YMCA of the USA. World Service.

In November 1919, the American and English YMCAs agreed to jointly sponsor American Archibald C. Harte to lead YMCA work in Jerusalem. Following a quick expansion of activities, Harte led the drive to construct a building. Begun in 1926 and designed by American architect Arthur Loomis Harmon, the building incorporated symbolism of the three major western monotheistic faiths, and was intended to embody the YMCA's message of devotion to spirit, mind, body, and harmony between peoples. Dedicated in 1933 by Field Marshal Edmund Lord Allenby, the building quickly became a landmark as well as a cultural, social, athletic, and intellectual center in the city. In 1936 the Y had nearly 1,500 members and about 800 individuals were participating in the physical education program. Other programs included dramatics, Bible study, and weekly lectures on health, travel, and personal problems. The building was a meeting ground of Jews and Arabs and was popular with the soldiers stationed in the region.

With the outbreak of the 1948 War, the city was divided into Jordanian-Arab Jerusalem in the east and Israeli-Jewish Jerusalem in the west. The YMCA continued its activities in the western part, serving mainly the Jewish population and a minority of Christians and Muslims, and a new YMCA, led by Labib Nasir, was established in the eastern part, catering to the Muslim and Christian population on that side of the city. With the great needs in the area, especially for services to the many Palestinian and Jordanian refugees displaced by war, this Association quickly grew and became fully independent in 1954. Branches and Y programs were later opened in Beit Sahour (near Bethlehem), Nazareth, Gaza, and Ramallah. The Jerusalem Y continued to grow and change as well. By April 2003, the 2,600 members were just under 63% Jewish, almost 20% Muslim, and 18% Christian. In recognition of its efforts in promoting peace, kinship, and the dignity of humankind, the Jerusalem International YMCA (or JIY), as it came to be called, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and was awarded the first Jerusalem Marta Prize for Tolerance and Democratic Values in 1996.

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