History of AABA

Although the thoughts, ideas and dreams of many in our Arabic community date back many years ago, AABA’s true focus came about in 1974, when a group of American-Arab public-spirited citizens became aware that the needs of the American-Arab community in the Greater Boston area were not being met. These individuals, led by George Haddad, decided to form a Steering Committee, which met over the course of several months to formulate plans.

The Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from various churches, civic and fraternal organizations within the Greater Boston American-Arab community, was put in place to study the feasibility of creating an Organization, which would promote charitable, cultural, benevolent and educational endeavors within our ethnic community.

On February 12, 1974 the Steering Committee held it’s first meeting in the St. George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, MA with the following individuals: Reverend Father George George, Reverend Father Joseph Lahoud, Reverend Nifon Abraham, Nicholas Abraham, John Byda, Ernest T. Chadie, Alice Easa, Emily Eknoian, George Haddad, Yvonne Hample, Judith Jabaily, Louise Jabaily, Thomas Jabaily, Louis Kfoury Jr., Monsour Laham, Dr. Jerold Owen, George Sabbag, Labeebe Saquet, Camille Sarrouf, and Dr. Samuel Thomas. This is considered to be the first formal meeting, which lead to the official formulation of AABA.

While subsequent meetings would officially approve by-laws, membership dues, committees and meeting dates, it was on March 31, 1974 that the first General Meeting was held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, which approved the name of American Arabic Benevolent Association [AABA] and elected, as its first President, Dr. Jerold Owen.

Since the beginning there have been twelve (14) different Presidents of AABA, some individuals serving more than one term, but all charged with the responsibility of leading a group of volunteers to carry out the wishes of the American-Arabic community in compliance with AABA’s constitution, charter and by-laws.

AABA’s Board of Directors is made up of thirty (30) Active voting members [15 elected each year for a 2-year term], as well as retired active members who served at least ten years of service to AABA and have been elected as Director Emeritus. Throughout the years Board members have come from one of our eight (8) supporting sister churches: Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral in Roslindale, Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon in Jamaica Plain, Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Dedham, Saint George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Matthew’s Syrian Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Cambridge, Saint George Orthodox Church in Norwood and Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church in West Roxbury. In addition, we have representation from our supporting sister organizations: Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association, Syrian-Lebanese Women’s Club, Nicholas G. Beram Ladies Auxiliary, and the Lebanese-Syrian Ladies Aid Society.

AABA’s focus since 1974 is the same today and is engrained in our statement of purpose, which has never changed…to: promote charitable, educational, civic, cultural and benevolent endeavors including assistance and support of needy and impoverished people; establish, assist and support homes for the aged, orphanages, schools and charitable institutions with emphasis on providing such assistance and support to the needy, elderly, and otherwise deprived who are of Arabic descent but without discrimination as to race, nationality, color or creed and to do any and all other things necessary or desirable to carry out such purposes.

The diversity of the AABA Board of Directors has allowed us to create an environment where the well-being of the community is equal to the neediest individual; where those to whom we provide services mean more than the services we provide; and, where the spirit, heart & love of what we do is outweighed by the spirit, heart & love of those we serve.

Through the years, AABA, through to its dedicated Board of Directors, has continually increased assistance to the community. First and foremost, Cheriton Grove Apartments was constructed in 1985, with occupancy by our seniors in 1987. Long before AABA became an official organization, many in our community wanted a senior housing complex for our elderly. It was a motion by Louis Kfoury Jr., which passed unanimously on February 12, 1974, that designated a committee to study the feasibility of obtaining or constructing a home for the aged as the first consideration of AABA. Thirteen years later, through careful planning, hard work, and long hours by a committee originally chaired by George Sabbag, Cheriton Grove was built and open for our seniors. Many in our Arabic community have taken advantage of this facility. To this day, Cheriton Grove stands as AABA’s crown jewel. AABA has continued its commitment to the community and today Cheriton Grove is one of the best operating housing complexes in the City of Boston.

How does one get involved with AABA? Because we are a non-profit community-based / faith based organization, members of AABA may assist or support us in many ways. All of our committees with the exception of the Nominations Committee, are open to AABA members, and appointed by the President and committee chairperson. We rely on this type of support to keep the work of AABA and its committees functioning. All of the work is completed with the primary focus of providing services to the community and helping those in need. Some examples of what AABA coordinates, supports, and accomplishes each year:

Senior Trips – Since the year AABA was formed in 1974, we have been coordinating and supporting several trips each year for our senior members. Louise Jabaily’s idea turned out to be a very popular one and she spearheaded the Social Committee, responsible for these trips, during AABA’s first 25 years. These pre-arranged trips are partially subsidized by AABA in an attempt to keep costs low. Seniors are taken on day trips to great places in and around the New England region. AABA’s goal from these trips is to bring some enjoyment and activity in our senior member’s daily lives several times throughout the year. For details about upcoming trips, please see our Events page.

Scholastic Achievement Awards – AABA, or any community-based organization, could not succeed in the future without the support and awareness of the younger generation. AABA has chosen to help its American-Arab youth by providing three (3) $1,000 scholarships to individuals moving on to secondary education. AABA has provided these annual scholastic awards through two other very supportive and generous groups, The Syrian-Lebanese Women’s Club of Greater Boston and the Nicholas G. Beram Veteran’s Association. Through these scholastic awards, AABA seeks to demonstrate to our youth the vital importance of both a secondary education, and a commitment to charitable endeavors. The commitment AABA makes each year to these well-deserving youth has brought, or we hope will bring, the commitment of these same individuals in the future.

Radio Program – The Arabian Nights Radio Program, which was started by the late Charles Shagoury in 1937, was generously given to AABA by his daughter, Nancy Shagoury, in 1989, after Tom Jabaily carried on this effort from Nancy for several years. AABA has used this media outlet as a way of sharing community news for our sister churches & organizations, providing updates about AABA events and providing entertainment through new & old Arabic music. So keep those cards & letters coming and tune into 1330 on your AM dial each Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Food Certificates – Since 1991 AABA has provided food coupons to our sister churches twice a year; once during Easter and once during Thanksgiving. Leaders of these churches provide these food certificates to the needy of their parish, as they see fit. Over the years AABA has increased the amount we dedicate to these food certificates, and currently we distribute $5,000 annually. Our Community Services committee works with local grocery stores to bulk-purchase these certificates at a discount and then sends them out to the churches on a proportional basis.

Today’s Board of Directors is a very diverse, professional, and community-driven group made up of 17 women and 17 men. Today’s Board of Directors is made up of business owners, accountants, engineers, experienced community activists, professionals, insurance/financial planners, lawyers, and others. The Board of Directors is made up of representatives from all of our supporting churches and organizations.

Past Presidents of AABA and their Church Affiliation

NAME	TERM	Church Affliliation
Dr. Jerald Owen	1974 – 1976	Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon
Dr. Edward Sion	1976 – 1978	Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral
Dr. Samuel Thomas	1978 – 1979	Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral
Leander Cardoos	1979 – 1981	Saint John of Damascus Church
Thomas Jabaily	1981 – 1983	Saint George Orthodox Church [WR]
George J. Sabbag	1983 – 1985	Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon
Leander Cardoos	1985 – 1987	Saint John of Damascus Church
Nicholas Abraham	1987 – 1989	Saint George Orthodox Church [WR]
Michael Ayoub	1989 – 1991	Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church
George J. Sabbag	1991 – 1993	Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon
Nicholas Kanelos	1993 – 1995	Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon
Steven J. Salhaney	1995 – 1997	Saint John of Damascus Church
George R. Jabbour, Esq.	1997 – 1999	Saint George Orthodox Church [WR]
David E. Hajjar	1999 – 2002	Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral
June David	2002 – 2004	Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church
Kenneth J. Raffol	2004 – 2006	Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon
Shelby Mudarri	2006 - 2008	Saint John of Damascus Church

The Board of Directors is comprised of not more than thirty (30) members, excluding Director Emeritus members. All members are volunteers with varied backgrounds, providing the necessary experience and expertise for AABA to carry out its mission.

The Board of Directors normally meets the third Tuesday of each month, September thru June, in the Community Room of Cheriton Grove.

As we move forward with our new project, Cheriton Heights Senior Housing, and other endeavors, we need to carefully plan for the future. AABA needs dedicated individuals willing to volunteer and to get involved. Many family members of AABA and the Board of Directors take advantage of all that we offer, young and old.

If you are interested in joining AABA, please fill out the Membership Form and send it in to us. Copies of the latest Membership Form may be downloaded off of our website on the Join Us page.

If you are interested in joining a dynamic organization that works within the community to provide needed services as a member of the Board of Directors, and have been an AABA member for the past 2 years, please fill out the AABA Board Nomination form and mail it to AABA, i/c/o the Nominating Committee, PO Box 320037, West Roxbury, MA 02132 or give it to a current Board Member. Copies of the form may be downloaded off of our web site on the All About AABA web page.

AABA Since 1974

Past Presidents of AABA and their Church Affiliation