PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 18, 2006
___________________
DIOCESE’S TEACHER’S CONFERENCE PROVIDES TIPS, TOOLS TO PARISH ARMENIAN
EDUCATORS
By Jake Goshert
They talked about the philosophy of teaching the Armenian language and
culture. They discussed ways to effectively plan a classroom lesson, how to
address differentiating instruction, acculturation, teacher attitude, and
second language learning. The goal was to give the Armenian School teachers
the tips and tools needed to propel our heritage into the new century.
Through the Teacher’s Conference, a week of daylong sessions at the Diocesan
Center in New York City, 14 Armenian School educators from parishes
throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) were
exposed to a variety of pedagogical strategies.
“I thank these educators, versed in curricular and teaching philosophies and
methods, who enriched and improved our knowledge and teaching styles,” said
Aida Asdghig Sarkissian, a teacher at the St. James Church of Watertown, MA.
“They reviewed important concepts and focused on valuable tools and methods
for more effective teaching. It gave us the inspiration and renewed courage
to face the coming year with greater zeal and imagination.”
The weeklong conference began July 16. There was no cost to participants,
allowing interested parishes of all sizes to send educators.
SERIES OF EXPERTS
The daily sessions of the Teacher’s Conference featured experts from schools
such as Columbia University, Hunter College of New York City, and St.
Peter’s College of Jersey City, NJ.
They spoke on a variety of topics, including: the connection between the
classroom and home environment, preparing effective lesson plans, how to
teach Armenian as a second language, and how to maintain a disciplined
classroom. The teachers also were introduced to in-depth discussions of
some of the most important aspects of Armenian history, culture, music, and
arts.
“The great thing about our parish schools is this: Not only do we have good
teachers who are committed to their work, but they’re also very open-minded
and eager to improve their skills,” said Gilda Buchakjian, the Diocese’s
coordinator of the Armenian studies who organized the conference. “With
this program, we tried to have speakers and topics that would address
concerns raised by our local parish educators. If we can provide them tools
to improve their performance, we can further propel our Armenian culture
into the next generation.”
Many of the teachers were eager to use what they learned in New York when
they returned home.
“I was inspired by this week. I learned a lot about my heritage, which I
want to teach back to my students,” said Shake Potoukian, a teacher at the
St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL. “All the guest speakers were very
helpful and I learned more than I could have imagined.”
Following the week of lessons, the teachers then had to take to the floor,
giving presentations to their peers on any of the topics included in the
week. It was a way for them to highlight the important points and reflect
on all that they had studied. A graduation ceremony followed a badarak
celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral.
PASSING ON CULTURE
The goal of this and other Diocesan programs is to advance the understanding
and appreciation of our unique Armenian heritage among future generations.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, met with the
participating educators. He told them he appreciated their desire to
enhance their understanding of the Armenian culture, and he praised them for
giving their time and talent to educate others.
“Transmitting our spiritual, national, and cultural heritage does not occur
mechanically,” he said. “As teachers, you are the ones who will put the
spirit into the minds and hearts of a new generation. You will bring life to
our language, our faith, our history, and our traditions.”
The Teacher’s Conference is a program offered every other year at the
Diocesan Center, though teacher training is done constantly on a regional
basis.
“This week was an immersion in language, history, religion — all things
Armenian,” said Janet Ozsolak, a teacher at the St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY. “I’m going home informed and inspired.”
— 8/18/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): From left, Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of
Armenian studies for the Eastern Diocese, Professor Seta Dadoyan, and Dr.
Sograd Boyajian, two of the speakers at the Diocese’s Teacher’s Conference,
joined by the participants from parishes around the Diocese.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Hovsep Melkonian from Washington D.C., speaks on the
combined Armenian and Sunday School prototype during the Teacher’s
Conference, which ran the week of July 16, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Mary Shamshoian-Olson from Racine, WI, discusses
research-based strategies for teachers during the Teacher’s Conference
hosted at the New York City Diocesan Center.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): One of the speakers at the Eastern Diocesan Teacher’s
Conference, Harout Misserlian, proposes the foundational basics of Armenian
history instruction.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Author Lucine Kasbarian (center) signs autographs for
local Armenian School teachers after speaking on the role of schools and the
community to safeguard Armenian identity during the 2006 Teacher’s
Conference.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): Hovhannes Khosdeghian delivers a workshop on “Effective
Lesson Plans and Subject Organization in Teaching Armenian Language and
Culture” to parish Armenian School teachers during the Eastern Diocese’s
Teacher’s Conference in New York City.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): Veteran educator and motivational speaker Dottie
Bengoian, speaks about teacher attitude during the Eastern Diocese’s
Teacher’s Conference for local Armenian School educators, which was held in
New York City the week of July 16, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (8): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, flanked by Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, Diocesan coordinator of
Armenian studies, and participants at the Diocese’s Teacher’s Conference for
local Armenian School educators. Topics discussed at the week-long
conference included: Philosophy of Armenian education, Armenian literacy for
second language learners, acculturation, discipline, identity,
differentiating instruction, feasts and traditions, instruction through the
arts and music and lesson planning.
# # #

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x109
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 18, 2006
AGBU CENTENNIAL GALA RAISES RECORD $800,000 FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
DISTRICT
On June 17, 2006, AGBU Southern California District ceremoniously
marked the organization’s Centennial Anniversary with a fundraising
gala at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Raising
a record-breaking $800,000 for local AGBU youth programs and the new
Pasadena high school opening this September, the benefit’s major
benefactors were Jerry and Pat Turpanjian, the Manoogian Simone
Foundation, the Jack Munushian Charitable Trust, Vahe and Veronique
Karapetian, Dr. Kevork and Cecile Keshishian, and Berj and Belet
Shahbazian. Emblematic of AGBU’s role within the community, the
Southern California sold-out affair, entitled “The One Hundred Years
of AGBU,” united over 1,000 guests from a cross-section of religious,
political and civic organizations.
Chaired by AGBU Southern California District Committee (SCDC) Member
Stella Maloyan, the Centennial Gala opened with a cocktail reception
featuring a special photo exhibition on the history of AGBU followed
by a banquet co-emceed by Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti and SCDC Committee Member Toros Yetenekian.
A longtime supporter of Armenian issues in the greater Los Angeles
area, Garcetti opened by expressing his admiration for AGBU and the
spirit of the Armenian people, “When we think about the Armenian
nation, it is essentially one family…and [when] we think of AGBU,
we also think about a family…embodied at each table, embodied in
life experiences, the triumphs and tragedies of each generation that
comes…but again that hope that is born each day.”
The program line-up included a video presentation of Asadour Guzelian’s
commemorative poem “Words From The Heart,” live performances and
entertainment, and speeches by SCDC Chairman Vahe Imasdounian; AGBU
President Berge Setrakian; AGBU Central Board Member the Honorable
Judge Dickran Tevrizian; and Richard Manoogian, AGBU Central Board
Member and CEO of Masco Corporation, who was honored by SCDC as Man
of the Year.
Noting the pivotal role AGBU has played for 100 years in the lives of
the Armenian people, AGBU President Berge Setrakian emphasized in his
address the importance of the organization’s current role in preserving
and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage in the Diaspora and
in Armenia. “Let us join together in this universal mission, greater
than anyone of us…through cooperation and solidarity…to appeal to
all organizations, religious or otherwise, to work as a collective
whole with Armenia to tackle the challenges ahead of us to preserve
our national identity,” said Mr. Setrakian. “As goodwill ambassadors to
our society at large, we will show the world the power of the Armenian
spirit, and the positive results when Armenians work together as one.”
Providing philanthropic and moral leadership to AGBU for decades,
Richard Manoogian, son of Honorary Life President Alex Manoogian,
reflected likewise in his remarks on the personal role AGBU played in
his family growing up, “I am truly humbled by being recognized by all
of you tonight, but I realize that this honor is not so much for me,
but for the entire Manoogian family, my sister Louise, and my parents,
Alex and Marie, and I know that my parents are here in spirit enjoying
this evening.”
On hand to celebrate the centennial birthday of the world’s largest
Armenian non-profit was a veritable who’s who of Armenian dignitaries
and public figures, including AGBU Central Board Chairman Louise
Manoogian Simone; Sinan Sinanian, AGBU Central Board Member and
AGBU Marie Manoogian-Demirdjian School Board Chairman; officiating
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America; Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian;
and prominent elected officials including former California Governor
George Deukmejian, State Senators Chuck Poochigian and Jack Scott,
and Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.
Home to the largest Armenian American community, AGBU Southern
California District plays an important role locally and globally in
fulfilling the mission of AGBU to preserve and promote the Armenian
identity and heritage.
“Looking after our communities and being engaged is a collective
responsibility,” said SCDC Chairman Vahe Imasdounian, stressing in his
remarks that active involvement and support will ensure the prosperity
of the Armenian nation for generations to come. “We are responsible,
morally and financially, so that our future generations right here
in Southern California….do not forget their Armenian culture,
heritage and language.”
For more information on AGBU Southern California District and its
programs, please visit , email [email protected] or call
the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena at (626) 794-7942.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide Chapters, please
visit

Press Release
Armenian National Committee
San Francisco – Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415) 387-3433
Fax: (415) 751-0617
[email protected]
Contact: Roxanne Makasdjian (415) 264-4203
REP. PETE STARK COSPONSORS “OPEN RAILROADS ACT,” JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
— Rep. Eshoo states opposition to the removal of US Amb. to Armenia John
Evans
— Part of string of Bay Area ANC meetings with district representatives
/2006/08182006.htm
Fremont, CA, Aug. 10 – Meeting with the Bay Area ANC and constituents,
Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) agreed to join the growing list of cosponsors
of H.R. 3361, the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2005.
During the meeting at his district office, Rep. Stark also agreed to join
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. The meeting, attended by ANC
representative Armen Carapetian, and Stark constituents, Sergey Malyan and
David Ojakian, was one of several visits to Bay Area Congressional offices
initiated by the Armenian National Committee of America’s Western Region
office and coincided with the Congressional August Recess. The group also
thanked Rep. Stark for recently cosponsoring the latest House resolution
reaffirming the US record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res. 316), and for
joining other representatives in calling on President Bush to properly
characterize the Armenian Genocide.
Carapetian briefed Stark on the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005 (H.R. 3361), introduced by Armenian Issues Caucus
Co-chairman Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). The group explained that the bill
would prevent any US financing of the $1 billion railway connecting Turkey
and Azerbaijan, if the track deliberately bypassed Armenia. They said the
Baku-Tibilisi-Kars railway project is one of a series of moves in the region
serving to undermine Armenia’s development rather than building regional
peace through inclusion of Armenia. Congressman Stark, a senior member of
the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, agreed to cosponsor the bill.
ANC members and constituents Hasmig Samurkashian and Khatchig Tazian joined
Carapetian in a meeting with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) in her Palo
Alto office on August 9th. The group updated Rep. Eshoo on the State
Department’s removal of US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, for his
forthright characterization of the Armenian Genocide.
“I’m very concerned about the removal of US Ambassador to Armenia [John]
Evans and the nomination for his replacement, Ambassador Richard Hoagland…I
will do everything I can to oppose this unwarranted change,” wrote
Congresswoman Eshoo in a letter following the meeting.
Rep. Eshoo, who is of Armenian and Assyrian descent, expressed her
appreciation for the ANCA’s continued advancement of issues of concern to
Armenian Americans as well as it’s early and continued support of her public
service. She cited the organization’s effort urging the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS) to remove a program featuring a panel discussion on the
Armenian Genocide that framed the event as a debatable issue. Rep. Eshoo was
instrumental in the Bay Area effort that led to San Francisco PBS affiliate
KQED’s cancellation of the program.
Following the meeting with Rep. Stark, Carapetian visited the district
offices of Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA). In meetings
with the district directors and staff of each office, Carapetian reviewed
the ANCA’s mission and goals and thanked the Representatives for their
steadfast support of efforts to end the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
Collaborative initiatives aimed at raising each Representative’s involvement
in both legislative and community affairs were also discussed.
#####
Photo 1 caption: (From left to right) – Sergey Malyan, Armen Carapetian,
Rep. Pete Stark, and David Ojakian.
Photo 2 caption: (From left to right) – Hasmig Samurkashian, Rep. Anna
Eshoo, Khatchig Tazian, and Armen Carapetian.

August 18, 2006
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN-AMERICAN
COUNCIL ON AGING, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PRELATE
On Thursday, August 17, the Armenian-American Council on Aging
celebrated its 25th anniversary with the first of two events it has
planned for this occasion.
The cultural program took place under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at the Verdugo Hills
Country Club. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Co-Director of the
Prelacy Christian Education Department, represented the Prelate and
conveyed his best wishes. He also presented the message and the
blessings of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of
Cilicia.
During the event, at which Mr. Hagop Ovayan was the keynote
speaker, certificates of appreciation were handed out. There were
also performances by the “Yeram” dance group, headed by Arpi Ovayan,
and a youth choir headed by Arig Kevorkian.
The Council’s second event is a dinner banquet to take
place on Sunday, August 27, at 5:00 p.m., also at Verdugo Hills
Country Club. There will be a candle-lighting ceremony and mortgage
burning.
PRESENTATION OF DR. ALFRED DANIELIAN’S
MEDICAL DICTIONARY, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PRELATE
On Sunday, August 20, the Armenian Society of Los Angeles has
organized a presentation of the second volume of Dr. Alfred
Danielian’s English-Armenian medical dictionary. The event, held
under the auspices of the Prelate, will take place at the hall of the
Armenian Society of Los Angeles in Glendale.
BLESSING OF GRAPES AT THE CORONA PARISH
On Sunday, August 27, the Armenian Apostolic Church of Corona,
Riverside County, will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the
Holy Virgin with special ceremonies and the blessing of grapes.
Under the auspices of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Tashjian
will conduct the traditional ceremony of Antasdan, deliver the
sermon, and officiate at the blessing of the grapes.
Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anthony and St.
Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church located at 2345 Fifth St. in Norco.

REPRESENTATIVES OF 23 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN SECOND ALL-ARMENIAN
EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. 150 representatives of educational
institutions from 23 countries, including Armenia and Artsakh,
will participate in the second All-Armenian educational conference
to be held in Tsakhkadzor on August 18-20. Problems of promotion,
preservation and development of national self-consciousness in the
Diaspora, the methodological basis of education, i ssues related to
preparation of teachers and Armenologists, etc. will be discussed at
the conference. Hrach Tadevosian, head of the Department for Links
with the Diaspora of the RA Ministry of Education and Science, noted at
the event’s opening ceremony in Yerevan on August 17 that All-Armenian
educational conferences aim to coordinate the potentail available in
the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, identify priorities of developing
the sphere of education, jointly develop programs for solution of the
existing problem, and to provide practical assistance to the Diasporan
educational institutions. RA Minister of Education and Science Levon
Mkrtchian said that the conference participants will also address
the issue of opening the department of Western Armenians at Yerevan
State University, the idea of an on-line Armenian school, and language
policy-related issues. The RA President Robert Kocharian’s address
was read at the opening ceremony. The address in particular says: “The
educational and cultural links play an important role in development of
Armenia-Diaspora relations. The All-Armenian educational conference,
One Nation One Culture Festival, All-Armenian sport games are called
upon to secure a spiritial link of the Armenians spread all over
the world. I hope that some well-founded provisions will be proposed
thanks to a comprehensive discussion of the existing problems, and the
conference will give an impetus to the development of educational links
between Armenia and the Diaspora.” Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I and President of
the NKR Arkady Ghukasian also sent their addresses to the conference.

UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON AUGUST 20
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Antonio Guterres, the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees will arrive in Armenia on August 20 to pay
a two-day visit.
Gagik Yeganian, the Chief of the State Department for Migration and
Refugees of Armenia informed Radio Liberty about it. It is mentioned
that within the framework of the six-day regional visit started in
Baku on August 16, Guterres intends to meet with Azerbaijani, Georgian
and Armenian officials and displaced people and refugees. The UN
at present makes efforts to activize the role of the Refugee Agency
in the political negotiations proceeding on settlement of regional
conflicts. The peaceful settlement will allow refugees to return their
former settlements and to re-integrate. The UN, in its turn, will be
able to reduce one of expensive programs: the main worry of the UN
Refugee Agency in Europe is the South Caucasus, and the UN spends about
9.7 mln dollars annually to cover needs of refugees of the region.

BORDER VILLAGE OF VOSKEPAR HAS NO TELEPHONE CONNECTION FOR TWO WEEKS
IJEVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The border village of Voskepar of the
marz of Tavush has had no telephone connection for two weeks. According
to the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s information, builders constructing
the Voskepar-Baghanis roundabout road carelessly damaged the telephone
cable entering Voskepar.

46 MINES BLOW UP OF FIRE ON BORDER ZONE
IJEVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. 46 mines blew up on August 13 at the
border zone of the village of Voskevan, Tavush marz. As the Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed at the Voskevan village head’s office,
inhabitants of the Ghushchi Ayrum village of the Ghazakh region of
Azerbaijan set fire to fields on that day, in the consequence of what
the fire spread and blew up mines placed in the neutral zone. There
are no injured people.

ORDER OF MOVING FROM MIDDLE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION TO
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ONE WORKED OUT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Education and
Science envisages to take a number of steps to increase the role of
middle professional educational institutions. As Samvel Pipoyan, the
Chief of the Middle Professional and Vocational Education Department
of the Ministry informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, an order of
moving is being worked out at present, according to which, a graduate
of a middle professional educational institution may continue education
from the 2nd year of a higher educational institution.
S.Pipoyan mentioned that this order will be presented to discussion
of the RA Government till December of the current year. S.Pipoyan
mentioned that the modular educational system is also envisaged to
introduce in the sphere of middle professional education. This system
will give students possibility to get practical skills started from
the first year. This model was experimentally put into practice this
year in the Ijevan State, Vanadzor State Technological, Yerevan State
Humanities-Technical and Yerevan State Agricultural institutions of
middle professional education. Besides, international organizations
as well implement in Armenia programs addressed to development of
that sphere.
S.Pipoyan stated that within the framework of the “Education Addressed
to Future of Armenia” program being implemented by the UN Development
Program, buildings of few middle professional educational institutions
will be restored, and some institutions will be provided with necessary
material-technical basis as well. According to S.Pipoyan, the total
cost of the program is 1 mln 157 thousand dollars about 50 thousand
of which will be given by the RA Government.
It was also mentioned that the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
program implements a re-training program for lecturers of middle
professional institutions.

SCOT IAN PORTERFIELD TO HEAD TEAM OF ARMENIA IN YEREVAN MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 2
ZENITSA, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The team of Armenia completed with
up to 21 year old football players yielded to hosts with the result
of 2:3 at the August 16 meeting in the city of Zenitsa, Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Alexander Petrosian and Gevorg Ghazarian were most
accurate in the team of Armenia. The team of Armenia will receive
on September 2 the team of Norway for the next meeting of the group
tournament of the 2007 youth football championship of Europe. And the
Norwegians will compete with the team of Bosnia on September 6. To
recap, Scot John (Ian) Porterfield, who, on August 16, signed a 1.5
year contract on heading all age teams of Armenia, will undertake
the role of the team coach during the Yerevan meeting.