Friday, October 18, 2013, Mrs. Jamilah Aranky, Honorary HCEF Representative in Birzeit, will be presented with the HCEF President's Award at the HCEF Awards Banquet, which is held in conjunction with the 15th International Conference.
The HCEF President's Award is given annually to honor volunteers who have demonstrated their solidarity with the Palestinian through acts of love and support on their behalf.
Mrs. Aranky has a history full of achievements and dedication towards the HCEF Mission and serving HCEF's Birzeit Senior Citizen Center and Birzeit Community at large. She has been a leader in developing her community, serving with dedication as a teacher, and as a volunteer in numerous cultural and ethnic community centers for close to five decades
Mrs. Aranky was one of the catalysts to the establishment of the HCEF Birzeit Senior Citizen's Center. She is a leading volunteer member at the Center since its inception and was named Honorary Representative in Birzeit by HCEF because of her outstanding service and support. Not only is she an energetic advocate for the development of her community in all aspects, cultural, religious, communal work, but she is also a proud dynamic member of the Birzeit Society where her work is recognized in a multitude of forums and activities.
With more than 40 years of faithful service to the Palestinian Christian Community as a teacher, civic advocate and leader in the effort to preserve and strengthen the rich Palestinian heritage, Mrs. Aranky is a pillar in her community," said Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS, HCEF President and CEO.
She contributed to the establishment of the "Birzeit Charitable Society" and served as Treasurer and Secretary to the Society for 40 years. She represented the Society in the "Union of Charitable Societies' while also being an active member in several other religious, national, and local unions; the "Palestinian Women's Union", President of the "Latin Patriarchate Parish Women's Committee," and member of the "Parish Pastoral Council" and the "Young Women's Christian Association".
Mrs. Aranky is also a dedicated coordinator for the Heritage and Cultural Events of "Al Rozana Cultural Society," and is responsible for the annual local festival focusing on the development of local handicrafts and the enhancement of the traditional customs, in order to preserve the rich Palestinian heritage.
Mrs. Aranky was born and raised in Birzeit, where she graduated from Saint Joseph's School in Ramallah. Graduating with distinction provided her an opportunity for a teaching career at the school and was nominated as one of the leading teachers. She is an eloquent speaker in several national conferences and local events. She married Suleiman Aranky, a resident of Birzeit, and bore eight lovely daughters who went on to follow in their mother's footsteps, becoming highly educated with degrees in different specialties including law, dentistry, health, epidemiology, accounting and finance. Finally it is worth mentioning that Mrs. Aranky is a poet. She has written poems for Palestine and Jerusalem, on Mothers' Day, and on Seniors' World Day, and has delivered her poems in many cultural and political events.
This same evening His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington (Washington, DC) will be presented with the 2013 Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Award, and Mr. Said T. Khoury, Co-Founder and Chairman, Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) (Athens, Greece)will receive the Palestinian Diaspora Award.
Please join us in honoring Mrs. Arankyas she is presented with the 2013 HCEF President's Award on Friday, October 18, 2013, at the Annual HCEF Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the 15th International Conference, which will be held Saturday, October 19, 2013. Both events will be held at the Washington Marriott, 1221 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC.
To learn more about HCEF's 15th International Conference & Awards Banquet, click one of these helpful conference links below or visit us online at www.hcef.org.
