NEWSLETTERNovember 2014 DRUZE ORPHANS & CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION VOL. 15

International

The Beit el-Yateem StoryAs told by the late Aniseh Assaf

By Kathy Jaber Stephenson

Continued on Page 6

Beit el-Yateem Milestone75 years of Service

Beit el-Yateem, the Druze Orphanage inAbey, Lebanon, turns 75 years old this

year. We wish a Happy Anniversary to aninstitution that has helped the Druze community through very difficult times as evident by the story as told by the lateAniseh Assaf.

Every Druze should be very proud ofthe accomplishment of the Orphanage andof the teams of dedicated individuals whohave, in many cases, served this institutiontheir entire lives.

The continued success of Beit el-Yateem is heavily dependent on generous donations from the Druze community worldwide.

Here, at DOCO, we cannot but begreatly thankful to our donors who have rallied behind the noble cause of helpingour fellows. Every donation counts, and nomatter how small, is always appreciated.

As DOCO serves multiple Druze charities, the donations go where you, thedonors, direct them to go, as is reported inour newsletters.

DOCO’s annual Eid al-Adha campaignis as strong as ever. It is already a tradition atBeit el-Yateem where the students joyfullyanticipate their pocket money from year toyear. Thank you for bringing the smiles totheir young faces regularly.

We also would like to thank the RotaryClub in Aley, Lebanon, for distributing foodto impoverished families, in time to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Finally, the entire DOCO team wishesyou the best for the coming holiday season.May the New Year bring you and your lovedones all the blessings of good health andhappiness.

Farid Muakkassa, MD, FACSPresident

The year was 1939. Aref Nadadi, a verydistinguished and devoted Druze com-

munity leader, decided to establish a Druzeorphanage in Lebanon as at that time, therewas not one for Druze children, although,one was desperately needed. Nakadi calledfor a general meeting with other communityleaders and workers. They quickly respondedand upon hearing his idea, gave their totalsupport.

I attended that meeting along withnumerous other ladies. Many of us volun-teered to accept the tasks involved to turnthis idea into a reality. One of our majorduties was to collect donations throughoutthe Druze community.

The Adul-Khalik family in Beirut con-tributed their private Majlis (house ofprayers) to be the first facility to house theorphans. As the word spread, the number orvolunteers grew. Many of them journeyed tothe Druze villages in search of theorphaned, poor, or needy children with theintentions of bringing them to their newhome.

The Druze community began torespond with offers to help with whatever

was needed to make Nakadi’s dream cometrue. They donated money, clothing, food,books, furniture, toys and even their time tocare and teach the children. Meanwhile, thefund raising efforts continued and grew. Iwas sent from Lebanon as a representativeof the young orphanage, to appeal world-wide to Druze in other countries. Togetherwith numerous lady volunteers in thosecountries, we raised thousands of dollarsfrom generous Druze and good wishers.Then the Lebanese government began tosupply funds for the orphanage.

Finally, after some fourteen years, Beitel-Yateem housed 250 children in a fullyequipped four-story building located inKarakool-al-Druze in Beirut. However, dur-ing 1955, the facility was turned into an ele-mentary school, while the orphans weretransferred to Aref ’s hometown, Abey in theShahar region, for a better and more convenient location at the suggestion of theMinistry of Social Security.

Aref Ameen el-Nakadi: 1887-1975, a former justice minister is Syria and head of theLiterature Academy there, founder of Beit el-Yateem, the Druze Orphanage in Abey, Lebanon

Late Aniseh Assaf

ChairpersonAfifi MasriPresident

Farid Muakkassa, M.D.SecretaryLeila MasriTreasurerAbboud Assaf

Assistant TreasurerSahar Muakasa, Ph.D.Assistant SecretaryLina Shehayeb

Advisory Council Michael M. ArnouseBassam al-Ayass Rwaida BatesNawal ChehayebSouad Ghosn, Esq.Salim Israwi

Akram Masri, Ph.D.Mrs. Rola MuakkassaGhada NoueihedRoger Shaar

Past PresidentKamel Muakkassa, M.D.

(1949-2012)Co-Founders

Aniseh Assaf (1908-2002)Fuad K. Muakkassa M.D. (1914-2000)

Volume 15November 2014

DOCO NewsletterPO Box 1433

New York, NY 10018(212) 764-0546

Email: docoinc@hotmail.com

druzecharity.org

EDITORSahar Muakasa, PhD

CONTRIBUTING EDITORSLeila Masri

Kathy Jaber Stephenson

Published byDRUZE ORPHANS & CHARITABLE

ORGANIZATION

© Copyright 2014, DOCO

Letters to DOCO

2

Dear Dr. Muakasa,

Please be informed that we are in receiptof your kind contribution in the

amount of $30,000 in support of Druzestudents who are studying in universities inLebanon.

May I take this opportunity to thank,on behalf of our Board of Trustees, Rabitatal-Amal represented by Mr. WassimRasamny, for their generosity and continuedsupport.

Yours Sincerely.Ghazi Jounblat

Assistant SecretaryDruze Foundation for Social Welfare

Lebanon, October 5, 2014

Dear Dr. Sahar,

With great pleasure and on behalf of theladiesof the Secondary Schooling forOrphans (SSO) I wish to convey our sincerethanks and express our deep gratitude foryour support and interest in our organiza-tion.

Thank you for your generous contribu-tion. We wish to acknowledge the receipt ofa check in the amount of ($ 3500.00) threethousand and five hundred Dollars to bene-fit our students.

We are truly grateful for your support,and the support of all the DOCO contribu-tors. Your donation is an investment inhelping the orphans in their education andtheir future.

God Bless you and your family.Sincerely.

Amal ShantoufPresident SSO

July 31, 2014

Continued on Page 3

Acknowledgement/Receipt

This is to certify the receipt of a check inthe amount of seven thousand US Dollars($7000.00) delivered to us by Sheikh AnisKhalil al-Moughawish for the support ofthe needy.

This is in addition to the sum of onethousand US dollars ($1,000), delivered ear-lier on behalf of Sheikh Anis al-Moughawish, in our presence, to SheikhaBetla Amer.

We reiterate our thanks and gratitude,hoping that God may reward and bless you.May you always continue on the path ofcharitable giving.

Sheikh al-Akl al-Muwahiddun al-Druze

Hammoud Yehia al-HinawiSwaida, 5/7/2014

Mrs. Afif Masri,

We are blessed having you as Mother of theOrphans.

Love to you,Boby Jaber

Long Beach, CA

3

If the prospects of an individualare inauspicious, can they be

changed? Yes, they can, but onlythrough education.

Education is the best tool tobring a positive change in society, todevelop a generation of responsibleindividuals and contribute to thedevelopment of descent humanbeings.

The fundamental purpose ofeducation is to gain knowledge. It isthe means to develop oneself physically, mentally and socially andto develop the mind so that the indi-vidual can make good choices in life,make sound career decisions andbegin pursuing his/her goals.

A good education should giveone the courage to rise after everyfall and to turn failure into success. Itprovides the key that not only opensdoors to a better future but gives students tools to solve the variousproblems they are likely to face during their lives.

This is the reason that theCharitable Organization (DOCO)has focused its efforts on supportingeducation.

DOCO believes that investing ineducation will positively impact theoverall success of our communities,society in general and indeed thewhole world.

Sahar Muakasa, Ph.D.Editor

Educational SupportCreates Community Wealth

Continued from Page 2

Dear Dr. Sahar,

We hope that you and your family areenjoying good health and prosperity

along with the DOCO team. We wish you allprogress and success. The organization ofthe University Student Resident (USR),strives to insure the best services for our stu-dent residents, helping them to achieve afuture strongly supported by a good educa-tion and good Druze moral values.

One of our annual activities is afundraising breakfast. We would like toinform you that we held this event, underthe auspices of Mrs. Nora Jumblatt, onWednesday August 13th at the Ameer-Amine Hotel in Beit-el-Edeen. It was attend-ed by 422 ladies and honored the ladies ofAbu-Dhabi, who work like the unknown-soldiers to insure all kinds of support to ourorganization.

Finally, we sincerely thank you and yourdonors for helping us to achieve our goals.

Farida Al-RayessPresident

University Student ResidentBeirut, Lebanon, August 28, 2014

Note: Tranlsation of the letter from Mrs. FaridaRayes is in the center column

Dear Mrs. Afifi Masri,

Thanks for your year-end card to us and forall the good work you do all year long forour community.

I am enclosing a check for $200. Pleasedonate to any of the Druze charities thatyou choose on our behalf. God bless youand Happy New Year.

Roger ShaarShadow Hills, CA

Dear Mrs. Masri,

I hope this card finds you well and enjoyingthe remainder of the summer.

When I spoke with you over the sum-mer, I told you I wanted to sponsor a childat the orphanage. Could it possibly be a littlegirl? I am hoping this donation will help. Iam making this contribution in honor of mymother Nezema Simpson from my sisterJanella Simpson and myself. Thank you foryour untiring efforts to improve the lives ofall the young children.

SincerelyPatience Simpson

Bellflower, California

Dear Sahar,

Thank you for your commitment to theDruze orphans. Thank you for writing andpublishing their stories for our community.You and Afifi Assaf Masri have kept the fireburning in Druze hearts for our people inLebanon and Syria.

The Beit-el Yateem Story in this issuereminds us of the great work you have done,the support you continue to give, the noblework you have been chosen to do.

May God continue to bless your effortsand give you success in this worthy cause.

LoveKathy Jaber Stephenson

Rancho Mirage, CA

Dear Afifi,

Thank you for your dedicated heart in help-ing our Druze orphans and others in need.

You are a special child of God. He hasblessed you with your good and pure heart.

I love youKathy Jaber Stephenson

Rancho Mirage, CA

4

The Druze Foundation for Social Welfare

Excellence in Educational Achievements

The Druze Foundation for Social Welfarewas founded in 1983 in order to take

care of the relief work in the war zones ofLebanon during the unfortunate events ofthat time.

Later on, it took the responsibility ofsupporting the Druze families of the mar-tyrs and the disabled. Over a period of twen-ty years a total amount of USD 7,500,000was disbursed to accomplish these goals.The Druze Foundation for SocialWelfare – Scholarship Fund at the AUB(American University of Beirut) wasestablished in 2002, to provide scholarshipsto academically qualified and financiallyneedy Druze students, who are seeking uni-versity education at the American Universityof Beirut.

Purpose of the Scholarship Fund at AUB:

The value of quality Educationthat theAUB offers. Being a graduate of a reputable univer-sity in Lebanon Provides a betterchance of finding a proper job. All donations that go to the Fund aregenerously matched by the AUB.

Education is one of the gates to knowl-edge; and that knowledge is a gateway tofreedom of thought, of choice, and ofaction. We believe that by being exposed tothe best a good education can offer, studentswill acquire wisdom which will enlightenthem and guide their steps to become assetsto their families, communities and society.

Your contribution is your commitmentnot to any education, but to the ideals of liberal education, of which AmericanUniversity of Beirut is a fountain.

The following is an excerpt from AUBPresident Dr. Peter Dorman’s speech, atDFSW Annual Dinner 2009:

“These men and women graduate from AUBwith a deep and profound appreciation for the oppor-tunity they had to pursue their educations at a uni-versity where tolerance is actively fostered, whereresponsibility is encouraged, and where diversity iscelebrated. Proceeds from the DFSW – ScholarshipFund are being used to provide scholarships for aca-demically qualified and financially needy Druze

students. I am very grateful for your increasing sup-port for Druze students at AUB, and note that yourannual donation the American University of Beirutis proud to match.”

The Scholarship Fund has granted 372scholarships in the amount of USD1,600,000 since its inception. Each dollarcontributed to the Fund has been matchedby the AUB. Your kind contribution will behighly appreciated by our beneficiaries.

Thirty students benefited from theDruze Foundation for Social Welfare –Scholarship Fund, at the AmericanUniversity of Beirut for the academic year2013 – 2014.

These students enrolled in Freshman,Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes. Theypursued majors in Business Administration,Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering,Computer Science, Civil Engineering,Computer & Communications Engineering,Electrical & Computer Engineering,Mechanical Engineering, EnvironmentalHealth, Mathematics Education, MedicalLaboratory Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics,Philosophy, Physics, Sociology andAnthropology.

DFSW’s contribution to the Fund was$115,797.09 which was matched by the AUBfor a total of $231,594.18.

Dear Dr. Muakasa,

Please be informed that we are in receiptof your transfer in the amount of USA

3, 200 (Three Thousand Two Hundreds USDollars), which is a donation by Dr. BedriZeineldeen in support of the student Mr.Karem Zahreddine tuition fee at NotreDame University in Lebanon.

May I, take this opportunity, to thankDr. Zeineldeen for his generosity andsupport to the needy and qualified Druzestudents who are seeking university educa-tion in the Lebanon.

Yours Sincerely,Ghazi Jounblat

Assistant Secretary GeneralDruze Foundation for Social Welfare

Lebanon, May 21, 2014

Letter to Editor continued from page 3

Give While You Shop

We are excited to announce the affilia-tion of DOCO with AmazonSmile.

When you shop atsmile.amazon.com, make sure youselect Druze Orphans and CharitableOrganization as your charity ofchoice. Amazon will then donate0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to DOCO.AmazonSmile is simple and automat-ic. It’s the same Amazon you know;same products, same prices and sameservice.

To donate to Druze Orphans andCharitable Organization, you need tostart each shopping session at theURL http://smile.amazon.com, ortype the link of DOCO on yourbrowser:

smile.amazon.com/ch/13-4067139

We apprecaite your patronage

Shop at AmazonSmile

The children of Beit al-Yateem wish youa Happy New Year 2015

5

Note: A condensed translation of the above letterfrom Beit al-Yateem is in the center column

Dear ladies and gentlemen, generous donors,

Please accept my greetings with sincereappreciation, from our precious coun-

try Lebanon. May the almighty grant yougood health and happiness.

It is with pleasure that I wish you ahappy and prosperous Eid-al-Adha, hopingthat you may enjoy its abundance. I thankyou deeply for your noble passion and gen-uine desire in supporting Beit al-Yateem soit can remain the warm environment for ourdear orphans, and impoverished students,while preparing them for a brighter, morepromising future, supported by a good edu-cation and good moral character.

Had it not been for the generous sup-port of philanthropists in Lebanon andabroad, it wouldn’t have been possible forus to continue our mission in the currenteconomic situation.

This year we celebrate the 75thanniversary of our institution, which hasprovided hundreds of young ladies and gen-tlemen with the tools needed to make it intheir professional and social lives.

Today we have five hundred orphansand needy students. They enjoy the safety ofa warm shelter, and everything they need intheir daily lives, as well as good educationstarting from Kindergarten till theVocational Baccalaureate part II.

RespecfullyHayat Harmouche Nakadi

Executive DirectorBeit al-Yateem

Abey, Lebanon, 9/28/2014

Dear Mrs. Masri,

As per your request, I visited Beit al-Yateem in Abey, Lebanon several times

this year and hand delivered DOCO checksto Mrs. Hayat Nakadi, on behalf of theDruze Orphans and CharitableOrganization, in the amount of $37,430.00as follows:

Check #102, dated10/12/2013 for theamount of $12,000.Check #104 dated 8/4/2014 for theamount of $13,100.Check #143 dated 8/20/2014 for theamount of $12,330.

Sincerely,Majd Abou-EzzideenDOCO Representative

Beirut – Lebanon, October 15, 2014

Members of Rotary Club of Aley distributingBoxes of Food during Eid al-Adha

We make a living by what we get. We make a lifeby what we give. Winston Churchill

Dear Sahar,

In my name and the name of The RotaryClub of Aley, I would like to thank you

and your donors from the bottom of myheart for taking part again in our 2014 annu-al Adha food distribution.

Thank you DOCO for your recent gen-erous gift of $1000.

Our food boxes are $36 each and con-tain: rice, lentils, beans, pasta, chickpeas, bur-gul, cooking oil, olive oil, powdered milk,sugar, tea, flour, cheese boxes, Tuna cans,raisins and nuts and zaatar.

Your donation helped purchase 28boxes thus helping 28 needy families.

DOCO has been a constant sourse ofsupport and comfort for needy druze indi-viduals and families in Lebanon. They arealways there to clothe, feed, heal and lend ahelping hand.

May God bless you and give youcourage and strength to continue this roadof relentless giving.

Warmest RegardsLina Shehayeb

ICC Lebanon - USA - President 2014-2017

The Rotary Club of Aley,Past Presidnet, 2013-2014

DOCO Newsletter is also, available as a

PDF file for anyone who wishes to read it or

share it, on our websitedruzecharity.org

6

Nakadi decided to relocate the orphansin buildings which were available around theShrine of Assayed Abdallah, planning onbuilding another Beit el-Yateem in the areaas soon as he possibly could. Abey had beenthe home of his family for hundreds ofyears.

According to (the late) Professor Dr.Sami Nasssib Makarem, the village of Abeyitself was a town of piety during thereign of the Tanoukhs (ruling Druzeemirs). There were many shrines there.The Shrine of Sayyed Abdallah is thetomb of the Prince, Emir JamaladeenAbdallah Tanoukheh, the most learnedcommentator on Druze scriptures. Helived during the Fifteenth Century and issaid to have been the most pious ofsheikhs (Druze religious leaders) toappear after the Dahwah (accepting theFaith). The tomb of his son is in thesame building. This holy place is verymuch revered by the Druze.

As if Providence decreed it, moneyfrom donors flooded in as news to build theinstitution reached Druze throughout theworld. In 1963, with financial aid from theDruze community, and with the great helpfrom the Social Security Ministry inLebanon, a modern and well-equippedorphanage was built next to the holy burialsite of Sayyed Abdallah. During 1982, over500 orphans between the ages of four to six-teen years of age lived in Beit el-Yateem, inaddition to 100 needy children. The facilityexpanded to include a technical school sothat the orphans could get a higher educa-tion and learn a trade or profession.

Some years back, Nakadi began pub-lishing a magazine from the orphanage. Itwas called “Al Mithack.” In it, every contrib-utor’s name was listed. Often, instead ofmoney, people would donate special servicesor clothing, food, fresh produce, olives, oliveoil, even sheep. Everything that was given tothe orphanage was itemized and published in“Al Mithack”. In addition, Aref Nakadimade sure that every penny spent wasaccounted for. In this way, he was trusted bythe donors.

From the beginning days of theorphanage, Shakeeb Nakadi worked side-by-side with his cousin, Aref. He was alwaysthere to be counted on. So during 1975,when Aref Nakadi died at the age of 88(after tutoring the orphanage, as if to say‘farewell’), the heavy burden of carrying thetasks Beit el-Yateem fell on Shakeeb’s shoul-ders and some devoted and loyal employeesalong with Shakeeb’s active and kind wife,Hayat, who was his right hand (and is stilldirecting the day to day operation of theorphanage).

The civil war in Lebanon exploded dur-ing the late summer of 1975. As factionsfought factions, villages and towns werebombed, shelled and leveled. There was noone area untouched by the fighting.Refugees were rampant throughout thecountry. Some found shelter at Beit el-Yateem.

The Sayyed Abdallah Shrine after it was destroyyed

Children helping to rebuild their schoolThe orphanage, the shrine, indeed, all

of Abey were shelled and bombed morethan once during the civil war of 1975. Atone time, a large bomb dropped on top ofthe roof crashing into the section where theorphans slept. Fortunately, the area wasunoccupied when the damage occurred.That night and for 23 days and nights after,orphans, employees, refugees, ShakeebNakadi and everyone in the institution took shelter under the ground-floor of thebuilding.

Throughout these years, the orphanagewas shelled periodically. Through some mir-acle, no one was ever killed or seriouslywounded. And the orphanage buildingsproved stable and strong by resisting anyserious damage. Fearing the worst, ShakeebNakadi sent all of the orphans and everyonein the institution away, making arrangements

Aref Nakadi seated with the ladies of the Committee of the Druze Orphanage during the mid 1950’s. Left to right: Mrs. Hazik Hamdan, Princess Zahia Arislan, Aref Nadkai, Princess Amina Arislan, Mrs. May Muzher and Mrs. Adma Joumblat. Standing fourth

from right is Aniseh Assaf with teachers and staff members

7

for children to stay with close or distant rel-atives. He, along with his family of five,remained in his home in Abey.

Shakeeb Nakadi and his family had toflee Abey and took refuge in the CapucineConvent which was converted to an orphan-age, near Beit el-Yateem. The nuns there hidhim and his family as they had become goodfriends during the years of civil war, sharingfood and necessities. That same day, a groupof Capucine nuns placed a petition on thedoor of Beit el-Yateem. It read: Do notdestroy this building. It is an institution.The people are our friends.

Hidden safely, the Nakadis remainedwith the nuns for seven days. Through theeight-year-old civil war, they had remainedclose and dependable friends, these orphan-age keepers. “I will share with them, untilthe last sack of flour I have!” Nakadi washeard to have said, referring to his Christianfriends.

After hearing of his travails, the IslamicCenter for Orphans in Beirut sent word thatthey were willing to take the Druze orphans– no matter how many and at no cost. “Weare brothers in our work,” they said.Nadkadi was ecstatic. He immediately leftfor Beirut.

Over 100 of the Druze orphans werereceived in Beirut. Making out as best theycould, the others stayed in the Mountains astraveling to Beirut was very dangerous. Afriend, Mahmoud Hasanini, offered ShakeebNakadi an office in Beirut. He accepted.And he continued to publish the Beit el-Yateem magazine, “Al Mithack.”Throughthis magazine, he kept the many orphanage

supporters informed as to what had hap-pened in Abey and on the condition of theorphans, as well as he could.

It was February 14, 1984. The Druzecame back to their villages. They found fourvillages had been particularly hit hard.Kfarmatta, Bennay, Bawerta and Abey.Every house in Abey had been hit withshells. Many were blown up with TNT.Everything was destroyed even the SayyedAbdallah Shrine.

Shakeeb Nakadi was among the firstpeople to be allowed to re-enter Abey. ButShakeeb knew he had to go. He had to seewhat had happened to the orphanage. Andso there it stood, Beit el-Yateem, a blackenedshell. Nakadi stepped inside. As he walkedthrough the structure he saw that everythinghad been ransacked and destroyed: class-room desks, kitchen equipment, bedroomfurnishing torn apart, shredded and mutilat-ed. The technical school was the same: whatwas not looted was ripped apart and man-gled. There was nothing left of Beit el-Yateem, except a shell of a building filledwith debris and chaos.

He walked to his home. His house (ahistorical site) and every Nakadi abode hadbeen blown up: leveled. They had lost every-thing. Every material possession they ownedin Abey was destroyed. Aref Nakadi hadcollected a library of rare and choice booksand manuscripts during his lifetime. Many ofthem dealt with the history of the Druze inLebanon, and some were a distinctive accu-mulation of religious material on the Druze.A writer, he had many manuscripts ready forpublication. They were all destroyed.

“You cannot imagine how sad I am,”Shakeeb Nakadi wrote a friend. “The mem-ories, the hundreds of years of memories inmy house and those of my family and Beitel-Yateem; all those years of hard and con-tinuous work, are lost, but I cannot leave thisjob that my cousin entrusted me to continue.I shall continue to do it as long as I live.”

Shakeeb Nakadi sent word throughoutthe Druze community about what had hap-pened to their beloved orphanage.“Whosoever is willing to help, will youplease do so?” The response was over-whelming. People came to Abey from vil-lages throughout the Shouf Mountains.

“We are ready to help, to build, to giveour time, whatever we can do or whateverwe can afford.” And the Druze from aroundthe world, emotionally distraught, begansending donations for the orphaned, evenbefore they were asked for it. FromVenezuela, Nigeria, Liberia, Australia, the

U.S.A. and especially the Arab countries,funds were sent across the seas and over theskies to rebuild what had been destroyed. Inevery one of those countries, women’s com-mittees rose to the call to raise funds.

Like the fabled Phoenix, Beitel-Yateem rose again from its ownashes to live and thrive oncemore.

This article first appeared in Kathy JaberStephenson’s publication, Our WorldMagazine, News and Views from theWorld Druze Community, Summer 1985.It is a tribute to the resiliency of theDruze people, their commitment to“safeguarding the brethren” and to thememories of Aniseh Assaf, called“Mother” by the Druze orphans. And itis dedicated to the memories of Aref al-Nakadi and his cousin Shakeeb al-Nakadi. They set the bar for the trueDruze by dedicating their lives to theorphans. May God rest their souls.

Our deepest gratitude to: Aniseh Assafand her sister, Afifi Assaf Masri for pro-viding the details for the Biet el-YateemStory, and to Leila Masri and NabilaAboulhosn for translating Aniseh’sArabic to English during the taped inter-view.

DOCO: Today, thousands of orphans andneedy have passed through its doors andmany have graduated and became successfulmembers of the community.

During the ‘50’s, some of faculty and staff gath-ered for this picture on the rooftop of the orphan-age. Third from the left is Afifi Assaf Masri next to her sister late Aniseh Assaf

Beit el-Yateem as it stands today

8

Nathalie Rayes is the U.S. NationalPublic Relations Director for

Grupo Salinas. A Mexican conglomer-ate with US$6 billion in annual sales and100,000 employees in Mexico, theUnited States, and Central and SouthAmerica, and with operations in thebroadcasting, retail, banking and finan-cial services, telecommunications andinternet.

Nathalie is also the ExecutiveDirector of Fundación Azteca Americathat seeks to improve the quality of lifeof Latinos by partnering with existingnonprofits to empower, create aware-ness and motivate change on social andcivic issues.

Previously, Nathalie served as LosAngeles Mayor James K. Hahn DeputyChief of Staff, directing the Mayor’sOffice of Intergovernmental Relations,serving as chief liaison to federal, stateand regional governments and to theLos Angeles City Council, InternationalTrade, Protocol, Immigrant Affairs, as

well as Mayor’s appointments to Citycommissions and boards. Prior to that,she was Senior Policy Advisor to LosAngeles Councilmember Mike Feuer,heading all aspects of Councilmember’sactivities with respect to citywide legisla-tion and ordinances impacting the FifthCouncil District.

Nathalie also served as aDepartment of State Fellow in theEconomic/Political Section of theUnited States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

Nathalie serves as a United StatesPresidential appointee to the Board ofTrustees of the Woodrow WilsonCenter for International Scholars, aswell as the Advisory Board of theCongressional Hispanic CaucusInstitute and on the Boards ofDirectors of the Planned ParenthoodFederation of America, CongressionalHispanic Leadership Institute, LosAngeles Universal Preschool, U.S. –Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and isa founding member of the Public Policy

Alumni Council at the University ofCalifornia, Los Angles (UCLA).

Nathalie is the recipient of UCLAMasters in Public Policy Alumna of theYear 2014, Santa Monica CollegeDistinguished Alumna RecognitionAward for Outstanding Professionaland Community Service Achievementof 2013, and 2012 “Mujeres DestacadasAward” a recognition given annually byEl Diario La Prensa to the most out-standing women in our community.

She is also a Fellow of the Asia 21Young Leaders Initiative, the leadingcross-sectional leadership developmentprogram in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nathalie has a Bachelors of Arts inSociology cum laude and Masters inPublic Policy with concentration inInternational Relations and Educationfrom the UCLA.

She is fluent in Spanish and conver-sational Arabic. She resides in ChestnutHill, Massachusetts with her husband,Dr. Tarek Samad, and their young sons,Julian and Alexander.

Meet Our Role ModelNathalie Rayes

National Public Relations Director of Grupo SalinasExecutive Director of Fundación Azteca America

Nathalie and her mother Mrs. Nada Abdul-Malak Rayes

Nathalie with her husband, Dr. TarekSamad, and their young sons,

Julian and Alexander.

Meet Our Role ModelFellowship Conferred Upon

Farid F. Muakkassa, MD, FACS60th Distinguisehd Physician

9

It is with great honor and distinct pleasurethat we, the DOCO Team, congratulate

our own Dr. Farid F. Muakkassa of AkronGeneral Medical Center (AGMC) in Akron,Ohio, who was recently inducted into theSociety of Distinguished Physicians as the60th member on Friday, the 26th ofSeptember, 2014.

This is doubly special as Akron GeneralMedical Health Systems celebrates its 100years of excellence. The DistinguishedSociety was established to recognize mem-bers of Akron General’s Medical Staff foroutstanding service to Akron GeneralMedical Center and to the community.Inductees are selected by their peers forexemplary patient care, research, medicaleducation, and community activities.

Farid’s vision, leadership and determi-nation helped AGMC to become the firstAmerican College of Surgeon’s accreditedTrauma Center culminating in acquiring thehighest Level 1 Trauma verification. Dr.Muakkassa was also a pioneer in establish-ing, directing and running the only consulta-tive Surgical Intensive Care Unit at AGMCand Summit County in Ohio.

Dr. Muakkassa is a Professor of Clinical

Surgery at Northeast Ohio MedicalUniversity (NEOMED) and is the ProgramDirector of Wound Care at Select SpecialtyHospital. Since joining Akron General in1993, Dr. Muakkassa has been involved inmany committees, including serving asChairman of the Trauma PerformanceCommittee and Co-Chair of the intensiveCare Committee. He also serves on theQuality Improvement Committee, MassCasualty Incident Committee, Surgery QICommittee, Neuroscience QI Committee,Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee,Nutrition Committee, Neuroscience ICUCommittee and Respiratory TherapyCommittee. He is also a member of theNortheastern Ohio Regional TraumaNetwork and The American College ofSurgeons Ohio Committee on Trauma.

He was named “Physician of the Year”for AGMC in 2007 and given the “OffService Teacher of the Year Award” by theER residents at AGMC in 2001. Dr.Muakkassa also received the “LifeBankOscar Award” in 1998 and “OutstandingVolunteer Faculty Award” at NEOMED in2003.

He is a member of many professionalsocieties, including the AmericanAssociation for the Surgery of Trauma, theEastern Association for the Surgery ofTrauma, Society of Critical Care Medicine,Neurocritical Care Society, Association forAcademic Surgery, American Society ofParenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American

Academy of Neuroloy, Cleveland SurgicalSociety, University of Mississippi SurgicalSociety, Nathan Womack Surgical Society,Southeastern Surgical Congress and Fellowof the American College of Surgeons.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr.Muakkassa completed his undergraduatestudies at the University of SouthernCalifornia in Los Angles and received hismedical degree from the AmericanUniversity of Beirut School of Medicine. Hecompleted his General Surgery residencyrequirements at St. Francis Medical Centerin Trenton, NJ and a fellowship in SurgicalCritical Care/Trauma at the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He was an Assistant Professor ofSurgery and Anesthesiology and Director ofSICU at the University of Mississippi inJackson, MS before joining Akron General.He is active in research and has given over 60national and international presentations. Hehas been published in over 30 peer-reviewedpublications, four medical textbook chaptersand other research publications and projects.He is board-certified in General Surgery,Surgical Critical Care and Neurocritical Care.

Dr. Muakkassa lives in Bath Township,Ohio, with his lovely wife, Dr. RimaMuakkassa, and their four children: Linda asenior, Camille a sophomore, Kareem afreshman, all attending Walsh Jesuit HighSchool. Ryan is in 8th grade at St. HilarySchool in Fairlawn.

L to R: Camille, Dr. Rima, Dr. Farid, Linda, Kareem & Ryan Muakkassa

Farid F. Muakkassa, MD, FACS

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Congratulations

Diana, daughter of Fady & Lina Malak, graduated from the University of Delaware witha Bachelor of Art Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor degree in Biology in 2014.

She was offered an internship with the Delaware Public Defenders Office as an intake inves-tigator. She will gain first-hand experience in the Criminal Justice System and will serve as afocal point for the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office is voted one ofthe Top Workplaces in Delaware, ranking 11th for mid-sized organizations, as published inthe Delaware News Journal. 

Sister Myrna, also graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Nursing in 2014. Myrna was offered a job at the prestigious Critical Care NurseResidency at Christiana Care Health Systems. This unique program integrates educationalcomponents with preceptor-led clinical experiences, to ease the transition to critical carenursing. Christiana Care is one of America’s Top 15 Major Teaching Hospitals.

L to R: Lina, Fady, Myrna and Diana Malak

Samer, son of Nabil and Joumana Assaf,of La Crescenta, CA, graduated with

Dean’s Recognition for Junior/SeniorContinuum from the Keck School ofMedicine of USC on May 17, 2014.

He is doing his residency in EmergencyMedicine at UC Irvine.

Omar, son of Nabil and Iman Masri, ofCamarillo, CA, graduated on June 15,

2014, from the University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara (UCSB) with a B.S. degree inComputer Science.

While at UCSB, Omar was on theDean’s Honors list in recognition of out-standing scholastic achievement for thespring quarter of 2012.

This Summer Omar got an intern posi-tion in computer programming with a com-pany in Copenhagen, Denmark.  

Jad Aboudiab, son of Salim and MayAboudiab, of La Crescenta, CA, graduat-

ed from UC Irvine with a B.S. in ComputerScience (Summer 2014) and will be joiningGoogle full-time.

Kareem, the son of Drs. Farid & RimaMuakkassa, graduated in June 2014

from Middle School at St. Hillary School inAkron, Ohio.

Kareem scored in the top 1% on thenational high school exam qualifying him forthe prestigious Campion Honor Society atWalsh Jesuit High School.

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Meet Our Role ModelDr. J. Mehsen Joseph PosthumouslyHonored by Maryland Department of Health

Dr. J. Mehsen Joseph

Maryland’s Public Health System

J. MEHSEN JOSPEH Public Health LaboratoryOn July 26th, 2014, Maryland’s

Governor and other dignitariesparticipated in a ribbon cutting ceremony ofthe new Maryland Department of Healthand Mental Hygiene, and the dedicationof the new J. Mehsen Joseph PublicHealth Laboratory.

The department previously named itsLaboratory facility in 1998, honoring Dr.Joseph in recognition of his many achieve-ments. The late Dr. Joseph was director ofthe health laboratory for 26 years until hispassing in 2003. He was the son of the lateMajeed and Bahia M. Joseph of Whitesville,West Virginia.

Dr. Joseph graduated from WestVirginia University with an A.B Degree inmicrobiology and chemistry at the age of 20,and went on to earn his Masters Degree. Hethen attended Columbia University and theUniversity of Maryland where he earned hisPh.D at the age of 23. He also earned a B.S.Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at theUniversity of Toledo, where he was assistantprofessor of microbiology.

In 1957, Dr. Joseph began his careerwith the Maryland State HealthDepartment’s Bureau of Laboratories aschief of the microbiology division. From1959 until 1977 he served as AssistantDirector of the Health LaboratoriesAdministration at which time he wasappointed Director, a position he wouldhold for the next 26 years.

Dr. Joseph had served as associate pro-fessor at the University of Maryland gradu-ate school. He had also served as seniorassociate in epidemiology at John’s HopkinsSchool of Hygiene and Public Health, con-sultant and advisor to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention, the Foodand Drug Administration, the NationalInstitutes of Health, the National Academyof Sciences, Aid for InternationalDevelopment, and the World HealthOrganization.

He was also the author of more than 90scientific and professional publications, andwas recognized in Who’s Who AmongMen and Women in Science.

In June 2002, The Association ofPublic Health Laboratories named Dr.Joseph as recipient of its most prestigiousLifetime Achievement Award, for his con-tributions and dedicated services in the fieldof public health, both nationally and inter-nationally.

Because he was recognized and so highly regarded as a microbiologist, educa-tor, mentor and public health consultant, theAmerican Society of Microbiology hasposthumously named in his honor, its annualnational award for leadership in publichealth microbiology, The J. Mehsen JosephLifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Joseph was characterized by his col-leagues as “a person of extraordinary visionwho has been a leader in every aspect in thefield of public health nationally and interna-tionally”. As a result of his leadership, “hetransformed Maryland’s State HealthLaboratories into one of the best in thenation”.

“His legacy of leadership, scientificvision and his lifetime of public service, hasleft a mark on the laboratories administra-tion that will endure well into the future.”

We would love to hear from you.

If you would like to shareyour news, pictures, please send them to:

DOCOPO Box 1433

New York, NY 10018

Or Email to:docoinc@ hotmail.com

12

Entertainment Icon Casey Kasem1932-2014

American entertainment icon and proudArab American Casey Kasem, died on

Sunday, 15 June 2014, in a Washington Statehospital following a long illness. He was 82.

Manal Saab, who chairs both theAmerican Druze Foundation board and theArab American National Museum’s NationalAdvisory Board, was a personal friend ofKasem’s. She recalls his dedication to hisfaith and community. “Casey was differentthan most celebrities. He always picked upthe phone and he never said no to helping.My husband Ghassan and I had a personalrelationship with Casey. He was Lebanese,Druze and from Michigan. Casey had thechance to visit Lebanon with his family in1997 with relentless celebration.”

Casey Kasem has long been celebratedas an iconic voice of American radio andmusic, and is also recognized as one of themost famous Arab Americans. He was bornKamel Amin Kasem in Detroit on April 27,1932, to Lebanese immigrant father andLebanese American mother. Like many Arabimmigrants to Detroit at that time, Casey’sfather Amin owned a grocery store.

Kasem was a graduate of Wayne StateUniversity in Detroit, where he began hiscareer by performing bit parts in radio dra-mas. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army whoserved as a DJ during the Korean War. In thesummer of 1970, in collaboration with fel-low Arab American broadcaster DonBustany and other partners, Kasem launchedhis syndicated radio program, American Top40, on just five radio stations. Soon the pro-gram was heard “coast to coast” on hun-dreds of stations and later became a TV

show. Classic episodes remain on the airtoday.

Kasem also had a successful career as avoice-over actor, most notably as an NBCannouncer and the voice of Shaggy(“Zoinks!”) on the children’s cartoon ScoobyDoo, Where Are You!

In addition to his numerous accoladesand awards, including a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame (1981) and induc-tion into the Radio Hall of Fame (1992),Kasem was genuinely proud of his Arab her-itage. “Whenever I can,” he said in a 1983interview, “I like to let people know that Iam Lebanese, that I am Arabic, and that’s myheritage. I’m an American first, but at thesame time I feel strong ties going way back.”

Druze and Arab Studies at GeorgetownUniversity’s Center for Contemporary ArabStudies, a first-of-its-kind program.

Casey’s daughter, Kerri, also a greatfriend of the Arab American NationalMuseum, is following in her father’s foot-steps professionally and through her com-munity involvement.

A memorial service was held to cele-brate his life at the American Druze Society’scultural center in Eagle Rock, Calif. It wasattended by many Arab community leadersand friends who came to pay respect to theKasem family. Kasem was an active memberof the Druze community. He was a foundingmember of the American Druze Foundationand played an integral role in establishing theSociety’s Southern California cultural center.

Note: DOCO wishes to thank the ArabAmerican National Museum for allowing us to usean excerpt from their tribute to Casey

Matching Giftsand ContributionsFrom EmployeesCan SupportDOCO

Your gift to DOCO could bematched dollar for dollar byyour employer. Many employers sponsormatching gift programs and willmatch any charitable contribu-tions. Find out if your company has amatching gift program. When you donate through theworkplace you can make a dif-ference in helping the needy.

Casey - KasemSaturday Morning Cartoon - Shaggy

Several obituaries recount how Kasem’sentertainment career was inspired by listen-ing to his older relatives’ one-upsmanshipstyle of storytelling as a kid.

Throughout his career, Casey Kasemfought against media stereotyping of Arabsand Arab Americans, and always encouragedyoung Arab American media producers. Hegave selflessly to many Arab American caus-es, including the Arab American NationalMuseum, lending his sonorous voice to its‘Making An Impact’ permanent exhibit anddonating multiple items for display, includ-ing his Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque andthe American Top 40 sign that hung on theprogram’s Ventura Boulevard studio in LosAngeles. Kasem has been an honorary mem-ber of the AANM’s National AdvisoryBoard since the Museum opened in 2005.

Casey Kasem’s legacy also includes thenew $2 million Post-Doctoral Fellowship in

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Donations Received in Memoriam 2013

Donor Name In Memory of Amount

Muakkassa, Mrs. Rola Memory of Dr. Kamel Fuad Muakkassa 1,000 Israwi, Salim, Samir, Suhail, Memory of Dr. Munem Nasserddine 500

Sawfat, Salma, & SihamHalaby, Hayat S. Memory of her husband Samir Salim Halaby 300 Muakkassa, Mrs. Rola Memory of Im Ghassan Baz 250 Boukzam, Ashraf Memory of Ameen Boukzam 200 Israwi, Salim & Barbara Memory of Raja Nasseredine 200 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memory of Adel Jamil Assaf 200 Masri, Mrs. Afifi Memory of Adel Jamil Assaf 100 Muakkassa, Drs. Farid & Rima Memory of Adel Jamil Assaf 100Noueihed, Hayat Assaf Memory of Adel Jamil Assaf 50 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memory of Akram Al-Zoor 100 Boukzam, Fahima Memory of Rashid Hussien al-Masri & wife 100 Aboulhosn, Nabil & Elham Memory of Mayor Hassib Naim Aboulhosn 100

Aboulhosn, Amal, Leila & Sami Nabil Aboulshosn Memory of Mayor Hassib Naim Aboulhosn 100 Makarem, Dr. Anis Memory of his wife Samira Abdel-Khalek 100 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memory of Samira Abdel-Khalek 100Anonymous Memory of Samira Abdel-Khalek 90Noueihed, Hayat Assaf Memory of Samira Abdel-Khalek 25 Fakhereddine, Nadia Memory of her Husband Suleiman Fakhereddine 100 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memoryof Hassib Richani 100 Muakkassa, Drs. Farid & Rima Memory of Jamil Anis Muakkassa 100 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memory Nahid Assaf (Im Rabih) 100 Assaf, Mounah & Diana Memory of his father Afif 100 Joseph, E. M. Memory of Hussen & Se Meig Joseph 50 Barkinian, Sally Memory of her mother 5

DONATE ONLINEVisit Us at

druzecharity.orgDOCO is dedicated to support the various non-profit organizations that

provide programs and services to the Druze Community

Please join us as we extend a helping hand to those in need. • You can make a difference in the lives and futures of children

• Help the elderly spend the remainder of their lives in dignity

• Encourage and educate women on health and family issues

• Support university students

• Help orphans to pursue higher education

• Support the institutions that take in and care for hundreds oforphans and needy children

Donor $ US

A Tradition of GivingWe at DOCO would like to offer a special salute to the following for generously donating to DOCO’s various charities.

This list acknowledges donations received from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Please excuse us if your namedoesn’t appear in the list below. Please let us know in order to make necessary correction in the next issue.

Donor $ US Donor $ USNajd, Mr. & Mrs. Samir 500 Muakkassa, Dr. Wael & Rima 500 Radwan, Dr. Nidal & Rania 500 Shaheen, Allen & Hind 500 Smien, Eddie & Reem 500 Smien, Louis 500 Zedan, Fawwaz Husein 500 Zouhairi, Maz 500 Hassan, Dr. Samer 450 Anonymous 400 Ibrahim, Shawki & Katy 400 Jamell, Mohi J. & Rima I. 400 Masri, Mrs. Afifi 400 Anonymous 400 Takieddine, Marwan A, 350 Anonymous 300 Aridi, Adam & Hana 300 Chway, Sami & Nadia 300 Halaby, Hayat S. 300 Zahr, Dr. Rafeh & Rhoa 275 Baz, Wassif & Amal 260 Wehbe, Sheikh Jihad & Donia 260 Aboul-Hosn, Bassam & Manal 250 Al Ali, Farid 250 Alle, Emma 250 Anonymous 250 Arizi, Riad & Nancy 250 Gharzeddine, Omar M. & Hala 250 Gosaynie, Dr. Carl D. 250 Khalek, Carolina S. 250 Mashtoub, Saad & Enas 250 Mire Abolhosn, Fouzie 250 Nasr, Yasser S. 250 Obeid, Dr. Anis & Nawal 250 Olson, Edward & Lamis 250 Wahbe, Badih & Samia 250 Ayash, Afif & Ferial 240 Najjar, Shawki & Eva 220 Alameh, Faris & Sonai 200 Assaf, Milhim & Anita 200 Beauleau, Sara Kysia 200 Boukzam, Ashraf 200 Dean, Samir & Lily 200 El-Awar, Dr. Nadim & Samar 200 Elbanna, Hadi A. 200 Ghazal, Fadi & Mira 200 Harb, Suheil 200 Hattar, Michael M. 200 Helal, B. & S. 200 Israwi, Salim & Barbara 200 Katter, Henry & Jane 200 Masri, Karim & Ibtisam 200

Masri, Rana K. 200 Mayyasi, Dr. Adel & May 200 Stephenson, Kathy 200 Zahr, Mohamad & Wafaa 200 Anonymous 190 Saleh, Anwar M. 160 Abou-Diab, Doreyd & Christine 150 Ageeb, Ziad & Souja 150 Hamzy, Hassan & Ann 150 Kriedie, Dr. Rabab 150 Masri, Rana, Ramzi, and Omar 150 Nassereddine, Naji & Mirna 150 Sharf-Aldin, Hamed 150 Shouhayib, Kamal & Yasmine 150 Rayess, Adam 147 Abifaker, Munir S. 100 Abilmona, Fauzia 100 Abo Hamzy School Of Self Defense 100 Aboul Hosn, Hadi & Rima 100 Aboulhosn, Amal, Leila &Sami Nabil Aboulshosn 100 Aboulhosn, Jounaya 100 Aboulhosn, Majed & Suzy 100 Aboulhosn, Nabil & Elham 100 Aboulhosn, Wajdi & Magida 100 Akel, Ollie & Mona 100 Alameddine, Ghassan H. 100 Alatrash, Samir & Sadika 100 Andary, Monier 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Anonymous 100 Boudiab, Rashid & Diana 100 Bou-Hamdan, Adel Anis & Bou-Hamdan, Nour El-Hoda-Khalil 100 Boukzam, Michael 100 Boukzam, Mrs. Fahima 100 Carter, Melia L. 100 Chaya, Wagih & Leila 100 Chtay, Samer 100 Dakdouk, Nasser 100 El Jurdi, Adib Marouf 100 Eleid, Hanan 100 EZ Staffing Inc. 100 Fadial, Nadim & Hadia 100 Fakhereddine, Nadia 100 Grahman, Rita Kais 100 Halabi, Nadim & Rima 100

Rasamny, Wassim R. 28,000 More-Tex 5,300 Assed, Fawaz & Amira 4,000 Chtay, Fouad & Samira 4,000 Jamell, Hiam 4,000 Smien Assed, Fay, Jill, Jeff, Deana & Family 4,000 Muakkassa, Drs. Farid & Rima 3,100 Masri, Dr. Sami & Leila 2,600 Muakkassa, Mrs. Rola 2,250 Hamdan, Dr. Hind 2,000 Assaf, Abboud & Amal 1,700 Akar, Dr. Hafez & Mona 1,500 Salem, Saleh M. & Sarah 1,300 Assaf, Monah & Diana 1,200 Zenobia International 1,200 Modad-Cossin, Salwa & Russell N. 1,100 Abdul-baki, Dr. Aref & Rola 1,000 Alatrach, Rami 1,000 Anonymous 1,000 Assed, Richard & Kenda 1,000 Azzam, Maher 1,000 El-Attrache, Dr. Mamdouh & Rawa 1,000 Jarbouh, Alex 1,000 Kysia, Sleiman A. 1,000 Masri, Lena 1,000 Thrower, Jeanette Jamell 750 Hasan, Dr. Faysal & Sharon 670 Masri, Nabil & Iman 650 Noueihed, Hayat Assaf 650 Shaar, Roger & Donna 600 Masri, Mona S. 550 Anonymous 515 Akar, Tania, Jessica & Roy 500 Alame, Samir J. 500 Anonymous 500 Anonymous 500 Anonymous 500 Anteer Feras 500 Assed, Raymond & Lina 500 Assed, Ronny & Reem 500 Azzam, Wassim & Ghossoun 500 Boside, Drs. Neil & Mona 500 Fotoohi, Mehran & Rima 500 Hajjal, Drs. Walid & Manal 500 Halabi, Sam 500 Halabi, Younes & Hamsa 500 Ibrahim, Nabeel 500 Israwi, Salim, Samir, Suhail, Sawfat, Salma, Siham 500 Jaber, Bobby 500 Jamell, Gene 500

14

15

Donor $ US  Donor $ US  Donor $ US 

THANK YOUFOR

YOUR SUPPORT

Hamady, Nasri & Salwa 100 Hamden, Shakeeb & Linda 100 Hammoud, Assad 100 Hamzy, William & Anita 100 Israwi, Souhail & Katherine 100 Jawhari, Anisse M. 100 Jolin, Arthur & Wafa A. Carter 100 Jurdi, Faysal & Ghada 100 Kantar, Riad & Fedaa 100 Katter, Dr. Nafe E. 100 Kreidie, Dr. Mahmoud & Lina 100 Makarem, Dr. Anis 100 Malaeb, Wassim & Rola 100 Masri, Dr. Naji 100 Masri, Nadim & Aida 100 Mohtar, Rafic & Samar 100 Mosrie, Dr. David & Linda 100 Moughawich, Anis & Amira 100 Moukarim, Basil & Inas 100 Najjar, Dr. Amjad 100 Najjar, Randa 100 Najjar-Wilson, Sara 100 Paet, Maria 100 Ramah, Peter G. Attorney At Law 100 Radieddine, Bassem & Rania 100 Rafeh, Samir K. 100 Rasamny, Khalil & Lena 100 Saad, Iyad & Nada 100 Said, Fadi H. 100 Salman, Jihad & Haifa 100 Sams, Helen 100 Sanjid, Najat 100 Sookey, Nazeerah A. 100 Souki, Akram M. 100 The Abohamzy Family 100 The Mahmoud Family 100 Younes, Mohsen & Carol 100 Zahr, Eyad & Sarah 100 Zeidan, Rana 100 Anonymous 90 Aboulhala, Oussama & Khouzama 80 Anonymous 80 Alchair, Bachar 60 Anonymous 60 Shehab, Raed 60 Abolhosn, Majida 50 Abolson, Suzy 50 Aboul Hosn, Nadim & Afaf 50 Aboulhosn, Ibrahim & May 50 Alkateeb, N. 50 Ameen, Edward & Barbara 50 Anonymous 50 Assaf, Nabil & Jumana 50 Assal, Adel 50 Belman, Ferris & Edna 50 Bounassif, Faysal & Margareda 50 Chaban, Adam 50

Dakdouk, Chad & Nancy 50 El-Laham, Ali 50 Elmazry, Amer 50 Fahreddine, Munir & Nassab 50 Fiegel, Sheryl Ameen 50 Gosaynie, Hiam N. 50 Hamady, Madeline 50 Jawhari, Layth 50 Joseph, Ameen Jr. 50 Joseph, E. M. 50 Kais, Mehanna & Hayat 50 Mahmoud, Rabih & Sahar 50 Malak, Fadi R. & Lina 50 Najjar, Feyrouz & Hassan 50 Nasr, Elham & Riad 50 Nasser, Veda K. 50 Radwan, Dr. Fardia 50 Raheed, Issam N. 50 Richani, Juanita J. 50 Saab, Nagib & Souad 50 Salim, Emad & Stephanie 50 Salman, Ghassan & Rana 50 Shaban, Odette S. 50 Showker, Kay & Khalida 50 Zissler, Grace E. 50 Abou-Zaki, Khaled Y. 45 Dahouk, Kamal Abbas & Fadwa 45 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Anonymous 40 Elawar, Hanin 40 Jurdi, Ghassan 40 Kriedie, Nafisa 40 Tarabey, Tamer 40 Nasr, Hadi 39Sadak, Zarifah 35 Zihlman, Camille David 35 Anonymous 30 Soddt, Nada 30 Zedan, Ghazi H. 30 Aboulhosn, Nora 25 Agnew, Catherine 25 Bowman, Kristine 25 Chmait, Ghamia 25 Durham, Charles A. 25 Ghazal, Tina 25

Hassen, Hala 25 Murphy, Thomas & Joyce 25 Najjar, Samira S. 25 Samra, Ruth 25 Shaheen, Patricia A. 25 Talhouk, Priscilla 25 The Hassen Family 25 Zahr, Siham 25 Zebian, Mehdi 25 Anonymous 20 Abisaab, Siham 20 Abou-Hamze, Moufid & Ghada 20 Abouziab, Nada 20 Abouziab, Rima 20 Al-Jawhari, Fahd C. 20 Alley, Kenneth 20 Ameen, Jeanette F. 20 Anonymous 20 Anonymous 20 Assaf, Nadem F. 20 Chehade, Fatiny 20 Dakdouk, Majed & Anita 20 Joseph, EM & Teresa D. 20 Fayad, Samar 20 Gosaynie, Mae 20 Hammad, Dr. David & Mary 20 Hamze, Jonathan & Emileen 20 Hosn, Raghida 20 Jawhari, Fahd C. 20 Jimenez, Liticia C. 20 Kais, Saleh & Summer 20 Maher, Khaled & Salwa 20 Masri, Dr. Ramiz & Linda 20 Naime, Eddy 20 Nassereddine, Lamees 20 Richane, Carl J. 20 Saad, Wafic & Mofida 20 Trabulsi, Mayssa 20 Wehbe, Tamer Jihad 20 Abouhala, Rany 10 Abouhala, Siwaar 10 Anonymous 10 Barkinian, Sally 10 Bartlett, Richard & Mary 10 Israwi, Safwat 10

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