Illustration: from original German edition of 1897 
Format: 260 x 200 mm
Page: 152
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Publisher: Melisende Publishing, UK
and Rimal Publications, Cyprus 
Year: 2009
ISBN 10: 1-901764-54-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-901764-54-3

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Johann Ludwig Schneller, 'Father Schneller', was among the foremost European missionaries to the Holy Land during the 19th century. A man of immense personal piety and integrity, and faithfully supported by his loyal wife, Magdalena, his major contribution to the history of Palestine was the founding of the Syrian Orphanage (the Schneller Institute). Johann and Magdalena, and their children and grandchildren, spent and continue to spend their lives in the service of the orphans under the aegis of their Syrian Orphanage – ‘the Schneller Institute’. Two such institutes in particular continue the work started by the ‘Schneller Dynasty’, one in Lebanon and one in Jordan. This great institution, continued by his family and friends, has now grown into a major philanthropic organization in the region which continues to give educational and vocational opportunities to many children and young people of all backgrounds and especially to those socially disadvantaged.

Through the years the Syrian Orphanage has been part of the heritage of the Holy Land, nurturing some of the most eminent personalities of the region.

Ramsy Bisharah’s work incorporates the first English translation of an earlier biography in German and Arabic of the towering founder of the Schneller Institute. Also, the book has additional material about the institute’s later history and biographies of some its more famous alumni.

What Johann and Magdalena – ‘Father and Mother of Orphans’ – started in Jerusalem in 1860 continues to thrive to this very day and their glorious and magnanimous sacrifice and work is still immortalized and celebrated at every opportunity.