2008 Press Releases
Press Release
December 23, 2008
Jerusalem
For Immediate Release
U.S. Consulate’s Annual Donation Expands Jericho American Corner’s Book and Film Collection American
Corner Staff Encourage the Public to Stop by and Enjoy the Materials
U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem staff joined Jericho mayor Mr. Hassan Saleh in celebrating the arrival of the annual replenishment of books, DVDs and programming funds for the American Corner at Jericho’s Municipal Library, which is supported by the U.S. Government. The materials included over 430 new books (including over 200 elementary school titles in Arabic), 40 new film DVDs, $3,000 in programming funds, and $3,000 for English classes. The goal of the Corner, which opened in 2006, is to share the story of the United States and expand Palestinians’ understanding of American society, values and culture. The Corner also seeks to stimulate an open dialogue on issues of mutual concern to Americans and Palestinians and to build bridges of understanding across the two cultures.
The American Corner in Jericho has a permanent collection including hundreds of American-authored and U.S.-themed books, and dozens of American movies on DVD. The Corner also boasts information about study opportunities in the United States maintained by local organization AMIDEAST. It hosts numerous youth activities such as two after-school English language classes for local students, semi-monthly screenings of American movies, a monthly book club, story telling, Ramadan celebrations, quiz events, writing workshops, environmental awareness events, and much more. For adults, the Corner has hosted teacher and librarian training workshops, a Mother’s Day event, and presentations by Jericho residents about their experiences in the United States as participants in U.S. government exchange programs.
Speaking at an event hosted by the American Corner on December 23 to celebrate the arrival of this year’s materials, the U.S. Consulate’s Consul for Press and Cultural Affairs, Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, praised the Jericho Municipal Library staff for their efforts to use the American Corner resources and create opportunities for the residents of Jericho to visit the Corner. Mayor Saleh echoed Ms. Schweitzer-Bluhm’s praise and invited all residents of Jericho to visit the Library and the American Corner. He thanked the Consulate General for its continued support of the American Corner and generosity to the people of Jericho.
For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909 or Press Specialist Naser Ideis at 054-542-0943.
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