The Life Journey of Khalil Totah: Palestinian Quaker Educator and Activist

A Passion for Learning: The Life Journey of Khalil Totah, a Palestinian Quaker Educator and Activist

by Joy Totah Hilden

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11641 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	457 pages

FREE

Khalil Totah was a Palestinian Quaker educator and activist who dedicated his life to promoting peace and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. He was born in Ramallah, Palestine, in 1931, and grew up during the turbulent years of the British Mandate and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Totah's family was forced to flee their home during the war, and he spent his teenage years in a refugee camp in Jordan.

In 1951, Totah was awarded a scholarship to attend Earlham College in Indiana, USA. He studied there for four years, and graduated with a degree in social work. After graduating from Earlham, Totah returned to the Middle East and worked as a social worker in Jordan and Lebanon. In 1967, he moved to the United States and became a Quaker.

Totah's Quaker faith had a profound impact on his life and work. He believed that all people are equal, and that violence is never the answer to conflict. He also believed that education is essential for peace, and he worked tirelessly to promote educational opportunities for Palestinians.

In 1972, Totah founded the Khalil Totah Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to Palestinian students. The foundation has helped thousands of students to attend school, and has played a major role in promoting peace and understanding in the Middle East.

Totah died in 2019 at the age of 87. He was a tireless advocate for peace and understanding, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.

Early Life and Education

Khalil Totah was born in Ramallah, Palestine, in 1931. His father was a teacher and his mother was a housewife. Totah had two older brothers and two younger sisters.

Totah's early childhood was happy and carefree. He enjoyed playing with his siblings and friends, and he loved to learn. However, his life was turned upside down by the outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

In 1948, Israeli forces launched a military campaign to drive the Palestinians out of their homes. Totah's family was forced to flee their home in Ramallah, and they spent the next several years living in a refugee camp in Jordan.

Life in the refugee camp was difficult. The Totahs lived in a small tent, and they had very little food or water. Totah often went hungry, and he was constantly sick.

Despite the hardships he faced, Totah never gave up on his education. He attended school in the refugee camp, and he excelled in his studies. In 1951, Totah was awarded a scholarship to attend Earlham College in Indiana, USA.

Totah studied at Earlham for four years, and he graduated with a degree in social work. After graduating from Earlham, Totah returned to the Middle East and worked as a social worker in Jordan and Lebanon.

Work as a Quaker Activist

In 1967, Totah moved to the United States and became a Quaker. The Quaker faith had a profound impact on Totah's life and work. He believed that all people are equal, and that violence is never the answer to conflict. He also believed that education is essential for peace, and he worked tirelessly to promote educational opportunities for Palestinians.

In 1972, Totah founded the Khalil Totah Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to Palestinian students. The foundation has helped thousands of students to attend school, and has played a major role in promoting peace and understanding in the Middle East.

Totah was also a vocal critic of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He believed that the occupation was illegal and unjust, and he called for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Totah's work as a Quaker activist was often dangerous. He was arrested and imprisoned several times by Israeli authorities. However, he never gave up on his commitment to peace.

Legacy

Khalil Totah died in 2019 at the age of 87. He was a tireless advocate for peace and understanding, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.

Totah's work has helped to promote peace and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. He has shown that it is possible to overcome hatred and violence through education and dialogue.

Totah's legacy is a reminder that we must never give up on the pursuit of peace. We must continue to work for a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

A Passion for Learning: The Life Journey of Khalil Totah, a Palestinian Quaker Educator and Activist

by Joy Totah Hilden

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11641 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	457 pages

FREE