Lutheran Schools Hold Annual Football Tournament

Under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, the tournament was organized by ELJCHL Education Director Eva Azar, the principals of the three schools, and the sports teachers.

Students from Dar al Kalima Lutheran School in Bethlehem, ELS Beit Sahour, and Talitha Kumi Lutheran School in Beit Jala played several friendly matches to compete for the Bishop’s Cup. This year the team from Talitha Kumi won first place. ELS Beit Sahour were the runners up, and Dar Al-Kalima took third place.

 

This annual tradition is a favorite for students and teachers alike from our schools. In year's past, the tournament has had a very festive atmosphere, with large groups of students from each of the four schools joining to provide moral support and cheering sections. However, restrictions of movement and safety concerns over the last few years have limited the scope of the event. In 2023, the tournament was cancelled due to the start of the war in Gaza. The tournament resumed in the fall of 2024 at a smaller scale.

 

We were disappointed that students from the School of Hope in Ramallah were not able to join the tournament again this year, as the Ministry of Education has determined travel with students between districts in the West Bank remains unsafe. They were also not able to join the tournament in 2024. However, the School of Hope will hold their own tournament in the coming weeks.

 

Despite the ongoing challenging situation for Palestinians, we are glad to be able to host a morning of friendly competition and fun for our students. Many of these students are struggling with the intense impact of the war on their lives. Some of our students face difficulties reaching school each morning, as they are required to cross multiple Israeli military checkpoints. This has resulted in a high rate of absenses and late arrivals, which impacts students' education. Many others have parents who have lost jobs either because they do not have permits to cross to Jerusalem for work, or because of the sharp decline in tourism. This is especially true in the Bethlehem area, which heavily relies on tourism. All of our students are dealing with the psychological burden of two years of devastating war and an uncertain future. 

 

As we continue to keep our schools open to provide education, activities, and safe spaces for our students, we pray continuously for justice and peace to come.