When Episcopal Bishop Sally French began her new role in New Jersey, she soon learned that the diocese was sitting on a largely untapped charitable fund meant for supporting medical care for children and adolescents living with chronic, debilitating conditions. The Jane O.P. Turner Fund, holding roughly $3.6 million, had distributed only minimal amounts over the past dozen years.
On Friday, Nov. 21, French announced that the Diocese of New Jersey would donate $1 million from that fund to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East to bolster medical care for Palestinian children and families in Gaza and the West Bank. Archbishop Hosam E. Naoum joined the announcement virtually, highlighting the partnership.
French said that after reviewing the fund’s guidelines, diocesan leaders realized there were no geographic restrictions limiting aid to New Jersey or even the United States. That freedom, she explained, compelled them to act where the need was most urgent. “We recognized we had resources that could genuinely change the lives of children and families in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. For us, this is gospel work,” she said.
The contribution will support several institutions under the Jerusalem-based diocese, including al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and the Princess Basma Center in both Jerusalem and Gaza. These facilities serve communities shattered by two years of war, which—according to UNICEF—has injured at least 42,000 children and killed about 19,000. Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world, and recent violence has only added to the suffering.
Funds will help repair and rebuild pediatric services at al-Ahli Arab Hospital, severely damaged in the conflict, including the deadly courtyard explosion in October 2023. They will also help expand therapy, disability services, autism support programs, and schooling offered by the Princess Basma Centre. A substantial portion of the gift will strengthen trauma and psychiatric care—services French said will be vital for a generation of young people facing lifelong psychological harm.
French has longstanding ties to the region; she worked at St. George’s College in Jerusalem 25 years ago and joined nine other Episcopal bishops on a solidarity visit to the Diocese of Jerusalem earlier this year. The Jerusalem diocese has been a major part of the humanitarian response and has fought to keep al-Ahli Hospital operational amid destruction.
The idea for the donation went through several levels of diocesan review—including the Turner Fund trustees, the diocesan council, and the standing committee. Initially, French proposed giving $500,000, but after a period of collective prayer, the council decided to double the contribution.
The Turner Fund originated from a bequest left to the diocese in the 1920s by Jane O.P. Turner. French hopes this latest act of generosity will spur others within the Episcopal Church to provide additional support, especially for trauma and pediatric care in Gaza.
“The need is overwhelming,” she said. “This is a moment when our actions could help build bridges and perhaps even influence the future of the conflict in some small but meaningful way.”
Source: Religion News Service
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