JC Faculty & Families

Local Faculty.  Israeli-Palestinian conflicts are very real, but all personnel at the JC work in harmony -- at the administrative, staff & faculty levels.  Modern Near Eastern History is consecutively taught by Bashir Bashir (Palestinian, left) & Ophir Yarden (Jewish, rt.)  They may disagree on issues but are best of friends.

BYU Faculty
The Judd Family.  In 2010-11, Frank (age 44) taught great Bible classes that we attended most mornings at 8 am.  Both he and Kerry were students at the JC in earlier years.  He did his PhD in New Testament studies and was the Jerusalem Branch Clerk.  Jill is a very talented artist and mom.  

They have five daughters, with different but endearing talents & personalities --  Megan (16), Carrie (13), Amanda (7), Emily (3) and Lisa (9).

The Muhlestein Family. 
Kerry (age 39) did his PhD in Old Test. studies and was a Jerusalem Branch Counselor. We alternated equally good Bible classes between Kerry & Frank -- both superb teachers. Julianne was in Primary & was a loving mom.  (Here, Kerry wore the "traveling shirt" passed among students that term.) 

Kerry and Julianne had 6 unique & memorable children:  B.J. (age 14), Kaleb (13), Tashara (12), Alexei (8), Sabrina (5) and Jacob (3). 

The Chadwicks.  Jeff has come more often to Israel than anyone alive, both as an archaeologist & on the JC faculty.  He was here when the JC opened in 1987 & does regular digs in the Holy Land, (incl. Gath, Goliath's home).  He teaches a great Sabbath School class & picks up members in need.  He also sings & plays a mean guitar.  Kim rejoined us after cancer treatments in Utah (melanoma).

Ludlow Family. Jared & Margaret were the first to arrive, on Tues. 8/23/11, with their 5 children: Jared Jr. (age 19, living here with BYU students), Joshua (16), Joseph (14), Marissa (10) and Melia (8).  Dr. Ludlow replaced Jeff Chadwick teaching Ancient Near Eastern History and was Branch 2nd Counselor.  They (and the Harpers) excelled at our weekly hygiene kit projects -- especially those dancing daughters!

On 10/19/11, Jared's dad Victor came as guide for a Cruise Lady tour.  There were 3 generations of Ludlows on BYU faculties here -- starting with Victor's father Daniel as Academic Director and 1st Israel District President in 1974.

Harper Family.  Steve & Jennifer came on 8/24/11 with 5 children:  Hannah (17), John (14), Abby (11), Seth (8) & Thomas (6).  They lived on Level 1, just below us.  Steve was Branch Clerk & taught OT/NT Bible classes.  He had been co-editor of the JS Papers, "Revelations 1" volume.

Huntsman Family.  Eric & Elaine came on 8/25/11 with their two children:  Rachel (13) and Samuel (8).  Eric teaches morning Bible classes and is EQ 1st Counselor.

Academic Directors.  Kent & Nancy Jackson came just ahead of us, in Aug. 2010. They were very strong and effective leaders

 

They left in March '11, to resolve her health issues in Utah. We all enjoyed a farewell dinner at the Dolphin restaurant.

Great news: In Dec. '11, the Jacksons returned after Christmas! Nancy was fully recovered. She also sported a "Liza Minelli" hairdo until it regrew. They may remain for another two years.

Ray Huntington replaced Kent as interim Director in April '11, for the Spring/Summer Term (with wife Sandy). They were here when the JC opened in 1987 & reopened in 2007 -- when Melissa was here.  They are very kind & gracious.

Andy & Janet Skinner: On short notice, they came on 9/7/11 for the Fall Term, leaving before Christmas. This was Andy's 5th time here -- 4x as a faculty member, most recently in 2008-09.  He was set apart as EQ Pres. on 10/1/11, along with students (Jeff Perry, Counselor & Kaleb Valdez, Exec. Sec., from Col. Juarez, MX).

The Skinners' farewell dinner was on 12/7/11 -- nicely decorated by Jen Harper.   Brimming with gospel knowledge & experience, he taught us much -- both on field trips & at the JC. They were fun & effective leaders. 

2011-12 Faculty Together. The 3 new BYU teachers & wives coalesced quite well here. On 11/4/11 we celebrated Margaret Ludlow's birthday with dinner at Mona's Artist House in West Jerusalem.  (The Ohmans & Harpers were at another table with the Harpers.)

Faculty Children.  As shown on other posts (including Dec. 2010, "Yearend Holidays"),  having the 11 Judd & Muhlestein children living at our JC was a very bright spot our first year here.

JC Art Gallery.  Not to be confused with the formal exhibits on our 8th floor, these talented kids displayed some rotating artwork on the 5th floor.

Here are some examples -- starting with Lisa Judd (age 10):

She shows both realism & imagination in "My Neighborhood of Mt. Scopus."

Amanda Judd (age 7) won a prize at school for her self portrait.  Also, this is her version of a "family tree."  (Can you tell their mother Jill was an art major?)

At age 3, Emily's happy & ugly faces show some real personality.

Tashara Muhlestein (age 12) also drew a self portrait -- and a Middle East village.

Kaleb (age 13) likes cars. (What boy doesn't?)  And here is his self portrait.

Alexia (age 8, just baptized) wants to be a tour guide, starting with Egypt.

Sabrina (age 5) showed her natural sweetness by coloring & drawing flowers.

Jacob (age 3) went for coloring "Birds and Bugs" -- and more flowers.

JC Playground. With all faculty families living together at our JC for the first time, an outdoor playground was created for them on the first level.

Swings, slides, stairs and bars were installed atop compressed rubber for safety.

Some Fall 2010 students painted wall murals to enhance the surroundings.

That term, they did these murals rather than at the Princess Basma Children Rehab Center.  [See Feb. '11 post, "Princess Basma Murals"]

Winter 2011 students protected the murals with sealant on May 30th Service Day.

 

Special Performances.  These charming children often performed with and for students at the Oasis cafeteria for special occasions -- like Mother's Day '11.

We help to tend.  When students & faculty go on long field trips, one mother stays to watch the younger children.  Marilyn arose early to help get them off to school and also put them to bed.  We often bring them down to our place for dinner.  Here are 5 Judds who came in May '11 during the Turkey Field Trip (L to rt.):  Megan, Carrie, Amanda, Emily & Lisa.  All wanted our big armchair!

Apt. Construction.  To make room for more large families coming Fall '11, the Chadwicks' Level 1 apt. was gutted and new walls, doors & windows installed.  We heard hammers and drills beneath our apt. much of the summer.

Less extensive work was also done in Summer '10 on Level 5 for the Judd & Muhlestein families.  It was worth it to have everyone under the same roof.

On 8/25/11 the Harpers (Steve & Jennifer + 5 children) seemed happy there.

Faculty Farewells.  In Aug. '11, all faculty families and Academic Director returned to BYU.   Most left at night, with many suitcases -- the Muhlesteins on Sat. 8/13/11 with their mtn. of luggage.  All arrived safely home.