From fear to hope

Abraham Path Initiative Annual Report 2016

 Dear Friend,
First, please receive a heartfelt thanks for your
support this year! As we celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Abraham Path Initiative, it is
a moment to pinch ourselves and reflect on the
growth of the Abraham Path from a seemingly
impossible idea into a route with hundreds
of kilometers and thousands of walkers and a
supportive global community. Your generosity
has brought the path to places we never
imagined it could go.
Its also a particularly challenging and
tumultuous time in the world with the fear of
strangers on the rise. The Abraham Path is an
antidote to the climate of fear. Its purpose is to
dissolve fear and inspire hope one footstep
at a time. It gives us a chance to sit with the
question of how we, as individuals and as
societies, can begin to come together, step by
step, in this time of polarization.
I like to think of the journey on the Path as a
play with three acts. The first act is hearing the
call and walking into the unknown. The second
act is meeting and engaging with the other
and experiencing hospitality from the hands
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of perfect strangers. The third act is the stories
that we bring back, the larger more inclusive
perspective, helping us to better understand
the region, the world, and ourselves. Walk,
hospitality, and story are the three magical
ingredients that make a journey on the
Abraham Path so powerful.
The Abraham Path celebrates the spirit of
hospitality of the people who live along the path.
One of the innovative projects we sponsored
this year, The Mosaic Stories, is collecting the
precious stories and disappearing heritage of
the region, which is our heritage too, so that
they may be passed onto future generations.
this great common dream of ours, please
Against the odds, the Abraham Path cultural
route has continued to make good strides this
year. Our Palestinian partners, for example,
have made huge progress, including way-
marking 270 kilometers of trail in the West
Bank, a feat previously considered impossible.
Guides are being trained for the first time,
homestays are being created, and hundreds of
schoolchildren are discovering their country
for the first time.
The aBRAHAM PATH IS:
One story from the walk I took on the Abraham A cultural route stretching thousands of miles across the Middle East and
Path a few weeks ago touches me: one of our connecting the storied places associated with Abrahams ancient journey
beloved trail guides announced happily that
he was marrying a young woman from several
villages away, whom he had met through a A platform for cultural exchange and education, for sustainable
homestay host on the path. The bride, like the economic development through community-based tourism, and for
groom, just happened to live right on the path. media projects that shine a light on the rich hospitality and diverse
And, as a wedding gift, the bride requested a heritage of the region
pair of walking shoes so they can explore their
country together. Unlikely connections on an
unlikely journey on an unlikely path that is A global symbol, evoking the spirit of hospitality and
what the Abraham Path is all about and that is inspiring hope for humanity
what gives me hope for humanity.
For all that you do and will do to help realize
receive my deep gratitude. Step by step we will
make this path of kindness together.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in
seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust
William Ury | Chair & Co-Founder,
Abraham Path Initiative
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 FEATURED THIS YEAR IN: 2016: A birds eye view
36.1993, 37.15683
Page 7 The Mosaic Stories preserves intangible
heritage under threat

31.705387, 35.202438
The path page 5 The first class of trekking guides graduates
itself at Bethlehem University
carries 31.524721, 35.110717
the message. page 5 Waymarking of the Masar Ibrahim is completed

Brian Mockenhaupt for

28.538537, 33.974876
Backpacker, August 2016 page 9 Leon McCarron begins production on a film
series about his 1,000 mile journey

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 This fall the first-ever class of guides on the Masar Ibrahim
In July, the Masar
graduated at Bethlehem University from the Vocational Trekking
Ibrahim al-Khalil Guides Training Programme course. The program was developed
completed in partnership with the World Bank, the Abraham Path Initiative,
waymarking all French partner organisations AFRAT and Tetraktys, and the
321 km of trail Institute for Community Partnerships at Bethlehem University.
In addition to becoming experts on wilderness safety,
through the West
these guides are prepared to lead walkers through the
Bank. It can now
diverse regions where they are based, communicating
be navigated
their knowledge about the historical and cultural sites,
using the same
folktales and crafts, and flora and fauna along the trail.
international trail

markings used

in Europe and

North America.

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 Khaled Bako is a master oudmaker
Beginning in 2016, author and academic Stephanie Saldana
from Syria, who now owns a shop
called Cham Music in Paris.
Bilal Abu Khalaf sells Syrian textiles
in Jerusalem. Certain textiles from
Syria are favored for Palestinian
celebration garments, as well as Jewish
prayer shawls.
Vivien Sansour founded the
Palestinian Seed Library in order to
preserve disappearing heritage strains
of plants from throughout Palestine.
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has embarked on a two year journey throughout the Abraham
Path cultural route to collect and document stories from
communities whose cultural heritage is threatened. The
resulting archive focuses specifically on linguistic, cultural,
religious, and ethnic diversity that is under threat. The
Mosaic Stories is an interactive, multi-media catalog that
preserves and spreads awareness of these cultures,
making their stories accessible to future generations.
It also celebrates the heroes, both in the Middle
East and among the diaspora, who are making
great sacrifices to preserve this intangible
heritage. You can view their creations, hear
their languages and songs, and learn about
their lives at mosaicstories.org.
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 In April, Northern Irish adventurer Leon McCarron completed his
To walk is to
journey across the Middle East, walking over 1,000 miles. Documented
be constantly on walkthemasar.com, Leon experienced the extraordinary
hospitality of the region, in communities ranging from towns and
humbled; by villages, to Bedouin communities and refugee camps. At the top
of Mt. Sinai, his walk concluded, but his work had just begun.
landscapes,
In partnership with API, Leon is producing a series of films that
by emotions, will tell the story of Abrahamic hospitality in all its forms.
He will also write an accompanying book that will allow
by people. By readers around the world to follow his entire journey
in detail. Sponsoring professional expeditions like
gestures and
Leons thru-hike of the Middle East help API bring the
kindnesses. culture, natural beauty, cuisine, and hospitality of the
region to new audiences. Were already thinking
Leon McCarron about where to explore next.
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 We owe our deepest gratitude to those who donated in 2016:
The Abraham Path is supported by a global network
Judith Ansara & Robert Gass Robert & Joan Feitler Dominik Knill James K. Sebenius & Nancy Buck
of people who contribute time, money, and expertise to Sergio Atallah James Patrick Finerty David Lax Stefan Schtz
developing the cultural route and promoting our values William Bache Tirzah Firestone & David Friedman Teresa Legregni & Dan Swanson Ross Sherbrooke
David Baum The Flora Family Foundation Martin Linsky Dick Simon
of understanding, hope, and respect for the Other. This Mark Biddle Mimi Frankel Debbie & Thomas Lund Charles Steinberg & Torkin Wakefield
Todd & Tatiana Blackington James Morris Friedell Steve MacLellan & Miriam Waltz Joke Szepesi-van Rees
years accomplishments would not have been possible Charles & Jonelle Boteler Stephen Goldberg Jamil Mahuad Nelson Teixeira
without our partners in the region, trail experts and Ellen Brock & Larry Kaptein Thomas & Claire Lieberman Goulding Veronica Martini Peter & Barbara Thornton
Michael Bullinger Catherine & Matthew Grainger Anisa Mehdi & Peter Zimmermann Mark Tinglof
enthusiasts around the world, and community leaders James Carty Paul & Dedrea Gray Conner Middelmann Andrew & Lucie Ury
Roy Case Reggie Gray Elizabeth Mirante Elizabeth Ury
who organize people around this message of hope. Alexandre Chade Marcia Greenblatt Christian Modern William & Lizanne Ury
Urs & Louisa Chan Boegli Susan Hackley & Paul Henry Thomas Modern Sharon & Leaf van Boven
From a conference in Switzerland hosted by the Cathy Chen-Ortega Nohad Harati David Norminton Stefan Szepesi & Kirsten Asmus
Ron Claman & Tova Jacober Frances & Timothy Hester Shelby & Darcie Notkin Stewart Walker
University of Geneva, to an annual run through
David Cohen Imaginal Labs LLC Jamie & Anita Orlikoff Werner Weil
the streets of So Paulo, to the British Guild Bert and Barbara Cohn Lynn Israel Brooke Peterson Josh Weiss
Michael Collins & Beverly Freeman Arnie Jacobson & Victoria Johns Oliver Pospisil Jerry White
of Travel Writers Tourism Awards, 2016 Marcel & Cynda Collins Arsenault Susan Jinnett-Sack Neil & Trudie Prior Rick & Rebecca White
Ellen Dale & Kerry Kring Virginia Jordan Ilene Rusk
brought the Abraham Path to places we The Whitehead Foundation
Paola De Santiago Haas Ron & Sue Kertzner Raed Saadeh Andrew & Sarah Wilson
never imagined it could go. Peggy Dulany Linda King-Tirpak Elish Sari Mark Yolleck
Krzysztof Dziedzic Susan Klemt Lionel & Ariane Sauvage Aseel Zahran
Keith & Lorraine Fairmont Saadi Neil D. Klotz Ivan Schouker & Cynthia Anderson Anonymous

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 2015 Financial InfoRMATION Our work would not be possible without the leadership and
Board of Directors commitment of our Board of Directors:
ABRAHAM PATH INITIATIVE GLOBAL BOARD:
William Ury | Chair
Anisa Mehdi | Vice-Chair
Raed Saadeh | Vice-Chair
Board members, team, and Mona Adeljawad
friends walking in Sebastia
Alexandre Chade
Total Income Expenses: Paul Gray
$1,596,139 $1,531,455 David Lax
Jamil Mahuad
James Sebenius
Ivan Schouker
Stefan Szepesi
Josh Weiss
Aseel Zahran

World Bank Income: 47.9% Administration & FUNDRAISING: 17% ABRAHAM PATH INITIATIVE EUROPE:
Louise Sibley | Chair
Other Institutional Income + Interest: 1.7% Program COSTS: 83%
Stefan Szepesi
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS: 48.8% Lionel Sauvage
In-Kind Donations: 1.6% Ivan Schouker
Han Valk
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 Partners

USA Mailing Address: USA Physical Address: UK FRIENDS OF ABRAHAM PATH: Abraham Path Initiative EUROPE:
Abraham Path Initiative Abraham Path Initiative Friends of Abraham Path Rotterdam, the Netherlands
PO Box 473 1563 Massachusetts Ave 7 Mill Plat, Isleworth www.AbrahamPath.nl
Concord, MA 01742 Cambridge, MA 02138 London TW7 6DY
USA USA United Kingdom

www.AbrahamPathInitiative.org
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