Abusharr, Rizek

Person

Staff Only

Biographical Note

Born into a family that traces its roots in Jerusalem back 500 years, 12-year-old Rizek Abusharr was recruited to do yard work at the Jerusalem International YMCA (JIY), along with Palestinian classmates and an equal number of Jewish boys. Abusharr never left; he spent his entire career working at the JIY, becoming the first indigenous director general in 1998.

The hallmark of Abusharr’s work was his commitment to build tolerance among the different faiths in Jerusalem. He ensured that equal numbers of Jewish, Arab, and Christian participants were represented in programs, membership, and on volunteer boards. Under his leadership, the JIY was recognized as a haven of peaceful co-existence in a region where conflict and distrust are commonplace. His work earned the JIY a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was recognized with the Marthe Laube Prize for Tolerance and Democratic Values and an honorary doctor of Humanics degree from Springfield College.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

YMCA Hall of Fame – 2007 – Inductee – Abusharr, Rizek – Nomination and Biographical Information, 2002-2007

Folder — Box 20: Series 02, Folder: 03

Identifier: 02

Series 02 Scope and Contents From the Series: This series is arranged chronologically by year, and within each year, the materials are arranged by type, including: videos and photographs of the induction ceremonies, programs and/or invitations to the ceremonies, memos, planning committee minutes, budget notes, and other organizational materials, newspaper clippings, biographical information and nominations for the inductees, photographs of the inductees, and information about other nominees from that year. Undated and/or unidentified...

Dates: 2002-2007

Found in: Springfield College Archives and Special Collections / YMCA Hall of Fame Records / Series 02: Annual Induction Ceremonies and Nominations

YMCA Hall of Fame – 2007 – Inductee – Abusharr, Rizek – Photographs, ca. 2007

Folder — Box 20: Series 02, Folder: 04

Identifier: 02

Dates: ca. 2007

Found in: Springfield College Archives and Special Collections / YMCA Hall of Fame Records / Series 02: Annual Induction Ceremonies and Nominations

YMCA Hall of Fame Records

Record Group — Box All Boxes

Identifier: RG-103

Abstract This collection documents the history and governance of the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College and also provides information about individual inductees and induction ceremonies from the Hall of Fame’s founding in 1985 to the present. The purpose of the YMCA Hall of Fame is to provide “a forum to recognize professionals who personify what is best about the YMCA. It honors individuals who have devoted their lives to the building of community, encouraging each person to develop to their...

Dates: 1894 - present; Majority of material found within 1985 - present

Found in: Springfield College Archives and Special Collections

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