Dear ,
Correction: Last week I stated that there were only two Coptic judges in the U.S. But thank you to Ihab Riad who sent me an email with the corrected information, I now realize we have three Coptic judges in the U.S. (If you know of any others, please let me know.) The judge I didn't mention is Judge Shereen Marcus who is a US Veterans Law Judge in DC. This is her LinkedIn if you'd like to see: linkedin.com/in/shereenmarcus ____________________
I often get asked what inspired me to start the Coptic Chamber... and... what keeps me motived to create the networking dinners and events like Coptic-Con, to post daily on social media, to send you an email every day, to promote the Coptic Chamber in such a big way, etc...
And, as some people know, I always answer by saying my father is my inspiration. His love for the Coptic Church and the Coptic community was something I saw every day growing up.
Although he never formally created a "Coptic Chamber of
Commerce," in essence, that's what he had established in his dealings with people: He was constantly helping Coptic businesses, connecting people, assisting them with financing, giving them the benefit of his decades of business experience... and always... giving them HOPE. He was always an optimistic person.
I include the photo above because it's one of my favorites. One this day, I accompanied my father, and my Uncle Kadry, and we headed to the St. Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natroun to meet with His Holiness Pope Shenouda (My father is the one leaning over and writing; in the other photo, I am in the beige suit, about 17 years old at the time).
This was in the mid 1980's.
The reason of the meeting was to secure the Letter of Blessing from His Holiness for the St. Mina Church in Holmdel, NJ.
I am proud to say I was there on this beautiful and historic day. Although my father had helped found several other Coptic churches in the United States, St. Mina in Holmdel was the one that was closest to his heart. It was completely his idea -- the city location and even naming it after St. Mina.
There is a lot more history to tell, maybe at another time.
PS - My father and Uncle Kadry have since
reposed and I'm confident they're enjoying the Paradise of Joy. They were best of friends and lived their lives following their principles... no matter what challenges confronted them.
P.P.S. - In the photo is also His Eminence Metropolitan Domadios of Giza (reposed) and His Grace
Bishop Sarabamon Head of St. Bishoy Monastery (reposed).
Hope you enjoyed this. Have a great weekend!
Until next time...
