Sam Bahour’s 2017 End-of-Year Fundraising Letter

Sam Bahour’s 

2017 End-of-Year Fundraising Letter

If I popped into your neighborhood unannounced, would you take me out to lunch? With this end-of-year fundraising appeal, I’m not asking for more than that–a single lunch, a week of lunches, or perhaps a month of lunches. Actually, I’m not asking for lunch for myself, but rather for funds that will support worthy causes at ground zero in Palestine, causes I’m involved with, support, and can personally vouch for.

It’s
that time of the year again when we all get flooded with fundraising
requests. I used to dread fundraising, but not anymore. Although the outpouring of moral support is deeply
appreciated and needed, ultimately, impact requires financial resources. Over the past two decades in Palestine, one sees how
foreign funds are used to advance foreign agendas that sustain military
occupation and deepen our dependency on Israel. There is nothing to be
shy about regarding fundraising for efforts that counter this dependency
and do the work that needs to be done to advance Palestinian
steadfastness while on the long road to our freedom and independence.

Personally, I have
structured my life so I can spend 30% of my time in civil society
(speaking, writing, engaging with organizations, carrying out campaigns, etc.) In addition to the significant time spent doing all this, I annually donate 10-15% of my
income to humanitarian needs, personal cases in need, and civil society activities. This is just
the way I was raised. 

Thus, in hopes that I can lead by example, I
present below this year’s list of recommended efforts that are
worthy of support. Having some form of a relation with all of those
listed, I can attest to their validity. For those opportunities that provide U.S.
citizens with tax-deductible status, I have made a note.

Thank you in advance for considering.

Just CLICK ON THE LOGOS BELOW to go to the respective donate pages.

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For
starters, you may choose to support my own personal efforts, which range from
supporting individuals in need, donating to various not-for-profit organizations and others, donating to needy cases (with a big focus on education), as well as providing for the time
and travel costs to publicly speak and engage dozens of visiting foreign delegations.

 ___________________________________________

This past week, my wife and I joined the packed auditorium at the Palestine Red Crescent Society headquarters in the Al-Am’ari Refugee Camp in Al-Bireh to watch the Palestine premiere of the recently released documentary, Naila and the Uprising, which documents the First Intifada and the role women played in leading it, among other powerful themes. WOW! This film will be showing at a location near you soon and is not to be missed.

If
media interests you, Just Vision is just the place to support. Just
Vision produces documentaries, independent media and strategic public
engagement campaigns which aim to “increase the power and reach of
Palestinians and Israelis working to end the occupation and build a
future of freedom, dignity and equality for all.”

I’m proud to be a Just Vision board member and can tell you that this
outfit is professional, strategic, and has on board an absolutely
amazing group of people, both board and staff. As a board member, we each commit to raise a funds for the organization. So I reach out to you to help me reach my target. You can also purchase past productions here. Just Vision is a US tax-deductible entity.

 ___________________________________________

Yes, President Trump just made life much more difficult for Palestinians on the ground, but thankfully, Palestinians historically and today, clearly make the distinction between the American people and the U.S. Administration, These days, this distinction is more important than ever.

Americans
for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy (AVPE) is the Illinois-based
not-for-profit that I co-founded (and Chair) with my US partner, Edward
Thompson (President). We are focused on “Creating Business Relationships
Between Americans & Palestinians,” understanding that without
livelihoods Palestinians cannot be steadfast and counter all of the
Israeli occupation actions that are pushing people to “voluntarily”
leave or turn to violence.

For us, it’s not about “Economic Peace,” but
rather “Economic Survival.” 

AVPE is a US tax-deductible entity.

 ___________________________________________

Invest in Palestine’s First Policy Lab! See more here. We are very close to our target for this exciting new project and your support will get us there.

 As
an Al-Shabaka board member and  policy advisor, I can attest to the
strategic impact that Al-Shabaka’s knowledge products and networking is having in policy circles. 

Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network, is an independent,
non-partisan, and non-profit organization whose mission is to educate
and foster public debate on Palestinian human rights and
self-determination within the framework of international law. Al-Shabaka,
Arabic for “The Network,” is a think tank without borders or walls. To
support Palestinian voices from all walks of life to be heard, please
support our work. Al-Shabaka is a US tax-deductible entity.

___________________________________________

Encounter
is “an educa­tional orga­ni­za­tion that culti­vates informed Jewish
lead­er­ship on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” Their vision is “one
of genuine peace: an envi­ron­ment of safety and equity that embraces
the full dignity of all.”

A great number of my public speaking engagements are spent speaking to Jewish-American delegations brought to Palestine by Encounter. Having spoken to hundreds of their participants and engaging dozens more post their Encounter trip, I’m very proud to be associated with this outfit. It is hard to find an organization that takes its mission as serious as Encounter does.

I’ve volunteered with Encounter as one
of their many Palestinian speakers for nearly a decade. Their work to
educate Jewish American leaders and students, mainly rabbinical
students, about the occupation is of utmost importance. Additionally,
this team is professional, compassionate, and understands the supreme
value of education and listening. They deserve our support, especially
if you are from the Jewish community. Encounter is a US tax-deductible entity.

___________________________________________ 

Every year I try to add to my list an organization that breaks down all the stereotypes about Palestinians. This year it is SkateQilya, a youth empowerment program that uses skateboarding and art as tools to teach community building and leadership skills to Palestinian girls and boys in the West Bank. Knowing many in the powerhouse team behind this project, in particular, Mohammed Othman, Executive Director, and Adam Abel, Development Director, I can see this effort growing to every city and village in Palestine. 

The SkateQilya Educational Skate Program in Palestine fundraising campaign is almost there, so please pitch in to give these kids the ride of their lives.

___________________________________________

Thank you in advance for your generous support and, despite the reality on the ground during these difficult days in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and elsewhere across Palestine, Happy Holidays to all.

Best,

Sam

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