Shevet Achim was founded in 1994 with the purpose of helping non-Israeli children receive lifesaving medical care in Israel. Our name is taken from the Hebrew of Psalm 133, which promises that unity between brothers leads to life; we believe this to be true of the troubled relationship between Isaac and Ishmael (Jews and Muslims) in the Middle East. To live this out we seek to "go and do likewise" as the Good Samaritan, who crossed lines of division to show that an enemy is in fact a neighbor also loved by God.

We work from the historic building in Jerusalem which housed the first children's hospital in the Middle East, and are registered in both Israel and the US as a non-profit organization, overseen by a board which includes Chuck Kopp, pastor of the Narkis Street International Congregation in Jerusalem; Jonathan Miles, international coordinator of Shevet Achim; David Pileggi, director of Shoresh Study Tours in Jerusalem; and Jim Schutz, local congregations liaison with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.

Our mailing address in Jerusalem is Shevet Achim, POB 32296, Jerusalem, Israel 91000 and our office telephone is 972-2-6245053.  In the United States, our address is Shevet Achim, POB 1006, Rocky Face, GA 30740 and our toll-free telephone number is 877-474-3838. 
Please write us at with any questions. 

Simantov Allalouf, Transportation Coordinator Give or pledge to support this staff member
Martha Berg, Database and Hospitality Manager Martha first came to Israel in 1992, studying at the Institute of Holy Land Studies and later at Hebrew University. Martha oversees the invitation of children to Israeli hospitals and the posting of reports to their web pages. Her husband Philip directed our Jerusalem office until his death in January 2006. Martha has five children: Asher, Adam, Nathan, Sara, and Anna. Contact her at: POB 32296, Jerusalem 91000, Israel or Give or pledge to support this staff member
Hank and Michele Dannecker, Family Needs Coordinators Hank and Michele Dannecker relocated to Israel from Pennsylvania in September 2007.  They have experience operating personal care homes and will help to set up and maintain a home for the patient families, providing hospitality, spiritual guidance, and cultural care.  Hank's current duties include transportation of Shevet patients from various locations to Wolfson Medical Center and maintenance of vehicles and the Shevet center in Jerusalem.  Hank and Michele are blessed to have two children, AbbyRose and Levi Israel. You may contact them Give or pledge to support this staff member
Raneen Ghantous, Arabic Liason Raneen is a Christian Arab Israeli from Kfar Yassif. She communicates with the patients in Gaza and helps coordinate Gazan children receiving heart surgery and medical care. Raneen is studying at Hadassa Hospital Ein Kerem to become a nurse. Contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Keleigh Glisson, Family Care Liaison Keleigh first heard about Shevet Achim while teaching a summer English course in Amman Jordan in 2002.  At the time she was a junior high and high school Bible teacher in Portland, Oregon.  In August of the following year Keleigh moved to Jerusalem in order to pursue a Masters degree. During this time she came to love both Arabs and Israelis, and in February 2008, on completion of her Masters degree, Keleigh joined the Shevet team.   Contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Goran, Iraq Liaison Goran is a Muslim-background believer from Northern Iraq where he and his wife, Rebecca, currently live.  He became involved with Shevet Achim in 2006 as a contact for sending patients from Northern Iraq. This has been a dream of his to help Iraqi children who suffer from heart problems and he realizes God made this opportunity possible. Give or pledge to support this staff member
David Hartman, Supporter Services Coordinator Originally from Colorado, the Hartman family moved to the Middle East in 1999, locating in Aqaba, Jordan, where they were involved in outreach to the local Arabic community. In the fall of 2006 they joined the Shevet Achim team in Jerusalem. David & Judy and children Johanna, Jeffrey, Elley, Luke and Lana are currently on home leave in the US. You may contact them Give or pledge to support this staff member
Erica Karmi, Office and Gaza Coordinator Erica joined the Shevet team in July 2008. You may contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Ethan Knapp, Financial Coordinator Ethan studied in Israel during the past decade and joined Shevet Achim in July 2008. He is overseeing financial administration for the Jerusalem office. Contact him Give or pledge to support this staff member
Jonathan Miles, International Coordinator Jonathan came to Israel in 1990 as a journalist, worked for several years with new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and helped establish Shevet Achim (then Light to the Nations) in 1994. From 1996-2001 he and his wife Michelle lived in the Gaza Strip with their children Renanah, Rebekah, Josh, Elly, Ben, and Zak. Contact them through Give or pledge to support this staff member
Donna Petrel, US Coordinator (Pictured here with her daughter Angela and son Eric) Donna heads our U.S. office. Her heart is for the passion and compassion of God's love to bring people to reconciliation with God and with each other, thus bringing down every wall of separation between us. She helps Shevet Achim with correspondence and donations. Contact her or at Shevet Achim, PO Box 1006, Rocky Face, GA 30740. Give or pledge to support this staff member
Alex Pettett, Jerusalem Director Alex first was introduced to the work of Shevet Achim in Gaza in 1998. He and and his wife Jamie met in Jordan after Alex studied for an MA in Jerusalem. He was a youth pastor in Haifa and in South Carolina for seven years before assuming the position of Jerusalem director in January 2007. Jamie is a registered nurse who helps with transport of critically-ill children. Their first daughter Abigail Grace was born May 3 in Jerusalem. Contact the family at Give or pledge to support this staff member
Autumn Ridley, Gaza Liaison Autumn was delivered from drugs, alcohol and many other things at the age of 19. She told the Lord that if He had a plan for her life  she would serve Him all of her days--but only to direct her steps. At the age of 22 He directed her to the Middle East where she has served since 2000.  She has been involved in Arabic communities throughout Israel and Jordan, and since 2005 has been serving in Gaza.  In March 2007 she joined the Shevet Achim team.  Her desire is to change lives one at a time. You may contact Autumn at Give or pledge to support this staff member