Mount of Olives Housing Project
In 1946 there were 31,400 Christians in Jerusalem, 34,000 Muslims, and 99,000 Jews. By the year 2000, while the Christian population of Jerusalem shrank to less than 15,000, the Jewish population grew to 440,000 and the Muslim population grew to almost 200,000. The lack of housing has compelled many Palestinian Christians to leave Jerusalem and relocate to the West Bank or to another country altogether.
Some Christian leaders like ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan estimate that the actual Christian presence in Jerusalem is less than 10,000 and that the Christian population in Jerusalem could be diminished to 5,000 once the Israeli Separation Wall is completed around Jerusalem. Perhaps as much as one half of the Christians who currently live in Jerusalem could be excluded from Jerusalem by the Separation Wall. In order to maintain their Jerusalem residency they would need to move to a location inside Jerusalem.
The impression of Jerusalem that many have is that of a mosaic, not of a melting pot. The special character of Jerusalem is in the distinct pieces, the unique communities that celebrate and pass on their traditions and values. Each piece of the mosaic is distinct, but when you step back the pieces together, ideally, reveal a beautiful picture of the richness and diversity of Jerusalem. Without efforts like the MOHP to support the local Christians and to help them stay in Jerusalem the realization of Jerusalem as a city of peace, as a shared city between Jews, Christians and Muslims, will never occur.
Jerusalem
is a key to the just resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and to
promoting understanding and tolerance among Jews, Christians and Muslims
around the world.
A
It is important to place the MOHP in the context of all of the LWF and ELCJHL work over the years. The LWF, the ELCJHL, and many churches and agencies have over the last six decades been deeply committed to serving those most in need in the Holy Land. That commitment to Palestinian refugees, over 95 per cent of whom are Muslim, is clearly evident today in our advocacy to end the occupation and in the health, education and vocational training programs offered by the LWF and the ELCJHL. These programs touch the lives of thousands of people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In addition to the MOHP, the LWF, in cooperation with the KAVF, also plans to use a portion of the property on the Mount of Olives to build a desperately needed sports and community center that would serve the predominantly Muslim children and families of East Jerusalem.
Oversight for the housing project was initially carried out by a Lutheran World Federation "Land Committee" which includes representatives from the LWF, Norway, Germany, and the ELCJHL who report to the governing bodies of the LWF, the KAVF, and the ELCJHL. The oversight responsibility now falls primarily on the "Mount of Olives Housing Project Advisory Committee" which met for the first time in October 2007. The Advisory Committee includes representatives from the churches of America (ELCA), Norway, Sweden, Germany and Finland, as well as LWF staff, the ELCJHL bishop, and the pastor of the Arabic-speaking Lutheran congregation in Jerusalem. Management of the project will be provided by the LWF Jerusalem program while overseen by the Land Committee and the MOHP Advisory Committee.
How is the fundraising coming along?
Over $600,000 has already been raised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for the construction of the project and $4.6 million has been pledged by the Church of Sweden. We have positive signs for additional support from Norway, Germany and Finland, and we continue to work on funding from a number of other countries.
The KAVF and the LWF agreed to dedicate a portion of the Mount of Olives property for this project thereby saving millions of dollars right from the beginning!
If you don't raise the full 8,265,000 USD right away can you begin the project anyway?
Yes, since the construction of the project will be divided into four stages, it will be possible to begin before the total amount is raised.
In order to ensure that the project does not exceed its budget, work on a construction stage will not begin until the funding has been securely pledged or received for that stage.
How can I make a financial contribution to the housing project?
To make a contribution to the Mount of Olives Housing Project (MOHP) . . .
|
. . . make a check
out to The Lutheran World Federation
and mail it to: |
. . . or,
transfer funds electronically: Account name: Lutheran World Federation Account No.: 011-007010-160 Bank Name: HSBC-Middle East Bank Bank Branch: Ramallah-West Bank Swift Code: BBME PS 22 |
Please send an email to mohp@lwfjerusalem.org indicating that you have sent a check or transferred funds electronically. Be sure to clearly indicate the amount and that the funds are intended for the MOHP. Please provide us with your name, address, phone, email, and congregation name and city.
IF YOU ARE FROM THE USA . . . please make your contributions through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Gifts by credit card
To give with a credit card, please visit "ELCA Good Gifts: make a difference" and read more about the housing project.Gifts by check
Please make your check payable to "ELCA" and send to:ELCA Mount of Olives Housing Project
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764