The Orthodox Philanthropic Society - Jaffa
About the Society
An Arab Christian Orthodox society whose board is elected every two years by members of the community. It serves a parish of 4,000 people and represents them in religious and official government forums.
A long-established society founded in 1879, legally registered under number 5-229-008-58, and falling within the framework of voluntary associations that do not seek material profit. All members of its board and of the boards of the institutions under its care are volunteers.
Current board
- Society president: Mario Dick
- Vice president: Rania Hamati
- Treasurer: George Khoury
- Secretariat: Najla Madbak
- Other committee members: Rami Mansour, Fayeq Abu Minna, Fayeqa Maroun, Michel Saseen, Semaan Batshoun.
Presidents of the Society since 1948: Issa Sawabini, Yacoub Hanania, Yousef Dick, Gabi Qadis, Peter Habash, Victor Zakkak, Mario Dick.
The Society’s aims
The Society’s aims are to raise donations and lease community property, and to allocate the funds collected to the following purposes:
- Representing the Arab Orthodox community before governmental and private institutions, and supervising and monitoring its public affairs.
- Supporting the Society’s schools and institutions, whether existing or to be established in the future, as institutions belonging to the Society and operating within its framework.
- Supporting any social, cultural, or charitable project or initiative adopted by the Society.
- Charity and benevolence.
- Sound management and growth of the Society’s funds by directing them toward movable and immovable property.
- Managing, guarding, and maintaining community property, including churches, cemeteries, places of worship, clubs, and Orthodox institutions.
- Supporting school students, as well as providing scholarships for university students.
- Overseeing burial arrangements for members of the community, as well as guarding and maintaining the cemeteries.
- Preserving the Arab Christian presence in Jaffa and strengthening its role as an active, essential part of Jaffa’s communal fabric without diminishing its standing.
Resources and properties
The Society’s main income comes from leasing a number of shops and Society properties, as well as donations from the people of Jaffa in general and members of the community in particular. The Society receives no financial support or assistance from government institutions; it relies solely on its own resources to achieve its aims and carry out its activities — resources that are not sufficient to cover all of its projects and needs.
It is worth noting that St. George’s Church (Al-Khader), the community cemetery, and the Orthodox Club building are all among the Society’s properties, and the Society is responsible for their maintenance and supervision.
Under the Society’s care
- the St. George Society – Jaffa · Founded in 1896
- Orthodox Ladies’ Society for Orphan Support – Jaffa · Founded in 1910
- Orthodox Club – Jaffa · Founded in 1924
- Orthodox Club Scouts – Jaffa · Founded in 1961
Cultural activities
The Society is committed to enriching the cultural life of its members and of the people of Jaffa by organizing diverse activities and events that coincide with religious, social, and cultural occasions, as well as scouting and youth activities suited to the various age groups in the community. Among the most prominent of these activities:
- Activities for the Golden Age: including lectures, cultural and recreational activities, and artistic evenings.
- Educational and recreational trips for various groups.
- Orthodox Club Scouts It has about 500, members and is supervised by young volunteer leaders. It organizes scouting events throughout the year and supports musical groups, as well as summer and scouting camps, with participants from the various communities of Jaffa in an educational and recreational setting.
- Strengthening educational support by continuing to provide academic assistance to students throughout the school year.
- Attention to religious formation by teaching the principles of the Christian faith and providing religious guidance through Sunday School activities.
