In late September a group of educators from the schools of the Latin Patriarchate (Roman Catholic Archdiocese) of Jerusalem will come to Cincinnati. The visit, sponsored by H.O.P.E. (Holy Land Outreach to Palestinian Educators), continues the interaction that began when teachers from Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati went to Bethlehem last summer. Twelve teachers from the Holy Land – six from the Palestinian Territories (the West Back), two from Galilee and four from Jordan – will drive to Columbus to attend the Ohio Catholic Education Association conference with the Ohio teachers, where together they will address school personnel from all over the state. In addition, the local teachers and the teachers from the Middle East will spend hours and days together, learning and laughing, sharing meals and skills, and making plans to continue their personal friendships and professional development long distance, when each has returned to his/her own school setting.
At the International Conference on Christians in the Holy Land convened in London by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Roman Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Williams said, “We cannot wait for politicians to sort things out. We have got to make a difference ourselves.”
These teachers are making a difference now, not waiting for others to sort things out.
With Open Doors 
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