The Lebanese Forces Students Association of North America

On Sunday November 4^th LFSANA representatives Wissam and Rani visited Easton PA to meet with the LF youth community over here. They attended the morning mass and met and discussed LF issues with several LF supporters. After the mass Wissam, Rani, Abouna, and many LF supporters met at Owtil Koury’s house for lunch and they discussed many topics about the LF. Lots of progress was made regarding the structure of the LF Student Association in the region.

If you are planning to launch LFSANA chapter in your college I encourage you to contact LFSANA and they will provide you with a lot of help and guidance. What is so unusual about Easton is that a lot of them are aouniehs, and yet we are more organized in every sense. We have a stronger will to achieve and this will be our key for success. Again I encourage as many LF students to work on creating their chapters. We are now in the process of forming a chapter in a local college.

I thank Father Kamil Al-Choufiti for sitting down with us for lunch and giving us his blessing. I also want to thank Wissam and Rani for making the trip up to Easton and meeting with us.

I attended the annual “soiree” of the LSA in Gainesville FL on Friday 11/16/07. The event was very well organized and successful. It brought together many lebanese students in Gainesville and many came from all parts of Florida. I am proud to say that the president of the LSA in Gainseville is a rafi’ and will be working with us in LFSANA to organize LF student events in Florida.

By attending this event (I had to drive 2 hrs to Gainsville from Jacksonville), I got to meet the Lebanese community of Gainesville, and to meet some LF rifa’ who will be joining our team.

I encourage such events for this purpose and I encourage coordinators and chapter presidents to attend any Lebanese events where you can make contacts and be a good example.Always act responsibly and remember you now represent the LF.

Thank you Gui Abi Nader for organizing this excellent event.

The interview with Dr. Samir Geagea which was supposed to take place today on LBCI was canceled. Mr. Pierre El-Daher agreed last week to host Dr. Geagea on Kalam ElNass on Novermber 15th, 2007. However, the LF media department was surprised to receive a call from Mr. El-Daher informing them that tonight’s interview is being canceled. The LF media department considers this act as irresponsible and unprofessional.

On November 4, 2007, the Lebanese Forces Students of Toronto proudly showed the film “Under the Skies of Lebanon” in Mississauga to a crowd of impressed and excited viewers from all over Toronto and the GTA. More than 150 people filled the Lecture Hall of John Cabot Catholic School. People began to arrive at 6:00 pm, and waited anxiously as copies of the movie were sold and refreshments were served to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. The attendants sat with family, friends, and even people they had just met for the first time, and chatted about the movie and wondering aloud about what to expect amongst audio speeches of Sheikh Bachir Gemayel playing over the loudspeakers. The members of the Lebanese Forces Toronto Students as well as different chapter members worked relentlessly to secure a relaxed and fun atmosphere for all.

At about 6:30, a short speech was presented outlining what the movie was about and what it meant to the Lebanese youth movement. Finally, the movie started, and the room went silent. AS the movie wore on, different responses were heard from the large crowd. Before the movie had started, a member of the Toronto chapter who had already seen the movie stated that we should have put a box of tissues at each row. His idea was not very far fetched, as many were drawn to tears at some emotional parts of the movie. Some were taken back to the days in which they had fought in the very same battles outlined in the movie, and others who were too young to have fought were moved by the courageousness and sacrifice of the different martyrs they saw on the screen, both living and dead. The images of war and pain affected everyone watching the movie, but at the same time they were uplifted by the images and sounds of hope that chimed in near the end. As soon as the short tribute to Sheikh Bachir Gemayel appeared on the screen, loud applause filled the room, as well as during one of the many inspiring speeches of Dr. Samir Geagea. But the most resounding applause and cheering came at the end of the film, when the credits were met with a standing ovation from the crowd. In fact, as someone went to the front to address the crowd, they found it hard to speak over the resounding applause that filled the lecture hall.

Many of the audience members came up to the table where the films were being sold to congratulate and thank the students who were involved in making the viewing happen. Many commented on how essential a movie like this was, especially with the political uncertainty facing the nation. Many expressed joy in the fact that the students of the Lebanese Forces we driven to make such a movie, and how it affected both young and old so deeply. They bought many copies to give to their family and friends, and many commented on how well the film was made, and a few even said it had renewed their faith and outlook in the Lebanese cause. Everyone filed into the hallway outside the Lecture Hall and chatted over coffee about the movie and the various points it made. It was a very important part of the viewing that it would initiate conversation within the community, and this is exactly what it did. Different people talked about different topics with their neighbour, branching off into larger debates and conversations.

All in all, the Lebanese Forces Students of Toronto were very happy with the outcome of this kick-off event. Both the impact of the movie as well as the events’ ability to recruit new members to the group contributed to the overall success of the night. The students involved regard the night as being a great initiation into the community as well as a stepping stone in the creation of future events. This was the first event officially hosted by the LFST and it turned out to be one that will not soon be forgotten by all who attended.

Thanks to everyone in the Lebanese Forces Students Toronto who was involved, particularly: Sabine El-Chidiac, Dona Geagea, Michel Chaaya and Joe Moghaizel. Also, special thanks to the Lebanese Forces Toronto chapter on supporting and helping out in this event.

A Fundraising Dinner to support Students In Our Beloved Lebanon

(17 Nov 2007)

The Lebanese Information Center (www.licus.org) Of the Bay Area Proudly Invites You To Layle Ta7et Sama Lebnan
ليلة تحت سماء لبنان                 
A Fundraising Dinner to support Students In Our Beloved Lebanon.
Saturday, November 17th, 2007 At Sinbad Restaurant 150 E. 4Th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401 At 8:30 P.M.
Donations: $ 60.00/ person

http://www.lebanese-forces.com/details2.asp?id=11&newsid=8832

In light of the impressive results achieved by the LF in the recent St Joseph University student elections, all LF USJ alumni living in North America are encouraged to attend this gathering in order to show the strong LF presence in North America.

You are cordially invited to a dinner for THE FRIENDS OF USJ

HONORARY SPEAKERS

Prof. Rene Chamussy, s.j. President of St. Joseph University And Dr. Khalil Karam Delegate for Development and International Relations, USJ

Tuesday, December 4th, 2007

Cocktail Reception at 7:00PM followed by Dinner at 7:30 PM

Essex House 160 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

Table: $3500 or $300 per person

RSVP REQUIRED. Please confirm your attendance by emailing your full name and address to friendsofusj.ny@gmail.com by Friday November 30^th. Please write your check to the order of “Friends of USJ” and mail them to: Friends of USJ, 67 Park Avenue suite 1A, New York, NY 10016.

This reception is an opportunity for Alumni and Friends of the USJ in the New York Metropolitan area to meet with Fr. Chamussy and Dr. Khalil Karam, to hear their views on the latest developments affecting the St. Joseph Unversity, and to explore ways to help support the mission of the university in providing excellence in education to all Lebanese for over 150 years.