GROWING PALESTINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ZEINA

Zeina works as publications editor for a Middle East think tank in Washington, DC. Previously, she was employed in Arab and Middle East affairs at the university level, engaging in community outreach and cultural awareness about the region. She volunteers for organizations that promote Palestinian human rights as well as the civil rights of vulnerable communities in northern Virginia. Zeina also mentors youth from Gaza in a creative writing program, and her own poems have been published in journals and anthologies. She has an MA in Arabic literature.

SAMAR

Samar has worked for nonprofits for several years. In addition to her activism for social justice, she had dedicated most of her time to promoting projects that are at the forefront of social development and that ensure sustainability and independence for local communities. Samar completed her undergraduate degree in political science and international development. She also holds an MA in public administration.

IDA

Ida is a US-born Palestinian who grew up in the occupied Palestinian territories and now lives in Centreville, Virginia, working as a freelance editor for various book and website publishers. She received a masters degree in American literature from the American University of Beirut and came to the DC area in 1980. Over the years, she has been involved with Palestinian and US community groups with an education and social justice focus. She is excited about working with Growing Palestine because it offers a concrete way to support a group that deserves focus—Palestinian farmers—and to promote Palestinian heritage.

PAUL

Paul has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East. He has been active with several organizations working for peace and justice, human rights, and the civil rights of Arab Americans. He was a Barack Obama Delegate to the Virginia State Convention in 2008 and a Bernie Sanders Delegate to the Virginia State Convention in 2016 and has served on various Democratic Get-Out-the-Vote campaigns. Paul has a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management.

BUTHAINA

Buthaina is a Palestinian from the Galilee. She has been living in the Washington, DC area for 19 years and is an involved member of the Palestinian American community. Buthaina works as a social worker at a nonprofit organization, helping homeless families with children rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. Previously, she served on the board of the Virginia Arabic School and volunteered with the “Communities in Schools” program in Wichita, Kansas, where she assisted immigrant families and their children. Buthaina holds a Bachelor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Howard University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

ARJUNIA

Arjunia is a Palestinian born in Amman, Jordan. Her parents immigrated from their ancestral home in Ramallah to the U.S. when she was 2 years old. Arjunia worked with Palestine Aid Society for many years and volunteered with a number of Palestinian and Arab organizations whose focus was on women and children. Until 2020, Arjunia served on the board of Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace. Arjunia has a BS in Psychology from University of Maryland and a MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She taught in the public school system with a specialization on students with reading disabilities.