Evereksi-Fenese Educational Society reunion held in New Jersey

November 26, 2024 Harold Takooshian Community News, Diaspora 0

On November 16, 2024, more than 40 people of all ages filled the elegant Mado’s Restaurant in River Edge, New Jersey, to participate in a joyous reunion of the Everek-Fenese Educational Society (EFES). While enjoying a lavish Armenian feast, these families shared three hours of lively conversations with old and new friends. 

Due to the pandemic, this was their first reunion since 2019. A brief program featured four speakers. 

Lori Dondiego encouraged families to try a simple ancestry DNA test to easily receive a list of “lost” relatives they may not know. When Dondiego used www.23andMe.com in 2018, she was pleased to receive a list of many new family members and reunited with the Alexander family in Maryland. About one-third of the attendees had already done this and supported Dondiego’s advice. 

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Following my presentation of a sheet of resources on the fascinating history and current status of the EFES, which marks its 150th anniversary in 2029, Nanette Hachadourian reminded folks that EFES continues to award scholarships to talented high school and college student applicants. 

Surely the highlight of the day was when Edward Halebian projected two large images of 80 people at past EFES gatherings held in 1921 and 1956. Folks raced to the screen to point out their beloved parents or themselves as youngsters.

The EFES was formed in 1878 in the villages of Everek and Fenese in the Kayseri province in Turkey to advance the education of its members — a mission it has continued for over 140 years, celebrating the survival of this close-knit group.  

This gathering was hosted by a team headed by Hachadourian and John and Edward Halebian. A factsheet on EFES is available on request by contacting takoosh@aol.com.  Plans are underway for the next local gathering in the spring of 2025. 

For details, contact Hachadourian at nononina@aol.com or check the website https://evereg-fenesse-ny.org/.

Harold Takooshian

Harold Takooshian

Harold Takooshian, Ph.D., is on the faculty of Fordham University since 1975, where he is Professor of Psychology & Urban Studies, and Director of the Organizational Leadership Program (2004-2018). He completed his Ph.D. in Psychology in 1979 at CUNY with Stanley Milgram. He is a researcher, teacher, consultant, whose work is described in Marquis' Who's Who in the World. As a co-founder and past-president of the APA Division of International Psychology, he has served with the United Nations, and chaired its NGO Habitat Committee on Human Settlements (2008-2010).

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