El-Kfeir, The Cradle of Genius

Even though war has swirled near and occasionally into El-Kfeir many times in the past, you'd think this ancient Lebanese village has remained relatively untouched by the outside world. However, a biblical aura remains and the honey-combs the figs, plumbs, olives, apples, pears, almond trees and grapevines, the donkeys, sheep and goats--reinforce the impression. Glancing out of a window one sees the snow-mantled peaks of Mount Hermon where Jesus may have undergone his transfiguration. What the courtly Arab is saying to. you as he sips a small cup of coffee seems like a reasonable boast: "One of our citizens became the presiding officer of the United Nations and we've got a US Senator, a member of the House of Representatives and a provincial governor in Canada. Not bad for one village!" The speaker is Arreph El-Khoury, author, journalist, landowner and probably Kfeir's biggest booster. Worried that descendants of Kfeir scattered around the world will grow up ignorant of their roots, El-Khoury has written an engrossing book subtitled "The Cradle of Genius" and billed as "The Biggest Little Village in Lebanon." Some of El=Khoury's commentary seems to echo those heard in many societies---the passing of spontaneous dancing and singing and the ancient local sports. But he lauds the great achievements of its citizens.

Even though war has swirled near and occasionally into El-Kfeir many times in the past, you'd think this ancient Lebanese village has remained relatively untouched by the outside world. However, a biblical aura remains and the honey-combs the figs, plumbs, olives, apples, pears, almond trees and grapevines, the donkeys, sheep and goats--reinforce the impression. Glancing out of a window one sees the snow-mantled peaks of Mount Hermon where Jesus may have undergone his transfiguration. What the courtly Arab is saying to. you as he sips a small cup of coffee seems like a reasonable boast: "One of our citizens became the presiding officer of the United Nations and we've got a US Senator, a member of the House of Representatives and a provincial governor in Canada. Not bad for one village!" The speaker is Arreph El-Khoury, author, journalist, landowner and probably Kfeir's biggest booster. Worried that descendants of Kfeir scattered around the world will grow up ignorant of their roots, El-Khoury has written an engrossing book subtitled "The Cradle of Genius" and billed as "The Biggest Little Village in Lebanon." Some of El=Khoury's commentary seems to echo those heard in many societies---the passing of spontaneous dancing and singing and the ancient local sports. But he lauds the great achievements of its citizens.

Arreph El-Khoury, came to the United States from southern Lebanon in 1922. to be with his sister, decided to improve his English by enrolling and graduating from high school in Welch, West Virginia. His command of the English language led to a career as a short story writer and journalist. One of his stories was published in an anthology featuring the 100 best stories by the 100 most renowned and respected writers of the 20th century. Arreph became an American citizen in 1932. This book is a history of the people and industries of this southern Lebanese village, El-Kfeir situated at 3000 feet on the slopes of Mt. Hermon, the place of the transformation of Jesus. The Cradle of Genius fulfills an important genealogical function.