Our History and Mission
Our Mission
The mission of the Arab American Association of New York is to support and empower the Arab Immigrant and Arab American community by helping them adjust to their new home and become active members of society. Our aim is for families to achieve the ultimate goals of independence, productivity, and stability.
Our History
The Arab American Association of New York (AAANY) was founded in 2001 by prominent and active members of the Arab American and Arab immigrant community to respond to the needs of low-income, recent Arab immigrants in NYC. AAANY formed not even a month before the attacks of September 11th, 2001, as a one-room social service agency run entirely by volunteers. After 9/11, AAANY stepped into an advocacy role, recognizing that the onslaught of surveillance tactics, hate crimes, and community isolation would not be solved by direct services alone.
Our Founders
Dr. Ahmad Jaber (1947 - 2020)
Almost as soon as he immigrated to the United States in 1975, Dr. Ahmad Jaber was a leader for not just Arab Americans, but all immigrants in New York City.
Through his work with dozens of mosques, community-based organizations, and institutions across the city, he helped to provide medical care, education, social services, and immigration support to not just his fellow Arab Americans in need, but to immigrants from all over the world looking to follow in his footsteps in achieving the American dream. His role as a public face for the Arab community in the wake of September 11th was critical in building bridges between Arab and non-Arab New Yorkers, and his stewardship of AAANY was invaluable to our growth and success.
Basemah Atweh (1956 - 2005)
A longtime advocate for the Arab American community, and a beloved member of it, Basemah Atweh lived a life dedicated to service - to her family, to her patients, and to her community.
Wanting to create a single, uniting organization to serve the needs of New York’s Arab community, Ms. Atweh led the charge to found AAANY in 2001. The beating heart of AAANY in its early days, Ms. Atweh served as the association’s first executive director. Ms. Atweh was responsible for bringing in AAANY’s first staff, building our funding network, and creating many programs that the association still continues to this day, with a particular focus on women’s opportunity and empowerment. Ms. Atweh’s leadership ensured AAANY continued to grow and serve long after her passing.
Our Board
Executive Board
Habib Joudeh, Board President
Dr. Abdelhamed Tamara, Board Vice President
Sarab Al-Jijakli, Board Secretary
Dr. Laila Farhat, Board Treasurer
Board Members
Dr. Basil Alhaddad
Dr. Eman Al-Janabi
Mohammad Alsaweer
Zeinab Bader
Aly Ezzat
Isam Moala
Dr. Hanan Salman
Dr. Abraham Sleem
Mahmoud Widdi
Abdullah Younus
Our Team
Leadership
Marwa Janini, Executive Director
Enas Almadhawi, Director of Human Resources
Hamza Elbaraka, Director of Finance
Lauren Hawk, Director of Capacity Building & Development
Mary Hetteix, Director of Programs
Adult Education
Aisha Alsabahi, Program Manager
Abir Hasaballa, Women Empowerment Coordinator
Rahaf Almasri, Instructor
Nusaibah Alsofari, Instructor
Halima Esa, Instructor
Nancy Hussein, Instructor
Rasha Ibrahim, Instructor
Kimberly Macron, Instructor
Doha Musa, Instructor
Advocacy & Civic Engagement
Amna Amir, Communications Manager
Gufran Jadallah, Youth Organizer
Maryam Khaldi, Coalition Organizer
Zahraa Rakka, Community Organizer
Administration
Zahraa Fares, Administrative Assistant
Mayada Soliman, Administrative Assistant
Asel Zaidan, Operations Administrator / Events Coordinator
Career Readiness & Economic Development
Sumayah Tallouzi, Workforce Development Specialist
Immigration
Norah Alsabahi, Program Manager
Manar Abdullah, Navigator
Ayatallah Eissawy, Navigator
Polliann Hardeo, NYLAG Attorney
Sara Saifeldeen, Navigator
Mental Health
Sara Elsehetry, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Mona Hussain, Domestic Violence Case Manager
Social Services
Sophia Agag, Case Worker
Marwa Aldubaie, Case Worker