Shevet Achim was founded in 1994 with the purpose of helping non-Israeli children receive lifesaving medical care in Israel. Our name is taken from the Hebrew of Psalm 133, which promises that unity between brothers leads to life; we believe this to be true of the troubled relationship between Isaac and Ishmael (Jews and Muslims) in the Middle East. To live this out we seek to "go and do likewise" as the Good Samaritan, who crossed lines of division to show that an enemy is in fact a neighbor also loved by God.

We work from the historic building in Jerusalem which housed the first children's hospital in the Middle East, and are registered in Israel as a non-profit organization, overseen by a board which includes Chuck Kopp, pastor of the Narkis Street International Congregation in Jerusalem; Jonathan Miles, international coordinator of Shevet Achim; David Pileggi, rector of Christ Church   in Jerusalem; and Jim Schutz, local congregations liaison with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. National affiliates of Shevet Achim are registered in the and

Our mailing address in Jerusalem is Shevet Achim, POB 32296, Jerusalem, Israel 91000 and our office telephone is 972-2-6245053.  In the United States, our address is Shevet Achim, POB 1006, Rocky Face, GA 30740 and our toll-free telephone number is 877-474-3838. And in the UK please write PO Box 84, Caldicot, NP26 3WS or call 01633 401201. You may write to with any questions. 

Simantov Allalouf, Transportation Coordinator Give or pledge to support this staff member
Martha Berg, Website Coordinator Martha first came to Israel in 1992, studying at the Institute of Holy Land Studies and later at Hebrew University. Her husband Philip directed our Jerusalem office until his death in January 2006. Martha is now in the US and coordinating the posting of children's updates on our website. Martha has five children: Asher, Adam, Nathan, Sara, and Anna. Contact her at: POB 32296, Jerusalem 91000, Israel or Give or pledge to support this staff member
Hank and Michele Dannecker, Family Needs Coordinators Hank and Michele Dannecker relocated to Israel from Pennsylvania in September 2007.  They have experience operating personal care homes and will help to set up and maintain a home for the patient families, providing hospitality, spiritual guidance, and cultural care.  Hank's current duties include transportation of Shevet patients from various locations to Wolfson Medical Center and maintenance of vehicles and the Shevet center in Jerusalem.  Hank and Michele are blessed to have two children, AbbyRose and Levi Israel. You may contact them Give or pledge to support this staff member
Keleigh Glisson, Family Care Liaison Keleigh first heard about Shevet Achim while teaching a summer English course in Amman Jordan in 2002.  At the time she was a junior high and high school Bible teacher in Portland, Oregon.  In August of the following year Keleigh moved to Jerusalem in order to pursue a Masters degree. During this time she came to love both Arabs and Israelis, and in February 2008, on completion of her Masters degree, Keleigh joined the Shevet team.   Contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Goran, Iraq Liaison Goran is a Muslim-background believer from Northern Iraq where he and his wife, Rebecca, currently live.  He became involved with Shevet Achim in 2006 as a contact for sending patients from Northern Iraq. This has been a dream of his to help Iraqi children who suffer from heart problems and he realizes God made this opportunity possible. Give or pledge to support this staff member
David Hartman, Supporter Services Coordinator Originally from Colorado, the Hartman family moved to the Middle East in 1999, locating in Aqaba, Jordan, where they were involved in outreach to the local Arabic community. In the fall of 2006 they joined the Shevet Achim team in Jerusalem. David & Judy and children Johanna, Jeffrey, Elley, Luke and Lana are currently on home leave in the US. You may contact them Give or pledge to support this staff member
Erica Karmi,  Gaza Coordinator Erica is from Bethlehem and joined the Shevet team in July 2008. Her primary responsibility is arranging appointments and permits for Gaza children to enter Israel. You may contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Dirk Kleinloh, Jordan Coordinator The Kleinlohs came to Jordan from Germany in 2001 and Dirk has been serving with Shevet Achim since 2004. Dirk  coordinates the transfer of Iraqi children to Israel, and his wife Manuela is full of hospitality for the families passing through their home. Contact them through Give or pledge to support this staff member
Ethan Knapp, Financial Coordinator Ethan studied in Israel during the past decade and joined Shevet Achim in July 2008. He is overseeing financial administration for the Jerusalem office. Contact him Give or pledge to support this staff member
Jonathan Miles, International Coordinator Jonathan came to Israel in 1990 as a journalist, worked for several years with new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and helped establish Shevet Achim (then Light to the Nations) in 1994. From 1996-2001 he and his wife Michelle lived in the Gaza Strip with their children Renanah, Rebekah, Josh, Elly, Ben, and Zak. Contact them through Give or pledge to support this staff member
Donna Petrel, Family Care Coordinator Donna experienced a series of heart-shattering circumstances in the mid-1990s which God used to begin teaching her about His heart for reconciliation. From then on she has desired to see the passion and compassion of God's love bring people to reconciliation with God and with each other, thus bringing down every wall of separation between us. Donna helps host families in Amman as they wait for visas, escorts them to Israel, and helps host them there before, during and after their heart surgeries. Contact her Give or pledge to support this staff member
Alex Pettett, Israel Coordinator Alex first was introduced to the work of Shevet Achim in Gaza in 1998. He and and his wife Jamie met in Jordan after Alex studied for an MA in Jerusalem. He was a youth pastor in Haifa and in South Carolina for seven years before assuming the position of Israel Coordinator in January 2007. Jamie is a registered nurse who helps with transport of critically-ill children. Their first daughter Abigail Grace was born May 3 in Jerusalem. Contact the family at Give or pledge to support this staff member
Autumn Ridley, Gaza Liaison Autumn was delivered from drugs, alcohol and many other things at the age of 19. She told the Lord that if He had a plan for her life  she would serve Him all of her days--but only to direct her steps. At the age of 22 He directed her to the Middle East where she has served since 2000.  She has been involved in Arabic communities throughout Israel and Jordan, and since 2005 has been serving in Gaza.  In March 2007 she joined the Shevet Achim team. Her desire is to change lives one at a time. You may contact Autumn at Give or pledge to support this staff member
Justin Strong Justin was born and raised in California and joined Shevet Achim in January 2009. He began to heed Christ’s plea on behalf of the least during his study at Azusa Pacific University, where he served in various ministries and completed a double-major in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministries and a minor in Biblical Greek. Justin is eager to take bold steps of faith to learn and serve in bigger and better ways through Shevet Achim. You may contact Justin at Give or pledge to support this staff member