Michael Aram Helps Raise Funds for Jerusalem’s Dwindling Community

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CHICAGO — On Thursday, October 21, more than 240 guests enthusiastically came to support Michael Aram and Save the ArQ at Tabula Tua here.

This was the second annual fundraiser for Save the ArQ and the evening was so successful thanks in part to Michael Aram — who personally engraved any of his stunning gift and tableware collections bought that evening and Carrie Nahabedian and Michael Nahabedian of NAHA restaurant who donated and provided the incredible spread of Mediterranean-inspired food and beverages; and Grace Tsao-Wu — the owner of the upscale boutique, Tabula Tua, who initiated this meaningful event and gave 10 percent of all Michael Aram purchases to Save the ArQ.

The highlight of the evening was auctioning Michael Aram’s original sculpture and masterpiece Perpetual Perseverance which Michael so graciously donated to Save the ArQ. The sculpture — Michael’s interpretation of the khachkar — was open to all bidders globally through ebay; nonetheless, a Chicago Armenian had the highest bid. Michael gave a heartfelt speech explaining how his own personal feelings were so intricately intertwined in the making of this oneof- a-kind piece which was made in remembrance of all the Armenians who sadly perished and survived the Armenian Genocide. Michael further shed light on the significance — and urgent need — to support Save the ArQ as he says:

Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter is unquestionably the most significant area in the Armenian Diaspora. Armenians are the only people to have a Quarter in the Old City with the three great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These Four Quarters, which make up the Old City of Jerusalem, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of a one-third square mile walled area with the Armenian Quarter encompassing one-sixth of this area.

Historically, Armenians have lived in Jerusalem unscathed, their antiquities have remained intact and the very reason why survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide traveled to this area seeking refuge. Once a thriving Armenian community with more than 30,000 people; today, this area has vastly dwindled to fewer than 500 Armenians and cannot survive without the help of Diasporan Armenians.

Save the ArQ is passionate about helping sustain this community and promote the Armenian life which has existed in the Old City of Jerusalem for the last two millennia.

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For further information or support, please go to the Save the ArQ website at: www.savethearq.blogspot.com or contact Mary Hoogasian at: savethearq@gmail.com.

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