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- ATA School opened in January under the directorship of TAFSUS board member Dilek Arig at the Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA teaching Turkish language, social studies and culture.
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- A Turkish night was and held by TAFSUS VP Wallis Urmenyhazi for the
community at Kilyos Fish and Grill Restaurant on January 15, 2009. Imported fish
from Turkey was among the menu choices and everyone was invited to join in
singing of Turkish folk and popular songs. |
| -TAFSUS community was informed about a concert by Turkish pianist Idil
Biret at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. on February 13, 2009. |
| -Another Turkish Dinner was organized by Wallis on February 26 at the newly
opened S & H Kebab House in Philadelphia. |
| -TAFSUS and Drexel TSA organized a reception and a lecture by Prof.
Turkkaya Ataov of Anakra University on "How To Come To Terms with One's Past" on
February 27 at Lebow College Engineering building at Drexel. |
| -A Turkish musical evening was arranged by Wallis at Cafe Fulya in
Philadelphia with an open Turkish buffet on March 6, 2009. |
| -An information meeting was held about Islamic Funeral Services at board
member Suzan Aydin's house on March 15,2009. |
| -A program for the Turkish Youth was organized by TAFSUS board member,
Ceren Kesici at the S&H Kebab House on April 5, 2009. |
| -"Exploring Turkey" a workshop for high school students was
organized by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia on April 16,2009
sponsored by TAFSUS. Okumus-TAFSUS fellow Charles Young of the Bodine School for
International Affairs spoke about Turkey followed by Drexel TSA students
talking about Turkish culture and answering students' questions about life in
Turkey. |
| -2 Elma Sekeri Newsletter of the ATA School was published in April and
May. |
| -A Memorial Service for Nihat Bilgutay with open mike was organized by
TAFSUS and Drexel TSA on May 3 with a reception following the comments of
everyone who spoke about Nihat and remembered him with Nihat's family being
present. |
| -Ibrahim Onaral adn Birtan Collier joined the World Affairs Council's 60th
Anniversary Committee at the urging of Guler Koknar and attended WAC's program
with Condeleeza Rice on May 4,2009. |
| -Guler Koknar, Executive Director of the Turkish Cultural Foundation
visited Philadelphia on June 8. She visited the Community College
of Philadelphia and met with faculty and administration members. She
later visited with the US Constitution Center staff members about having an
exhibit there about Patara as arranged by Wallis. Ibrahim, Wallis and
Birtan were also present. |
| -Another Turkish Dinner was organized by Wallis at S&H Kebab House on
June 23, 2009 with the Community College of Philadelphia faculty and students
who traveled to Turkey in May attending the dinner. |
| -A Seker Bayrami luncheon was arranged at Konak Restaurant by Wallis on
September 20 for adults and children, with candy and small gifts being
distributed at the end. |
| -In conjunction with the exhibit "His Golden Touch: The Gordion Drawings of
Piet de Jong" another Turkish Delight Day was organized and funded by TAFSUS at
UPenn Museum on September 26, 2009. Nihan Bekar, Cultural Attached of the
Turkish Consulate attended and cut the ribbon along with TAFSUS President
Ibrahim Onaral. A lecture was given on Gordion by Prof Brian Rose,
followed by a Turkish Food Demonstration by TAFSUS Treasurer, Lale Iskarpatyoti,
a Modern Day Turkey lecture by Gozde Senel and musical presentation by David's
Harp. Turkish Cultural Foundation was the main sponsor of the Gordion
Exhibit. |
| -A celebration of Turkey with music, dance, food and crafts was organized
by Wallis and funded by TAFSUS on October 2, 2009 at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art with the New York Gypsy Band performing and Ebru, Turkish marbling
demonstration by Richard Aldorasi. |
| -ATA School opened its fall semester on October 4, 2009. |
| -TAFSUS picnic was held at the Ridley Creek Park on October 11 from
noon to sunset organized by TAFSUS member, Mehmet Al-Khatib. |
| -A Republic Day Dinner was organized by Ibrahim Onaral at Penn's Landing
Caterers in Philadelphia on October 24, 2009 with live music, sit down
dinner, a program book of advertisers and a raffle. |
| -Ibrahim Onaral and Birtan Collier participated in WAC's 60th Anniversary
conference "The New Global Dynamic" on November 6 and TAFSUS supported the
afternoon program with Ambassador Marc Grossman who took a lot of questions on
Turkey from the audience. |
| -Another program for the youth has been organized by TAFSUS board member
Ceren Kesici at Temple University on November 21 which will feature a darbuka
workshop and live music and a tea. |
| -TAFSUS again provided 4 Okumus-TAFSUS fellowships to 4 teachers for a 2
week study of Turkey in July through the Education Dept of the World
Affairs Council. This bring the total number of Fellows that TAFSUS sent to Turkey to 58
teachers. |
| -TAFSUS again helped underwrite the Community College of Philadelphia's
Turkey travel program for its students along with the Turkish Coalition of
America. |
| -Community College VP for Academic Affairs Judith Gay was sponsored by the
Turkish Cultural Foundation and traveled on TCF's trip to the Istanbul region in
October. |
| -TAFSUS supported 1 scholar at the American Research Institute of
Turkey(ARIT). |
| -A grant was made to the International Classroom at UPenn Museum in
September 2008. During 2009, this grant funded 10 complimentary
International Classroom programs as organized by Okumus-TAFSUS Fellow Prema Deshmukh to students in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Approximately, 330 children, 15 teachers and 5
schools benefited from this grant. |
| -Throughout the year, TAFSUS VP Hasan Ayaz kept TAFSUS' website current and
up to date with news and with his help in sending e-mail messages, TAFSUS kept
the community informed of all developments regarding Turkey and its own
programs. He also took charge of TAFSUS database. |
| A brand new website was created by Hasan Ayaz for TAFSUS with the changed web address of www.tafsus.net
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| January 6, 2008 marked the opening day of the new TAFSUS ATA School where 22 students between the ages of 6 and 14 started to learn Turkish language, history and culture. This program, founded through the leadership of Lale Iskarpatyoti and Dilek Arig, is sponsored primarily by TAFSUS with significant donations from the Turkish Cultural Foundation and Prime Labels, with in-kind support from the Turkish Consulate General in New York. In it's second semester which started in October, 2008, Turkish language classes were expanded to 3-5 year olds as well as adults, with an enrollment of over 40 students across all age groups.
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| TAFSUS co-sponsored with World Affairs Council "The Portrait of Turkey" program for select high school students from Greater Philadelphia high schools for an intensive study of Turkey.
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| TAFSUS supported travel to Turkey of the Community College of Philadelphia professors and students during 2008.
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| A Turkish Night was organized and held by TAFSUS VP Wallis Urmenyhazi for the community at Divan Turkish Kitchen on February 26, 2008. The main purpose was to bring members of the local community together and enjoy Turkish food while supporting a Turkish restaurant.
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| TAFSUS organized a Bowling Night for Young Professionals (over age 21) on February 28, 2008 at Lucky Strike Lanes.
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| Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots program was held on March 8, 2008 at Drexel University's Bossone Auditorium with Alison Block of ATAA and Lincoln McCurdy of Turkish Coalition of America making presentations to the community.
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| TAFSUS members joined Drexel Turkish Student Association on March 13, 2008 for A Night on The Mediterranean to celebrate the cultures of Italy, Sicily, Israel and Turkey.
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| Another Turkish Night was organized by TAFSUS VP Wallis Urmenyhazi on March 27, 2008 at Kilyos Fish and Grill Restaurant with a menu of fish imported from Turkey and an invitation to join the singing of Turkish folk songs by all who came.
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| Lale Iskarpatyoti made a brief presentation on Turkey at the International House on March 28 on the opening of a photography exhibit by Philadelphia photographers David and Lisa U'Prichard called "Turkey: Modern, Secular, Ancient and Sacred".
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| TAFSUS participated in the Turkish Festival held on April 19, 2008 along the Parkway organized by AT-COM, TAFSUS, TAMCA, Selimiye and Murat Mosques, Drexel and UPenn TSAs.
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| TAFSUS volunteers helped TAFSUS-OKUMUS Fellow, Prema Deshmukh to organize a Turkish Delight: A Celebration of Republic of Turkey all day program on May 3, 2008 at the University of Pennyslvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. This event took place throughout the museum with food and mosaic demonstrations, showing of Turkish films, Turkish music and dance, Turkish crafts and arts exhibit. It was financially supported by the Turkish Cultural Foundation. Turkish Consul General Mehmet Samsar and Deputy Consul Basar Sen attended. Middle East Center at UPenn and The World Affairs Council were also co-sponsors.
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| TAFSUS supported 1 scholar at the American Research Institute of Turkey(ARIT)
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| A Turkish Night with Open Mike was organized by TAFSUS VP Wallis Urmenyhazi at the Konak Restaurant on May 8, 2008.
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| TAFSUS provided 5 TAFSUS-OKUMUS Fellowships to 5 teachers for a 2 week study tour of Turkey in July through the Education Dept. of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. This brings the total number of teachers sent to Turkey to 54.
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| Lale Iskarpatyoti, Ibrahim Onaral and Birtan Collier attended the dinner for Margaret Lonzetta on June 10, on the occasion of her retirement from the World Affairs Council after a 35 year career. Birtan Collier thanked Margaret on behalf of the Turkish American community and TAFSUS board as she was the creator and executor of the TAFSUS education programs for 3 decades.
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| Long time TAFSUS member, President and VP At-Large, and Head of Computer and Electrical Engineering Dept at Drexel University, Professor Nihat Bilgutay passed away on July 1, 2008 after a debilitating illness. TAFSUS community collected at his house during the evening of his death to remember and celebrate Nihat Bilgutay's life. He was buried in Kusadasi, Turkey. A Memorial Service held at Drexel University on December 11, 2008.
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| TAFSUS Candy Holiday Luncheon was organized by TAFSUS VP Wallis Urmenyhazi at Konak Restaurant on October 4, 2008. Candies were distributed to children.
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| A Republic Day Dinner Dance was organized by TAFSUS VP Ibrahim Onaral at Dolce Hotel in King of Prussia on October 25, 2008 with live music, sit down dinner, a program book, and a raffle of various prizes.
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| Lale Iskarpatyoti spoke ob behalf of TAFSUS at the Republic Day Event organized by the Drexel Turkish Student Association on October 30, 2008.
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| TAFSUS members joined Bilgutay family in a public Philadelphia ALS Walk on November 8, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park. A lunch took place afterwards at Konak restaurant with the participants.
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| TAFSUS was one of the 3 participants in the Mediterranean Night, an Evening of Turkish, Greek and Italian music and food at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Friday, November 7, 2008. Wallis made the arrangements on behalf of TAFSUS which included an ongoing Ebru demonstration during the evening. The event was co-sponsored by the Middle East Center of UPenn.
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| TAFSUS Board Member Hasan Ayaz represented Turkey in "Peace Around the World 2008" program at The UPenn Museum on Sunday, December 7 giving information about Turkey's history, language, social customs, holiday traditions and about Ataturk, and how he revolutionized culture and policies, as the first President of the country.
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| Throughout 2008, TAFSUS communicated with the community to inform them of news and developments related to the community and Turkey by e-mail messages.
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-A Kurban Bayrami luncheon was held at the Aldar Bistro on January 15, 2006 with Turkish food and live Turkish music and a raffle.
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-TAFSUS co-sponsored "The 16th,17th and 188th Century Anatolian Carpets Exhibit" at the UPenn's Arthur Ross Gallery January 21 through April 2, 2006. Opening of the exhibit included a lecture by Walter Denny, professor of history of art at the Univ. of Massachusetts.
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-"Turkey: Ancient and Modern" A day long wworkshop for teachers was co-sponsored by the Education Dept of UPenn Museum, Middle East Center at UPenn and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia on March 25, 2006 . This program was supported by TAFSUS, ATAA, Material Culture and Konak. 39 teachers attended.
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-TAFSUS organized a Turkish Night at the PPhiladelphia Museum of Art on April 7, 2006 with Turkish music, Turkish arts and crafts and tourism brochures on display, TAFSUS flyers and Turkish food being part of the menu. 890 people attended.
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-TAFSUS participated in the Annenberg Centter's Philadelphia International Children's Festival April 30-May 6, 2006 as one of the organizers for hands on arts and crafts activities.
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-TAFSUS provided 6 Okumus-TAFSUS Fellowshiips to teachers for a 2 week study tour of Turkey in July. This brings the total number of educators sent to Turkey to 43.
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-TAFSUS co-sponsored with the World Affairrs Council "The Portrait of Turkey" program for select high school students from Greater Philadelphia area schools for an intensive study of Turkey including a trip to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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-TAFSUS gave donations to the following:
- Rosemont College Political Science Dept. to support a trip to Washington D.C. in connection with the course on Turkish-US relations,
- the Turkish Studies Association for 1 Halide Edip Adivar scholarship,
- the American Research Institute in Turkey(ARIT) for a doctoral student at the Univ. of Chicago to study historical works in the Ottoman archives,
- the Community College of Philadelphia in support of sending 18 professors to Turkey on a study tour,
- the Hepatitis B Foundation to support their educational programs with Turkish researchers, and
- the Philadelphia Museum of Art for support of the Turkish Night program.
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-TAFSUS wrote letters to PBS to protest thhe program "The Armenian Genocide" program which aired on Channel 12
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-TAFSUS organized a Dinner Dance with Turkkish food and music on October 28, 2006 to celebrate the 83rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Turkish Republic at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge Hotel with proclamations issued by Mayor Street and Governor Rendell. A program book was prepared with 10 advertisers.
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-TAFSUS invited the community to attend a musical evening with Odessa to Istanbul program on December 2, 2006 at Painted Bride Art Center with discounted tickets and food items at Konak Restaurant, next door.
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-Throughout the year, TAFSUS communicated with the Turkish American community to inform them of news and developments related to the community and Turkey.
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-TAFSUS financial books were examined by BBee, Bergvall and Co. and found in good order
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