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The Working Group
Daniela Moneta
WSA Archivist
Phoenix, AZ
I was opened in 1972 in Rome, Italy, while working as a book restorer. When I returned to America, I called Ruth Jahoda, the archivist for the Subud USA collection, to see if I could work in the archives. Bapak had recently designated five international archives in the world including one in the US. Ruth said, “First, get a Masters in Library Science.” So I did, graduating from UCLA in 1980. After Bapak’s passing, I went to Wisma Subud for four years to preserve his collection. After that, I took over Ruth’s initial collection of 250 boxes, built it from there, and have worked in the archives ever since.
For the past 40 years, I have worked in libraries in Los Angeles and Phoenix. I taught in the English department of Arizona State University. In 2012, my son Howard and I developed the secure Subud Archives Online website available to Subud members only.
Working in the archives is my way of helping preserve Bapak’s legacy to bring Subud to the world. I feel that it is our duty and responsibility to collect, preserve, and provide managed access to the historical records of Subud for members today and especially for Subud members in the future; those who never had the opportunities we had to meet and be with Bapak.
Humphrey Williams
WSA Archives Subcommittee
Palo Alto, CA
I was opened in England four decades ago. I am currently an International Helper, assigned to the WSA Archives Subcommittee. Previously I was a U.S. National Helper.
I have over 30 years experience in developing new computer systems and software, having worked most recently with Business Intelligence at Facebook and Netflix. I am a PhD Graduate in Computer Science from Manchester University in England and hold several patents in Internet Commerce.
My personal interests include Dolphins and Deep Learning. From my early days of swimming with Spinner Dolphins in the ocean off of Oahu (a highlight of my life), I have been interested in recording and analyzing dolphin sounds using computer software.
I have been supporting the archives projects internationally as an International Helper. But I am also keenly interested in applying my varied technology experience to inventorying, indexing, and preserving Bapak and Ibu Rayahu’s talks. I am interested in making sure Subud members will always have secure access to these talks.
Philip Lindstrom
SUSA Vice-Chair
Vancouver, Washington
I was opened in 1975 in Santa Cruz California, having grown up in a Subud family. I have previously served as Chair of Subud California, Chair for various local groups in the USA, and currently serving as Vice-Chair for Subud USA.
I am a semi-retired Family Practice physician with the Kaiser-Permanente system. In addition to my Doctor of Osteopathy degree, I earned a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University.
As a Subud USA liaison to the Archives Working Group, I am committed to the realization of a National Archives Center and a living legacy to Subud and the lives of Bapak and Ibu Rahayu.
Damanhuri Alkaitis
SUBUD WASHINGTON D.C.
I was opened in Subud spring of 1968 in Palo Alto CA being part of the Berkeley group. I have been blessed with various Subud jobs including local helper (currently in DC) regional, national and International helper as well as chair of 2 local groups.
Professionally I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and an MD from Johns Hopkins. I have been practicing neurology in private practice for some 40 years and am currently semi-retired.
For me, the archives brings to life our own Subud history and gives us an opportunity to participate in the making of the history. In addition, it is in keeping with the appropriate use of our Subud Center in the Washington, DC area.
ROHANA ALKAITIS
SUBUD WASHINGTON D.C.
My Subud up-bringing began formally in 1971, Balto-Washington groups and has continued in various capacities, all gifts. My worldly career is in nursing; maternal child health and international medicine. The real life’s work has been in supportive roles, including 2 husbands with medical careers, 5 children, 15 or so moves around the world and many grands and others to care for, learn from. Interests range widely- maybe best described as specialties in many things, master of none.
Each of us has amazing life stories and our Subud stories, especially, are worth telling and preserving as we bear witness to the Subud Epoch, to the messages of Bapak and support of Ibu that have brought rich seeds to an evolving mankind and the Loving Benevolence of our Creator. There is value and fun in engaging in the endeavor of the Subud USA archives coming to a new home and expanding its reach to members and beyond. Hope all will feel drawn to participate in their own unique ways. And I have to give kudos to this harmonious, thorough and talented group of brothers and sisters who comprise the team (which I recently joined) shepherding this venture so far!
Matthew Clark
WSA Archives Subcommittee
New York City, Louisville
I was opened in 1971 in Los Angeles (after growing up as a Subud kid), and have been active in Subud affairs ever since. Currently, I serve as a Helper in Subud NY. I have previously served as Subud USA Chair and SES Co-chair, in various Regional committee positions, and have worked with several international Subud enterprises.
I have been a multinational corporate lawyer and business executive for 35+ years, working for GE, Hitachi, Masonite, Amana and others. I now work part-time for a Florida based law firm, mainly managing their New York operations. My educational focus has been law, business, and finance with JD/MBA degrees from NYU, a B.A. from UCLA, and various advanced certifications.
The Archives, to me, provide a vital way to renew the energy and “freshness” of the early days of Subud, when Bapak brought the latihan to the world. I see the Historical Society as a hub of activity, creating future chapters of Subud history by bringing the past forward, and by connecting more closely amongst ourselves and with the public.
Julie ann Morill
Assistant Archivist
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
I was opened in London, England while I was a completing graduate work. I began volunteering with the Archives following the Albuquerque Congress in 2019.
I am a non-profit professional having worked with various agencies focusing on youth, wellness, community leadership development, hunger, homelessness, and refugee resettlement and have volunteered with a number of others.
My undergraduate work was in history and I have an M.A. in International Studies and Diplomacy. Currently I am a Master of Library and Information Science student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
As a person who did not grow up in Subud, and one who has spent time as an isolated member, I relied on Subud materials for information and a sense of connection. I value the Archives and Historical Center as a living history, with collective memory that unites us and helps remind us who we are.
Latidjah Miller
SUSA National Helper
Washington DC area
After being opened in Los Angeles in 1965, I became a Helper in 1973. I’ve served as Helper, Regional Helper, and now as National Helper. I am a Nutritionist and have my own practice which has been going for over 20 years, and more importantly, I have six wonderful children and two step-children. For many years, I’ve been interested in Genealogy and took classes at the National Institute of Genealogy in Canada. I’ve experienced the rewards of searching for my roots and finding grandparents that I never knew. I believe that the Archives serve an important function and I am very pleased to participate in the Archives project and the Subud Historical Society. Preserving our past through documents, photos, news articles, books, etc. is the best way to assure that our future development is heading on the right path. We have been blessed beyond measure with a wealth of materials provided for us and I believe it is our sacred obligation to preserve what we have inherited.
Sonya Shooshan
I was opened in 1980 in Washington DC. I have held committee positions at the local, regional and national level, and I have been a local helper for many years.
I spent the first half of my professional life as a computer programmer, with stints in South Korea and Germany as a field service representative. I obtained a Masters in Library Science from the University of Maryland in 1995, a Bachelors in Economics from Harvard, and recently retired after twenty years as a non-traditional librarian in one of the research divisions of the National Library of Medicine.
The archives provides access to talks by Bapak and Ibu Rahayu, to interviews of members opened in the “early days”, to photos of Subud congresses, to the organizational documents of our organization, and so much more. It is our collective history that deserves to be preserved.
Roberta Hoffman
SUBUD WASHINGTON D.C.
Web Designer
Baltimore, Maryland
I grew up in Subud, and was opened at 18 in Palo Alto.
- My Website: Roberta Hoffman
Recent work:
I leverage my design and technical expertise to craft visually captivating print and web designs that facilitate meaningful audience engagement for clients. My creative ability and aptitude for problem-solving are key assets in delivering effective solutions.
I work in IT as a Web Designer/Developer at Erickson Senior Living.
The Subud Historical Society project provides a means for global Digital access to important content.
Garrett Thomson
WSA Archives Subcommittee
Cleveland, UK, Colombia
I was opened in the 1970s in the UK and have been deeply involved in Subud affairs over the years. I have served the World Subud Association as CEO, Vice-Chair and as Secretary. I also served as MSF Chair. I am currently CEO of the Guerrand-Hermes Foundation for Peace (GHFP), which funds and operates social projects globally.
By profession, I am an educator, I teach at the College of Wooster, USA where I am the Compton Professor of Philosophy. I received my Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Oxford. I have authored numerous books including Needs and Introduction to Modern Philosophy; and a series of introductory texts on Descartes, Locke, Aristotle, Kant, and Leibniz. I co-edited the six-volume The Longman Standard History of Philosophy. Other recent works include On Philosophy and On the Meaning of Life, and various monographs for GHFP.
My teaching and Subud work have taken me to 105 countries around the world. I am especially interested in how the learning, wisdom and shared experiences in the Archives can be actively applied in our lives in the global Subud world, and how we can introduce Subud to interested persons and groups, such as interfaith organizations.
Lucas Boladian
SUSA Chair
Boulder, CO, New York City
I was opened late in life, some 16 years ago, in New York City. I got involved in Subud work right away, as Secretary and later Chair of the New York group. After serving as Regional Helper, I was elected Vice Chair and then Chair for Subud USA.
My professional background is primarily in computer systems development for large corporate environments. I was also involved in retail and residential property management. My graduate degree is in Engineering from Columbia.
One reason for my interest in Subud Archives is that I am one of growing number of members who did not have the experience of meeting Bapak. My only exposure to him is through the talks and videos that are stored in our archives. I would like current as well as future Subud members to have easy access to the valuable information available in the archives.
Jim Dehner
SUSA National Helper
Fayetteville, Arkansas
I was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, attended Iowa State University and earned a degree in anthropology. In 1979 on our way home from serving with the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, my wife and I traveled to Indonesia and stayed at Wisma Subud in Cilandak. It was there I learned about Subud and was subsequently opened. Back in the U.S. we earned our teaching certifications and began our careers in education. In 1988 our family left for Bolivia for our first international school teaching post. For the next 30+ years we worked in various schools in South America, Southeast and South Asia and North Africa. I taught social studies, primarily at the secondary level, until eventually becoming a secondary school principal.
Now, happily retired, I’m living in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I love to travel and also enjoy mountain biking and rowing. However, my greatest joy comes from serving my Subud sisters and brothers as a National Helper.
To me, having access to the various materials available in the Subud Archives is essential. As a history teacher I stressed to my students the importance of knowing where you’ve been and using the lessons you’ve learned along the way as a critical element of charting a clear path into a successful future. In Subud, having access to the wisdom of Bapak and Ibu and countless other Subud sisters and brothers gives us a great advantage as we strive to understand and put into everyday practice the latihan. And, after all, isn’t that what we all strive to do?
Rauf Ramsey
SUBUD WASHIINGTON D.C.
I was opened on November 25, 1962 in Washington, DC where I was stationed while serving in the US Army. I have always been an active Subud member. I served as the President of the 1st Board of Directors of Subud East Coast in 1970, and became a helper in 1974. I have served as a regional helper and a national helper. I am currently serving as a local helper in the Subud DC group, having lived in many places in the US and abroad prior to settling here.
I have worked as a Project Manager in the Construction Industry since 1975, managing and working on hundreds of building projects over the years, including the Amani Center. My education was in Drama, English Literature, and Philosophy at Tyler Community College and the University of Texas at Austin.
Since Subud is a precious gift from Almighty God I feel that it is necessary as human beings and Subud members that we diligently collect, care for and preserve all records of what has happened in Subud. It is also very important that we care for and preserve all the records of the activities and writings from our brothers and sisters in Subud, whom we love and respect.