Women in Courage Scholarship
The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA is dedicated to accompaniment, advocacy, and raising awareness about the Holy Land. We are committed to supporting the Palestinian people, particularly Palestinian Christians, who are an Indigenous minority integral to Palestinian society. We believe that true and lasting peace for all Palestinians and Israelis can only be achieved when justice prevails in the Holy Land—when the occupation ends and human rights are restored to the Palestinian people.
In 2023, the Southeastern ELCA established an endowed scholarship in partnership with BSB, supported by an initial donation of $20,000. This scholarship reflects our commitment to the women of Dar al-Kalima University (DAK), who face the ongoing challenges of the occupation while excelling in their education and careers.
Achieving gender equality and empowering Palestinian women in all aspects of life are central to the philosophy and values of Dar al-Kalima University. Since its founding in 1995, the Women’s Studies Program has been the first of its kind, focusing on raising awareness of women’s rights and issues. The University continues to provide education and leadership opportunities, promote discussions on equity, ensure a safe learning environment, and encourage women to explore a variety of careers in the arts, empowering them to overcome societal barriers.
Najwa Raheb
This scholarship is established in Najwa Raheb's honor to empower young women pursuing higher education at Dar al-Kalima University. Born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine, she holds a degree in business administration and has been working for over twenty years as a finance officer at a university in Bethlehem. She led the Women's Committee at Christmas Lutheran Church for 30 years and spearheaded and conducted the first bell choir in the Middle East. She is also an accomplished pianist.
Najwa's leadership inspires the next generation of female leaders at Dar al-Kalima University. With women representing half of the University Board, 75% of the Vice Presidents, and half of the Deans, the leadership stands as a testament to female empowerment. Nearly half of the staff members are female, fostering an inclusive environment for the student body, which is composed of 63% female students. Providing scholarships like this continues to highlight the importance of female leaders in all careers and the expertise they bring.
“Throughout the generations, women are pivotal to all aspects of our life. We give thanks for the witness of Najwa Raheb and all women of faith. We hope that you will join the Southeastern Synod in our work to provide scholarships for women to attend the University and continue making pivotal impacts for generations to come.”
— Bishop Kevin L. Strickland
Give Courage
In our efforts to honor the voices and lived experiences of our Palestinian neighbors, we are particularly focusing on the women of Palestine. We acknowledge that the integrity of women and girls around the world is often violated or compromised on physical, intellectual, economic, spiritual, and emotional levels. This is why we are supporting a scholarship for female students at Dar al-Kalima University.
Dar al-Kalima University is in urgent need of scholarships. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we invite you to help us bring the Southeastern Synod ELCA Women in Courage Scholarship in Honor of Najwa Raheb to life. The Southeastern Synod has committed $20,000 in seed money to establish this endowed scholarship, with a goal of raising $100,000 by the end of 2026. This funding will allow us to award a $5,000 scholarship annually.
We encourage you to consider making a contribution, either as a congregation or as individuals, so that we can come together to support the next generation of creative female leaders in Palestine.
