal Assaf100Drs. Farid & Rima Muakkassa100Sahar F. Muakasa 50Ghassan H. Masri 50
We at DOCO offer our sincere sympa›thy to the Masri family and thank allthe donors on behalf of Beit›al›Yateem. May she rest in peace.
Please find enclosed a check to theorphans at Beit al›Yateem, from theGranada Mission Lions Club as a smallgesture of good will.
Amin M. BalloutGranada Mission Lions Club
Encino, CADear Sahar,
I have enclosed a donation to DOCOto be used where you feel the need isgreatest in fond memory of Maliha(Aunt Millie Hamady) who passedaway in Flint, Michigan on November25, 2001. With best wishes to all atDOCO for peace in the New Year.
Sincerely,Madeline Hamady
Carey� NCDear Ms. Sahar Muakasa,
The Board members of our associationreceived the good news in your emailwith great appreciation. All our mem›bers, myself included, wish to extendsincere thanks to all DOCO staff andsupporters in your great Americancommunity and the Druze organiza›tions. We especially wish to thank Mr.and Mrs. Farouk and Aghnie Abi Rafehof New York for underwriting the ship›ping costs of the donated computers.We would also like to extend our grat›itude and thanks to Dr. Mark Boukzamfor his donation of dentistry equip›ment. These actions go a long way inproviding much needed health andsocial services to the entire communi›ty. Finally, allow me to congratulateyou on all your efforts and the greatwork you are promoting. May Godbless you all.
Sincerely,Dr. Ghassan Rabah
PresidentDruze Charity Foundation
Beirut › LebanonDear Sahar,
It was wonderful talking to you. Wehave one thing in common. We bothadmire Charles Durham. As the sayinggoes, he�s a class act. As I told youwhen I spoke to you, we are sendinga small donation in his honor on hisbirthday. We intend to make this anannual donation. We find Charley hon›
Zahr, Oussama 50Tay, Allen 50Abou Hamdan, Hamsa 40Aboulhosn, Emad & Rabiaa40Eid, Eid & Iltaf 40El›Laham, Ali & Eman 40Anonymous 40Hooper, Asmahan40Showker, Najla 40Andari, Yasser & Nada 35Pita Pita Restaurant Box33Masri, Rana, Ramsey & Omar30Safa, Nabeel & Nawal 30Salaheddine, Adel & Najat30Abimourched, Samir & Nadia25Ayash, Claudia & Dimaria Anthony25Chmait, Hikmat & Nadia 25Pipe Vine Inc. 25Zeineddine, Fakhry 25Anonymous 25Abifaraj, Bassam & Rayya20Abi›Saab, Khaled & Raja20Aboulhosn, Nasibi 20Abou›Zaki, Kamal & Iman20Abu›khzam, Nahia 20Al Ali, Farid & Amelia 20Alkadi, Ghassan & Mona 20Alle, Emma 20Arbid, Daniel & Linda 20Assi, Ziad A. 20Basha, Nasser 20Bitar, Nabil 20Boudiab, Sami J.20Chaer, Akram 20Chaya, Walid & Oumaya 20Dahouk, Kamal 20Dalghan, Ibrahim20David, Ameen & Geneva20David, Camille 20Eddine, Emma A.20Eid, Samih 20El Masri, Riad & Nadia 20El›Attrache, Dr. Selim 20Elchami, Riad A.20Eldeek, Nadeem 20Ezzeddine, Halim20Fakher, Bassam 20
DOCO offers its sincere condolencesto Mrs. Raghida Sami Merhi and
her family on the passing of herbeloved farther, Toufic Naif Hassen, inDecember 2001, in Lebanon. On behalf of the orphans DOCOthanks Mrs. Merhi for her donation of$500.00 to the Druze orphanage inAbey, in memory of her father.
Intel Foundation1,300Aboulhosn, Kamal & Diana1,000Boside, Neil 1,000Jaber, Bobby 1,000Jawhari, Nezar 1,000Anonymous 935Sleit, Riad 750Ibrahim, Shawki & Katy 720Durham, Charles A. 700Abi Rafeh, Farouk & Aghnie500Aboulhosn, Sami H. & Afaf500Assi, Dr. Nizar & Clara 500Ghosn, Ramzi & Maha 500Merhi, Sami & Raghida 500Rayes, Nada Malak 500Lavine, Dr. Sean & Lena Masri462Kasem, Casey & Jean 450Wahbe, Badih & Samia 420Aboulhosn, Chaouki M. & Julia400Daou, Imad 320Najjar, Dr. Abdallah 320Aboulhosn, Amjad, Hala, Ayham300Muakkassa, Drs. Farid & Rima300Hassen, Hector & Hala 270Saad, Tarik & Omayya 270Abu›Shakra, Dr. Salah & May250Alley, Kenneth 250Ameen. Dr. Lane & May 250Baz, Ghassan & Manal 250Bou›Matar, Walid250Kontar, Rabih 250Najjar, Dr. Omar & Kimberly250Najjar, Samia J 250Said, Dr. Hayel & Hiam 250Tay, Zak250Kazzie, Melhem & Jessica240Yakzan, Mounira S 230Makarem, Samir & Lama225Hareez, Ghassan T 220Saab, Dr. Ghaleb & Edma220Middle East Restaurant Box210Muakkassa, Dr. Samar 210Aboulhosn, Afif & Maha 200Ballout, Rabih & Amal 200Ghazzara, Moustapha & Souhad200Ghosn, Rabih & Yasmeen
200Gosaynie, Dr. Carl D. 200Masri, Dr. Samar S. 200Noueihed, Hayat200Rassamni, Arij & Sharon 200Salman, Dr. Salah & Wadad200Samico, Inc 200Shaar, Roger & Donna 200Shouhayib, Kamal & Yasmine200Simpson, Edward & Nezeema200Zahr, Mohamad & Wafaa200Baz, Wassif & Amal 175Hamady, Madeline 170Bousaleh, Afif 150Hatoum, Atif 150Jaber, Radwan & Rana 150Jurdi, Haytham & Najwa 150Masri, Dr. Sami & Leila 150Moucharrafie, Nouhad 150Saab, Khalil & Ann 150Jaafar, Akram 140Masri, Mona S. 125Abifaker, Munir & Nuha 120Abirafeh, Emad & Roudayna120Abolhosn, Wajdi & Magida120Assaf, Abboud & Amal 120Assaf, Nabil & Jumana 120Banna, Hossam C. 120Fadl, Yahya & Nawal 120Halabi, Nadim & Rima 120Hamdan, Ghassan120Hasan, Dr. Faysal & Sharon120Mayyasi, Omar 120Shoujaa, Kareem & Adham120Thrower, Larry & Jeanette120Aboulhosn, Anis & Nadia110A.D.S. Georgia Chapter 100Aboulhosn, Fadi & Farah100Aboulhosn, Maliha Adib 100Aboulhosn, Nadim & Afaf100Aboulhosn, Shakeeb & Linda100Aboumatar, Dr. Sami& Zeina100Abou›Ziab, Adnan & Nada
100Abu›khzam, Bahij & Suzan100Abulhasan, Fadia100Assaf, Karina & Sabrina 100Ayash, Afif & Ferial 100Ballout, Zouheir 100Chmait, Ramen & Youhanna100Deme, Elaine Sams 100Elkhechan, Rami & Anis 100Fayyad, Mohamad F. 100Fotoohi, Mehran & Rima 100Granada Hills Lions Club100Hamady, Elnora 100Hamdan, Dr. Hind 100Hamzy, Hassan & Ann 100Jordi, J. F 100Kakoon, Rayan 100Malaeb, Wael & Lina 100Masri, Karim & Ibtisam 100Merhi, Mahiba 100Muhanna, Dr. Shajih L 100Najjar, Amjad, F.100Nasr, Yasser & Melissa 100Newhide, Hassan & Suha100Noueihed, Fares & Rouaida100Obied, Dr. Anis & Nawal 100Ponderosa Steakhouses 100Radwan, Khaled & Nada 100Anonymous 100Rafey, Nadia R. 100Richani, Raouf 100Sabra, Ziad & Cindy 100Shaban, Hisham & Abeer100Shamieh, Munir & Elham100Zeid, Bahij Assaad 100Zeidan, Sana 100Zeitouni, Jad, Fares & May100Al›Faqih, Wajih 100Dorothy Ali, Badir 95Nassereddine, Naji 90Belmona, Issam & Lina 80Budare, Justin & Najah 80Boukzam, Peter & Diana 70Ghraizi, Ghassan R. 70Jamal, Samir & May 70
310
Ask and you shall receiveBani Ma’rouf - a Tradition of Selfless Giving
W e at DOCO wish to thank every donor who gave in, shared in DOCO programs, putting smiles on numerous faces andgiving hope for a brighter future! DOCO supporters once again showed their generosity by providing invaluable fund›
ing for the orphans and the needy. This list acknowledges the donations received from November 16, 2001 to March 31,2002. Please note that donors� names for the L.A. marathon 2001 event, and Tamam Najeeb Masri memorial appear sep›arately on page 4 and 11 respectively.
By Richard Showkier
It was merely a matter of good for›tune that the hospital where I work
was upgrading some equipment.Some of the items they were replacingwere small enough to be easily trans›ported, so I sent an email to Ms. SaharMuakasa to see if she could put me incontact with someone in Lebanon whocould benefit from these items. Withinthe week I heard back from Dr.Zouheir El›Imad about the growinghealth care initiatives in Lebanon.The Health Establishment of the DruzeCommunity (of which Dr. El›Imad isassistant medical director) is a non›profit hospital organization, which pro›vides services for about 500,000 peo›ple. The Ain Wazein Hospital, part ofthe organization, is a growing regionalhospital providing medical servicessuch as surgery, dialysis, and care forthe elderly. There is also a new projectunder way to construct a new 300›bedhospital.With all of this information in mind, Isimply asked my director if I could
have a couple of pacemakers, towhich he enthusiastically replied, �ofcourse�.When I contacted Dr. El›Imad aboutthe pacemakers, he said that anythingand everything would be greatlyappreciated. The two pacemakerswere hand carried to Lebanon by afriend and delivered to the right place.Since I never cease to be astoundedby the generosity of others, I am try›ing to establish contacts with inde›pendent physicians and their offices tosee what can be donated. Hopefully Ican create more opportunities, otherthan just being at the right place atthe right time.
O ur President, Mr. George Bush, inhis State of the Union address
emphasized the importance of educa›tion. He said, � � America needs citi›zens to extend the compassion of ourcountry to every part of the world. �To encourage development, and edu›cation, and opportunity ��We, at DOCO, also think that educationis an essential factor in the developmentof any community. Our primary missionis to support those institutions whosestudents are orphaned or economicallydisadvantaged. We are also extending ahelping hand to young ladies pursuing auniversity education. Moreover, we areassisting orphans seeking a high schooleducation as a stepping›stone on theroad to university, through theSecondary Schooling for Orphans organ›ization.We now need to awaken our communityto stand up and face up to the chal›lenges of the future. Creative work hasalready started at the grass roots level.DOCO is working with dedicated volun›teers to find ways to increase our sup›port. Volunteers like Lila Ibrahim, whoestablished an up›to›date computerlaboratory at Beit al›Yateem, BobbyJaber who designed, developed and ismaintaining the DOCO Newsletterson›line, and Richard Showkier who isalways finding new ways to raisefunds, are the backbone of thisassembly of hard workers. Needless tosay our Board, advisors and dedicatedmembers of the community continueto donate time and money to help uscarry out our mission. I am very happy to say that now, withthe cooperation of Lila Ibrahim, BobbyJaber and Ghassan Hariz, anotherwebsite is being developed to helpraise funds for the orphans. Let us notforget the great narrator Kathy JaberStephenson, who is enriching our liveswith stories and histories of the �Druzein America.�However, as we work together to bettersecure a good future for our communi›ty, we find that a lot remains to bedone. Let us join hands and pledge toaccept the challenge of the 21st centu›ry and make our community proud ofour work. Individuals come and go with
Importance ofeducation
Dear Mrs. Masri,
I am enclosing the sum of $200 as ourcontribution at this time of the year forDOCO’s activities. Please allocate it inany way you see fit. Once more, let methank you for your kind efforts onbehalf of our Druze community here,and also for your continuing work inpublishing the DOCO Newsletter. It cer›tainly has been successful. Best wishesto you and your family during theupcoming holidays, and a happy andprosperous year for the greater DOCOfamily.
Roger Shaar
Letters to DOCO continued from page2
2002.The response from the schools hasbeen very encouraging. Some schoolshave promised to grant discounts ofup to 70% of the tuition to assist inthis worthy cause. As for the relief program, SSO hasundertaken to provide each studentwith: School Supplies, Books, Back Packs,Clothing (One Jacket, Two pair ofJeans, Two short sleeve and longsleeve Shirts, Two pullovers, Six setsof Underwear, Six pairs of Socks, Twopairs of Shoes, Two set of night›clothes, One pair of slippers, Summerand Winter Uniforms and PE Outfits),as well as Medical Exams, Insuranceand extra curricular activity fees andeven pocket money. They will also aidin providing food & shelter (in emer›gency cases).The estimated average expense perstudent/year is approximately $3,000.As you can see this is no easy task. Itrequires a lot of help from a lot of peo›
What Your Contributions to SSOMeans
Help us brighten the lives and lightenthe burden of these orphans,by mak›ing a tax›deductible donation.Some employers will even match thefunds you donate thus doubling yourdollars.Your help really CAN make a differ›ence!
9
By Sahar Muakasa
There is a mystery of God in theinnocence of a child. A Paradise
hides behind the smile on a young›sters �s face. The glitter in the eyesprovides a beacon of hope in desper›ate moments. Destiny, however, inter›feres and robs some of the will tosmile when they lose one or both par›ents. Fortunately, the community ral›lies and institutions like Beit a›Yateemare established to care for these chil›dren and bring back the smile to their
young faces. A large base of support isneeded to sustain these institutionsand our Druze Community has beenvery responsive and supportive.Thanks to Sittoo Afifi Masri, and oth›ers like her, who have worked tireless›ly over the years to support this insti›
tution and the students in its care.When Sittoo Afifi formed �Babies of theDruze Community in America� (BDCA)in 1985 it was specifically to raise fundsfor the orphans. Her records of thenewly born Druze children in the USAsince then include 380 children alongwith their photos. Sittoo Afifi has beensending them birthday greetings (at herown expense), never missing a singleone. Now, many of those children whohave been nurtured by her consistentaffection are paying her back by sup›porting the orphanage she champions.
Such faultless and selfless dedication tothe orphans requires sacrifice and hardwork.Sacrifice is another word representingEid al›Adha. A sacrifice without ego›centric shadows, when given in Hisname, is what the Eid is all about. At
the most recent celebration of Eid al›Adha at the Druze center in Californiaon February 24th,2002, Sittoo Afifishared some happy moments withsome of the supporters of BDCA. Aschildren, they knew her as sittoo Afifi,as adults, they know her as the angelof the orphans. And in the spirit of Eidal›Adha, many members and othersgave generously to the orphanage.Today the BDCA celebrates its 16thyear and is still going strong.DOCO proposes to name the dayof Eid �Sittoo Afifi�s Children�sDay�, and make it a traditionalcelebration.The pragmatic approach would be todedicate �Sittoo Afifi�s Children�s Day�
ate your efforts and hopefully moredonations can be raised annually inthe coming marathons of L.A.
DOCO thanks Omar on behalfof the Students at Beit al›Yateem, and commends himon his initiative which is fur›ther proof that our youngergenerations are very capableof taking responsibility tohelp their community where
Your Pocket Money Donations Brought Joy to the
DOCO�s �Pocket money for theorphans� campaign, a tradition of
Eid al›Adha, brought the joy of theholidays into the lives of the children. Once again, DOCO thanks all thosewho contributed to maintain this tradi›tion of remembering the children andmaking them feel as special as all chil›dren should feel around the holidays DOCO Eid al›Adha special issueinspired many DOCO supporters toremember the orphans, the needystudents and the elderly and to donategenerously. ank you all, and may Godbless you.
M r. Hazaa Najeeb Abou Faker,President of the Syrian
Organization for Social Welfare inSwaida, Syria, received a letter ofcommendation and appreciation fromthe Governor of Swaida, Mr. SubhiKykhya, for his achievements and vol›unteer support for the organizationbetween October 16th, 1978 andMarch 31st 2002. Mr. Abou Faker washighly praised for his dedication andhonesty, in the development of excep›tional humanitarian and social servicesfor the organization. He will be retiringon March 31st 2002.DOCO congratulates Mr. Abou Fakeron this award and thank him for his
Commendation
DOCO Receives SixDonated Computers
W e would like to thank Mr. OmarSatie for the generous donation
of 6 computers.The computers have already beenshipped to the Druze CharitiesFoundation in Lebanon. They will beplaced in the library so they can beaccessible to the children as learningtoolsDOCO thanks Mr. George Kopczynskifor donating the CD drives and soft›ware for the computers and Mr.Farouk & Aghnie Abi Rafeh for under›writing the shipping costs.
8 5
and education I received at theorphanage which prepared me for thejourney ahead.�
Renda, daughter of Aref & Samia Gharzeddine and Khaled, son of Walid &Nora Hamzeh were married on October 6, 2001. The couple celebrated at a
beautiful wedding reception, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn,Michigan. Guests from all over the states as well as Canada and England dancedand dabked late into the night to the tunes of Bassam Saleh and his Band. Thenewly›weds honeymooned in Cyprus.Renda holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from Oakland University,Rochester, Michigan. Khaled is specializing in Orthopedic Surgery and holds amedical degree from the University of London Medical School. They are residingin London.
He was tired. He was poor. Heyearned to be free. His life left behindwas wretched and tempest›tossed.There, before his expectant eyes,gleamed the golden door!
Jeber Shokair sailed into �the gold›en door� and started his new life in hisnew country � even with a new name:Joe Jaber.
The saying, �Only in America!�came alive in my father�s life. Aftersettling in Matoaka, West Virginia hequickly went to work as a peddler car›rying suitcases filled with small goodsto sell to the coal miners who lived in
the hills nearby. He worked hard,walking with his packs and selling hismerchandise door to door. The isolat›ed coal miners and their families wereeager to see him and enjoyed anopportunity to shop in their homes.During these treks Joe Jaber becamewell known among the people in theWest Virginia hills to whom he sold hiswares. They knew him to be an hon›est man, and they liked his friendlymanner. Again he worked and savedhis money � ever coming closer to hisdream of making a living in America.Even though his main focus was ongetting ahead in �the land of opportu›nity�, he could never put his people,
the Druze, out of his mind. Accordingto Dr. Abdallah Najjar, �Jeber Shokair,anglicized to Joe Jaber, was knownamong his fellow Druze in Syria andthe United State as the great philan›thropist and patriot for he collectedand sent much aid to help the free›dom fighters against the French occu›pation which was spearheaded bySultan Pasha al›Atrash. Moreover,because of his generosity and love ofkin folks that suffered so much resist›ing a superpower then, he wasreferred to as �Jabbar el Khawater�, inArabic, meaning, �Healer of BrokenSpirits� or �the one that mends brokensouls�.
A Druze in America, continued frompage 7
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Renda & Khaled
W e wish to congratulate the follow›ing members who celebrated
birthdays in the months of December2001, January, February and March2002.
New arrivals Yasmine Fotoohi (RimaAbi Fakher) and Michael MelhemMasri.
Birthday greetings:Mirna Salim Aboudiab, Hesham SalimAboukhzam, Alexandra KamalAboulhosn, Amanda Jack Aboulhosn,Amjad Emad Aboulhosn, Bilal KhalidAboulhosn, Hala Emad Aboulhosn,Rashel Raji Aboulhosn, Zeina Z.Aboulhosn, Ramzi Salman Akl, ZaherSalman Akl, Taji Ameen, KarinaMounah Assaf, Sabrine Mounah Assaf,Alaa Rabih Awar, Julian SamerDakdouk, Julian Kamal Hamoud,Rayan Kamal Hamoud, David FrediIsrawi, Ajwad Adib Jurdi, Daniel JihadJurdi, Rima (Masri) LaVine, the
Quadruplets: Yasmeen, Arij and AbirKamal Masri, Yasmeen Samir Masri,Rayan Nouhad Mousharrafieh, OmarWael Muakkassa, Tamara NazihNoueihed, Basil Raja Takieddine,Rayan Nabil Rayes, Nora Najib Saab,Amani Naji Shaar, Mike Jehad Wahbe.
DOCO thanks the parents and all themembers of the Babies of the DruzeCommunity in America (B.D.C.A.) fortheir continued support for theorphans. If you wish to enroll yourchild in B.D.C.A. please call: Mrs. AfifiMasri @ 818›244›1286. Please sendtwo pictures of your child, one for
B.D.C.A. Members
�To a child in needLove is a hand to hold
anda warm cup of soup.To a child in need
an education provides
Salwa Laham Eljawhary1924-2001
Salwa Laham Eljawhary, wife of theLate Hassan Eljawhary, passed
away on November 22, 2001. SheikhSalim Abu Naim officiated at thefuneral services which brought togeth›er many friends in the community Sheis survived by her sons: Nazih, Nezar,Youssef, Khaled and daughters ImanAli Laham, Sonia Samir Masri, andRuwaida, and her grandchildrenHassan and Jehan. Her son Nazih readthe eulogy: �At the age of 50, shebegan the journey raising a family ofseven on her own after her husbandpassed away, always putting her chil›dren ahead of herself.�DOCO offers itssincere condolences to her family andthanks them for their donation of$1,000 in her memory to the orphans.Excerpts from the poem read by hergranddaughter Jehan Nazih Eljawhary.
A STRONG WOMAN VSA WOMAN OF STRENGTH
A strong woman works out every dayto keep her body in shape�but a woman of strength kneels inprayer to keep her soul in shape...A strong woman isn�t afraid of any›thing�but a woman of strength showscourage in the midst of her fear�A strong woman won�t let anyone getthe best of her�but a woman of strength gives thebest of her to everyone�A Strong woman makes mistakes andavoids the same in the future�A woman of strength realizes life�smistakes can also be God�s blessingsand capitalizes on them�A strong woman walks sure footedly�but a woman of strength knows Godwill catch her when she falls�A strong woman wears the look ofconfidence on her face�but a woman of strength wearsgrace�A strong woman has faith that she isstrong enough for the journeybut a woman of strength has faith it isin the journey that she will becomestrong�
Grandma Salwa proved that she wasindeed a woman of strength. God
6 7
vomited until he could barely breath.�What shall I do?� he weakly won›dered. �My mother and father will beupset if I leave the herd to go home.But I was so sick!� he continued.
Try as he may, he could not recov›er any semblance of vigor or normali›ty. He remained on that hillside for aslong as he could stand it until peeringdown at his sleeveless arms� to hisdismay he saw his skin smeared in ablood›red rash that petrified him. �Imust go home, � he thought. He thenbegan a most painful trek back to hishouse in the village of Krayeh. Hecould barely walk � weaving back andforth, losing his balance along theway, drenched with sweat from thefever that overpowered him. At last hedrew near his village and slowly beganto approach his house. As he did so,one of the neighbors coming out ofher home closing the door behind hercasually looked up the street. Her eyesrested on my poor father, at whichtime she pointed to him screaming:�Pox! Pox! Everyone stay in yourhouse! Don�t come out! Pox! Pox!�Then she retreated back into herhouse slamming the door behind her.
�I thought to myself, was shepointing at me?� my father recounted.
Had he been able to look into amirror two days later, he would haveseen his face besieged with angry yel›low blisters that spread all over hissmall frame.
Thousands of children would dieduring that smallpox epidemic, but forGod�s grace, Jeber Shokair was not
among them. He survived the deadlyvirus but the deep pockmarks leftbehind would forever remind him ofhis near›escape from certain death.
There were other trying times for hisyoung life:�After my brothers and Iwould harvest our wheat, we�d tie theshafts into long bunches and lay themacross our donkeys� backs,� he said.�We�d take the wheat up north toDamascus on foot, but we had to crossthe desert first. It was a long rough walk.When we reached the city, we�d tradeour wheat for a pair of sandals for eachof us. Then we�d carry our sandals backhome. They were new, and we didn�twant to wear them until we got home.We carried them and walked homeacross the desert again. Barefooted.�
While he was growing up in theJabal, his world revolved around hisfamily and his duties. He was unawareof the political climate surroundinghim that would change his life forever.During the early 1900�s, as theOttoman Empire began its descent,European countries waited on thesidelines until the perfect moment tomove in and take over what they leftbehind: parts of Africa, Europe, andthe Middle East, including The Jabal alDruze in Syria.
After numerous political maneuver›ings, during the year of 1920, thenewly formed League of Nations man›dated Syria to France. Thus, anotherforeign tyrant dominated the Druze ontheir terrain. And once again, battlesensued in the Syrian Mountain. TheDruze, a freedom›loving people, resis›ted year after year, only being defeat›ed again and again. They wereallowed a small amount of autonomy,
willing to work hard for a better life,but in Syria there was no opportunityfor a poor uneducated farmer.� He hadonly gotten through the third grade inSyria. Fortunately, he had learned toread and write Arabic� but he couldn�tget a complete education because hehad to work like the rest of his family.He knew he had it in him to attain agood life, and to provide for a familythat he so desperately wanted, but heknew it was impossible in Krayeh.Syria. He longed for an opportunity.His thoughts and dreams turned toAmerica.
But he was torn. His family meanteverything to him� and also, he did notwant to leave his fellow›compatriotswho were fighting for Druze freedom.But he was desperate to leave. It wasthe only way he could save himself �salvage what was left of the rest of hislife.
He made the decision. He wouldsave every penny he could earn to buya way to the land of his dreams. Heworked and saved his money, andsomehow he did it. He accumulatedenough money to buy a ticket toAmerica!
He boarded the ship that wouldtransport him to New York City, andeven though he could not read thefamous inscription that was chiseledinto the Statue of Liberty that loomedin the distance, he knew in his heartthat the words were written for him.
but were forced to pay heavy taxesand to adhere to strict French regula›tions.
A wind of �Arab Nationalism� blewthrough all of Syria including the Jabalwhen a great Druze warlord aroseamong them. �He was Sultan Pasha alAtrash�, my father told us. �A greatDruze leader and warrior. He stood upto the French � he and his Druze army.He was my commander and leader. Iwas honored to serve him�, my fathercontinued. �I was one of a band ofDruze who spied on French troops inour mountain. We would report backto Sultan and his men as to what theywere doing. Then, the French put aprice on our heads.�
So again Jeber Shokair found him›self faced with more fighting. Onceagain he felt he was involved in a use›less struggle. He looked at his life, andhe was tired of it all. For the entiretyof his thirty›some years, his life hadbeen engulfed in bitter and wearisomewar. In his heart he knew that therewas a better way to live.
It was at that time that he learnedabout the United States of America. Aland of freedom and opportunity. Aplace of peace. A place bursting withindustry and growth. During the startof the twentieth century, America wasa newly emerging country with opendoors to the world � anyone whowanted to come here could do so, andthey did. Jeber Shokair was one ofthem. �I wanted to go live in a coun›try where I could get ahead. I was
destroying their way through his coun›try and other territories until they cul›minated into the awesome OttomanEmpire � solidly rooted and ruthless.The Druze were known to be fiercefighters, and bands of their warriorsattempted to face down their foe, butto no avail. The Turks were too pow›erful for this mountain people andmany of the fallen courageous laybleeding and dying at the hands oftheir enemy. Some were my father�sbrothers.
At 12 years old, even my fatherwas shot in a skirmish with the Turks.I remember him pointing to the thinwhite scar running down his hairyarm. �See, here is where they shotme!� he exclaimed to my brother andme years later.
But history teaches us that empirescome and go. The Ottoman one wasno exception. During the turn of thenineteenth century, it began a crum›bling descent� nevertheless, fightingcontinued in and around Jabal al›Druze. Somehow the Shokair familysurvived. They raised sheep as well asfarmed parts of the hilly country, butthey were constantly threatened inone way or another in their hostileenvironment.
Not only did they suffer at thehands of the Turks who plunderedtheir crops and herds� but, also theywere threatened by maraudingBedouin raids. My father and hisbrothers were tattooed on their handsfor identification should one enemy oranother kidnap them.
There were other menacing cir›cumstances over which they had nocontrol. My father told me this story:�I was around ten years old. It was abeautiful spring day. As was myresponsibility, I tended the family�ssmall herd of sheep on a nearby hill›side,� he began. �I was just goingabout my business, when suddenly, Igot really sick to my stomach. Then allat once, this awful pain was shootingthrough my head, all over my bodyand my back. I was burning up, and sotired and dizzy, I thought I wouldfaint.� He said that he wretched and
By Kathy Jaber Stephenson
Give me your tired, your poor.Your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free.The wretched refuse of your teeming
shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest›
tossed to me.I lift my lamp beside the golden
door!
This inscription imprinted onNew York City�s Statue of
Liberty was penned by the Americanpoet Emma Lazarus during the year1883 � the same year my father JeberShokair was born thousands of milesaway in Jabal al Druze, Syria. Somethirty›nine years later he would seewith his own eyes that stately monu›ment in America�s premier harbor, ashe sailed into America. Waves of nos›talgia and homesickness � especiallyfor his family and the land of his birthwould sweep over him as he reacheda destination far, far away from home.But for his young years of growing upduring the latter part of the nineteenthcentury, his fate dwelled in Syria.
It would be a fate he shared withall his countrymen and most especial›ly his kin, the Druze. They were a seg›regated, close›knitted Arabic people,farmers mostly, who dwelled apartfrom the Moslems and Christiansinhabiting their country in the NearEast. The Druze adhered to a secretivefaith that only their �holy men� wereprivy to. However, he and his fellow›Druze understood the basic tenants oftheir faith, which included a deepabiding belief in God, a directive toalways speak the truth, and an under›standing to be content with God�s will.The Shokair family was a religious onewho adhered to their faith as much asthey could.
The community, into which myfather was born, lived among the lava›baked hills in Greater Syria (as it wascalled then.) at a time when his moth›erland was ravaged by hordes ofTurks. They had swept through hisbeloved mountain burning and
A DRUZE IN AMERICAPart Two
Naseebee al›Atrash stands in theforeground on the left, as Joe Jaber
looks on. Krayah, Syria. Circa 1934
Joe Jaber standing directly under the American flag during The Second Conferenceof the Syrian Party.
Statler Hotel, Detroit (Names of other attendees and date unknown)
Naseebee and Joe Jaber with babyBobby Joe in stroller standing in frontof the Hub Store, Matoaka, West Continued on page 8
