Page 9 - Bridges For Peace Continuing Ed Module 1

when others had not the courage to do so, until his name became known from
one end of the land to the other.

Dr. Young and his outgoing and hospitable wife held Easter and Christmas
events and receptions at the Institute for up to 250 guests, many of whom were
the most respected people in Israel from the fields of government, education,
medicine, archaeology and religion. All of them left with high respect for the
Youngs’ intelligence, kindness, hospitality and understanding of the issues of the
moment. And Mrs. Young regularly delivered birthday cakes to homes of
children in both Arab and Jewish homes. No wonder they were loved!

In September 1976 Dr., Young’s initiative gave birth to a new publication, “The
Dispatch from Jerusalem”, compiled and edited by him. The paper continues to
this day, giving some of the finest and clearest accounts of events and conditions
in Israel. He was also initiator and promoter of two international conferences in
Jerusalem – the “Jerusalem Conference on Biblical Prophecy” of June 15-18,
1971 and seven years later the “International Congress for the Peace of
Jerusalem” held Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 1978.

On April 19, 1978 Dr. G. Douglas Young was honored by the city of Jerusalem
with its highest award, “Yakir Yerushalym” meaning “Worthy of Jerusalem,” an
award rarely given at all and even less often given to Gentiles.

Traditionally, those chosen for this title of honor are over 70 years of age, and
Jewish. Dr. Young was neither 70 nor Jewish, and at that time he was only the
th
4 Christian to be so honored. Teddy Kollek, Mayor of Jerusalem, presented the
honor at a special convocation also attended by the President of Israel, Ephraim
Katzir. It was as if the city of Jerusalem could not wait until Dr. Young reached
the age of 70 to shower their affection on him.

Other honors Dr. Young received were the “B’rith Abraham” awarded to him by
the Jewish community of the United States, and the “Israel Pilgrim” medal for his
many years of promoting tourism to Israel.

Gardens in two forests in Israel have been named in his honor. In 1975 he was
appointed to the “Street and Suburb Naming Committee” in Jerusalem – a
distinct honor considering he was not Jewish.

In April of 1972 in Canada he was the recipient of the “Humanitarian Award of the
Year” at a dinner party of 300 distinguished guests.

At the age of 68, Douglas Young took part in the official installation of a
successor to the leadership of the Institute of Holy Land Studies on November 1,
1968, and Dr. George Giacumakis took over the post in July 1969. However, Dr.
Young was not ready to retire. He began a new outreach, establishing Bridges
for Peace, and educational organization designed to bring Christians to Israel