On Sunday, May 18th, at the 10 AM service, Tracie Ortman, Executive Director of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, will visit Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. She will provide a brief update on Gaza, the West Bank, and the impact that Prince of Peace is making for Dar al-Kalima University, the first and only university for arts, culture, and design in all of Palestine. Join us for exciting updates on the new Hospitality Education Center and hear about her experiences visiting Bethlehem in March—the good, the bad, and where hope abounds for 2025.

Join us for a unique opportunity to experience an Exhibit & Sale featuring the stunning paintings of internationally acclaimed Armenian-Palestinian artist Lucy Janjigian. This special event will take place from May 15 to May 17, 2025, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Art Gallery, located at 2620 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento, CA. The gallery will be open daily from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Join us for a unique opportunity to experience an Exhibit & Sale featuring the stunning paintings of internationally acclaimed Armenian-Palestinian artist Lucy Janjigian. This special event will take place from May 15 to May 17, 2025, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Art Gallery, located at 2620 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento, CA. The gallery will be open daily from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Join us for a unique opportunity to experience an Exhibit & Sale featuring the stunning paintings of internationally acclaimed Armenian-Palestinian artist Lucy Janjigian. This special event will take place from May 15 to May 17, 2025, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Art Gallery, located at 2620 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento, CA. The gallery will be open daily from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Bright Stars of Bethlehem’s Executive Director, Tracie Ortman delivered a 45-minute presentation to the Adult Forum at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Following the presentation, she made quick stops to meet clergy at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church and donors at Westminster Presbyterian, fostering a sense of unity and shared resolve.

On Saturday, Ortman participated in the ELCA Minneapolis Synod Assembly, hosting a table and sharing information about Bright Stars of Bethlehem with the nearly 400 attendees. Donna Goodlaxson, a prominent member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis and chair of the Racial Justice Committee, took center stage and gave a speech preceding a resolution regarding Palestine that would later be put to a vote. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, a testament to the community's commitment to advocating for the Palestinian people.

The exhibition, “Here the Bird’s journey Begins”, is a resonant yet elegant celebration of Palestinian visual and performing arts. It is an artful response to the silencing of Palestinian voices throughout the United States and showcases the generational fortitude within Palestine’s rich culture.

As we approach Holy Week and Easter, we invite you to join us virtually on Zoom for an enlightening discussion titled "Hope for a Nation on the Cross" with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University.

We launched #GivingTuesday with an inspiring update from Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb about the impactful work of the Hospitality Educational Center. This update was part of our event, "Serving at the Upper Room: Palestinian Hospitality at Its Best," where we celebrated the rich traditions of Palestinian hospitality and the vital services provided by the center.

20 Years of Hope! Isn't that incredible? We honor the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Bright Stars of Bethlehem by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. Be a part of our journey as we delve into the vibrant history of the Palestinian people and demonstrate our commitment to nurturing and empowering the future creative leaders of Palestine through our support for Dar al-Kalima University. Together, we strive to instill hope and create opportunities for the next generation.

We're excited to feature the talented Palestinian artist Lucy Janjigian, her recently published memoir, and her captivating paintings. This event is hosted by Bright Stars of Bethlehem and promises to be an inspiring showcase of art and unity.

What part might religion, politics and solidarity play in a solution moving forward? Join us for Bright Stars of Bethlehem’s compelling interfaith panel discussion featuring our visionary world changers, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Rabbi Brant Rosen, Dr. Iva Carruthers, and Dr. Rami Nashashibi, each bringing their own unique religious and political perspectives to the table. Bright Stars of Bethlehem will feature hopeful stories of how Dar al-Kalima University is empowering the next generation of creative leaders in Palestine, in the midst of genocide.