An Evening with Mitri Raheb

Friday, February 27, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Our Saviour's Campus

815 S Washington St

Naperville, IL 60540

Join us at 6 pm for special Palestinian music with Ronnie Malley, followed by presentation by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb in the sanctuary at 6:30 pm. The  presentation entitled "Rebuilding Hope after the Genocide" will highlight 22 female artists from Gaza who’s work will be displayed in the OSLC art gallery. 

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is the Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, Palestine, the Founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, and an internationally recognized author, theologian, pastor, and social entrepreneur committed to education, justice, and hope through the power of art and culture.

Hope and Hopelessness in the midst of Genocide

Join us for the presentation “Hope and Hopelessness in the Midst of Genocide,” hosted by Faith United Methodist Church, featuring Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb—Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, Palestine, Founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, and an internationally recognized author, theologian, pastor, and social entrepreneur committed to education, justice, and hope through the power of art and culture. Doors will open at 1:30 P.M., with the presentation beginning at 2:00 P.M.

Hope and Hopelessness in the midst of Genocide

Hosted by All Saints Church, featuring Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. Doors will open at 5:00 P.M., with the presentation beginning at 5:30 P.M. A reception will follow at 6:30 P.M. This is a free event.

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is the Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, Palestine, the Founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, and an internationally recognized author, theologian, pastor, and social entrepreneur committed to education, justice, and hope through the power of art and culture.

Join Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb for lunch at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church as he shares what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and how it affects Dar al-Kalima University. Mitri will discuss his new books and what theology looks like after the violence and devastation in Gaza. Be inspired by the resilience of Palestinians and hear how you can be the hope in Palestine.

Join Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb for lunch at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church as he shares what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and how it affects Dar al-Kalima University. Mitri will discuss his new books and what theology looks like after the violence and devastation in Gaza. Be inspired by the resilience of Palestinians and hear how you can be the hope in Palestine.

Bright Stars of Bethlehem will have a table at the Seraj Library Project for their Annual Taste of Palestine in Chicago on October 26, 2025. Featuring art work, food, and cultural experiences celebrating the richness of Palestine. Stop by the Bright Stars of Bethlehem table for information and Mitri's new book, Theology After Gaza.

Dr. Tala AlRaheb, the new Development Director for Bright Stars of Bethlehem, will be preaching about Peace at the 10:30 AM service. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Emory University, where she specialized in World Christianity.

On opening night, Tracie Ortman, Executive Director of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, will share stories of hope from Gaza and the West Bank. Pastor Andrew Daugherty, senior pastor of Pine Street, and Pastor Anne Scalfaro of Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, both serve on the Faith Leaders Advisory Council of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and are delighted to co-host this event.

Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, Dr. Raheb is most widely published Palestinian theologian to date. He is the author and editor of 50 books, and his work has received wide attention from major international media outlets and networks including CNN, ABC, CBS, 60 Minutes, BBC, ARD, ZDF, DW, BR, Premiere, Raiuno, Stern, The Economist, Newsweek, Al-Jazeera, al-Mayadin, RT, LBC, Vanity Fair, and others.

Join us for an engaging conversation centered on the topic of Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb’s forthcoming book, Theology After Gaza. Panelists will wrestle with the question of what theology must look like in light of the horrifying atrocities occurring in Gaza and throughout the West Bank.

Lunch and Learn at Columbia Theological Seminary

• Monday, September 15, 2025

• 12:30 PM  2:00 PM

• Columbia Theological Seminary701 South Columbia DriveDecatur, GA, 30030United States (map)

Bright Stars of Bethlehem warmly invites you to join us for our 6th annual virtual fundraising gala, the "Hope Abounds Gala." This inspiring evening will take place on Saturday, September 13th, at 5 P.M. PDT, 6 P.M. MDT, 7 P.M. CDT, and 8 P.M. EDT.

Get ready to be moved by captivating stories from the talented students of Dar al-Kalima University and hear inspiring updates from the ground in Palestine. Save the date by registering below, and be part of an evening filled with abounding hope!

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.