WASHINGTON, DC – In a strong showing of legislative support, 75 U.S. Representatives from 23 states sent a bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter on Wednesday asking Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-KY) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations to fund de-mining and rehabilitation services in Artsakh and expand U.S. assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Over twice as many U.S. Representatives signed this year’s letter – illustrating the energy and urgency of Congressional support for saving Artsakh aid in the face of ill-advised attempts by the Trump-Pence Administration to kill a life-saving, peace-promoting de-mining program,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We thank Representatives Pallone, Speier, and Schiff and all their colleagues who co-signed this letter for advancing a targeted, forward-leaning aid package for Artsakh and Armenia that invests in peace and democracy.”

The letter, circulated for signatures by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, included the following budgetary requests:

— $1.5 million for Artsakh demining and robust funding for regional rehabilitation services for survivors of landmine injuries and individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

— $100 million for economic, governance, rule of law, and security assistance to Armenia through State Department and USAID accounts.

— That the State Department and USAID lift any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S. travel, communication, or contacts with Artsakh government officials.

— The suspension of U.S. military aid for Azerbaijan until it has been verified to have ceased all attacks against Armenia and Artsakh.

Joining Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) in cosigning the letter are: Representatives Karen Bass (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Danny Davis (D-IL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Garamendi (D-CA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Josh Harder (D-CA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Steve King (R-IA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Andy Levin (D-MI), John Lewis (D-GA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), Harley Rouda (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Lori Trahan (D-MA), David Trone (D-MD), and Ted Yoho (R-FL).

Author information

ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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BELMONT, Mass.—In line with the recommendations of public health and medical experts relating to the coronavirus, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) has made the difficult decision to postpone all public events through the end of April 2020. The health and safety of the entire community are primary concerns. Every effort will be made to reschedule the many events affected by this decision. In due course, NAASR will announce plans regarding events in May and beyond.

Similarly, the NAASR Vartan Gregorian Building, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478, will be closed to the public until the end of April, at which time the situation will be reassessed.

Author information

NAASR

The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research was launched in March 1955 with a vision to promote Armenian Studies by establishing endowed chairs at some of the foremost universities in the United States.

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Armenia’s goal to double its forest cover by 2050 as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change has captured the attention of the public and of professionals in the field. It was discussed at “Forest Summit: Global Action and Armenia,” organized by Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and American University of Armenia’s Acopian Center for the Environment in October 2019.

The reforestation goal presents many challenges and opportunities for Armenia, including creation of new nurseries, expansion of habitat for plants and animals, and joining the fight against global climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One concern expressed by experts at the Forest Summit is the availability of land. At least 250,000 hectares of new forest is needed to achieve Armenia’s long-term goal.

Given Armenia’s diversity of microclimates and potential limitations on available land, creative approaches to reforestation and afforestation must be implemented. ATP has 25 years of experience successfully planting in all regions of Armenia and will continue to provide leadership in Armenia’s sustainable development. Experts from Lebanon, Kenya and Israel who participated in the Summit offered interesting examples of creative solutions employed in their countries.

The terms reforestation and afforestation are sometimes used interchangeably, and it’s worth pausing for a moment to define them. Reforestation refers to planting trees on land that was previously forest, whereas afforestation refers to planting trees on patches of land which were not previously covered in forest.

Experts Warn Armenia to Avoid Monoculture Plantations

Forester Omri Bonneh shared several insights during the Summit from the experiences of KKL-Jewish National Fund. For example, from 1920 to 1970 afforestation in Israel was characterized by dense coniferous plantations. A massive dieback of the planted pine trees during the 1970’s and 1990’s caused by an invasive pest triggered a change in forestry policy. “We realized ‘putting all our eggs in one basket’ by planting monocultures of this one tree was not a sensible approach to develop a sustainable forest,” explained Dr. Bonneh. “We changed our forestry policy in 1990. The new policy had the goal to create mixed, multilayer forests that more closely resemble natural forests.”

This is instructive for Armenia, which has many Soviet-era monoculture plantations. He urged Armenia to avoid Israel’s past mistakes with monoculture plantings and find the right way to create mixed forests that are healthier than monoculture plantations. The concern about monoculture plantings was repeated throughout the Summit by international and local experts.

Dr. Bonneh also shared examples from the deserts of southern Israel where there is a low rainfall similar to Yerevan. JNF has restored landscapes in these areas that were destroyed by overgrazing and soil erosion. Planting trees in dry riverbeds and training farmers to harvest water have been successful.

Keynote speaker Dr. Anthony Davis reminded summit attendees that now is the time to define what the future forests will look like. With thoughtful planning about which trees to plant and where to plant them, Armenia’s reforestation efforts will renew, regenerate, and sustain rural economies and natural ecosystems.

Sose and Allen Forest: An Example of ATP’s Afforestation Efforts

ATP has 25 years of experience in Armenia, with more than 1,000 hectares of new forests planted at over 30 sites. One example is the Sose and Allen Memorial Forest established in 2014 in Stepanavan. “The ATP team is always scouting for locations in northern Armenia to plant new forests,” explained Forestry Manager Navasard Dadyan. “When we got to Stepanavan and applied to the municipality about land, they offered this 17 hectare location for a new forest.”

The reason ATP’s forests are planted in northern Armenia is because the Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery is located in the Lori region, and seedlings do best if planted in a similar environment to where they originated.

The Sose and Allen Forest was planted as a living memorial for the young couple, Sose Thomassian and Allen Yekikian, who died in an automobile accident in 2013. Their friends and family crowdfunded to support this project with ATP, and many of their friends were present at the first plantings in 2014.

The site is a prominent hillside in Stepanavan where there is an ancient cross-stone that is often visited by local people, so it has a high recreation value. The local community only has one public park, and this area will allow people to enjoy the shade of these new trees. The location is grassland so it has been used for livestock grazing. Luckily the area was only partially impacted by erosion which is common in hilly areas with low tree cover, so the soil is suitable for a new forest.

“The Sose and Allen Memorial Forest improves the ecology of the area overall,” noted Mr. Dadyan. “Eventually, the public will be able to collect mushrooms that grow in the forest, and spend hot summer days there in the shade. It’s also worth noting that the local community is aware of the effects of climate change, and recognized the importance of forests as a solution to the problem.”

In order to identify and establish new forest areas, ATP’s experts meet with the local community and leadership to get their agreement on the use of a site. Consensus and cooperation is essential in order to ensure the sustainability of the planting over time. In the case of Stepanavan, ATP met with the community to communicate their plans, and the feedback was positive. This is also important because many sites require protection and long-term monitoring and maintenance. In order to protect the Sose and Allen Forest from damage and livestock grazing, the area was fenced off before any plantings began. ATP’s experts examined the soil to determine which species of trees would survive and thrive in the new forest.

Mr. Dadyan recalled the first year of establishing the site: “Two bus-loads of volunteers from Lori joined the planting. Another big bus came from Yerevan, including friends and family of Sose and Allen. We also created temporary jobs by hiring 50-60 people to help plant the trees.”

From 2014 to 2019, 73,589 trees were planted at the site including the following species: oak, ash, maple, pine, and wild apple. The survival rate is 60 percent, which is higher than the international average for a forestry planting.

As Armenia plans to double its forest cover by 2050, a site selection process such as that used in the example of ATP’s Sose and Allen Forest will be applied all over the country by every organization involved in the reforestation effort. ATP’s experts will share their knowledge and recommendations based on its 25 years of experience. Careful site selection, enlisting support from the community, and providing ongoing care for the seedlings will result in healthy new forests and a more sustainable ecological future for Armenia.

Author information

Jason Sohigian

Jason Sohigian is the deputy director of Armenia Tree Project. He has a master’s in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard. His undergraduate degree is from the Environment, Technology, and Society Program at Clark University with a concentration in Physics. From 1999 to 2004, Jason was editor of the Armenian Weekly.

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Children’s book author and St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) teacher Alik Arzoumanian has started producing virtual Armenian language storytime sessions. Arzoumanian, who is practicing social distancing at home amid the global pandemic of the coronavirus, just posted her first video on Tuesday on her brand new YouTube channel—a lively reading of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham in Armenian (Կանաչ Հաւկիթ եւ Խոզապուխտ).

In the video, Arzoumanian is heard off-camera emotively reading the ever popular 1960 classic in the Western Armenian dialect—a challenging first choice for the Pobig Dodig author who says she has been spontaneously translating books in the English language for her children for years. Now, she’s doing the same for her kindergarteners in Watertown, who loved her recent in-class Armenian reading of Green Eggs and Ham on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. “I had some free time this week, [so] I made this video for them,” explained Arzoumanian. “Everyone is stuck at home, and we all need all the resources we can get!”

The five-minute video has become an instant attraction and has already garnered over 500 views with many parents inside and outside the SSAES community sharing their excitement and extending their gratitude to Arzoumanian for this small, but meaningful production—a familiar voice offering a brief respite for Diasporan families struggling to navigate these unprecedented circumstances.  

SSAES shuttered its doors on Friday in response to local mandates to slow the community spread of COVID-19. Arzoumanian tells the Weekly that teachers had been bracing for this possibility, preparing work packets and daily schedules in advance. “We did take the prospect of prolonged school closures seriously,” she explained. Pre-schoolers are now logging on to virtual circle time, while elementary school students, like Arzoumanian’s third grader, are signing on to video conference calls with their classmates and teachers.      

Arzoumanian says she is planning more installments in the coming days and weeks. She wants to introduce her mother’s translation of her personal favorite Where the Wild Things Are and is also preparing readings of a few books in the Elephant and Piggie series. Arzoumanian, a talented illustrator and artist, is also thinking about arts and crafts tutorials in Armenian. “For many children in our community, school is the only place where they hear and speak Armenian,” said Arzoumanian of her unique initiative in Armenian education during this global pandemic. “Being home for weeks will take that away from them, unless their parents have resources such as audio books and videos like this.” 

The mother of two also offered comforting advice for parents juggling sudden homeschooling and their own work responsibilities. “Bedtimes might be later, our kids might have longer screen time than usual, but as long as they have a schedule that includes getting dressed in the morning, schoolwork, going out for physical activity, some quiet games and creative time, they will feel safe and cared for, and I think that’s what they need to be happy.”

Author information

Leeza Arakelian

Assistant Editor

Leeza Arakelian is the assistant editor for the Armenian Weekly. She is a formally trained broadcast news writer and a graduate of UCLA and Emerson College. Leeza has written and produced for local and network television news including Boston 25 and Al Jazeera America.

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It’s hard to believe it’s been almost two whole years since my children’s book, Under the Light of the Moon, was published. Since April 2018, I’ve had the opportunity to do countless book presentations and signings at bookstores, churches, community centers, festivals and schools for children in the U.S. and internationally. It’s at these events that I see the spark in elementary students – the initial engagement in the message I’m sharing and the desire to learn more. I’m also grateful to all of the teachers and school districts who now use Under the Light of the Moon to teach about the Armenian Genocide and the phenomenal work of Near East Relief. Even before my book was published, I had a vision for how schools could implement it in their curriculum, and as an educator, I wanted to ensure that I created a guide that would give teachers a resource that they could choose to follow. And so, The Under the Light of the Moon Teaching Guide was born. 

Today as we all find ourselves in a time of uncertainty with COVID-19, and with parents around the world unexpectedly figuring out the art of homeschooling, I quickly realized that the Under the Light of the Moon Teaching Guide is not just for teachers, it’s for parents, too. This free resource includes before, during and after reading activities, comprehension questions, research projects and writing tasks.  Parents and teachers can follow the guide exactly or pick and choose which activities, tasks or questions to use.  

Under normal circumstances, my calendar would be full with upcoming presentations, but given the current circumstances with COVID-19, all of those presentations have been postponed indefinitely. Because of this situation, I’ve decided to record a short video presentation that students will be able to watch for free on my website. It will be an abbreviated version of what I usually present—almost as if the book’s foreword is coming to life – and it will provide a brief introduction to the Armenian Genocide and Jackie Coogan’s heroic work with Near East Relief.

Please follow me on Instagram and on Facebook for updates. To access the free teaching guide and other resources, you can visit my website. I would also love to hear from anyone who uses the teaching guide or implements a new activity with the book so that I can share your ideas with others through social media.  Under the Light of the Moon is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other independent retailers.

Last but not least, thank you to all of the teachers who are currently implementing distance learning and to all parents who are homeschooling their children. You are all making such a difference for the next generation, and I hope the resources I’ve shared can help you during this challenging time.

Author information

Laura Michael

Laura Michael is a school district administrator in Los Angeles. She is a third generation Armenian American originally from Rhode Island. Her first children’s book 'Under the Light of the Moon' was published by Mascot Books in June 2018.

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass—On Sunday, March 8, the five Armenian churches of Boston—Armenian Memorial Church (Watertown),  St. James Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown), St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown), First Armenian Church (Belmont) and Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (Cambridge)—celebrated a day of learning and fellowship with young people. The workshop titled “Lightlab: Are You in His Light?” was created for students in grades 2 through 8. 

Lightlab was held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (HTAAC) at its Charles and Nevart Talanian Hall. There were 115 students in attendance, along with 30 Sunday School teachers and many parents from the five churches, taking in the power of Christ in a whole new way. 

“What a blessed event…to gather five churches, two denominations and different views united with Christ,” said grandmother and Armenian Memorial Church member Arpi Sarian. “This is [the] beginning of [a] revival.”     

Sunday School programs from participating churches collaborated with Suzanne Shera, an optics engineer, science teacher and Christian educator, who wrote Lightlab: Lessons for Kids to Explore the Nature of Light and to Know Jesus. Shera, who lived and received her education in Boston, now resides in Philadelphia. The aim of the collaboration was to help students contemplate the light of Christ together through experiential learning.

Yn. Arpi Kouzouian and Arpi Boynerian warmly welcomed the participants, albeit with reminders to take health precautions with hand washing, as the public was becoming informed of the coronavirus. The team of organizers included Yn. Arpi Kouzouian (HTAAC), Arpi Boynerian and Maral Orchanian (Armenian Memorial Church), Carol Nahigian and Susan Duffy (First Armenian Church), Nayiri Baljian-Bell and Angelique Ourfalian (St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church),  and Yn. Natasha Aljalian and Laura Purutyan (St. James Armenian Apostolic Church). Talented musician John Baboian opened the program by setting a tone of joy and gratitude for God’s creation. Baboian with the help of student volunteers inspired the audience to sing from the heart, including “Soorp Asdvadz,” “This Little Light of Mine” and other songs of praise. 

Shera introduced the topic of light with a 20-minute visual presentation, looking at ways that we encounter light through our Armenian Christian culture. There are countless examples, starting with how Armenians greet one another—paree looys/good light. In fact, our churches, art and traditions are full of examples of light. We call Saint Gregory, who helped bring Christianity to Armenia, the Illuminator or Enlightener. The importance of light is ever-present throughout Armenia as well, from church windows and domes that let in light to candles in churches and the Bible itself. The translation of the Bible into Armenian turned Armenians toward the light of Christ. Shera referred to I Corinthians 12:12 to help students connect the science of light to their personal practice of faith: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”   

Shera then talked about two scientists Michael Faraday and James Maxwell—friends who shared not only a great curiosity and love for learning science, but also their Christian faith. Faraday invented the electric motor and predicted that light is electromagnetic, but people laughed at him. At the time he couldn’t prove his theory. Faraday once said, “The book of nature, which we have to read, is written by the finger of God.” Maxwell was a mathematician and proved that light travels by electric and magnetic waves. “I think men of science as well as other men need to learn from Christ, and I think Christians whose minds are scientific are bound to study science that their view of the glory of God may be as extensive as their being is capable,” said Maxwell. Shera also introduced Isaac Newton’s color wheel to prepare students for the hands-on activity, showing that white light is the combination of all colors, and it is energy which our brains learn to discern. 

Following Shera’s lesson, students plunged into the activity with their peers from different parishes. Each student created a color wheel and learned to make them spin, discovering how the many colors together become white. Following the hands-on activity, Shera explained how our individual gifts are designed to work in harmony, to be fruitful and reflect the light of Christ. Just as any team in school, sports or the arts needs the talents, gifts and commitment of many different people to create a whole that is beautiful and good, so it is true for the church, the Body of Christ. One sixth grader commented, “I want to think and see what is my role in my church.”

Students, teachers and parents enjoyed pizza and clementines while mingling with old and new friends. Many were excited about this opportunity and expressed their interest in learning and experiencing the Armenian Christian faith as a community together. 

“It was great. With the apparent dichotomy between science and faith getting stronger as the years go by, it is more and more important to remind students that faith and science are compatible,” said Armen Festekjian, a Boston College undergraduate and Lightlab volunteer. “The combination of the Christian faith and the spirit of scientific discovery during this gathering of young Armenian Sunday School students…is a hopeful reminder of this truth for the youth.”

Author information

Laura Purutyan

Laura Bilazarian Purutyan is part of the Sunday School team at St. James Armenian Church, Watertown. Laura works with the MetroWest STEM Education Ecosystem as a Systems-Thinking Program Developer, currently focused on designing and piloting a regional STEM Mentorship Program that includes K12, higher ed, community organizations, municipalities, industry, youth and parents.

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It’s been a crazy week to say the least. Seven days ago I was in class talking about memoir writing strategies and finals, and before I knew it, my university was telling all students to leave campus, and the United States had declared a state of emergency. A few days later Armenia declared a state of emergency, showing the way that this crisis affects our community around the globe. As Armenians, we know how to act in communities, which is more important now than ever. We are all in this together, but it’s important to remember that we are all affected differently and can support each other in different ways. I am lucky not to have been affected in any major way by the crisis. My schedule has been up in the air, but I still have my health, financial security, access to housing and healthcare and a supportive family living situation. But not everyone around me is nearly that lucky. 

In the midst of the current crisis, I found myself at the polls on election day. Despite his criticism of the federal mishandling of the crisis, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker failed to postpone the primary elections in accordance with CDC recommendations of social distancing. Going to a local library to vote, I found myself in a line of around 50 people snaking around a small entry room. “This doesn’t really look like social distancing,” commented the woman behind me as she took her place in line. 

The atmosphere at my polling place was calm and the process was efficient, but the lack of access to voting created by this crisis is deeply concerning. It leaves many who are elderly, immuno-compromised, infected, or simply don’t want to expose themselves to the risk of infection unable to vote and certainly made me wonder about my government’s commitment to democracy and its citizens. 

Nevertheless, I personally was able to make it to the polls during a time when I believe that voting is more important than ever. With structures in place like the two-party system, super delegates and the electoral college, it’s easy to feel that there’s no point in voting at all. We as individuals have little choice in how our government runs, but that makes it all the more important to use the resources and voices that we do have to support each other. 

Voting is part of a larger process of political participation, and the current crisis has shown how necessary that is. The crisis has laid bare gaping flaws in our current system, such as the lack of universal access to healthcare that has caused many with COVID-19 to go without testing and treatment and act as carriers to others. It has also shown us what governments can do, from the US House bill guaranteeing free COVID-19 testing to Armenia’s flights evacuating its citizens from infected areas. 

In addition, the crisis has shown the impact that individual citizens can have on the well-being of their communities. With an airborne virus, one person’s decision to stay home can have a major impact on many lives. One person’s decision to donate their resources could provide others with access to basic necessities. It provides us with an important moment for each of us to reflect on our individual actions and the effects that they can have on ourselves and others. 

For those of us who are able to self-isolate, COVID-19 has created a temporary new lifestyle prioritizing individual activities and digital connections. While practicing social distancing, we can read and inform ourselves on urgent developments and important causes around the world. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has shown an important example, encouraging social distancing while continuing to report on Armenian issues and giving our community concrete ways to act and promote causes we believe in. This and other organizing efforts have given us an opportunity to engage with others even in physical isolation and encourage us to think about what other things we can do for ourselves and our communities. The necessity for social isolation has shown the importance of digital organizing and the power we have to inform each other and spread our messages through new and creative means. 

Author information

Araxie Cass

Araxie Cass is a member of the AYF Chicago Ararat Chapter, as well as a student of Creative Writing and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. Her work includes creative non-fiction and short stories, focusing on Armenian topics, as well as social justice, culture and community.

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Photography by Knar Bedian

NEW YORK, NY—The ARS Norian Youth Connect Program’s latest installment on February 29 galvanized university students from all over North America. More than 100 students converged on Columbia University for a day of lectures and discussions from leading scientists, artists, journalists and scholars.

The program featured journalist Raffi Khatchadourian (The New Yorker), historian Houri Berberian (University of California, Irvine), filmmaker Stephanie Ayanian (“What Will Become of Us”), historian and program director Dr. Khatchig Mouradian (Columbia University) and Mariam Avagyan (Columbia University), who works on Mathematical Deep Learning with applications in Computer Vision and Signal Processing.

Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA board member Sandra Vartanian opened the program with welcoming remarks and briefly discussed the work of the ARS.

The success of the program has prompted the ARS to hold what was an annual program twice every year. Over the past four years, Youth Connect has been held at MIT, Yale or Columbia University.

“The ARS Norian Youth Connect Program has emerged as a leading educational program in the Armenian world, bringing together artists, intellectuals, fostering an environment of discussion, debate and community engagement for hundreds of university students,” said Mouradian, who was directing his tenth consecutive Youth Connect. 

“Much of the credit for the program’s success goes to the students, whose feedback and suggestions have helped us rework or tweak different aspects of Youth Connect over the years, and whose willingness to engage in discussion has generated tremendous enthusiasm,” he added.

Registered students hailed from Columbia University, Stetson University, University of Central Florida, Fordham University, UMass Lowell, Concordia University, University of Montreal, Temple University, George Washington University, New York University, Duke University, UCLA, University of California, Riverside, Cornell University, SUNY Maritime College, Yale University, Ryerson University, University of Toronto, Boston University, Point Park University, Carthage College, Tufts University, University of Vermont, Mt. Holyoke College, Boston Architectural College, Colgate University, UMass Boston, MIT, Fashion Institute of Technology, Durham College, Ramapo College of New Jersey, California Lutheran University, Berklee College of Music, UMass Amherst, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Harvard University, Northeastern University, University of Maryland, UCSD, University of Delaware, among others.

The day began with Ayanian who showed a seven-minute extended trailer of her film What Will Become of Us which focuses on Armenian Americans today. The short clip was followed by a discussion about the process of making the film. Ayanian teaches documentary film production at Drexel University, and she co-owns Storyshop, an independent production house for creative media. She previously produced Kinderwald, an Official Selection of Munich International, Seattle International, Napa Valley and Slamdance film festivals.

Changing gears to a completely different subject, Avagyan’s talk centered on machine learning and neural networks discussing the cutting edge research that is being conducted in the field as well as her own work. Avagyan is a PhD student in electrical engineering at Columbia University, and her research focuses on mathematical deep learning with applications in computer vision and signal processing. Avagyan also is the director and founder of ZeRoRo robotics camp in Armenia, which was driven by her passion for robotics and children’s education, with plans to make it an international camp this year.

Following a lunch break, Khatchadourian moved the discussion to journalism and the challenges facing long form journalism today. A discussion ensued with the participants on the role of journalists and the public-at-large in fighting against the ubiquity of fake news. A staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008, Khatchadourian covers a wide range of topics, including science, art, politics, foreign affairs and national security. On two occasions, his work was nominated for National Magazine Awards—once for his profile of an Al Qaeda propagandist, titled “Azzam the American,” and a second time, in collaboration with a New Yorker multimedia team, for “Secrets of Edgewood,” an investigation into Cold War psychochemical experiments. 

Professor of history, Meghrouni Family Presidential chair in Armenian Studies and director of the Armenian Studies Program at UC Irvine, Berberian discussed her new book, Roving Revolutionaries: Armenians and the Connected Revolutions in the Russian, Iranian, and Ottoman Worlds. She focused on the role played by the Armenian revolutionary Rosdom, among others, from 1904-1911 when the Russian, Iranian, and Young Turk revolutions took place. Her presentation focused on the movements and participation of these revolutionaries within and across frontiers that tell us a great deal about the global transformations that were taking shape at that time. 

Concluding the day was Mouradian’s discussion about the life and legacy of two Armenian midwives who practiced midwifery in Aintab and then in Aleppo from the 1890s into the 1940s. Besides being the director of the Youth Connect program, Mouradian is a lecturer in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University, where he also heads the Armenian studies program. His book The Resistance Network: The Armenian Genocide and Humanitarianism in Ottoman Syria is forthcoming in 2020.

Author information

Armenian Relief Society Eastern U.S.

The ARS Eastern USA has 32 chapters located throughout the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, and Southeastern regions of the United States. Please contact the ARS Eastern U.S. Regional Office (arseastus@gmail.com) if you would like more information about a chapter near you.

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BOSTON, Mass. – The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) has announced the release of its latest book, Srpuhi Dussap’s pioneering Armenian feminist novel Mayda: Echoes of Protest.

Published in 1883 in Istanbul, in the midst of an Armenian community experiencing a cultural renaissance, the book caused a sensation at the time, with some condemning its call for the equal rights of women as a threat to traditional Armenian values, while others praised its promotion of social justice as a progressive step for the nation.

This first book known to have been written by an Armenian woman is notable not only for its novel ideas, but also for its innovative form, as one of the earliest works written in the modern Western Armenian language and therefore easily accessible to the public, rather than the classical form that had until that time been considered the only acceptable text. 

With Mayda, Dussap provides a sharp critique of the unequal and unjust position of women in contemporary society and declares the right of a woman to a good education, to become gainfully employed, to relate with the opposite sex on the basis of mutual respect and to have an independent role in society. She advances her ideas through this controversial novel of romance, betrayal and reconciliation. The action is described through correspondence, mainly between an attractive but despondent young widow (Mayda) and her wise friend (Madam Sira), who offers her encouragement and advice.

While advocating equality for women is the main theme of the book, this was only one aspect of the author’s crusade for a more just and humane society. Her disapproval of the frivolity of the upper classes was clear, and she saw it as the duty of the privileged to improve the condition of the less fortunate. Her crusade for a greater role for women was based not only on her sense of social justice, but also on her conviction that enlisting the abilities of women would facilitate the nation’s progress. There is a strong strand of nationalism in her writing, and Dussap was part of the contemporary progressive movement dedicated to advance the Armenian community through education, publications and social participation.

Srpuhi Vahanian Dussap was born in the Istanbul suburb of Ortaköy in 1841 into a wealthy and socially prominent family. Her father passed away before she reached her first birthday, leaving her upbringing and education in the capable hands of her mother Nazeli Vahanian. An especially well-educated woman noted for her philanthropic activities as well as her participation in the newly formed women’s associations of the times, Nazeli carefully supervised her daughter’s education, first in a French elementary school and later with tutors.

It was not until she was in her twenties, however, that Srpuhi Dussap began to take an interest in the Armenian language and literature, after she met and began taking Armenian-language lessons from the well-known Armenian poet Mgrdich Beshigtashlian. Under his influence, she wrote her first publications, poetry written in classical Armenian. 

In 1871, Srpuhi married her piano teacher, Paul Dussap, a French musician at the Turkish Sultan’s court. The couple had two children, Dorine and Edgar, and they held a popular lively salon in their home that attracted local intellectuals to discuss the cultural, political and social issues of the day. Paul Dussap encouraged his wife’s literary activities. In 1880 Srpuhi published a small work titled The Spoken Armenian Language and began contributing articles about women’s issues to the Armenian press. 

With the publication of Mayda (and two additional novels furthering her ideas, Siranush in 1884 and Araxia in 1886), Dussap became an idol for a young generation of Armenian women who were inspired by her life and ideals. In 1889, accompanied by her daughter Dorine, she went on an extended trip to Paris, where the two enjoyed the cultural life of the French capital. But Dorine contracted tuberculosis, and soon after returning home, in 1891, she died at the age of 19. Srpuhi Dussap could not recover from this crushing loss and never again wrote for publication. She withdrew from society and passed away in 1901.

However several writers from the young generation of Armenian women who had been inspired by Dussap as a role model went on to lead distinguished literary careers. Following her example, they created a brilliant body of literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Almost forgotten for a century, the lives and works of these women are increasingly becoming the subject of attention today, not only among Armenians striving to meet the challenges of modern times, but in broader circles interested in understanding the evolving roles of women in society.

Mayda was reprinted in 1924, but AIWA’s edition is the first translation of the text into English. It marks the latest work to appear in the organization’s “Treasury of Armenian Women’s Literature” series, following AIWA’s previous publication of three works by an admirer of Dussap, Zabel Yessayan (The Gardens of Silihdar, My Soul in Exile and In the Ruins).

Mayda includes an introduction by Professor Valentina Colzolari of the University of Geneva, who places the work in the context of women’s emancipation and Armenian literature in contemporary Istanbul. The translator is author Nareg Seferian, a graduate teaching assistant at the Virginia School of Public and International Affairs. The editor is Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, who teaches Armenian Language and Culture at Harvard University’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Assisting in the editing was AIWA’s publication team of Barbara Merguerian, Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Judith A. Saryan and Danila Jebejian Terpanjian.

Mayda: Echoes of Protest is available for purchase ($20) directly from AIWA, from Amazon Books, or from booksellers specializing in works about Armenia and Armenians. For more information about AIWA books or about AIWA’s programs to advance the roles of women in society, please contact the organization at 65 Main St., #3A, Watertown, MA 02472; 617-926-0171; info@aiwainternational.org.

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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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WASHINGTON, DC—Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Raffi Hamparian is urging U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy to expand the U.S. Embassy vital assistance to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. In a letter dated Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Hamparian is encouraging Ambassador Tracy to work with Armenia’s Ministry of Health, the American University of Armenia’s Center for Health Services Research and social service organizations like the Armenian Relief Society (ARS).

Thousands of ANCA supporters from across the U.S. have been advocating tirelessly for expanded U.S. assistance to Armenia for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The ANCA is working closely with key congressional leaders to increase U.S. aid to Armenia and Artsakh, once again, as Congress begins drafting the FY2021 foreign aid measure, set to be unveiled in the coming months.

ANCA Letter to U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy on Expanded COVID-19 Assistance

March 24, 2020

The Honorable Lynne Tracy
United States Ambassador
1 American Avenue
Yerevan 0082
Republic of Armenia

Dear Ambassador Tracy:

On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America, please accept our thanks – during this time of crisis – for the work that you, our team at U.S. Embassy-Yerevan, and all U.S. Foreign Service Officers, USAID officials, and others are undertaking to keep America and the world safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.

I write today to encourage you to ensure that needed U.S. foreign assistance resources are directed to help Armenia deal with this health emergency, in cooperation with Armenia’s Ministry of Health and in support of other public health stakeholders, such as the American University of Armenia’s Center for Health Services Research and social service organizations like the Armenian Relief Society. Funds appropriated by Congress can play a vital role at this crucial moment, as can U.S. technical assistance in public health reporting, data collection, and capacity building.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter, and for all you are doing to strengthen the enduring bonds that have long connected the American and Armenian peoples. We look forward to hearing from you on this urgent matter, and would welcome the opportunity to help share news of our Embassy’s work with our community, Congressional friends, and coalition partners.

Sincerely,

Raffi Haig Hamparian
Chair
ANCA National Headquarters

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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CANCELED…that’s all I’ve been seeing projected in big red letters on every event flier possible, from AYF meetings, to Homenetmen bake sales, to dance performances, to Artsakh trips. The list goes on and on. It seems like the world has turned into a ghost town from the streets of Watertown to the steps of Cascade. Although I am not currently home but rather in Armenia, which is also my home, I have been staying up to date with everything happening, or not happening, in Boston. It is difficult for me to imagine the doors of the ACEC are locked, knowing that Baron Zaven is not standing on the crosswalk stopping traffic as a grandfather holding his granddaughter’s hand is rushing her to school, or my mom telling me that her weekly “sheerket” has been canceled. 

Armenia has been no different. As I was walking home the other day, I felt disheartened. There was not a single dhol player. Not one person came up to me to try and sell me a rose or a panda balloon. The vendors of Vernissage have disappeared. The once lively streets of Yerevan are now empty.

These eerie observations make me wonder about the near future as we are less than one month away from our annual Armenian Genocide commemorations. How long is this going to last?

You might wonder what I am doing in Armenia, or more importantly why I’m still here. I came here as a Birthright Armenia participant and have been volunteering at two locations for over a month now. What I thought was going to be an absolutely life-changing experience where I was ready to give my undivided attention to Birthright and all the opportunities that came with it, turned out a little differently than I expected. It started from putting on hand sanitizer at work after I touched every little thing, to being asked to work from home, to getting an email that this week’s “havak” (gathering) and forum are canceled, to being forbidden to step outside my house. The list goes on. My expectations have been turned upside down, but I believe that I can do my part to help clear out this virus from here. 

I’ve been trying to entertain myself these past couple of days in every way possible from picking up a book and attempting to read, to forcing myself to work out at home, to discovering my inner culinary skills, to doing some yoga and even stepping outside to get a breath of fresh air so I don’t completely lose my mind. I have gone from having absolutely no time on my hands to having an infinite amount. There is a void in my heart; something is missing from my daily life without these Armenian events.

As Armenians we all have busy schedules. We have countless meetings to attend, agendas to prepare, events to plan and dance rehearsals to master. But it’s important to make time to visit family and friends. It might be overwhelming at times, but it is amazing how interconnected Armenians are. We are in each other’s lives almost every day whether we choose to be or not, so this is beyond unusual and challenging for us, as I am sure it is for most.

What is getting me through these times is knowing that my neighbor, my friend, a stranger living across the world is spending their time in prison with me. We have quickly turned our new world around. Schools have shifted online so that their students don’t miss a second of learning. Seeing pictures and videos of the students at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown having Armenian class online and having music class through a TV screen has been interesting, but eye opening at the same time. I have mixed feelings knowing that we can easily do everything through a computer screen at home. Social distancing has forced us to move our close knit Armenian community events and gatherings online, from groups of friends having FaceTime karaoke sessions, to having dinner with grandparents through an iPhone screen or having AYF meetings online.

I miss my life, my routines, my friends, and hugs from my grandma. But through all this negativity we have to look at the positives. I am so grateful that these organizations and communities are so strong that even a deadly virus can’t stop us. This virus has locked us in our houses, so we have answered by continuing our jam sessions online, by unveiling our hidden talents (I have surprised myself with my cooking skills), by thinking outside the box and being innovative. It reminds me of h-pem’s recent post—«Հայե՜ր միացէ՛ք» (“Hayer miatsek” | “Armenians, unite!”…but keep your distance!). During these uneasy times, unity among Armenians is stronger than ever. Although it may be difficult for Armenians, we must always remember to keep six feet apart! 

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home!

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Meghri Dervartanian

Meghri Dervartanian is a member of the AYF-YOARF Greater Boston "Nejdeh" Chapter and currently serves on the 2019 Central Executive. She is also a Homenetmen scout and athlete. She graduated from University of Massachusetts Boston in May 2019 with a degree in Business Management and a concentration in Marketing.

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PASADENA, Calif.—Mary Basmadjian has mastered the art of comedic timing, especially these days. 

“As comedians, we take a sad situation, and we laugh at it,” explained Basmadjian of the current coronavirus pandemic during a recent FaceTime interview from her southern California home. “It’s great, but it’s a little psychotic when you think about it,” she continued with a chuckle. 

Basmadjian, who is stuck at home like many of her 32-thousand Instagram followers, has been taking advantage of this unusual moment by creating short hilarious character-driven productions, leaving Diasporan Armenians in stitches. Sporting a thick, trendy leopard print coat, extra long acrylic nails, a disheveled piecey auburn wig and overdrawn red lipstick, everyone’s favorite and riotous Armenian aunt—“Vartoush Tota”—has been offering ‘Corona tips’ from her kitchen. With a fake cigarette in hand, “Vartoush” demonstrates how to repurpose an elderly’s stash of blue Medicare/Medicaid pads as toilet paper. In another episode, a panic-stricken “Vartoush” unpacks bags and bags of garlic and onions as a “SO-SHALL” distancing strategy. “Everything at the Armenian store is good for your immune system!” she exclaims in a thick Armenian accent. A sharply accurate parody of a typical Armenian immigrant, Basmadjian says “Vartoush” is inspired by her father, her aunt and her grandmother.

 

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There’s also “Piso,” a spoiled, shallow, entitled Armenian girl character who only cares about getting married, a fact of life for almost every Armenian girl under pressure to settle down with a family. “If you get married, you win,” said Basmadjian, who openly refuses to submit to these predominant cultural norms, yet still maintains that they are an important part of her identity. “I always say I was born in a melting pot, but I’m not going to lose my flavor. I have to keep the Armenian culture as much as I can.”

Basmadjian intentionally stirs the pot with these colorful characters, lending to larger conversations about the role of women in Armenian society and even pointing out a few unappealing qualities. Empowered by these multiple identities, Basmadjian explained, “I’m able to say certain things [as ‘Vartoush’] that Mary is not able to say. So I use ‘Vartoush’ as the vehicle to convey these messages.” 

Basmadjian’s viral Instagram videos (@marybasmadjian) have been augmenting her work as a stand-up comedian—Funny Armenian Girl—for the past 10 years, during which time she has collaborated with the likes of Lory Tatoulian (“Big Bad Armo Show”) and Helen Kalognomos, who also happens to play Vartoush’s depressed Persian Armenian friend, “Clodette.” The two were featured in Taleen Babayan’s 2019 Armenian American play “Where is Your Groom?” 

 

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But even Basmadjian might argue that she is not your typical funny Armenian girl. The 32 year-old self-made comedian opened up during her interview with the Armenian Weekly and credited the ease of her unfiltered jokes to her less-than traditional background. “I knew what an Armenian girl’s upbringing was, but I didn’t have the restrictions of the Armenian girl,” she said. “Growing up, I wasn’t very popular. I would get picked on by the same Armenian people because I had the divorced parents. I was a chubby kid. But these same people who picked on me are now sharing my videos.” Looks like Basmadjian got the last laugh…

It’s clear today that Basmadjian was born to make people laugh. She first realized her talents when she served as an extra in comedy plays starring her father and paternal grandparents. As a young girl, she would mimic the elderly and later crack jokes on the bus as a student at Pasadena High School. It wasn’t until she got her first laugh during an open-mic night at a Los Angeles comedy club in 2009 that she wholeheartedly began to pursue this craft professionally.  

But for now, it’s lights-out for Basmadjian, who is using her unmatched sense of humor to make sense of these maddening times. Though she was forced to cancel an early April show, Basmadjian remains hopeful that she will hear laughter again. Until then, she has adopted the motto— “Stay safe. Stay sane.” And when she’s not creating content for social media, she is FaceTiming her beloved maternal grandmother, who has been under lockdown at the Ararat Home in Los Angeles for several weeks now. “This isn’t going to break us down,” said Basmadjian, “but it is going to impact the human race as a whole, because right now we are not able to physically embrace one another.”

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Leeza Arakelian

Assistant Editor

Leeza Arakelian is the assistant editor for the Armenian Weekly. She is a formally trained broadcast news writer and a graduate of UCLA and Emerson College. Leeza has written and produced for local and network television news including Boston 25 and Al Jazeera America.

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The year 2020 welcomes the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), as well as a new threat to the Armenian community by way of COVID-19. The Armenian Weekly recently sat down with ARS Central Executive Board Chair Dr. Nyree Derderian to discuss the society’s continuing relevance and importance to the Armenian nation, both in the homeland and the diaspora.

Armenian Weekly (A.W.): The ARS is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. How do you view the continuing importance of the society from its inception to the present day?

Dr. Nyree Derderian (N.D.): The Armenian Relief Society has evolved with every turning point, with every generational change. It is still as relevant today as it was in 1910. The challenges have shifted, yet there is a continuing need for the ARS to serve our people. The ARS continues to empower women in its ranks to not only be leaders within their own families, but also gives them the necessary knowledge and resources to become leaders in their communities and to advocate for Armenian and humanitarian causes. It is important that the ARS continue for generations to come, so that the society continues to serve our people when they need it most. 

A.W.: What programs do you consider of particular importance, both past and present, in the diaspora and in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk?

N.D.: Our entities have programs which are coordinated locally and are vital to their communities. Each entity has programs serving youth, senior citizens, immigrants and social needs; to name the importance of them all would take up an entire issue. Allow me to focus on a few.

The ARS Akhuryan Mother and Child Clinic was established as a hospital in 1997 and expanded in 2005 with additional housing for the birthing center. The center was opened on April 24 in response to the need for healthy births in the Shirak region of Armenia which was devastated by the 1988 earthquake. Today there have been over 17,000 healthy births at the center with a zero percent maternal mortality rate. The center has proven to operate with the highest standards and to assure the comfort of our patients who are giving a new generation hope. In January 2017 the ARS launched a program to support the births of 2nd and 3rd female newborn to impede sex selective abortions; the program includes education for the families.

The “Sose” Kindergartens of Artsakh were first launched in 1998 in Stepanakert; currently the ARS partially funds eight kindergartens throughout the republic. Initially they were created for the offspring of soldiers who perished during the Artsakh War. However today they serve the general population of Artsakh and are some of the brightest steps for a future for those who attend.

The sustainability of the Armenians in Javakhk still remains pertinent to date. The ARS is continuing to foster the Armenian communities through various programs, such as our three youth centers in Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda and Akhaltsikhe. We are currently working on broadening the scope of programs to include micro business to empower women and teach rug weaving and needle work.

The newest addition to the ARS programs in Armenia is “HOM Arvest” which was created in 2018. The concept of the program isn’t new; it is in fact a tradition that started as early as the First Republic in 1918 and carried out in diaspora communities such as Syria and Lebanon. “HOM Arvest” has a dual purpose: first, it is an opportunity to teach women handy work and second, it gives an opportunity to bring those items to market and for the women to earn a living. 

A.W.: As the oldest Armenian women’s organization in the world, does the ARS have a specific agenda in mind for the coming year and beyond?

N.D.: The Board’s focus for this term is sustainability, to sustain our organization and membership, and to further educate and strengthen our current members, empowering them to continue to answer the call to action that is set forth by our organization. Our membership is the greatest grassroots force; one phone call to a region ignites a call to action and the unattainable becomes feasible. Without the members of the ARS it would cease to exist. Another priority is to sustain fundraising and adopt new modalities that are used in other organizations to strengthen our financial base. Finally, it is our focus to sustain and develop new programs to further our reach of humanitarian aid for our people.

A.W.: Recently in Gyumri, a woman and her 13-year-old daughter were beaten, and the woman died from her injuries while her daughter remains hospitalized in serious condition. It appears that the woman’s partner, a 28-year-old man, committed the crime which is under investigation. This certainly is not the first case of domestic violence in Armenia. Given the prominence and high regard of the ARS as the premier Armenian women’s organization, are there any plans for the society to address this issue and become involved in working towards systemic change in Armenian society?

N.D.: First and foremost our hearts go out to the victim’s family members. The ARS is a humanitarian organization comprised of women. In order to make systemic changes in Armenia we need to change the mindset, a mindset that has historically revered women in Armenian society. Women have played an important role in all facets of Armenian society, whether they were pagan goddesses, the main force for Armenians adopting Christianity as our official religion, monarchs, fighting on the battlefields, voting and holding office during the First Republic, or something as simple as being daughters, wives, mothers and grandmothers. Domestic violence is inexcusable and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law; harming one’s wife and mother of your children is maltreatment. We are working to first and foremost educate our own membership on domestic violence. Organized steps need to be taken; a partnership of NGOs needs to be aligned so that civil society and government work hand in hand to first educate the public at large and second suggest policy changes. There are organizations that have been at the forefront of the changing policy against domestic violence. Imagine the possibilities if that number was greater. 

A.W.: On a more celebratory note, are there special events in mind for the 110th anniversary?

N.D.: The Central Executive Board had organized the 110th celebration in the homeland to take place from August 30th through September 10th. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak we are forced to postpone the 110th anniversary events as the health of our membership and supporters is of utmost importance to us. Further information shall be made available as soon as we reschedule.

A.W.: One last question during these extraordinary times. Under the current conditions with COVID-19 in the US and the recent lock down and state of emergency in Armenia, what plans might the ARS have to send assistance in response to needs that arise for our brethren in Armenia and around the world?

N.D.: The ARS sent a shipment containing one ton of medical supplies to Yerevan and Artsakh in coordination with the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia Fund USA, Chevy Chase Surgery Center and with the financial support of the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation. The shipment was coordinated on the ground by Raffi Sarkissian and Chevy Chase Surgery Center and arrived in Armenia on Friday, March 13, 2020 to assist with the needs of our people in the homeland.

The ARS Akhuryan Mother and Child Birthing Center has taken the necessary precautions to protect our patients, and the staff are working around the clock to secure a safe zone within the facility to protect expectant mothers, mothers who have just given birth and newborns. 

We join various agencies such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and local governments in asking our members to look after the elderly and those in need during this difficult time. While we understand that social distancing is the requirement, a phone call to elderly within our communities, and a friendly voice with a lending hand may be just what they need. 

Our efforts continue to secure more medical supplies and equipment, and if anyone is willing to help send more supplies to Armenia and Artsakh please contact us immediately. 

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Pauline Getzoyan

Pauline Getzoyan is an active member of the Rhode Island Armenian community. Currently, she serves as the communications coordinator of Sts. Vartanantz Church, having been office manager for several years prior. A longtime member of the Providence ARF, she is also a 15-year member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and serves as chairperson of the Providence Ani” chapter, as well as a former member of the Central Executive Board. Pauline has been a long-time advocate for genocide education through her work with the ANC of RI, and she was a member of the coalition group responsible for passage of legislation in RI requiring the teaching of genocide in the state’s secondary schools. In this capacity, Pauline is co-chair of the RI branch of The Genocide Education Project, as well as a member of the RI Holocaust and Genocide Education Coalition. Serving as editor of The Armenian Weekly fulfills a lifelong goal of communicating issues of importance to the Armenian community. Pauline holds a BA in Communications from Rhode Island College and an MA in Education from Roger Williams University. She has been an adjunct instructor of developmental reading and writing in the English department at the Community College of Rhode Island since 2005.

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GLENDALE, Calif.—As the rapidly expanding COVID-19 pandemic has consumed virtually all aspects of American society, one longstanding constitutional tradition—the US Census—is also underway. Millions of American households have already received invitation letters in the mail from the Census Bureau that include a unique 12-digit code, making it easier to respond to the 2020 Census. With or without the code, people can visit the website (my2020census.gov) and follow the simple instructions to complete the census questionnaire online in a matter of minutes. Additional options include completing the form over the phone or by mail—all without having to interact in person with a census enumerator.

Every year, the federal government allocates close to $700 billion in funding to support vital services and programs offered to communities throughout the country. It is critical that everyone residing in the U.S., regardless of their age or citizenship status, participate. The data we provide is used for aggregate statistical purposes only and is kept strictly confidential for 72 years and cannot be disclosed to any other agency or used against any person. 

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), as the premier Armenian-American nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization, has partnered with the Census Bureau and other stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure a complete count of the Armenian community. While we estimate the number of Armenian-Americans to be over 1.5 million, census data captures fewer than 500,000. Historically, the Armenian community has been undercounted, resulting in missed tens of millions of dollars in funding for community services including (but not limited to):

• Funding programs and educational resources in Armenian schools;
• Servicing our elderly population through in-home care and nursing tailored to the needs of the Armenian community;
• Funding healthcare and medical services in Armenian communities;
• Armenian language services to accommodate our community needs;

And with the Census also determining how Congressional districts are apportioned,  a complete count of the Armenian community will help maximize our collective voice in 2020 and the next decade ahead.

In order for our community to secure funding for these vital services, it is crucial that we mark our identity as “Armenian” on Question 9 of the Census questionnaire under the “White” or “Some Other Race” categories. 

HyeCount Initiative has also launched a social media challenge, calling on our community to help spread awareness and build momentum on the Census campaign by sharing photos of their families using the hashtag #BigFatArmenianFamily and challenging friends to complete the questionnaire and post a photo of their own. 

For additional information and updates, follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram (@HyeCount) , and visit the website (hyecount.org) to learn more about the campaign and how you can participate.

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Verginie Touloumian

Verginie Touloumian is the Community Outreach Director of the ANCA-Western Region. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). Touloumian holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Woodbury University and Master's Degree in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University. During her time at Pepperdine, she participated in a study abroad program at the University of Oxford and was assigned a Management Consultant at LA Mission's Anne Douglas Center. Verginie is an alumnus of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), where she has served on leadership positions on the local and central level.

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With the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, officially labeled COVID-19, around the world, many communities have seen their lives drastically changed. The Armenian-American community is certainly no exception, and many of us regularly interact with healthcare workers through our time and participation at church, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and other organizations. I decided to interview them to get their unique perspective on this unprecedented situation. Due to the spread of misinformation pertaining to the coronavirus, many hospitals are wary of sharing information with the public, requiring some of those interviewed to seek approval from their employer before proceeding. In fact, one potential interviewee was not permitted to speak with me at all.

Yeretzgeen Alice Baljian, wife of Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley, works as a visiting nurse and is facing such changes. She has been “pre-screening patients for respiratory symptoms with fever” before she visits and taking the necessary actions to help them if they show such symptoms. She has also been extra careful in wearing “personal protective equipment during visits.” 

Dr. Ari Nalbandian, an emergency room (ER) doctor who works in both Worcester and Marlborough, Massachusetts, also talked about the additional precautions he has taken at his place of work. “Patients with fever or respiratory symptoms who are designated as potential patients under risk for having COVID-19 are placed into a room under strict isolation precautions, meaning they cannot have visitors, the door to their room must remain closed, and any staff going into the room has to be properly dressed with a disposable gown, gloves, mask, and face shield.” Ani Megerdichian, a physician assistant at a community hospital in Rhode Island, offered a similar picture. “The Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 testing center on our hospital campus,” she said. “COVID-19 testing is by appointment only and at the discretion of the Department of Health.”

Dr. Nalbandian also discussed some tragic stories about the very real effects of this disease. He spoke about an elderly man he worked with who contracted the virus and had only very mild symptoms when he first went to the emergency room, only to return with much more severe symptoms, this time requiring oxygen. “We’re starting to see the case of people declining quite rapidly,” he said, “so the social distancing isolation stuff is no joke.”

The pandemic and society’s response to it is also having profound effects on the livelihoods of other healthcare workers. Pediatric dentist Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos, along with her two pediatric dental partners, unanimously decided to temporarily close their practice two days before the Department of Health in Rhode Island required all dentists to close. “We knew that closing was the only way to protect our patients, staff and all of our families. Dentistry is high risk for transmission of the COVID-19 due to the proximity to the patient’s upper respiratory system to the dentist and the production of aerosols during treatment.  The virus can live in the air in these aerosols for up to three hours”, explained “Dr. Fotini”. Currently, her practice is only treating patients for emergency situations, such as trauma to the teeth, infections, or severe pain. “Finding the balance is a difficult one – deciding what is totally necessary to address versus the health and safety of the patient and family if they defer treatment,” said Dr. Dionisopoulos. Addressing certain situations often prevents any possibility of those children and their families heading to the ER for treatment. That “lightens the load” of the already overburdened hospitals and staff and also protects families from potential exposure to the Coronavirus. “Dr. Fotini” also mentioned that dental offices nationwide are closed in order to help direct all protective equipment to those who need them most at this critical time: the first responders, nurses and physicians who are exposed directly to the virus. 

While the healthcare workers of our communities are on the front lines of combating this virus, what are things that ordinary citizens can do to lighten the burden? “From the viewpoint of someone who works in a pharmacy, I would recommend people have their prescriptions delivered to their homes,” advised Ani Chobanian, who works as a pharmacy technician. She also recommended that if their insurance allows it, people should order “a 90-day supply of their medications. Being on the brink of a national lockdown, it is crucial that people have access to all the medications they need, without having to put themselves at risk.” Along these lines, Dr. Dionisopoulos advised that if people do need to go to a dentist for emergency situations, to go directly home afterwards, particularly if they are getting over an infection.

Megerdichian offered more general advice, particularly in regards to avoiding misinformation in a rapidly changing situation. “In order to get the best information, rely on reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] and local Department of Health,” she advised. “If you are sick, stay home. Cover your mouth when sneezing/coughing and avoid touching your face.” Dr. Nalbandian gave similar advice. “Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, [and] wipe down surfaces.” 

Most importantly, Dr. Nalbandian advises everyone to avoid the ER if at all possible. “If you have mild symptoms that you can deal with at home,” he said, “then stay at home and deal with it there. Contact your primary care physician to help determine the need for testing and to arrange for testing. Many hospitals are setting up tents and areas for ‘drive by testing’ where you can drive up, get swabbed and go home, in coordination with testing orders placed by physicians. If you do not have any symptoms, do not go to the emergency room ‘just to get checked out.’ By going to the ER when you don’t have to, you are exposing yourself and others to potential illnesses, and the ED [Emergency Department] is the last place you want to be. If you are not sick enough to need to be admitted, the end result doesn’t change: you go home and quarantine yourself. If you are having severe symptoms and are sick enough to need to be admitted to the hospital, that is a different story; by all means, let us take care of you.”

Dr. Nalbandian also reminds all of us to “maintain [our] spirits when at home, be it by keeping in touch with loved ones, music, exercise, prayer, meditation, or Netflix. Stay positive (hopefully not COVID positive!).”

Author information

Shant Eghian

Shant Eghian is a class of 2018 graduate of Assumption College. He has written for several online magazines such as Liberty Island and Odyssey Online. He serves as a deacon in the Armenian Church.

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WASHINGTON, DC – The ANCA welcomed confirmation, shared with the ANCA by the State Department on Friday, that the global U.S. COVID-19 emergency aid package – which will provide $274 million in resources to 64 of the world’s most at-risk countries will include $1.1 million for Armenia.

“We welcome this first round of additional U.S. healthcare resources for Armenia related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “The ANCA encourages the immediate reprogramming of funds already appropriated by Congress for Armenia to help meet this crisis. As we have been from the beginning of this global pandemic, we will remain engaged with Executive and Legislative branch leaders to support joint U.S.-Armenia efforts to contain COVID-19 and to care for those suffering from this virus.”

Earlier this week, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian encouraged U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy “to ensure that needed U.S. foreign assistance resources are directed to help Armenia deal with this health emergency, in cooperation with Armenia’s Ministry of Health and in support of other public health stakeholders, such as the American University of Armenia’s Center for Health Services Research and social service organizations like the Armenian Relief Society (ARS).” Hamparian’s March 24th letter to Ambassador Tracy went on to note that “Funds appropriated by Congress can play a vital role at this crucial moment, as can U.S. technical assistance in public health reporting, data collection, and capacity building.”

The additional U.S. health assistance will help Armenia prepare laboratory systems, activate case finding and event-based surveillance, support technical experts for response and preparedness and bolster risk communication.

Author information

ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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We are in the midst of an international emergency that is affecting all of us locally, along with significant and immediate consequences on our diaspora, our communities and our homeland. The Armenian Relief Society Central Executive Board (CEB) urges all its members to stay well and safe. Social distancing and the avoidance of crowded places are essential to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have the utmost confidence in our entities and members who continue to support our communities especially the most vulnerable—our elderly and those in need. It is with everyone’s cooperation and shared resources where it matters the most that we can overcome this pandemic and keep our communities strong.

The ARS CEB responded immediately to the COVID-19 crisis by sending one ton of medical supplies to Armenia and Artsakh, in partnership with Chevy Chase Surgical Center, Armenia Fund, and the Ani and Narod Family Foundation. We are currently working on a second shipment to help our compatriots in Artsakh, and we need your assistance. Please donate at www.ars1910.org/give.

Furthermore, the ARS of Armenia has transferred $1,000USD to the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Health, as well as $5,000USD to the Veterans Rehab Center at the Heratsi Hospital Complex, Children’s division in Yerevan, Armenia. Several ARS regions and chapters have teamed up with local organizations, Government entities, and churches to help at-risk community members

The ARS has also set up a Global Emergency Response Fund which will accept donations of medical equipment and funds to help reach out to our communities across the globe. The purpose of the Fund is to support those in need during this time of hardship — to help with vital necessities to sustain the wellbeing of our compatriots.

If you are willing and able to assist, please contact your local entity to see how you can lend a helping hand. Information is also widely available on www.ars1910.org, social media and local papers.

For everyone’s safety, the ARS CEB has decided to postpone the 110th Celebratory events which were scheduled to take place in Armenia and Artsakh from August 30-September 10, along with the 7th International Cruise which was scheduled in November of 2020. We will be rescheduling all events when risk of spreading the virus comes to an end.

The ARS has a proven track record that reaches over a century. Thanks to the efforts, dedication and determination of our members we can maintain high standards of service and quick response times. Equivalently, our valued supporters have continuously answered our call to action — thank you, your continued support ensures our ability to sustain our global Armenian communities and lend a helping hand where it is most needed.  

If you would like to give to the Global Emergency Response Fund please click the following  link www.ars1910.org/give or mail your check payable to: Armenian Relief Society, Inc. 80 Bigelow Ave., Suite 300, Watertown, MA 02472.

For further information, please visit:
World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int
Armenia: www.NCDC.am
United States -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov
John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centerhttps://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

Author information

Armenian Relief Society International Inc.

Armenian Relief Society, Inc. (ARS) is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization which serves the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people and seeks to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation. It mobilizes communities to advance the goals of all sectors of humanity. For well over a century, it has pioneered solutions to address the challenges that impact our society.

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Environmental education has been one of Armenia Tree Project’s major programs for the past 15 years, so when schools closed and people began following the norms of social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the organization changed gears quickly.

In Armenia and in the Diaspora, ATP had an ambitious agenda of programs and visits scheduled with students, including preparations for diasporan students who were planning to visit Armenia to plant trees with their peers this spring. Within a week, most programs had been cancelled or postponed, so ATP’s educators went into action to present new material online.

“Many schools introduced web-based distance learning programs during this period and some have struggled with this due to a shortage of resources, so once again ATP stepped in to fill a gap around environmental education,” explains Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian.

Impact on Education Programs in Armenia

The environmental education department had ambitious plans for spring in Armenia. This included strategy meetings with the youth Eco Clubs initiated by ATP around the country, to plan classes and field trips that would lead to green projects launched in their communities later in the year.

“Since the schools are closed and it’s currently a challenge to plan these activities with school directors and relevant governmental and local bodies, we decided to use this time to update our existing educational materials,” says Environmental Education Manager Kristine Hovsepyan. “Many of these lessons are connected with the Building Bridges youth newsletters on our website, and we began to share them with our partner teachers on a weekly basis.”

The education team also began developing new lessons. “Our educators in Armenia and in the US sprang into action and are working to put informative and engaging resources in the hands of students and families who are looking for ways to keep kids learning even when the schools are closed,” adds Papelian. “We still have a sense of urgency and commitment around these issues which are global and which will be affecting people and the planet for years to come, even after the current crisis is under control.”

Building Bridges Program Engages Diaspora

The Building Bridges program was initiated to introduce ATP’s environmental education resources to students in the Diaspora, and to help connect diasporans with Armenia around environmental topics. A series of illustrated newsletters were created, as well as a “Kids & Family” tab on the ATP website with resources including videos and lessons.

This spring, ATP had a series of visits planned in California and across the east coast to introduce new Building Bridges material to students, and prepare some of the classes for their upcoming trips to Armenia. When the situation changed, ATP started putting the resources online using email, the website, and social media.

“We’re going to miss seeing the students in person this spring,” notes Community Outreach Manager Anahit Gharibyan. “I was planning to visit more than a dozen schools in California, and our Boston team was planning the same for schools on the east coast. We thought the next best thing would be to put this material online and get it out to families directly.”

For the past few weeks, ATP has been sending out a weekly email to its list with educational resources, and these are shared on its Facebook and Instagram pages. These include links to worksheets, environmental facts from ATP’s characters like Tchalo the gampr, and tips for coping with social distancing.

“We know that everyone is facing the effects of the coronavirus crisis, but we are following through on our commitments to people and the planet,” concludes Papelian. “This is why we also appealed to our supporters this spring, in order to keep this work going. As our founder Carolyn Mugar has said before, we are in this for the long-term. After the current crisis passes, we will still be working to reverse the environmental crisis.”

Author information

Jason Sohigian

Jason Sohigian is the deputy director of Armenia Tree Project. He has a master’s in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard. His undergraduate degree is from the Environment, Technology, and Society Program at Clark University with a concentration in Physics. From 1999 to 2004, Jason was editor of the Armenian Weekly.

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) announced its second shipment of precautionary medical equipment and supplies to the homeland, following the urgent request by the Ministry of Health of Republic of Artsakh (MOH) to help confront COVID-19.

The first shipment was sent in early March in coordination with the Ministry of Health of Armenia, Armenia Fund, Chevy Chase Surgical Medical Center and Ani & Narod Foundation to Armenia and Artsakh.

The second cargo shipment of thermometers is expected to arrive in Artsakh next week. This shipment was a joint effort between the ARS and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau. A third shipment to Artsakh is scheduled to ship during the upcoming days.

This effort will help support Artsakh readiness capabilities to better respond to any potential spread of the virus.  

Despite the global shortage of necessary medical equipment, we will overcome the pandemic in the homeland with the joint efforts of the diaspora.

Author information

Armenian Relief Society International Inc.

Armenian Relief Society, Inc. (ARS) is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization which serves the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people and seeks to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation. It mobilizes communities to advance the goals of all sectors of humanity. For well over a century, it has pioneered solutions to address the challenges that impact our society.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) has called for expanded U.S. military assistance to Armenia and the immediate suspension in military assistance to Azerbaijan, citing the Aliyev regime’s ongoing attacks against Armenia and Artsakh and verified reports by the U.S. State Department of torture and human rights abuses by the Azerbaijani government, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The United States should immediately suspend military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases its attacks against Armenia and Artsakh, agrees to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts, and proves it has halted all human rights abuses,” stated Chairman Pallone in his testimony to the House Armed Services Committee, as they prepare the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “We must also strive to send a more supportive signal to our regional partners currently undergoing positive, democratic transitions like Armenia by increasing security assistance and bolstering strategic cooperation between our countries,” stated Rep. Pallone.

“The ANCA would like to thank Chairman Pallone for his continued leadership in ending U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan that has only empowered and emboldened Azerbaijan to escalate its aggression against Armenia and Artsakh,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “His testimony, only hours after Azerbaijan’s latest attacks on Armenia’s Tavush region, underscores that America and the international community will not tolerate Azerbaijan recklessly risking a regional war amid a global pandemic.”

March 30th cross-border sniper fire by Azerbaijan injured two Armenian servicemen and hospitalized a child who was shot in the chest while playing on his apartment balcony. Hamparian issued a statement yesterday noting that the attacks confirm two realities: “1) The unwillingness of the OSCE to confront countless acts of obvious Azerbaijani aggression against both Armenia and Artsakh – in favor of the false-parity of generically calling on all parties to refrain from violence – has emboldened Baku to the point that it is today willing to risk a regional war during a global pandemic; 2) Armenians will never accept a Madrid-style deal that requires Artsakh to cede vast territory, strategic depth, sovereignty, and security upfront in return for vague, reversible paper promises from Azerbaijan that it will agree – at some undetermined point in the future – to an undefined process regarding Artsakh’s status.”

In his testimony, Rep. Pallone expressed concern that ongoing U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan is emboldening cross-border attacks. “For years, the United States has invested in a negotiated peace to the conflict in the former Nagorno Karabakh, including humanitarian assistance funding for the HALO Trust’s landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts in Artsakh. Unfortunately, intimidation and cross- border attacks against Armenia and Artsakh are ongoing, in part, because of continued U.S. military assistance to the Azerbaijani government,” said Pallone.

Rep. Pallone urged the House Armed Services Committee to adopt a constructive approach in ending Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh and Armenia including:

—Suspending U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan
—Tightening oversight of “border services” aid to Baku
—Strengthening Section 907 restrictions on aid to Azerbaijan
—Increasing U.S. military aid to Armenia

Rep. Pallone’s full testimony is available here.

Author information

ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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