The Only Catholic University in the Holy Land
In 1964, Pope Paul VI visited the Holy Land. In his desire to support the Palestinian people, Bethlehem University was established in 1973 as a joint venture between the Vatican and the De La Salle (Christian) Brothers. From humble beginnings with just three Brothers, a small group of Palestinian educators, and 112 students, Bethlehem University became the first registered university in Palestine. 23,000 men and women have graduated from Bethlehem University since its founding, and today it remains the only Catholic University in the Holy Land.
Bethlehem University provides modern and effective learning resources to enable all staff and students to pursue their academic activities in accordance with its vision, mission, and values. The University intentionally fosters interfaith knowledge and exploration, giving students inter-faith competency and building their capacity to respect all life. Thirty-nine percent of undergraduate students study Nursing and Health Sciences, 19% Business Administration, and 17% The Arts (Arabic Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Religious Studies).
Join Our Mission
Bethlehem University Foundation is the U.S. philanthropic partner of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. As an independent 501(c)(3), the Foundation mobilizes charitable support, stewards endowment and annual gifts, and provides grants that sustain the University’s mission and its students.
We invite you to be part of this mission.
Through your generosity, you can help open pathways to education for Palestinian students, strengthen Bethlehem University for the future, and invest in young men and women who will serve their families, communities, and the Holy Land.
Whether through an annual gift, a major gift, an endowment, or a legacy commitment, your support helps ensure that Bethlehem University can continue to educate, form, and prepare new generations for lives of leadership and service.
Together, we can help ensure that opportunity endures, and that Bethlehem University remains a place where young people can build a future.
EIN: 22-3600739
Support Our Students
Say Yes to What Comes Next
2026 Fall Appeal
This past summer, Bethlehem University student Ghassan said yes to an opportunity that changed how he sees his future.
Today, Palestinian students face growing challenges to continuing their education—and they need your support to keep opportunity within reach.
The Shepherd’s Circle for Monthly Giving
Join the Shepherd’s Circle for convenient and secure monthly giving that provides students with support to fund their education that will last a lifetime.
Help us reach our goal of 100 people donating $1 dollar a day for Bethlehem University. That’s an extra $36,500 a year!
Together we are powerful. Learn More . . .
Just $1 a Day = 1 Student’s Tuition for 1 Month
2026 Fall Reception in Washington, D.C.
The Future of the Holy Land Is Being Shaped Today
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the achievements of students in the Holy Land and the community of partners united by a shared belief in their promise, potential, and future.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Apostolic Nunciature in the United States of America
Washington, DC
Together we prepare the next generation for lives of leadership, service, and purpose.
For Parishes and Communities
To remain in Christ is not simply to believe; it is to be in relationship, staying present to one another, especially in times of difficulty. It is to accompany our brothers and sisters as Jesus accompanies us.
Our Ask is Simple
Can your parish commit to supporting One student for the coming year?
To do so is more than an act of generosity.
It is an act of solidarity.
The cost of a student’s education is $4,000 annually. By choosing to remain with a student in a moment when they might otherwise be forced to step away, you are ensuring that the Church’s presence continues in the Holy Land, not only in sacred places, but in the lives of young people preparing to lead, serve their communities, and build a hopeful future.
Learn More About our Amazing Women Students
Women in STEM: Breaking Barriers & Shaping the Future
Womenity Magazine, Issue 4
Discover the latest issue of Womenity, Bethlehem University’s all-female digital magazine, celebrating the voices, achievements, and innovations of Palestinian women.
This edition highlights inspiring stories of students, faculty, researchers, and alumni who are advancing STEM fields while breaking barriers and serving their communities.
Through personal stories, scientific research, and emerging technologies, these women demonstrate the transformative power of education in shaping a more hopeful future. Read how Bethlehem University continues to empower the next generation of women leaders in the Holy Land.
In the News
Under the Spanish Skies
September 10, 2026
Bethlehem University Astronomy Club Represents Palestine Under Spanish Skies From July 20-25, under the night skies of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, a delegation of five from Bethlehem University’s Astronomy Club found themselves sharing with the world, through Spanish and international media, what it means to study science in Palestine. The delegation of two lecturers…
Bethlehem University Alumnus Succeeds Mentor
September 10, 2026
New CEO of the Latin Patriarchate Begins Work In the mid-1980s, a business student at Bethlehem University named Johny Zeidan crossed paths with faculty member Sami El-Yousef, who became his mentor. Four decades later, El-Yousef would pass down the title of CEO of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) to him. El-Yousef spent twenty-four years…
National STEAM Competition
August 13, 2026
Bethlehem University Wins First and Second Place Imagine an English language and literature class where the students are detectives. Instead of being told what a text means, they investigate it: piecing together character motives, tracing plot clues, building their own case for what a story is about. Rand Hadieh, Malak Bdeir, Shahd Hadieh, and Hussein…
One Toothbrush at a Time
August 6, 2026
Special Needs Kids Learn from Nursing Students At the Tuqu’ Center for Special Education, six third-year nursing students traded lectures for mirrors, demonstration toothbrushes, and patience. Their goal: teaching hygiene basics to children with special needs, one step at a time. Aya Mohsen, Iman Al-Khatib, Kawthar Suleiman, Lana Abu Amriah, Razan Shaer, and Taleen Abu…
BU President Meets with Equestrian Order Members in Minnesota
August 6, 2026
Brother Hernán Santos travels to Winona to strengthen a longstanding partnership On July 18, Bethlehem University President Brother Hernán Santos, FSC, and Advancement Office Manager Shahinda Nassar traveled to Winona, Minnesota, to meet with members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem’s USA Northern Lieutenancy. Among those present were Dame Paula Wick…
Ghassan Goes to Washington
August 6, 2026
A Georgetown University partnership with Bethlehem University brings a student intern a summer of firsts. This June, Ghassan Johnny Altawil landed at Dulles International Airport and did what most first-time visitors don’t: he went straight for the metro. “The first thing I noticed was the amount of U.S. flags everywhere,” he said. “It felt much…
Bethlehem University FAQs
Do you have questions about BU? Can you spot it on a map? Do you wonder how the occupation impacts students, faculty, and staff.
These answers and more are found on our FAQ page. Learn More . . .
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“You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to your care”