Speaker Request

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

Co-Founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem / President of Dar al-Kalima University

Born and raised in Palestine, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is a co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem. He currently serves as the president of Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture. Previously, he was the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the president and founder of Diyar Consortium, a Lutheran-based organization serving the Palestinian community. Described as the most widely published Palestinian theologian, Rev. Raheb is the author and editor of more than forty books. His publications have been translated into eleven languages. He is an internationally acclaimed speaker who has appeared before the U.S. Congress, German Bundestag, European Union, and Scandinavian and Dutch parliaments. He has given lectures at universities around the world, including Yale, Harvard, and Princeton, among others. He has presented keynote speeches at major festivals and summits like the National Prayer Breakfast and the World Conference on Religion and Peace. Rev. Raheb has appeared in many major international media outlets, including CNN, ABC, BBC, Al-Jazeera, The Economist, and Newsweek. He was featured in a 2012 segment on the CBS program 60 Minutes about Christians in the Holy Land. 

Linda Edens

Vice Chair

Linda Edens is a retired speech pathologist, having had her own private practice. She was a member a neurodevelopment diagnostic team in Chicago. In 2016, she visited Palestine with her Palestinian-born pastor, and was introduced to Mitri Raheb and the hope in action at Dar-al-Kalima University. This moved her to become involved with Bright Stars of Bethlehem, and joined the board in 2018. She holds the position of Authentic Travel Liaison for the board, committing to assisting individuals and groups interested in traveling to Palestine. Linda represents Bright Stars by speaking to groups about the current situation in Palestine. She fully commits to advocating for human rights for all, and participates in various social justice efforts in Chicago. Linda is currently working on an advanced degree in Trauma Informed Leadership to further support her work with those in Chicago, and Palestine. She lives in downtown Chicago with her husband Ed.

Bright Stars of Bethlehem Presentations:

Genocide on Gaza: Root Causes & Hope Through Arts Education in Palestine

This one-hour presentation features a compelling overview of root causes and the catastrophic impact surrounding the genocide unfolding in Gaza since October 7, 2023.  Presenters will also explore current Palestinian human rights violations and educational/economic repercussions happening in the occupied West Bank as a result of the ongoing genocide.  True student stories will be shared, illustrating how a unique Bethlehem-based arts and culture university is empowering the next generation of creative Palestinian leaders to rise up amid crisis. Hope is What We DO is the motto of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, and the presentation will inspire the audience to understand what’s going on and take action to bring hope to our resilient friends in Palestine.

Be the HOPE: Understanding Palestine and Taking Action

A one-hour presentation, perfect for a group with limited knowledge of the occupation of Palestine, who also wants to “meet” the people. This presentation provides a precursor to what has happened since 1948 to now and how it has shaped the region and the people living in it. Featuring the true stories of Dar al-Kalima University students and their families, this presentation looks to inspire attendees with ways they can take action to help promote peace and justice for the next generation of creative leaders in Palestine.
 

Palestinian Films: The Next Generation of Creative Leaders in Action

This presentation is adaptable to your needs and time frame. It can range from a 30-minute presentation to a 90-minute presentation. Films will be recommended based on the age range and knowledge level of your group. This focuses on the creative resistance of the Palestinian people while highlighting the struggles they face. Presentations start with information on the filmmakers, our very own Dar al-Kalima University students, and then transition into the short films which are followed by small group discussion.
 

Authentic Travel: Meeting the “Living Stones” in the Holy Land

This one-hour presentation is for the group that wants to visit the Holy Land but go beyond exploring ancient sites and historical monuments.Rather than simply sending tourists to see these “dead stones” and sites of the Holy Land, this presentation encourages authentic, life-changing travel that focuses on deep engagement with the people of the region. This presentation will share Bright Stars of Bethlehem’s support of hospitality and tourism education as a means of supporting the employment of young Palestinians in what is a lucrative and growing market. It is recommended that groups interested in this presentation work with the Bright Stars of Bethlehem Vice Chair, and Authentic Travel Liaison, Linda Edens before the presentation to discuss dates for a trip and to better understand your group’s travel history to the Holy Land. 

Request a Speaker

If you would like a Bright Stars of Bethlehem member to speak at your engagement, please use the following request form. All inquiries will be answered within one week's time. Thank you for your consideration.

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