Dear <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name,<p style="box-sizing:inherit;width:773.987px;color:rgb(65, 65, 65);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.25px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> We thank you from the bottom of our heart. This donation greatly helps our collective mission. If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer, or talk to your friends about our cause!<p style="box-sizing:inherit;width:773.987px;color:rgb(65, 65, 65);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.25px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> Many blessings,Jesse Steven Wheeler, M.Div.jessewheeler@fosna.orgFOSNA: A Christian Voice for Palestine<p style="box-sizing:inherit;width:773.987px;color:rgb(65, 65, 65);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.25px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><a>www.fosna.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1699405280/w45pe1nsowo6pvhxhixd.jpg" style="width:343px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto 5px 0px;text-align:left;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />

Thank you for fundraising with us this year again! Here is more information.

“Hatred Will Vanish”: Embracing the True Message of Christmas Growing up in Ramallah, Palestine, as a third-generation refugee, I would wait with anticipation each year during the Christmas Eve mass for the singing of the Arabic hymn, Layalat Al-Milad (“On Christmas Night”). The hymn promises that on Christmas Eve, “Hatred will vanish, the earth will bloom, war will be buried, and love will be born.” The hymn further details how we, as Christians, must embrace the true message of Christmas by offering a glass of water to those who are thirsty, clothing a naked person with a gown of love, wiping tears from weeping eyes, and filling the hearts of all with hope. Finally, it speaks of our personal responsibility in this, by refraining from hypocrisy, ridding ourselves of the spirit of revenge, and softening our hearts as our souls melt into God.   This hymn is deeply personal to me. Singing it made me feel seen and heard as a Palestinian, by acknowledging the decades-long suffering and injustices we have endured. It directly attacks the very notion of war and points to acts of love and compassion as the only path in overcoming hate. This is easier said than done, yet it is essential for understanding the true meaning of Christmas. The hymn also provides a plan of action for the darkest of times, prompting us to not only acknowledge and empathize with the suffering of others but take action to alleviate such suffering as an expression of God’s love. Sadly, this Christmas, the hymn’s promises seem painfully far-fetched as Palestinians continue to be subjected to the most intense escalation of violence we have seen. For years, I have found that the Advent and Christmas story parallels the Palestinian experience: Mary and Joseph’s displacement to Bethlehem from Nazareth, the closing of all doors that would grant Mary the dignity of giving birth to the Son of God, forcible postpartum transfer to Egypt, and the subsequent marginalization and rejection of Jesus and his revolutionary teachings about the power of altruistic love and personal sacrifice in the face of hatred, oppression, and injustice. Mary, like many Palestinian mothers, was resilient in the face of a system that discriminated against her and her newborn child. Like so many mothers in Palestine, she would later experience the tragic loss of her son, who fell victim to an unholy alliance of corrupt religion, violent imperial power, self-interest, and greed. As he takes upon himself all of the cruelty, humiliation, and death-dealing violence that the empire has to offer, we put our hope in his resurrection for salvation and victory. Today, our suffering intensifies, and we fear that despair and hopelessness will overtake us. Palestinians – children, mothers, fathers, young and old, continue to be denied their most basic right to exist. The continuous dehumanization of the entire indigenous population in Palestine leaves many defeated and speechless. The callous disregard from the world powers witnessing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and yet another catastrophe of forcible transfer is unspeakable. The lack of action taken to protect innocent lives challenges our collective morality. Yet, now more than ever, we are charged with embodying the true meaning of Christmas, through actions of love, compassion, and support. We must undertake our individual and collective responsibility for bringing an end to all suffering and the elimination of injustice. Only by our determination  to live and act with selfless love can we restore hope to those most in need of security, water, food, shelter, dignity, and the right to be… to exist… to live… and to prosper!  This Christmas season, we are asking for your support. Partner with the critical work of FOSNA in the US and help amplify and support the essential witness of Sabeel, Jerusalem. The importance of our work is greater than it has ever been. With your support, Palestinian Christians can continue to practice steadfastness (Sumud) in the face of the ongoing atrocities and genocide! Your support tells them that the world sees them, hears them, and loves them. May we all come to embrace the true message of Christmas! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1699404945/lhffib9cuct634cibwtl.jpg" style="width:95px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:bottom;margin:5px 0px;text-align:left;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;float:left;max-width:100%" />  Sincerely,  Saleem Alhabash Co-Chair FOSNA Board of Trustees <hr /> Layalat Al-Milad On the night of Christmas, hatred will vanish On the night of Christmas, the earth blooms On the night of Christmas, war is buried On the night of Christmas, love is bornWhen we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person, we are in Christmas When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love, we are in Christmas When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes, we are in Christmas When we cushion a hopeless heart with love, we are in ChristmasWhen I kiss a friend without hypocrisy, I am in Christmas When the spirit of revenge dies in me, I am in Christmas When hardness is gone from my heart, I am in Christmas When my soul melts in the being of God, I am in Christmas<hr /><a href="https://www.bethlehemnicolaicons.com/en/" target="_blank">Icon Author: Nicola Juha of Bethlehem</a>

Hatred Will Vanish: 2023 Christmas Appeal

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Friends of Sabeel North America

### Context Profile for Friends of Sabeel North America

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is dedicated to promoting a just peace in the Holy Land through advocacy, education, and action. Their mission is rooted in the principles of justice, peace, and reconciliation, emphasizing the need for a nonviolent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. FOSNA seeks to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinians and to support their rights through various initiatives and partnerships.

#### 2. Type of Activities
FOSNA engages in a variety of activities, including:
- **Advocacy Campaigns**: Mobilizing support for Palestinian rights and justice.
- **Educational Programs**: Hosting workshops, lectures, and events to inform the public about the situation in the Holy Land.
- **Delegations**: Organizing trips to the region for firsthand experiences and insights.
- **Fundraising Events**: Conducting campaigns to support their initiatives, such as the "Catholic Worker Advent Delegation."
- **Community Engagement**: Collaborating with churches and organizations to foster dialogue and understanding.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by FOSNA is:
- **Inspiring and Urgent**: The language often conveys a sense of urgency regarding the need for justice and peace.
- **Friendly and Approachable**: Communications are generally warm, inviting, and inclusive.
- **Informative and Professional**: While maintaining a friendly tone, the content is also educational, providing detailed information about their cause and activities.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
FOSNA does not prominently use emojis in their communications. Their focus remains on clear and professional language to convey their messages effectively, particularly in formal contexts like emails and campaign materials.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information**: FOSNA was established to support the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem.
- **Scale**: The organization has a significant outreach, with 240 total forms and 90 total email campaigns indicating active engagement with supporters.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, FOSNA emphasizes the importance of advocacy and education in their mission.
- **Volunteer Information**: Opportunities for volunteering are likely available, as the organization engages with community members and supporters in various capacities.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Conciseness**: Communications should be straightforward and to the point, avoiding overly complex language.
- **Engaging and Motivational**: Use language that inspires action and encourages involvement in their cause.
- **Educational Content**: Provide context and background information to help supporters understand the issues at hand.
- **Call to Action**: Each piece of communication should include a clear call to action, whether it be to donate, participate in an event, or spread awareness.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for generating tailored content that aligns with the mission, tone, and activities of Friends of Sabeel North America.

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Friends of Sabeel North America

Hatred Will Vanish: 2023 Christmas Appeal

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