Local Faculty. Israeli-Palestinian conflicts are very real, but all personnel at the JC worked in harmony -- at the administrative, staff & faculty levels. (In fact, that was a condition of employment.) Modern Near Eastern History was consecutively taught by Bashir Bashir (Palestinian, left) & Ophir Yarden (Jewish, rt.) They disagreed on issues but were best of friends. In addition, Judy Goldman taught a language course in Hebrew and Ayman Jabrara in Arabic.
BYU Faculty. Another 4 faculty members came from BYU. The Academic Director also taught during field trips. Also, one BYU faculty taught Ancient Near Eastern History (i.e., archaeology) and two taught religion courses -- first the Hebrew Bible (for almost 2 months), then New Testament for the same length. The students switched religion teachers after the first class.
The Judds. During our first year (2010-11), Frank (age 44) taught some great Bible classes. He was a student at the JC in earlier years. He did his PhD in New Testament studies and was also the Jerusalem Branch Clerk. Jill was a very talented artist and great mom. They had five well-mannered daughters, with different but endearing talents and personalities. Back row [L to Rt.]: Megan (16), Carrie (13). Front row: Emily (3), Amanda (7) and Lisa (9).
The Muhlesteins. Kerry (age 39) did his PhD in Old Test. studies and was a Jerusalem Branch Counselor. Like Frank, he had earlier been a JC student. We alternated equally good Bible classes between Kerry & Frank -- both superb teachers with very different styles. Julianne was in Primary and was a loving mom. (Here, Kerry wore the "traveling shirt" that passed around among students that term.) They had 6 unique, hyper-active children: B.J. (age 14, on top), then [Front row] -- Tashara (12), Kaleb (13), Jacob (3), Sabrina (5) and Alexei (8). They were a fun-loving bunch.
The Chadwicks. Jeff taught Ancient Near Eastern History and has come more often to Israel than anyone alive -- both for archaeology and for the JC faculty. He was here as a student when the JC opened in 1987 and has done regular digs in the Holy Land (most recently Gath, Goliath's home). He taught a great Sabbath School class & picked up caregivers in need of rides to Church until I replaced him in 2011. He also sang and played a mean guitar. Kim rejoined us after her successful cancer treatments in Utah (melanoma).
The Judds. During our first year (2010-11), Frank (age 44) taught some great Bible classes. He was a student at the JC in earlier years. He did his PhD in New Testament studies and was also the Jerusalem Branch Clerk. Jill was a very talented artist and great mom. They had five well-mannered daughters, with different but endearing talents and personalities. Back row [L to Rt.]: Megan (16), Carrie (13). Front row: Emily (3), Amanda (7) and Lisa (9).
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The Ludlows. On the next faculty (2011-12), Jared and Margaret were the first to arrive -- on Tuesday 8/23/11, with their 5 children: Jared Jr. (age 19, living with the BYU students), Joshua (16), Joseph (14), Marissa (10) and Melia (8). Jared replaced Jeff Chadwick teaching Ancient Near Eastern History and was the Branch 2nd Counselor. They (and the Harpers, below) excelled at our weekly hygiene kit projects -- especially those dancing daughters!
Jared was the 3rd generation Ludlow BYU faculty member. On 10/19/11, his dad Victor came as guide for a Cruise Lady tour. Victor's father Daniel was one of the first Academic Directors and was the first Israel District President in 1974.
The Harpers. Steve & Jennifer came on 8/24/11 with their 5 children: Hannah (17), John (14), Abby (11), Seth (8) and Thomas (6). They lived on Level 1, just below us. Steve was Branch Clerk & taught Bible classes. He had been co-editor of the JS Papers, "Revelations 1" volume. On his return to USA in 2012, he was hired full-time by the Church Historical Dept. in SLC.
The Huntsmans. Eric and Elaine came on 8/25/11 with their two children: Rachel (13) and Samuel (8). Eric taught morning Bible classes and was Elders Quorum 1st Counselor, then EQ President.
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Academic Directors.
Kent & Nancy Jackson came just before us, in August 2010. They were very strong and effective leaders.
They were to have stayed for 2 years, but had to leave in March '11, to resolve her health issues in Utah. We all enjoyed a farewell dinner at the Dolphin restaurant.
In Dec. '11, they returned after Christmas! Nancy was fully recovered after chemotherapy. She had a "Liza Minelli" hairdo until it regrew. We had some great times with them.
Ray & Sandy Huntington replaced the Jacksons on an interim basis in April '11, for the Spring/Summer Term. They were there when the first JC opened in 1987 & then reopened in 2007 -- when Melissa was here. They are very kind & gracious.
Andy & Janet Skinner came on short notice, on 9/7/11 for the Fall Term, then left before Christmas. This was Andy's 5th time here -- 4x as a faculty member, most recently in 2008-09. He became the EQ President on 10/1/11, with student aides (Jeff Perry, Counselor & Kaleb Valdez, Exec. Sec., from Colonia Juarez, MX).
The Skinners came to our apt. for a welcome dinner on 9/12/11. Their farewell dinner in the student lounge was on 12/7/11 -- nicely decorated by Jen Harper. Brimming with gospel knowledge & experience, Andy taught us a great deal, both on field trips and at the JC. They were fun & effective leaders.
2011-12 Faculty Together. The 3 new BYU teachers & wives coalesced quite well. On 11/4/11 we celebrated Margaret Ludlow's birthday with dinner at Mona's Artist House in West Jerusalem. (Ohmans & Harpers were at another table.) They also joined for several farewells of senior couples and other events.
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Faculty Children. Having eleven Judd and Muhlestein children living at our JC was a very bright spot our first year there.
JC Art Gallery. Not to be confused with the formal exhibits on our 8th floor LRC, these talented kids often displayed some rotating artwork on the 5th floor.
Here are some examples -- starting with Lisa Judd (age 10): She showed both realism & imagination in "My Neighborhood of Mt. Scopus."
Amanda Judd (age 7) won a prize at school for her self portrait. Also, this was her version of a "Family Tree." (Can you tell their mother Jill was an art major?)
At age 3, Emily's contrasting happy & ugly faces showed her real personality.
Tashara Muhlestein (age 12) also drew a self portrait -- and a Middle East village. She had very stylish tastes.
Kaleb (age 13) loved cars -- like all boys. And here was his self portrait.
Alexia (age 8, just baptized) wanted to be a tour guide, starting with Egypt. Sabrina (age 5) showed her natural sweetness by coloring & drawing flowers.
Jacob (age 3) went for "Birds and Bugs" -- and more flowers.
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The JC Playground. When we arrived, all faculty families lived together at our JC for the first time. So a playground was created for them outside of Level 1. Swings, slides, stairs and bars were installed atop compressed rubber for safety.
Jill Judd and Fall 2010 students painted wall murals to enhance the surroundings. That term, students did these murals rather than at the Princess Basma Children's Rehab Center. [See volume, Humanitarian Services]
Winter 2011 students sealed the murals for protection on the 5/30/11 Service Day.
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Special Performances. Faculty children often performed with and for students at the Oasis cafeteria on special occasions -- like Mother's Day '11.
We helped to tend. When students & faculty went on long field trips, one mother would stay to watch the younger children. Marilyn arose early to help get them off to school and also helped put them to bed. We often brought them down to our place for dinner. The 5 Judds came in May '11 during the Turkey Field Trip. (L to Rt.) -- Megan, Carrie, Amanda, Emily & Lisa. All wanted our big armchair!
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Apartment Construction. To make room for more large families coming in Fall 2011, the Chadwicks' Level 1 apt. was gutted and new walls, doors and windows installed. We heard hammers and drills all 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 Harper family seemed happy in their new digs.
Faculty Farewells. In August 2011, 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 mountain of luggage. All arrived safely home.
We did not see the next faculty members leave in 2012, as we were already home.
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