Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Father Nikodhim gets a Farewell from NY St. Nicholas Orthodox Church to start as Bishop of the Albanian Archdiocese in America

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Rafaela Prifti/

On Sunday the congregation of Saint Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church hosted a farewell luncheon for their pastor Father Nikodhim. His service as a priest at the Jamaica Estate section of Queens, New York covers more than one fifth of the actual dedication of the building in 1970. He carried on his duties as cleric for thirteen years but he had started two years earlier as reader, sub-deacon and deacon. For all of it, “Father Niko’ as the congregation calls him received praise on Sunday in the remarks delivered by church officials and statements expressed to me by families who have been through all life stages with him by their side. A young couple, Viktoria and Joseph Hamlin, whom Father Nikodhim wedded the week before, were there to show their gratitude as they will forever cherish him and the day of their union before God, family and friends. “We shall miss Father Niko,” says Agathia Luka, a contributor, friend and long time supporter of the church along with her late husband Ilia Ylli Luka. The same sentiment is echoed by Lou Fundos, President of Parishioners, James Liolin, Chairman of the Church’s Council and many members, old and new. Professor Ardiana Miçi of Fan Noli University, Korca flew from Albania for her father’s funeral in New York, in 2017. She keeps in her heart the comforting words of Father Nikodhim who delivered the eulogy. Both of her sister’s children were baptized by him. Sitting at the cafeteria downstairs the church where she came to listen to the Sunday service marking the end of his tenure, Professor Miçi says that her nephews feel a close connection to Father Niko. The children find him approachable and personable. “I believe I can say from my family’s experience that he is a father to all people,” she says. That analogy was visualized when children of the Sunday school wrapped their arms around him as they gifted him a book of pictures they put together along with a custom made coffee thermos for his travels. Father Nikodhim is leaving this month to go to Albania, where he would continue his work with the church and learn more conversational Albanian.

He will return in the fall in his new position as the Bishop at Saint George’s Orthodox Cathedral, Boston and of the Albanian Archdiocese in America. For the clergy, it is very important that the canonical rites are observed from the nomination to the ordaining. The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, in its fall 2022 meeting under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon received the Albanian Archdiocesan nomination of Igumen Nikodhim (M.Div.’07) as diocesan bishop. Earlier he was elevated to the dignity of Archimandrite and was named Administrator of the Albanian Archdiocese. During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in November of last year, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon following the liturgical rites elevated Father Nikodhim’s rank. Later that month, when he kindly accepted the invitation to be a guest of honor at Vatra’s celebration of Albania’s Independence, we congratulated him for the new role in the church. According to Orthodox Church of America, with regard to his nomination as bishop, the Holy Synod will take steps to canonically elect and ordain Father Nikodhim to the episcopacy in September 2023.

“The community has grown and he has grown with it,” said James Liolin as he gave his remarks trying unsuccessfully not to show his emotions. Bitru Haile, a Queens based parishioner, who is originally from Ethiopia, and a Kenyan family of four, also New York residents, who has joined the congregation on “Father Niko’s watch” are grateful for him and wish to see him visit back soon. Adriana Topore, the Church Secretary didn’t speak at the luncheon but her husband Andrea spoke with admiration for the priest of St. Nicholas. For her part, Adriana joyfully feels proud for “the Albanian community to have created another Bishop – Bishop Niko.” Relying on her experience and time working with Father Nikodhim, Jennifer Brehl of the Church’s choir shared moments of laughter and truth nuggets that get discovered when one is curious and asks questions.

On the topic of findings, it was revealed that the ordination of Evgjenios (Eugene) Shkurti, Albanian born and seminarist, to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Mark took place at Saint George’s Cathedral in Boston on April 23. It is an important moment for the church that could also be a signal of what’s to come.

Father Niko spoke briefly at the end of Sunday mass promising to come back to the church. During the part of the service when he invites children to ask questions as they learn about faith, he unassumingly delivered the message of what church means to him. One could almost miss it. “This is a place where helpers come to help each other,” he said to them. It is the belief with which he embraced the service that took him from Nathan Preston, born and raised in Northern Idaho, to being tonsured with the name Nikodhim in honor of the Holy Martyr Nikodhim of Vithkuq and Berat.

In Memoriam Frederik “Fred” Stefani – Tribute to the Human Side of Immigration

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Rafaela Prifti/

Frederik Stefani is a good example that denounces the false dichotomy of America as either a nation of immigrants or a nation of laws. He believed that it is possible to advance an immigration system that is both humane and effective. As anti-immigration bills sweep through the country, it is fitting to highlight his legacy and pay tribute to him as a person.

When The Migration Resource Center was honored with the GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency in 2022, its founding Executive Director Frederik “Fred” Stefani wasn’t there to enjoy the moment with his team of associates and friends. He had passed away on September 4, 2021, at age 53. The recognition of the services provided by the nonprofit center was a credit to all the members and volunteers and their ongoing work since its founding in 2015. To receive it a year after Fredi’s passing was especially meaningful. It validated the motivation for such a project, namely “to give families and individuals in need the best possible opportunity to succeed,” as Sue Burns, MRC Grants Program Manager puts it.

While Fred’s legacy of service continues to be an inspiration, his friends and colleagues have had to cope with the sudden and premature loss of the Albanian American who made an imprint on their lives. They miss his warm personality and effortless charisma. In the recorded videos of Fredi, as he was known affectionately, “his spirit and inner warmth come through,” they say. At least one short video recording of Fred was shared by his relatives with me so I would be able to get “a sense of who he was as a person,” since I didn’t know him personally.

His story begins in Tirana, Albania. He was born there in 1968 to a loving family. He was orphaned at a young age when his father passed away leaving behind Fred, his three sisters and a younger brother. Growing up in a family of modest financial means made for a difficult childhood. Fred Stefani went to Petro Nini High School in the early 90s. His graduation coincided with the collapse of the communist system that had ruled Albania for half a century. Stepping up to provide support for the family meant putting on hold his own dream of graduating from college. In the 1990s he migrated to Greece as did droves of Albanians driven by the need to improve their lives. Fred worked off jobs he could find including construction and farming. Most of the earnings went back home to his mother and siblings as supporting the family was the primary purpose of his immigration. While doing menial work, Fred put himself through school and learned the language. Not only did he believe that the key to a better future was a good education, he put it to practice.

When the opportunity presented itself to leave Europe and go to America, he was ready. Drilon Burda is among the family members that recalls how “Fredi often recounted the story of crossing the Canadian border at midnight over a stream on the US side and how he got himself to a bus station and then to his destination.” It is a story shared and experiences by thousands of migrants in search of a better life at a high cost. These daring exploits had a profound impact on him and formed the foundation of Fredi’s character, his friends say. So much so, that he turned it into his life’s mission to provide support and resources to people with similar experiences and challenges.

He was 20 years old when he moved to America where he first settled in Florida doing different jobs. After a few years Fred Stefani moved to St. Louis before arriving to New York. He got married and started a family in Staten Island. When he graduated from American Public University with a Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies, he had worked in the immigration field for over 15 years serving with various organizations, including Catholic Migration Services of the Diocese of Brooklyn and others. One of the jobs he worked early on was at the Catholic Church in Brooklyn. There he found his calling to help migrants through the complicated steps of filings documents and following through processes to become documented citizens. Concurrently Fred put himself through school and completed his education with the intention of starting a non-profit focusing on immigration issues. Hundreds of families particularly in the Albanian community benefited from the services provided by various agencies thanks to Fred’s relentless efforts. To him “It was personal,” relatives say, because behind every application or filing, there was a dream of a family to live in America legally, there were individuals with touching stories who face challenges and obstacles that is a commonality of humanity.

In 2015 Fred Stefani founded the Migration Resource Center on Staten Island where he served as its Executive Director. Under his guidance, the organization grew into a strong and valuable member of the nonprofit sector on Staten Island. He served on the Board of Directors of the Staten Island – a Not-For-Profit-Association and was a member of the American Bar Association and New York Immigration Coalition.

A person of deep commitment and hope for a better future, Fred Stefani devoted his career to helping families and individuals by resolving their immigration and tax issues. His professionalism as an immigration legal counselor changed the lives of over 1,000 clients who came to the Migration Resource Center door in a desperate situation, hoping to find a solution. He served each client with devotion and compassion, working days, nights and weekends just to prepare the best case which would bring the long and much desired legal papers.

In her remarks Sue Burns, the MRC Grants Program Manager at the time, remembered the weekly meetings and “how deeply personal each client was to him. They weren’t just clients; they were people with families, hopes, and dreams,” she said. Fred’s drive to help the younger generation touched many students, interns, and volunteers whom he mentored at the Migration Resource Center. Paying tribute to his innovative leadership and kindness towards his colleague, Burns said that Fred Stefani “always led by example and aimed to build a team that thrived on trust and respect. He created a community around his work and impacted each member for life.”

Reflecting on Fred’s legacy, Board Member Guranda D’Souza, who met Fred at the Catholic Migration Services right after Christmas and days before the New Year 2016, recalled his unrelenting enthusiasm with which he approached and tackled the tasks at hand. “He was a consummate relationship builder, hospitable, generous in every way but above all, he was passionate about helping those in need! She credited Fred’s vision and determination for the work and achievements of MRC. What stands out most, in her view, is Stefani’s legacy of service. “I strongly believe the ripple effect of his life’s work and his friendships will continue to have a far-reaching impact across the world. Migration Resource Center will continue to operate and provide services to its clients and community.”

Fred experienced immense satisfaction when among the letters of immigration received in the mail were Approvals of the Application by a family or individual. Often his associates would see the ‘boss’ tear up while holding the Immigration letter in his hands. He deeply understood and appreciated the significance of that piece of paper – a triumph achieved through sacrifices and a victorious moment for the people who fought and risked so much to get at this point. On occasions, it even seemed like Fred could perform miracles in the sense that he could find a way to deliver results for some families who had struggled many legal battles in and out of courts and had come up short, going through various lawyers and being strained financially had finally in desperation resigned to staying undocumented.

Such work validated his years-long sacrifices and personal struggles which not only made him very proud but also motivated him to work tirelessly. His friends and family relatives recall the moment when, holding back the tears, Fred gave them the good news: “I did it! I opened the business!” At 47, he had opened the Migration Resource Center in Staten Island as founder, president and CEO. To this day MRC continues to pursue its mission and serve the community https://www.migrationusa.org/ After Fred’s passing in 2021, the Board appointed Victoria Apostol-Marius and Tom De Kesel as the Interim Co-Executive Directors.*

They all miss him dearly. The conversations on various topics, the humor injected in daily communications and most of all the inherent kindness for helping others. While his absence is felt deeply at the center, the work he started goes on. Viktoria Apostol-Marius who worked with him for five years said that she “joined the Migration Resource Center in August 2016, almost a year after its inception. I came on board as a volunteer and helped with establishing important parts of the organization. In terms of memories from the time when she first came on board, Viktoria said: “I remember feeling good about joining the Migration Resource Center at an early stage of its existence as I was given the opportunity to contribute to building it. Frederik or Fred, as we used to call him, was the master of all trades. He was wearing different hats while helping those in need of immigration services and building something to last. He had a vision for the organization. This was inspiring and it motivated me to stay active. I even returned back to the Migration Resource Center after a short period of absence.” I asked Viktoria what she appreciated the most about working with him. She said that she “appreciated the freedom that Fred was giving to his colleagues and how he built a work environment based on trust and respect. His passion for helping others was phenomenal and a driving force to grow as an organization and community.” Lastly I asked the Interim Co-Director at Migration Resource Center about carrying the legacy expressed in the mission stated on its website “to stabilize families and create strong neighborhoods. Her response was “I feel honored, but I also feel pressure. I know what Fred’s vision was for the Migration Resource Center and I am dedicated to executing it and expanding it, as we keep the Migration Resource Center’s door open for more individuals and families, who need immigration and tax assistance.”

Family is at the center of his lifetime. Fred was a dedicated husband to Anila and an outstanding father to their daughter Yona. Since early on, the primary focus of the couple was her education. Because he loved law, Fred would bring Yona, who was in her early teens then, in the office, with hope that she would pursue a similar course or go in that direction. They enjoyed traveling and did a lot of it. The three of them were aware that the family bond is a precious gift. It was a defining feature of his character that extended beyond the members of his own kin as evidence by the compassion and care with which he treated other’s people’s families, relatives say.

Father Nikodhim of the Church of Albanian Orthodox Church in Jamaica Estates New York who made the announcement of the passing to the congregants, described Frederik Stefani as “a tireless advocate for the poor and dispossessed. In this role as in all those avenues of his service, he sought to meet those in need where they were, helping countless numbers of refugees, exiles, and hopeful newcomers settle and become acclimated in this great land. His was a voice of hope to the discouraged, a hand of help to the downtrodden, and the gift of a smile and warm embrace to those in need of welcome and assurance.”

Anila Stefani’s godmother, who had a close bond with Fred since his childhood days in Tirana, summed up his guiding principles in life: Work hard and dream big! Frederik Stefani did both within the time that he had.

*Victoria Apostol-Marius and Tom De Kesel are currently Co-Executive Directors at MRC Staten Island, New York

Despite improved rankings in Southeast Europe the 2023 RSF Index shows media in dire situation

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Rafaela Prifti/

On The World Press Freedom Day, Washington Post in partnership with Reporters without Borders held a live special event with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and top journalists about the state of global freedom of press. The speakers strongly emphasized that “to stand for Press Freedom means standing for journalists.” Media watchdog – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned that journalists across the globe are coming under unprecedented attacks from governments.

In its annual report, released earlier today, the RSF said authorities were becoming more aggressive and emboldened towards reporters. Clayton Weimers of the RSF US Bureau in Washington DC cited the remarks of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the eve of World Press Freedom Day to underscore that “all our freedom depends on press freedom”.

Index is an annual assessment from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) about the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories. Dielli attended the live event and submitted questions in writing with respect to the state of the press freedom in Albania.  

The report ranks Albania in 96th place in 2023 that is up from 103rd place in 2022, but the RSF states that “editorial independence in Albania is threatened by partisan regulations, and journalists are victims of organized crime and, at times, of police violence, worsened by the government’s failure to protect them.” Kosova is ranked in 56th place, North Macedonia 38th.

The event highlighted that 2022 was a difficult year for journalism. According to the RSF, 55 journalists and four media workers were killed at work in 2022. The year 2023 is especially “volatile’ said Weimers, Chief of RSF, US Bureau due to the increased aggressiveness by authorities towards journalist and disinformation. Digital platforms and social media have made it easier for extremists and bad actors to push false narratives and harass journalists. “The emerging technologies such as AI are used by state propaganda to dilute the truth and muddle the water,” said Weimers. Ultimately their purpose it to sow distrust in the media.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken weighed in on the vital importance of democracy as the bedrock of the press freedom. To shore up support for the journalists and to protect their invaluable work, Secretary Blinken said that the administration has dedicated more funding and programs such as Media Freedom Coalition, Media Freedom Fund.   

According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, the United States ranks 45th out of 180 countries and territories. The top five places are Norway, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland.  

In Memoriam – Hekuran Zhiti’s Embrace

by

Rafaela Prifti

On the 112th birth anniversary of Hekuran Zhiti, let’s take a moment to let him know he is appreciated and remembered but most of all embraced. Should you wish to pick up one of his poems, read or watch one of his comedies or dig in his acting abilities on stage, you would be well served by reading  Perqafimi i Dy Kundershtareve ( The Two Rivals Embrace ). The poem calls for reconciliation to bring an end to a fratricidal war ravishing through Albanians engaged in the global military conflict from 1939 to 1945. During World War II Hekuran Zhiti had close friendships on both sides: the nationalist and communist forces and was devastated by the enormous loss of human lives. The division was deeply personal. His older brother joined the nationalist movement to protect the homeland while his younger brother was one of the young men who had promptly answered the call to join the Albanian partisan fighters. While his beliefs did not align with the communist ideas, Hekuran Zhiti moved in the same circles as Albanian diplomat, writer and politician. Mithat Frasheri who prioritized the national ideals. Contrary to the satirical poem Epopeja e Ballit Kombetar (1944) that diminishes the leaders of the National Front through parody, Hekuran Zhiti’s creation, which is published around the same time, Perqafimi i Dy Kundershtareve (The Two Rivals Embrace) draws attention away from politics and ideology lamenting the nation’s woes. Two opposing views of the same event. One politically charged, the other humane. And politics won. In 1946 being labeled “a pacifist”, the poet who mourned the dead from either side with equal compassion as Albanians, was thrown in jail for a year and a half. What shaped him was his upbringing and his education, what solidified his views was his love of the nation that he placed over any ideology. This is the embrace of Hekuran Zhiti, as relevant in the political landscape of Albania today as it was when he wrote the poem, that arguably defines his legacy.     

Hekuran Zhiti was born on April 13, 1911 in Milova, Skrapar by the Tomorr mountain. The family home is no longer there. His father Hasan, an Albanian patriot of Bektashi faith, was ardent in the education of his three sons, Maksut, Hekuran and Ahmet. Thanks to a state scholarship, Hekuran attended a top school for educators Shkolla Normale e Elbasanit in 1927. His gift for poetry writing and theater were carefully nurtured and with the encouragement of renowned teachers of this institution, Hekuran formed a theater group. At times he would write and be the leading role on the school productions paving the way for his later, short, yet successful career as an actor.

As part of the education curriculum of the vocational Elbasan School, students went on cross country trips. Hekuran’s class trip included Shkodra, the birthplace of Father Gjergj Fishta, a brilliant political figure and man of cloth of the Franciscan order. Meeting him in person had such an impression on the young Hekuran, as he later describes in his memoirs. The author of thirty-seven literary publications, Father Gjergj Fishta is known as “the Albanian Homer”. The most astounding work in Albanian literature is Lahuta e Malcis‘, Shkodra, 1937 (The Highland Lute) Hekuran’s older brother Maksut Zhiti, an educator and graduate of the same school had his own copy of the book where on the inside he signed his name in beautiful handwriting. It is a prized possession of the Zhiti family with double layers of significance and one that would put their lives in danger had it been discovered to be at home at the time. “Gjergj Fishta’s book was banned by Albania’s communists. As if that wasn’t enough, it had the signature of my uncle who had been arrested and eliminated without trace by the authorities,” says Hekuran’s son, Visar Zhiti, Albanian writer, poet, translator, journalist, and diplomat.

Upon graduation Hekuran worked as a teacher in Roskovec of Fier and Pogon of Gjirokaster where he taught for several years. Later in Berat, he was a fixture in the city’s art scene. Hekuran was writing poetry and dozens of sketches and plays where he was often the leading role. At the end of Word War II Hekuran had the opportunity to flee Albania as did hundreds of Albanians who had embraced a national driven platform. He did not leave. He saw himself in that “embrace” that he described in the poem and he stayed in Albania perhaps refusing to believe the cruelty and vengeance that communists were capable of and would unleash onto the opponents. His brother Maksut dies in custody of the police believed to have been tortured. His remains have not been found. After being released from prison in Berat, Hekuran moves his family to Durres. He is not allowed to work on the docks and is assigned to do road maintenance for the city. With the help of some reasonable individuals in the administration, he starts teaching in Karbunare of Lushnja to support his wife and four children. Since his life passion was the stage, he starts artistic groups in the village that soon bring attention to him and he is called to found the professional Variety Show (Estrada) of the city. Hekurani became one of the founders of the Lushnja troupe. He worked as a professional actor from its inception in 1961, until he was forced to retire in the 1970s as another wave of restrictions hits the artists and intellectuals. He remained vulnerable as his biography was “stained” and his record followed him wherever he went. Although he continued to write sketches and skits for the professional troupe of Lushnje, Hekuran was not allowed to publish any of his serious work. 

The imprisonment of his son, Visar, was a very hard blow for Hekuran.  He passed away in Lushnje on March 1989. The town where he had brought laughter through comedies and skids and where he helped found a center of professional comic actors could not go to pay respects at his funeral. Since the authorities considered him an enemy, going to the funeral was a risky business, as some witnesses recall. So Hekuran Zhiti took the embrace with him. Visar says that today his father has his rightful place in the Albanian literature. Despite the deprivation and affliction brought upon him, the broad genre of comedy is his father’s favorite. A collection including seven of his comedies and a play has been released by Eugen Publishing House in Albania. Whether through publications, paintings, street names and titles, Hekuran Zhiti is honored and memorialized in various ways.  Yet it’s his embrace of loving the nation that deserves the attention of Albanian’s today.   

The new US ambassador in Tirana David J. Kostelancik confirmed by Senate

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Rafaela Prifti/

The new US Ambassador to Albania is David J. Kostelancik, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. Today’s Senate confirmation of his nomation by President Biden from earlier this year was uninimous. Kostelancik was serving as Foreign Policy Advisor to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.

He has been Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Budapest, Hungary. His previous assignments include Director of the Office of South Central European Affairs and Director of the Office of Russian Affairs, both in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

The overseas postings of Kostelancik in the past include the U.S. Mission to the OSCE and the U.S. Mission to NATO, the political office at U.S. Embassy in Tirana in early 90′, Albania and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, and two postings at the US Embassy in Moscow.

He is a graduate of the National War College, in his home statet of Illinois. He has earned a Master of Science at NWC National Defense University. David Kostelancik holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University. He speaks Russian, Hungarian, Albanian, and Turkish.

The outgoing Ambassador Yuri Kim was an appointee of President Trump who served in Albania from 2020.