Although the thoughts, ideas and dreams of many in our Arabic community date back many years ago, AABA’s true focus came about in 1974, when a group of American-Arab public-spirited citizens became aware that the needs of the American-Arab community in the Greater Boston area were not being met. These individuals, led by George Haddad, decided to form a Steering Committee, which met over the course of several months to formulate plans.

The Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from various churches, civic and fraternal organizations within the Greater Boston American-Arab community, was put in place to study the feasibility of creating an Organization, which would promote charitable, cultural, benevolent and educational endeavors within our ethnic community.

On February 12, 1974, the Steering Committee held its first meeting in the St. George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, MA with the following individuals: Reverend Father George George, Reverend Father Joseph Lahoud, Reverend Nifon Abraham, Nicholas Abraham, John Byda, Ernest T. Chadie, Alice Easa, Emily Eknoian, George Haddad, Yvonne Hample, Judith Jabaily, Louise Jabaily, Thomas Jabaily, Louis Kfoury Jr., Monsour Laham, Dr. Jerold Owen, George Sabbag, Labeebe Saquet, Camille Sarrouf, and Dr. Samuel Thomas. This is considered to be the first formal meeting, which lead to the official formulation of AABA.

While subsequent meetings would officially approve by-laws, membership dues, committees and meeting dates, it was on March 31, 1974 that the first General Meeting was held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, which approved the name of American Arabic Benevolent Association [AABA] and elected, as its first President, Dr. Jerold Owen.

Since the beginning, there have been many Presidents of AABA, some individuals serving more than one term, but all charged with the responsibility of leading a group of volunteers to carry out the wishes of the American-Arabic community in compliance with AABA’s constitution, charter and by-laws.

AABA’s Board of Directors is made up of twenty-four (24) Active voting members [12 elected each year for a 2-year term], as well as retired active members who served on the Board for at least ten and have been elected as Director Emeritus.  Throughout the years, Board members have come from one of our eight (8) supporting sister churches:  Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral in West Roxbury, Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon in Jamaica Plain, Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Dedham, Saint George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Matthew’s Syriac Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Cambridge, Saint George Orthodox Church in Norwood and Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church in West Roxbury.  In addition, we have representation from our supporting sister organizations:  Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association, Syrian-Lebanese Women’s Club, Nicholas G. Beram Ladies Auxiliary, and the Lebanese-Syrian Ladies Aid Society.

AABA’s focus since 1974 is the same today and is engrained in our statement of purpose, which has never changed…to promote charitable, educational, civic, cultural and benevolent endeavors including assistance and support of needy and impoverished people;  establish, assist and support homes for the aged,  and charitable institutions with emphasis on providing such assistance and support to the needy, elderly, and otherwise deprived who are of Arabic descent but without discrimination as to race, nationality, color or creed and to do any and all other things necessary or desirable to carry out such purposes.

The diversity of the AABA Board of Directors has allowed us to create an environment where the well-being of the community is equal to the neediest individual; where those to whom we provide services mean more than the services we provide; and, where the spirit, heart & love of what we do is outweighed by the spirit, heart & love of those we serve.

Through the years, AABA, through to its dedicated Board of Directors, has continually increased assistance to the community.  The land on which AABA Village sits, was donated by Theodore P. and George S. Saegh. Then, Cheriton Grove Apartments was constructed in 1985, with occupancy by our seniors in 1987.  Our second senior residence, The James M. Salah Family Housing at Cheriton Heights was completed in 2013 with occupancy beginning in 2014.  AABA has continued its commitment to the community and today AABA Village, comprised of Cheriton Grove and Cheriton Heights, is one of the best operating housing complexes in the City of Boston.

AABA’s First Officers/Board of Directors

Dr. Jerald Owen
President

Dr. Sam Thomas
1st Vice President

Dr. Edward Sion
2nd Vice President

Camille Sarrouf
Esq., Clerk

Ernest Nassif
Treasurer

Elmer Sabino
Assistant Treasurer

Jeanette Byda
Secretary

Nicholas Abraham

William Awad

John Byda

Ernest Chadie

David Franciosi

James Gabriel, Esq.

Halim Habib, Dr.

Evelyn Haddad

George Haddad

Emile Hajar

Yvonne Hample

Thomas Jabaily

Louis Kfoury, Jr.

Monsour Laham

Robert Laham

Fr. Frederic Maloof

Louise Maloof

Rose Maloof

Antoun Mudarri

George Sabbag

Labeebe Saquet

George Shagoury, Esq.

Dr. Salem Toney

Past Presidents of AABA, their terms and their Church Affiliation

Dr. Jerald Owen

1974 – 1976
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Dr. Edward Sion

1976 – 1978
Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral

Dr. Samuel Thomas

1978 – 1979
Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral

Leander Cardoos

1979 – 1981
Church of Saint John of Damascus

Thomas Jabaily

1981 – 1983
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Boston

George J. Sabbag

1983 – 1985
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Leander Cardoos

1985 – 1987
Church of Saint John of Damascus

Nicholas Abraham

1987 – 1989
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Boston

Michael Ayoub

1989 – 1991
Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church

George J. Sabbag

1991 – 1993
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Nicholas Kanelos

1993 – 1995
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Steven J. Salhaney

1995 – 1997
Church of Saint John of Damascus

George R. Jabbour, Esq.

1997 – 1999
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Boston

David E. Hajjar

1999 – 2002
Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral

June David

2002 – 2004
Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church

Kenneth J. Raffol

2004 – 2006
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Shelby Mudarri

2006 - 2008
Church of Saint John of Damascus

Olivia A. Waishek

2008 - 2012
Church of Saint John of Damascus

Elias Audy

2012 – 2014
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Boston

Albertina C. Hajjar, Esq.

2014 – 2016
Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

Louis M. Kfoury, III

2016 – 2020
Our Lady of the Annunciation

Linda Ayoub

2020 - 2024
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Boston