Cedar News August 2003

Contents Of This Issue:

The Quote

“To live without deadlines is to live an inefficient, unorganized life, drifting with the breeze of impulse on the fickle wave of moods.  We set deadlines because they help us accomplish the essentials-they discipline our use of time."…excerpt from "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life" By Charles Swindoll

Featured Site   www.phoenicia.org

"It takes only ONE to make a difference, if one's mind is set on doing so".  Here is a great story that reflects this quote. This is a story about one site that has become the largest resource center on Phoenician history that has received thousands of hits from all over the world. It is the work of one man: Mr. Salim Khalaf. Here is what he had to say:

"My interest in history in general and Phoenician history in particular has been one of a lifetime.  Because I did not feel that history buffs or educational systems both in Lebanon and abroad gave enough attention to the subject, I found myself doing the work myself.  As I look back at the humble and unceremonious beginnings of my website "A Bequest Unearthed, Phoenicia,"  I am both surprised and excited at the progress this site has achieved. In the beginning, the site was meant to be a simple site that filled a small
gap in a huge void that plagued world-knowledge about the Canaanite Phoenicians and their achievements. Six years later, the small effort has flowered into a large site, if not the largest site, on the web that covers all aspects of Phoenician life.

"Attempting to research the subject through the practical blessings of web access was like finding King Solomon's mines or a positive manifestation of opening this electronic Pandora's Box. It was immediately obvious to me that there is too much hidden, too much unknown by the ordinary person and too much that needs to be made known. Patience and perseverance were imperative requirements to take on the intimidating job of moving the mountain of information out in the open. All what was required was a steady, steadfast
hand that was not willing to falter and a mind that was stubborn enough to perceiver. The Center for Phoenician Studies which is the academic home of the site is a center in cyberspace.  It is financially supported and manned by one person in North Carolina, USA.  I do research on my own and accept studies from others. I write, compile,  gather, format, edit, design and publish on my own but I am not alone. The cyber-center concept started small and has grown and continues to grow and expand. I have enthusiasts,
contributors and researchers that support the site through their separate yet single focused objective.


"During the last 6 years, many people have written to me and have sent me materials to publish. Others sent me books while others provided references on the web or in local papers or through personal research. Some wrote in English and others in Spanish or Italian. Some photocopied materials from books out of print from their local libraries. Some did translations for me where I did not master the original language of the material. I stay in touch via e-mail and snail-mail with many who worked with me. They are
people from Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Gibraltar, Lebanon, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and many in Latin America and the USA. The response has been overwhelming and rewarding to me in many ways despite some of the hate email that I receive. Every time someone writes to me in appreciation, but more so with questions about this history, I feel that I'd succeeded in completing my mission. My work attempts in a small way to put the heritage and history back in the spotlight after many years in
oblivion."

We are proud to announce that Mr. Khalaf has joined our WLCU network and we will be collaborating and growing together. The site will be our referral site regarding any Phoenician related topic. Please visit the site to be amazed.
A bequest unearthed, Phoenicia    www.phoenicia.org 

Featured Group        www.houseoflebanon.com
 

Many of our readers have expressed interest in learning more about Lebanese communities all over the world.  It is with great pleasure I share with you about this community in Southern California.

The community have formed the "Lebanese American Foundation" with the goal of building the "House of Lebanon".  The House of Lebanon shall consist of a real property building that ultimately hosts: a cultural center, a community center, restaurant, banquet hall, parking, Library etc..  They have raised 800,000 of the 1.4 million goal. 

The Lebanese American Foundation started in the year 2000, at the behest of the previous Consul General of Lebanon Dr. John Makaron. He invited several Lebanese Americans to his house and resurrected the idea of establishing a "House of Lebanon". There has been several starts in the past that did not meet success. I think the only reason that can be attributed to our success, is that we truly represent the whole Lebanese American community. Our members are from all denominations and walks of life. We also manage successfully to keep the Lebanese politics out.

We wish them success as they set a great example for other communities and chapters. We hope we can collaborate and network in the future.  Please take the time to visit their website at www.houseoflebanon.com    If you have problems opening the website , please contact them at  kh.hamzeh@verizon.net   

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