SFG Journal "United Hellenism"

25/05: The Hellenic Business Network

An opportunity has come to the San Francisco Hellenic Business Community.

The Hellenic Business Network (HBN), based in Boston, with over 700 members, is the largest Hellenic business network in the United States (www.hbngroup.org). They have chapters in New York and Washington DC and now a chapter is being started in San Francisco.

HBN has wonderful programs that benefit the Greek community and students studying here in the United States. On the East Coast, they are an established organization with strong ties to Greek consular offices and Greek corporations. HBN welcomes Greek university students upon their arrival to the US and they also have established mentorship programs.

HBN promotes entrepreneurialship through the HBN Big Idea Competition. The Big Idea Competition allows members of the business community to submit their business ideas for consideration to venture capital firms so they can be judged. The winner receives a substantial cash award.

HBN takes networking seriously. HBN believes in helping its members succeed and they have a track record of success.

A San Francisco chapter is being established and it will effectively network the east coast and west coast Greek business communities. There is an old saying that’s very relevant in this case. In unity there is strength. In unity there is no limit to what can be accomplished. HBN – SF will be holding an open house on Saturday, October 17th to formally launch the group (details to be announced). It gives the community something to look forward to.

07/04: The Renaming of Third Street

Third Street has a special place in the history of the San Francisco Greek Community. For several decades, it was the center of the Greek community. Many of our relatives grew up near Third Street or had businesses in the area. It’s place in our history was honored by the Hellenic American Professional Society when they dedicated a plaque on the corner of Third and Folsom acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of Greeks that settled on or near Third Street.

Several weeks ago Mayor Gavin Newsom announced his intent to rename Third Street to Willie L. Brown Jr. Blvd. Our former mayor was honored by the gesture. There were many that were thinking of the costs to make that change in tough economic times. However the event prompted many members of the Greek community to think about our history and just how much Third Street meant to them.

The name of a street cannot be changed without approval of the Board of Supervisors. If you feel strongly that the name should not be changed, I encourage to get involved and make your voice known to the board of supervisors. Many members of our community have expressed a desire to attend the meeting when the Board of Supervisors considers the proposal. The meeting schedule is published online.

When the topic appears on the board’s agenda, it will be posted on this web site.

16/03: Private Greek Language Schools in the Bay Area

On Saturday, March 14th, the Diotima Greek Language School held a pre-opening reception at their school and community center in Berkeley. There were over one hundred guests in attendance.

Diotima is the second private Greek language school to open in the bay area. The first was the Fanari Academy based in Sunnyvale. Private Greek language schools are slowly becoming established in the bay area. In my view it’s a welcomed change.

For those of us that are Greek American most of us have fond memories of experiences going to Greek school at our local parish, including myself. I have very vivid memories of my teachers as well as my mother tutoring me on my Greek lessons. However, times do change.

Personally, I am in favor of any organization or school with the passion or desire to promote Hellenism or the Greek language. Any group of individuals that feels so strongly to start an organization like that deserves some praise. Their passion and zeal for quality Greek language education stands out.

Private schools have the opportunity to market their services to segments of the population seeking Greek language education not typically serviced by Greek schools under the church. For instance:

• Greek parents with a desire to give their children more individualized attention in the classroom often choose private schools for Greek language education.
• Within the bay area there are Greeks with no church affiliation or affiliation to any Greek organization. They are not involved with the Greek community. Typically Greeks that fall into this category send their children to private schools.
• Private schools have more opportunities to collaborate with junior colleges and universities on their Greek education programs.
• There are also non-Greeks who have a desire to learn Greek and they may not be Greek Orthodox. They may feel uncomfortable being at a Greek Orthodox church and private schools can easily address their needs.
• Private schools have more opportunities to seek funding from a wider variety of sources as an independent organization.

Private schools do have a place in Greek language education. Even though the church would prefer that Greek language schools be under the church, there are many benefits to greater collaboration and working together. However, progress evidently comes in small steps. The church and the school boards for these private schools have made little progress in that regard but I have faith that they will eventually chart a course toward greater collaboration and mutual success.

02/03: The Next Wave of Greek Immigration

When I think of the words “Greek immigration” I am reminded of when thousands of Greeks came to America from 1900-1930 escaping war and bad economic times. Almost one hundred years later I’m talking about the same topic. However, these new waves of immigrants are bright, educated graduates looking for opportunities they cannot find in Greece.

For those of us that are Greek Americans most of us see a different Greece than those that live there. Our time is filled with visits with relatives, seeing the islands, and looking at tourist attractions. We spend anywhere from two weeks to one month in Greece and then go home. We are somewhat detached from day to day life in Greece. That fact has become very evident in my understanding of the challenges Greek youth face.

For the last three months I have had the pleasure of meeting students from Greece studying at best universities in the San Francisco area. Many of these students are studying for a Master’s Degree or for their Doctorate. They are so intelligent and full of ambition. I want them to succeed and when I look at them I see the next generation that will lead Greece. The difficult part is to make sure that these smart boys and girls come home again but what does Greece have to offer these students who have succeeded with their studies abroad?

I asked one student “What do you want to do after you finish your education?” I thought that they would return home, get a job, or start a business. The student answered “There are very few opportunities for me in Greece. I could start a business or become a government employee. Starting a business in Greece is too difficult and I do not want to be a beaurocrat. I am going to start a business in Bulgaria where the laws are better and I can still do business in the Mediterranean.”

I asked another student the same question. The student answered “The opportunities are better outside of Greece. I could go to a country in the European Union or the United States and get an excellent job. In Greece, I might have a good education and still be unemployed. Getting a good job is like winning the lottery.”

The unemployment rate among Greek youth is over 20%. There are a variety of reasons that caused this but the primary reason are government policies that haven’t worked. Many occupations are dominated by an elderly establishment which has made sure that long service is well rewarded and kept bright educated university graduates in their place.

The minimum monthly wage in Greece is 700 euro per month. It is very common for a university graduate with a masters degree or even two masters degrees to receive the minimum wage. On 700 euro per month you can barely survive in Athens. In Greek newsletters and blogs they have become known as the “700 Euro Generation”. This group has become more vocal in expressing their dissatisfaction with the current government.

On December 8, 2008, a student was killed by a police officer. Days of rioting followed and it was the worst civil unrest since the restoration of democracy in 1974. The shooting was a tragic event but not the sole cause of rioting. Tension had been building over failed economic policies, rising unemployment among Greek youth, and a perception of corruption in Greek state institutions.

If Greek society is to thrive, it will have to find ways of harnessing the talents of its young people—by investing more in the education system, by persuading those who have studied abroad to return to Greece, by finding decent jobs for them, and by curbing the special-interest groups that dominate many areas of Greek life and get in the way of bright young people.

Change is needed. Of course, as a Greek – American I would like to see these students go back to Greece to find their path in life. However, if they choose not to go back and stay in America there will be thousands of Greek Americans who are waiting to welcome this new wave of Greek immigrants with open arms.

28/02: The Economic Crisis

Over the past few weeks I have received several emails from members of our community affected by the current economic crisis. They are looking for work. This crisis is affecting everyone. We are pro-active in support of our community, not only in times of prosperity, but more importantly in times of struggle.

If you live in the San Francisco area and are looking for a job you are welcome to post an announcement on the SF Announcements List Server. Let our community know of your need. If you know a member of our community that you feel might benefit from posting an announcement here, please let them know. Everyone is welcome.

23/02: Anatolia College Kicks Off US Cities Tour -- Anna Vissi to Perform March 23rd in Los Angeles

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Anatolia
Media Relations
Anna Snoeyenbos
130 Bowdoin Street, Suite 1201-1202
Boston, MA 02108
P: (617) 830-5072
F: (617) 742-3215
Email: asnoeyenbos@anatolia-act.org
Website: www.anatolia.edu.gr

Anatolia College Kicks-Off U.S. Cities Tour

Anatolia College, founded by Boston missionaries in the 19th century and today among the finest educational institutions in Greece, will make its debut to Hellenic Americans and other supporters in major cities across the US this March. The most star-studded stop will be a night of Greek and Jewish music in Los Angeles - featuring an exclusive performance by Anna Vissi, the 28-time Platinum Greek pop star. That evening guests will be raising money for a memorial at Anatolia in honor of its students lost in the Holocaust. The night will be hosted by Governor Mike and Kitty Dukakis and the President of the Academy Awards, Sid Ganis. Also planned for this tour will be the rerelease of The Morning Cometh, a first-hand account of the Greek and Armenian genocide written by the President of Anatolia College from 1913-1958, in Chicago, IL; a reception hosted by Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou at the Consulate General of Greece in San Francisco, CA; as well as a debut reception at the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, FL. This will be the final tour for Anatolia’s outgoing President, Richard Jackson, a former U.S. diplomat and experienced educator, who has served this non-profit American school for these past 10 years.

Anatolia has survived war and genocide to bring the best of western education, first to the Near East and later to Greece, for a period spanning three centuries. Today Anatolia encompasses an elementary school, college preparatory school, four-year liberal arts college, and graduate school of business. It also offers an extensive study

abroad program where college students from across America travel to get the best education possible while enjoying a campus overlooking the Thermaic gulf and the snowy peak of Mt. Olympus.

Anatolia was founded in 1886 by Boston Congregationalist missionaries in the Ottoman Empire. As an American school abroad, it has always relied upon US volunteers for guidance and support in bringing a broad liberal arts education to students in a global classroom. Today, Anatolia graduates have a degree accredited both by the New England Association of School and Colleges as well as the European Union. This bilateral accreditation gives Anatolia students a unique advantage in an ever-more globalized world.

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21/12: A time of need for Antonia Huntley - Antonia’s Fund

A time of need for
Antonia Huntley - Antonia’s Fund

These days there seems to be so many people in need...............

On September 27, 2008, two year old Antonia was found unconscious in her home by emergency personnel who responded to a call from Fotini, Antonia’s mother. Tragically, Fotini who suffers from mental illness, attempted to drown her daughter in the bathtub. Although Antonia was stabilized by physicians, the likelihood of her recovery remains in question as it is unknown how long her brain was deprived of oxygen. We hope that with rehabilitation, the love of her family, your prayers and the Grace of God, she will again possess a joyful and blessed quality of life.

“Antonia’s Fund” has been established at her home parish, Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville in conjunction with her father Anthony, to assist with possible medical treatments and well as aspects of long term care that are not covered by insurance. If you’d like to donate, please see the column on the left for details how you can help. Any donation you can make will be a great blessing to Antonia and her family. Finally, please keep Antonia, her parents, extended family and all those who have and will continue to provide her care in your prayers.


To help ….Please make your check payable to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church fbo Antonia Huntley or just write Antonia Huntley in the memo line. You may mail your check to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 Stone Canyon Drive, Roseville, CA 95661 or make a deposit at any Wells Fargo Bank branch into Account No. 5713116175. If you have any questions, please call Michelle Ksidakis at 916-202-8457 or Michelle Raines, Ass't Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank at 916-791-3901.

21/12: Greece During World War II Crete

Greece During World War II Crete

Memories from the holocaust of Ierapetras western villages by Stefanos Gerontis

The book "The burned villages. Memories of the destruction of the western villages of Ierapetra in 1943" contains twenty narrations of villagers from Ierapetras western villages.

The project “Memories from the holocaust of Ierapetras western villages” aims at keeping alive the memory of a mass civilian extermination campaign by nazi forces in September 1943 at Viannos and Ierapetra districts, thus improving this and following generations knowledge of what took place and its consequences on the lives of people that had the luck to survive. Under the general perspective given by modern historical scientific practices that take under serious consideration and thus research oral testimonies, Lasithi Prefecture chooses in the project to take full advantage of oral testimonies of witnesses, descendants of martyrs and villagers of the site, while they are still among us. This site is a basic mean of disseminating these testimonies and aims to contribute in them reaching as much possible organizations and individuals.

The Book is compilation of personal stories, it is free. Just provide the email address. http://www.holocaust-lasithi.eu/en/index.php

17/08: Miracles Do Happen

Months ago I sent several postings to you regarding Evanthia Pappas. Evanthia was stricken with a severe form of breast cancer and was need of help financially for her medical treatment. Thousands of you responded with your kindness, love, and generosity.

Evanthia wrote an open letter to the Greek community and Evanthia’s family asked me to forward it.


Evanthia’s Letter:


Miracles Do Happen
'For I know the plans I have for you declared the Lord, plans not to harm you but to give you hope and a future. For I will restore you to health and heal you of your wounds'..Jerimiah 30:17

It is often in the midst of the most amazing moments in life when we find ourselves without words... What words can posibly describe a miracle? It just is!

I was a stranger to most of you...bound only by my heritage as a Greek American and you ALL came running to my aid. Some of you I know but most were strangers. Without your generous efforts, love and prayers, I would not be alive today because I simply did not have the money for this bone marrow transplant. Perhaps most special to me are the children who prayed for me and gave me money.. as I truly believe children are a blessing from God. I carried the smiles and pictures sent to me by the children into my dreams at night in the hospital. Many a nights these smiles from the children gave me the fortitude and courage to fight the cancer so I could go back to being a special victims prosecutor to protect children. I am humbled that the very children I fight to protect and save, helped save me! I am also so grateful to the Houston Greek Orthodox parish and priests whole gave me so much support and love while I was in Houston.

I am humbled by your love, generosity, and continuing prayers. You have given me a second chance at life with God's hand guiding all of your hearts...May God bless you always. Because of you I have the great privilege of being able to return to my work at the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, part time at first and eventually full time to my trial duties. God has given me a second chance to give back. I am blessed to have a community/family of Greeks to heal me and love me. O Theos Ene Megalos!

Medical Status: No active Cancer. I will receive scans every 3 months and look forward to being able to receive reconstruction in 6-9 months.

04/08: Where have all the Greek Organizations gone to?

During the past five years I have become increasingly aware of Greek-American organizations with significantly declining memberships. It appears that many of our organizations seem to be dying off.

Why?

Greeks started immigrating to the San Francisco area in greater numbers in 1890s. By 1925, Greek immigration had reached its peak. The San Francisco Examiner reported there were roughly 12,000 Greek immigrants living in the San Francisco area at that time.

As Greek immigrants settled in the area, they formed groups based on their political beliefs and the region of Greece they were from. In 1925, there were ten organizations in the Prometheus Greek-American Business Directory as being headquartered in San Francisco. By 1930, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the Daughters of Penelope had been founded and local chapters were established in San Francisco.

Church communities were established outside of San Francisco and as Greek immigration declined our organizations struggled with the adjustment of life in America. The demographics of our organizations changed. The Greek immigrants that started those organizations were replaced with second and third generation Greek–Americans. Many of these second and third generation Greek-Americans did not share the same enthusiasm for Greek political organizations or Greek regional groups as their forefathers, and as a result, membership declined. We had become American citizens.

Recently Fr. Aris Metrakos at Holy Trinity suggested a book to read that discussed American culture and how American culture is not really understood. The author further goes on to say that a person has to care enough about their culture to want to preserve it. I believe that our historical societies and our organizations have to take the lead with our youth so they have the desire to preserve the culture, faith, and history of their forefathers. Many of the organizations are failing in that goal.

Several of the organizations that have significantly declined in membership (or died off) have leaders that have not done a meaningful job of bringing our youth within their organizations and giving them responsible positions so they could eventually assume leadership roles. As a result, our youth have lost interest in joining our organizations.

Our organizations have to face this century with the desire and goal to make our youth their first priority, to instill in them the desire the preserve our culture and heritage. We must also give them progressively more responsible roles and acknowledge them for their accomplishments. The alternative is to gradually watch our organizations become a part of our history.