Bright Stars of Bethlehem

10/12/2026

Yes, students at Dar al-Kalima University go on field trips, too! And these experiences take learning to a whole new level.

At Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, education doesn't stop at the classroom door. Recently, Architecture and Interior Design students traded their classrooms for a hands-on learning experience at the Construction Industries Expo in Hebron, accompanied by their professors and in collaboration with the Palestinian Engineers Syndicate, Bethlehem branch.

From exploring innovative building materials and construction technologies to discovering how design concepts become real-world structures, students had the opportunity to connect what they're learning in their studies with the industries they may one day work in. They engaged with the practical side of architecture and interior design, gaining a deeper understanding of how materials, manufacturing, and technology influence the creative process.

This is what investing in Palestinian higher education looks like. It's more than textbooks, lectures, and exams. It's creating opportunities for young Palestinians to explore their interests, develop professional skills, build connections, and envision their futures. At Bright Stars of Bethlehem, we're proud to support an institution where creativity, education, and practical experience come together to prepare the next generation of Palestinian architects, designers, and innovators.

Hope is what we do.

Learn more about Dar al-Kalima University and the students shaping Palestine's future at www.brightstarsbethlehem.org.

10/09/2026

"Art and culture are not a luxury for us in Palestine—they are a means of resistance and survival. At Dar al-Kalima University, we believe that creativity is the language of freedom, and that empowering Palestinian youth with the tools of artistic expression is our mission and our cause." - Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

10/08/2026

What happens when art becomes more than something we create, but a way to preserve our stories, our memories, and our very existence?

Lilies of Gaza: Women Artists in Times of War, published by Dar al-Kalima University Press, is the result of months of dedication, resilience, and artistic collaboration. Compiled by Dr. Inas Salem Deeb, educator at Dar al-Kalima University, and Rana Al Batrawi, Director of the Dar al-Kalima University Gaza Training Center, this extraordinary publication brings together the voices of 22 Palestinian women artists whose creativity and determination endure amid unimaginable hardship. Today, Tala AlRaheb shares the words of one of these remarkable women, Dina Mattar, whose testimony reminds us that even in the most devastating circumstances, the desire to create, express, and preserve one's story remains powerful.

For Palestinians, art is a language that transcends borders. It preserves memory, resists erasure, and carries stories that need to be heard around the world. Through the dedication of Dr. Inas Salem Deeb and Rana Al Batrawi, these women's experiences have been brought together in a lasting testament to their resilience and artistic voices. We invite you to listen to Dina's words, reflect on her experience, and discover the women behind Lilies of Gaza. Their art is more than creative expression. It is a powerful act of remembrance, testimony, and hope.

Learn more and purchase the book at brightstarsbethlehem.org/lilies-of-gaza

10/07/2026

A walk through the departments of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, offers a beautiful glimpse into the everyday moments that make this community so special. Students gathered in classrooms, developing their skills, sharing ideas, creating with their hands, and bringing their own perspectives to everything from fashion and design to art, media, music, and more.

These may seem like simple moments in a university day, but they tell a more hopeful story. They are moments of possibility. Of young Palestinians investing in their talents, discovering what they are capable of, and preparing to carry those gifts into their communities and their futures. We are proud to stand alongside Dar al-Kalima University and the students who fill these classrooms with so much passion, creativity, and hope.

And if you are curious about Palestine, whether you are just beginning to learn or have been searching for a deeper understanding, we invite you to come closer to the stories, people, and experiences behind what you see and hear. Learn about Palestinian life through the voices of students, educators, artists, and community leaders, and discover how education, creativity, and opportunity are shaping the future. Visit www.brightstarsbethlehem.org to read their stories, reach out to us personally if you would like to have a conversation or ask questions, or join our monthly newsletter to stay connected with life and learning at Dar al-Kalima University throughout the year: https://tinyurl.com/brightstarsnews

10/07/2026

Five Remarkable Voices. One Timely Conversation. Live in Denver.

What does faith ask of us in a time of crisis? On Wednesday, November 18, five internationally recognized theologians, scholars, writers, and faith leaders will come together in Denver for Faith at Times of Crises: Reflections from Palestine and the U.S. This is a rare opportunity to hear perspectives from Palestine and the United States in one room, engaging the questions of faith, justice, responsibility, and hope that feel especially urgent in our world today.

The evening brings together Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Palestinian theologian, author, and founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem; Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor and bestselling author; Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, scholar, author, activist, and documentary filmmaker; Dr. Atalia Omer, professor of religion, conflict, and peace studies; and Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod.

This will not simply be a series of speeches. It is an opportunity to listen, wrestle with difficult questions, and be part of a live conversation about the crises shaping our communities and our world. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions and engage the issues that are on their minds.

Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
1980 Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80220

Space is limited, and registration is encouraged. Reserve your place:

This November, Bright Stars of Bethlehem and Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church invite you to an extraordinary evening of conversation bringing together respected theologians, scholars, writers, and faith leaders from Palestine and the United States. Faith at Times of Crises: Reflection

10/05/2026

A thread of hope can begin with something as simple as an opportunity to create.

Students in Dar al-Kalima University’s Food & Beverage Arts and Management program recently put their skills to work during an open day where they prepared and sold their own creations, from Mexican cuisine to a variety of sweets. But this was about much more than food. Students had the opportunity to take what they have learned in the classroom and put it into practice, developing the creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial skills they will carry into their careers.

This is what your support through Threads of Hope makes possible.

As we enter the final days of Threads of Hope, we are so close to reaching our $250,000 goal. Your gift carries this work forward, creating more opportunities for students at Dar al-Kalima to learn, create, lead, and build their futures. Every gift adds another thread, strengthening a future woven with education, creativity, opportunity, and hope. https://tinyurl.com/rootedinhope2026

10/02/2026

"Our people in Gaza are not asking God where He is, but rather where the Arab world is, where the Islamic world is, where the church is, and where all the human rights organizations are. They question the silence of the governments that were pouring billions of dollars into teaching us about human rights. When our rights are violated, however, their silence is deafening." - Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

10/01/2026

Four facts. One university. And a story of hope that continues even when the walls are gone.

For six years, Dar al-Kalima University has been working in Gaza. When the Training Center building was destroyed in 2024 and its staff were displaced, the work did not stop. Today, Palestinian staff continue providing art therapy and psychosocial support to children and youth across 46 localities in Gaza, meeting communities wherever they are.

More than 38,000 children and youth have been reached through over 10,000 structured activities in the last two years alone. Behind those numbers are people, stories, creativity, healing, and a Palestinian team committed to continuing this work.

Four facts. One university. And behind every one of them is you.

09/30/2026

What began as a vision has officially come to life! On September 29, 2026, Dar al-Kalima University celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Rubash Garden and the newly named Al-Bustan Café! This beautiful new space offers Palestinian students a welcoming place to gather, collaborate, share meals, exchange ideas, and find moments of peace and connection beyond the classroom. The celebration was filled with music, gratitude, and joy as students, faculty, university leadership, and supporters gathered to witness another remarkable milestone for the university.

Earlier this year, through our Palestine Is My Valentine campaign and the generous matching support of Rick Steves, together we raised $172,000 to help bring this vision to life! Alongside the generosity of the family of the late Norman and Alice Rubash, whose legacies live on through the garden that bears their names, this incredible community of supporters helped transform a dream into a space that will serve generations of Palestinian students. THIS is what your generosity and hope looks like! A garden where friendships will grow. A café where conversations will spark new ideas. A place where Palestinian students can create, connect, and imagine their futures. Even in the midst of tremendous challenges, Dar al-Kalima University continues to invest in its students and build for tomorrow. To Rick Steves, the Rubash family, and every single person who helped make this possible, THANK YOU!

And now, we invite you to weave the next thread of hope. As our Threads of Hope campaign comes to a close, the opening of the Rubash Garden and Al-Bustan Café is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when we invest in the future of Palestine together. Every contribution, every partnership, and every act of generosity becomes part of something greater. We have already raised 90% toward our goal, and we are asking you to help us finish strong! Together, we can continue investing in Palestinian education, creativity, and opportunities for the next generation. The garden is growing, the café doors are open, and the next chapter of hope is waiting to be written.

Will you build it with us? https://tinyurl.com/rootedinhope2026

09/29/2026

Right now, a group of friends and supporters of Bright Stars of Bethlehem is in Palestine, spending time at Dar al-Kalima University and preparing to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Rubash Garden & Cafe. This space is possible because of everyone supporting our work, with a special thank you to Rick Steves and his entire travel community, who provided significant support during February for Palestine Is My Valentine.

A journey like this is about so much more than the places you visit. It is about community and people. Sitting together. Sharing meals. Meeting students, faculty, and community members. Hearing their stories firsthand. Seeing their creativity, resilience, dreams, and determination not from thousands of miles away, but face to face.

This is how another Thread of Hope is woven. Supporters like you, come to Palestine, listen, learn, and carry relationships and stories home to share and nurture over a lifetime. The thread stretches across borders and communities, connecting people who may live thousands of miles apart but who now have a shared bond.

As our group prepares to celebrate this newest space at Dar al-Kalima, we are reminded that hope is built through relationships. It grows when we show up for one another, when we listen, and when we make room for Palestinian voices and stories to travel farther. Weave your thread into their story at https://tinyurl.com/rootedinhope2026