A child’s first day of school is filled with anticipation. New faces to meet, new routines to learn, and a world of possibilities just beginning to unfold. Across the Diocese of Jerusalem, some children are taking their first small steps into a kindergarten classroom, while others are embarking on their final chapter of secondary school before crossing the graduation stage.
But the beginning of a new school year looks different than it did just a few years ago. Students, families, teachers, and staff continue to navigate challenges brought by violence, regional conflict, and economic hardship. Movement restrictions have made simply reaching the classroom difficult for many students. For others, the reality of the world outside often follows them through the school doors.
Despite these challenges, schools owned and operated by the Diocese remain deeply committed to celebrating their students with pride and welcoming them with care. Educators work intentionally to create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Welcoming Students Back
At the Arab Episcopal School (AES) in Irbid, Jordan, students returned to freshly painted classrooms and renovated school spaces, greeted by balloons, games, and a joyful celebration. Bright, colorful classrooms came alive with the energy and excitement of a new school year.
Kindergarten students at AES have fun meeting their new friends on the first day of school. Thanks to your support, young students can begin their educational journey in a welcoming environment filled with friendship, joy, and possibility.
In Nazareth, students at Christ Episcopal School were welcomed with music, decorations, and an atmosphere of joy and love. Students gathered in the schoolyard to reconnect with classmates, meet their teachers, and take part in fun activities to start the new school year.
Girls at Christ Episcopal School celebrate the first day of the school year together. Your generosity makes these moments of connection and learning possible.
And at the Episcopal Technological & Vocational Training Center (ETVTC) in Ramallah, many students began their final years of vocational school, preparing for the future through specialized tracks in Information Technology, Web Development, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality. Each year, ETVTC serves more than 300 students, equipping young people with practical, in-demand skills as they pursue their goals and prepare for the future.
ETVTC Director Giovanni Anbar welcomes students back for the 2026–2027 school year. Because of generous supporters like you, students can build the skills and confidence they need to pursue their goals.
These moments may seem simple: a freshly painted classroom, a teacher greeting a student, friends meeting again in the schoolyard, or a young person beginning the final years of their education. But in a region where multiple challenges continue to impact daily life, these milestones carry extraordinary significance.
The People Behind Each Classroom
As students, teachers, and school staff embark on another year together, we celebrate the educators who make these moments matter. Day after day, they support their students with patience, encouragement, and care, creating classrooms where they can learn, grow, discover their gifts, and feel a sense of belonging. Even when circumstances beyond the classroom are difficult, they continue to show up for their students, offering a steady presence and the opportunity to look toward the future with hope.
We know you join us in wishing every student across the Diocese a joyful and successful school year filled with new discoveries, meaningful friendships, and opportunities to grow.
A Future Worth Investing In
From the first day of kindergarten to the proud moment of crossing the graduation stage, each step represents years of learning, perseverance, and growth. Your generosity ensures that students can continue taking those steps toward a future filled with possibility.
When you give to “where the need is greatest,” you give the Diocese the flexibility to respond to emerging needs across the Holy Land, from education and healthcare to institutions serving children with disabilities. Your generosity ensures that resources can reach the communities and programs that need them most, as needs evolve.
This school year, help invest in the people and communities that make these futures possible.
Transforming lives of the vulnerable and displaced in the Middle East through support of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and its schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities
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