Bethlehem Association facts for kids
The Bethlehem Association is a special group that helps people connect with their family roots. It brings together people from all over the world who have family ties to the city of Bethlehem and nearby villages like Beit Jala and Beit Sahur. These places are in a region called the West Bank. The group is based in Pennsylvania, North America.
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What is the Bethlehem Association?
The Bethlehem Association is a non-profit organization. This means it doesn't aim to make money for itself. Instead, it uses its funds to help others. Its main goal is to keep the culture and history of the Bethlehem area alive. It also helps people remember their family heritage.
Connecting People
The Association helps people from Bethlehem and their descendants stay connected. It brings together families who now live far away. They might live in North America or other parts of the world. The group organizes fun social events for its members. These events help people meet and share their stories.
Helping the Community
The Bethlehem Association also works to help people in Bethlehem. It raises money for good causes there. For example, it helps fund charities that support the community. It also provides scholarships. These scholarships help young people in Bethlehem go to school or college.
How did it start?
The Bethlehem Association was started in 1985. A Palestinian-American doctor named Edward A. Hazboun helped create it. He and others wanted a way to preserve their heritage. They wanted to make sure the traditions and history of Bethlehem were not forgotten.
Annual Gatherings
The organization holds meetings every year. These meetings are called conventions. In 2007, they even held their annual convention in Bethlehem itself. This allowed members to visit their ancestral home. It was a chance to see the places their families came from.
