Social services and Educational Institutions

Visiting a social service or educational institution run by Christians gives you an idea of the extensive influence of the small Christian community. If you are making all of your arrangements yourself, you can contact these groups in advance, but if a travel agent, church representative or non-governmental agency is making up your arrangements, let them do the contacts. It is less confusing if only one person makes all scheduling arrangements. 

Please be sure to make a donation as part of your visit.  Many of these groups operate on a shoestring and time spent with you is time not spent on other work. A more comprehensive list is available through the Christian Information Center but these groups are known to welcome English-speaking visitors.  Because of the Israeli incursions in 2002, some of these groups may be closed.  Be sure to check in advance.  The + before telephone and fax numbers means to use your country's international code before dialing.

Bethlehem Bible College (A training school [somewhat conservative] for local church workers and Christian institutions)
    POB 127, Hebron Rd.
    Bethlehem, West Bank, via Israel
    Tel.:+972-2-274-1190; Fax: +972-2-274-3278
    Email: info@bethlehembiblecollege.edu
    Website: www.bethlehembiblecollege.edu

Four Homes of Mercy (One home, in Bethany, is for people of all ages with severe retardation)
    POB 19185, New Gate Post Office, Old City, Jerusalem
    Tel.: +972-2-628-2076 ; Fax: +972-2-627-4871
    Email: homes4@netvision.net.il
    Website: www.fourhomesofmercy.com

Helen Keller School MAY NOT STILL EXIST (A school working with children with sight disabilities.)
    Main Street, Beit Hanina
    Jerusalem
    Tel. +972-2-583-3841; Fax: +972-2-585-4616

Hope Secondary School  (A school for boys and girls, including mainstreamed children with disabilities)
    POB 5
    Beit Jala, West Bank, via Israel
    Fax: +972-2-274-4332

House of Hope (A haven for people with disabilities including the blind and those with mental disabilities)
    Hebron Road, POB 27
    Bethlehem, West Bank, via Israel
    POB 11526, Gilo 91114, Jerusalem
    Tel: 972-2-274-2325
    Fax: +972-2-274-0928
    Email: houseofhopeMD@palnet.com

Open House (Center for Jews, Christians and Muslims through children's and youth activities)
    Klausner Street 1
    Ramle 74232
    POB 26187
    Jerusalem 91261
    Tel.: +972-8-922-1874; Fax: +972-2-643-6490
    Email: ylandau@actcom.co.il

Peace Center for the Blind (A rehabilitation center for women.  Machine knitting, handicrafts, Braille etc.)     
    POB 19103
    Jerusalem (on the road to Ramallah)
    Tel: +972-2-582-1222and 581-8128; Fax: +972-2-581-3445
    Email: PC4B@netvision.net.il

Princess Basma Rehabilitation Center (May not exist any more)(A rehabilitation center on the Mt. of Olives for children with disabilities. Originally started for Intifada injuries.)
    POB 19764, Mt. Of Olives
    Jerusalem
    Tel.: +972-2-628-3058; Fax: +972-2-627-4449

Al-Rawdat Al-Zahur School (A primary school in East Jerusalem for boys and girls.)
    Ali Ben Abi Taleb St. (at back of parking lot)
    POB 19796
    Jerusalem
    Tel: 972-2-628-2062; Fax: 972-2-583-3853 and 4058
    Email: info@rawdat.org
    Website: www.rawdat.org

S.O.S. Children Village  (A living space for children without homes or family)
    El Karkafa St., POB 137
    Bethlehem, West Bank, via Israel
    Tel: +972-2-274-2267; Fax: +972-2-274-5179
    Email: SOSBeth@p-ol.com

Spafford Children's Center (medical services for children)
    Hart Sa'adiyeh. Old City
    POB 19991, Old City, Jerusalem 97500
    Tel: +972-2-6284875; Fax: +972-2-6282631
    Email: spafford@jrol.com;  website: www.spafford-kids.org

Talitha Kumi School  (A Lutheran secondary school)
    Talitha Kumi Street, POB 7
    Beit Jala, West Bank, via Israel
    Tel.: +972-2-274-1247/5160; Fax: +972-2-274-1847
    Email: Talith@p-ol.com; Website: www.talithakumi.org

YMCA (East)
   29 Nablus Rd.
   POB 19023, Jerusalem
   Tel: +972-2-628-6888 and 627-7966; Fax: +972-2-627-6301
   Email: jmaja@east-jerusalem-ymca.org; Webstie: www.east-jerusalem-ymca.org

The YMCA Rehabilitation Program
(Founded for the victims of the Intifada, the program includes vocational rehabilitation, social adjustment and mental health.  It was damaged by Israeli shelling in 2000 and 2001.)
    Field of the Shepherds, YMCA St.
    POB 73
    Beit Sahour, West Bank, via Israel
    Tel.:+972- 277-2185 and 2186; Fax: +972-2-277-2203
    Email: ymcarp@shepherdsfieldymca.org
    Wesbite: www.shepherdsfieldymca.org

YWCA
    Ibn Jubeir St., Wadi Joz, Sheikh Jarrah
    POB 20044
    Jerusalem
    Tel.: +972-2-628-2593; Fax: +972-2-628-4654
    Email: YWCA@YWCA-Palestine.org