Volume 10 Facing Winter Alone - IFCJ · 2019-08-23 · Winter 2017 | The Journey Magazine 1 WINTER...

A The Journey Magazine | ifcj.org

Winter 2017 • Volume 10 • Number 1

Building Bridges BeTween ChrisTiAns And Jews

They survived the holocaust – now The Fellowship is helping elderly Jews in israel and the former

soviet union survive the frigid winter months.

Read an excerpt from Rabbi Eckstein’s new booklet on angels

One French Jewish family’s frightening wake-up call

An unexpected blessing on a Jerusalem bus

IN thIs IssuE:

Facing Winter Alone

Editor-in-Chief Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Editorial Director David Kuner

senior Editor Camerin Courtney

Contributing Editors Caleb Burroughs, Jane Engel

Consulting Editors Yael Eckstein, Erica Prescott Design BCDesign

Cover photo: JDC/Vladimir Shraga

The Journey Magazine ™ VolumE 10 • NumBER 1The Journey Magazine ™ is published four times per year by the international Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 30 North laSalle Street, Suite 4300, Chicago, Il 60602-2584.

A publication of

No part of this periodical may be reproduced without permission. unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New International Version®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Where needed, names, places, and photos in the stories have been changed for privacy and security reasons.

Visit us at ifcj.org

ADmINIstRAtIVE OFFICEsunited states: 30 North laSalle Street, Suite 4300 Chicago, Il 60602-2584(800) 249-9003 (312) 641-7201 (Fax) Email: [email protected]

Israel: HaKeren l’ Yedidut10 Yad Harutzim StreetJerusalem, 9342148

Founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

©2017 International Fellowship of Christians and Jewsinternational Fellowship of Christians and Jews is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The international Fellowship of Christians and Jews pledges to maintain an effective outreach as set forth in its mission statement by responsibly utilizing the funds entrusted to us. Complete audited financial statements are available upon request. Contributions to the international Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and all its programs, are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Reflections from the Rabbi

Happy New Year, friends! I pray that 2017 has started well for you.

When I put on my winter coat the other day, I found myself thinking of Anna, a woman I met on a trip to Ukraine around this time last year. Anna is an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives alone in a remote village.

Anna is destitute and can only afford so many logs for the wood-burning stove that heats her humble home. Often she only has enough to burn one log a day. So when the fire goes out, she wraps herself in the few blankets she owns and climbs on top of the stove to take advantage of the residual heat for a few hours.

When I gave Anna a care package of basic foods, her response moved me: “My life is in God’s hands and hopefully God will send more angels like you.” What a privilege it is to help people like Anna! This is the work you make possible every day. Read more of her story on page 4.

Your generous support also provides winter warmth assistance for Asiya and Alexander, elderly olim (immigrants) in Israel who survived the Holocaust and can now survive the cold winter months thanks to our help. Read their inspiring story on page 12.

In this issue you can also read about a special welcome ceremony we hosted for a group of olim who came to Israel on a Fellowship Freedom Flight from France (see page 8). That was a celebration to remember!

And two different Fellowship staff members in Israel share stories – one about a Tel Aviv terror attack (page 20), the other about a “chance” encounter with a person who has been helped by The Fellowship (page 16) – each offering unique perspectives from here in the Holy Land.

It is always a privilege to share with you what your faithful partnership has accomplished. I hope that seeing the fruit of our ministry will encourage your heart as much as it has mine.

Building Bridges BeTween ChrisTiAns And Jews

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The Journey Magazine | ifcj.org

Shalom!

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein Founder and President

Winter 2017 | The Journey Magazine 1

WINTER 2017 • VolumE 10 • NumBER 1

2 News and updates

26 Biblical teaching from the Rabbi

28 An unexpected Blessing on a Jerusalem Bus – How a bus driver inspired a Fellowship staff member on her way home from work.

29 snapshot of The Fellowship

8 Fleeing France’s Anti-semitism – Many French Jews continue to flee France on Fellowship Freedom Flights, including one family that had a frightening wake-up call.

12 Providing heat and hope for a Precious Elderly Couple – When two Holocaust survivors couldn’t afford to heat their home, The Fellowship offered a helping hand.

16 An Open Ear and a Loving heart – Yael Eckstein shares her experience visiting a Fellowship soup kitchen, where she met a woman who touched her heart and taught her a meaningful lesson.

20 Love and Fear for Israel – A New Year’s Day terror attack last year stirred memories and fears for a Fellowship staffer.

22 Angels: God’s mysterious messengers – Yael Eckstein explains the importance of angels and the purpose God has for them in our life.

4 Bringing hope to holocaust survivors in ukraine – On a recent trip to war-ravaged Ukraine, Rabbi Eckstein visited with elderly Holocaust survivors to tell them they are not alone.

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NEWs & uPDAtEs

The Jerusalem Post recently released its annual list of the world’s 50 most influential Jewish people. Congratulations to Rabbi Eckstein for making the list! The JPost included him for providing aid “in all sectors of Israeli society and in Jewish communities around the world” and raising “more than $1.3 billion to assist Israel and the Jewish people.” We feel blessed that Rabbi Eckstein continues to lead The Fellowship, bringing relief to so many suffering from poverty, illness, and war.ph

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Congratulations, Rabbi Eckstein!

Feeding Israel with Fellowship soup KitchensThe generosity of Fellowship donors around the world makes it possible to feed hundreds of thousands of needy people in Israel at soup kitchens, where both their physical and spiritual needs are supported. Recently, Rabbi Eckstein and Yael Eckstein visited the soup kitchen operated by Fellowship-sponsored Yad B’Yad in lod, helping to serve the visitors and assure them that they are not forgotten.

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Dear Rabbi Eckstein,

Let me, on behalf of the Global United Fellowship, extend sincerest gratitude to The Fellowship for the expression of love and kindness in the form of the grant following the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Mount Tabor [his church] is located in the Pinewood Gardens community [Bahamas] and many of the residents there were severely affected by roof damages and flooding, and many were without light and running water for approximately 12-16 days.

On Tuesday, October 11, we visited 505 homes and took to each home a care package containing bread, drinking water, canned goods, rice, grits, cookies, etc. We also had a water truck accompany us to fill up containers of water. This is how we used the funds. No churches benefited as we felt that the “people’s needs” were more important at the time.

Thank you so much for the kind consideration of our people.

Amazed by God’s Grace,

Neil C. Ellis Presiding Prelate, GUF

hurricane matthew Victims Find hope in The Fellowship

As Hurricane Matthew damaged homes and brought devastation to many communities in the U.S. and the Caribbean last fall, The Fellowship reached out in support of our ministry friends who needed to rebuild their communities. We provided $10,000 apiece in emergency relief to four of the largest African-American Christian denominations to help pay for food, medicine, power generators, baby care items, and building and home repair materials for damaged churches and houses. We recently received this moving letter from a denominational leader awarded a Fellowship grant:

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Thanks to your faithful support, The Fellowship has been ranked in the Top 400 philanthropic organizations in the United States, according to a report recently released by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Fellowship was ranked at 207 overall, and we are among the top 50 international philanthropies.

We continue to thank God for you, our generous Fellowship friends, and for all the lifesaving work around the world your ongoing support allows us to do.

The Fellowship makes The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s top 400

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“…I thank God for the life of Shimon Peres, and salute his exemplary record of service to our country. May the Jewish people see the day when the peace Peres so earnestly worked for will bloom in their biblical homeland, his beloved land of Israel.

“At times like this, I must remind myself, just as we all must remind ourselves in times of trial, that the Bible promises us that God ‘heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:3). We cling to this promise, sure in the knowledge that, even in our time of grief, we are not forgotten; He is with us.”

—Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

the Rabbi Remembers a Great Israeli Leader

Thank you so much for your teachings. They warm my heart and lift my soul. Blessings over you, Rabbi Eckstein. May Hashem prosper all you put your hands to do for our people, and may no evil come near your door.

Shalom, Achi [Peace, my brother]. Veronica, TN

God’s blessings to you, Rabbi Eckstein! May God continue to show His grace for His people and may the spirit lead them. My prayers and blessings are always with you.

Shalom, peace, my brother.

Sincerely,

S.L., CA

From Our Donors

People show their Love for Israel The Jerusalem march takes place each year during the Sukkot holiday and attracts participants from around the world. most of the participants are Christian pilgrims wishing to show their solidarity with the Jewish people and Israel.

This year the Jerusalem march took place on Thursday, october 20, and included more than 10,000 participants.

The Fellowship participated by hosting a booth where participants were able to learn more about The Fellowship. Fellowship staff members explained the work we do to build bridges of understanding between Christians and Jews, as well as our many projects to help Holocaust survivors, orphans, and the needy throughout Israel. It was great to make some new Fellowship friends!

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Bringing HOPE tO HOlOcaust survivOrs in ukrainE

living in ukraine today isn’t easy. Those living in the middle of the conflict in eastern ukraine feel trapped in a country with a failing economy and violence on the streets.

Those living elsewhere in the country face equally challenging and desperate situations. This includes many elderly Holocaust survivors who live in ukraine’s remote cities, where it’s difficult for them to purchase enough heating fuel, food, water, and medicine to survive the brutal ukrainian winters. The average government pension is only about $40 per month, which isn’t nearly enough.

When Rabbi Eckstein traveled to ukraine in February 2016, he visited the homes of many elderly Holocaust survivors to deliver food packages. Along the way he noticed how bleak the situation in ukraine really is. The elderly continue to have to choose between food and heating because they do not have enough money for both.

Thankfully, The Fellowship has not forgotten about these lonely and suffering Holocaust survivors. Thanks to faithful friends of The Fellowship, like you, we continue to visit these elderly survivors to bring them the basic necessities to survive the winter.

It won’t be long before all of those who lived through the Holocaust have passed away. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Rabbi Eckstein continues to reach out to ukraine’s Holocaust survivors to personally reassure them they are not alone.

On a trip to the war-torn and economically depressed region, Rabbi Eckstein reminded the impoverished residents that they don’t face their many challenges alone.

the Inestimable Value of Knowing someone CaresNadia’s only hope is in her nut tree outside her dilapidated home. She spends hours cracking nuts so

she can trade them for money or bread to eat. “I prefer to have the money so I can pay for heating and my medications because my pension is not

enough,” she said. Nadia has learned to survive with little to no food, but she could never survive the cold winters in Ukraine without winter heating.

The winter also prevents 81-year-old Nadia from retrieving enough fresh water from the pump outside her home. Because the ground usually freezes, she’s afraid she might slip and fall if she walks outdoors. But this means she doesn’t have any water to drink or bathe in. When she does risk going outside to the pump, she’s only able to carry back one pail full of clean water.

When Rabbi Eckstein visited Nadia to bring her a monthly food package, she worried about her appearance. “I am so sorry, I don't have new clothes and I’m embarrassed that you see me like this,” said Nadia.

“My life was easier during World War II and the Holocaust because then I was younger and I could run and I could flee. Now I feel trapped and alone,” she explained.

Nadia’s statement shows just how difficult her life has become. Her life certainly wasn’t “easy” during WWII. She and her family lived in the same village in Ukraine that Nadia lives in now. When the Nazis came, they escaped into the forest and lived there for years. But the Nazis eventually killed all of her family. Nadia was the only survivor.

“I lost my family and was broken,” she recalled. “I was orphaned.”More than food and heating, Nadia also needs to know someone cares. Rabbi Eckstein’s visit brought her so

much joy, as does the monthly visit from her Fellowship volunteer who brings a care package filled with basic necessities, such as oil, flour, sugar, tea, soap, and toilet paper. We also help her heat her home and bring her fresh water.

Thankfully, because of The Fellowship, Nadia doesn’t have to risk going outdoors in the freezing temperatures, or choose between asking for food or money when she trades the nuts from the tree outside her home. She feels so blessed by Rabbi Eckstein and all of the Christians and Jews around the world who care for her in her old age.


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What Am I Going to Forgo?Every summer, Maria buys less food than she needs

so she can save enough money to purchase firewood to heat her home in the winter. Maria, an elderly Holocaust survivor living in Ukraine, has to make such sacrifices because she cannot afford to heat her home during the winter on her meager pension.

When Rabbi Eckstein visited her home to deliver a monthly food package, winter warmth supplies, and other basic necessities, she felt so grateful for his love and support.

“Everyone makes choices here about how to try to survive,” Rabbi Eckstein said of impoverished people in the former Soviet Union (FSU). “Some use the little money that they have for medicine, some for water, some for heating fuel, some for medicine. Everyone lives their life on the verge of death and has to decide every day: What am I going to forgo?”

Maria makes other sacrifices besides eating less during the summer. “This woman probably has not had a bath or a shower for I don't know how long,” said Rabbi Eckstein. “She can't afford to use the water for a bath or shower. She drinks it and uses it for cooking.”

Thankfully, The Fellowship provides Maria medicine, food, and winter warmth. She is grateful for this loving care from Fellowship friends around the world. It is literally her lifeline.

sleeping on her stovetop for heat Anna, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor, sleeps on

top of her stove during the day so she can stay warm. She lives on the outskirts of a town in Ukraine and cannot afford both food and heat. Although she has a

wood pile that she burns, she can only afford so many logs, so she must ration her stock.

She counts how many days are left of winter to see how many logs she can burn that day. This means that sometimes she only has enough to burn one log for the day. When the fire goes out, she wraps herself in the few blankets she owns and climbs on top of the stove to take advantage of the residual heat for a few hours.

Anna’s bathroom is in her backyard. During the freezing Ukrainian winters, she worries she will slip

and fall if she attempts to walk to the outhouse. She doesn’t want to break any of her bones, so, instead, she goes to the bathroom inside her home, which leaves the house smelling terrible.

Anna also lost her entire family during the Holocaust and now lives alone without any friends – except for her Fellowship volunteer. Although traveling to Anna’s home takes many hours, as she lives in a remote village, The Fellowship knows how important it is to check on Anna and bring her care packages filled with basic necessities.

When Rabbi Eckstein first went to visit Anna to drop off a food package filled with flour, sugar, salt,

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and other essentials, she said, “My life is in God’s hands and hopefully God will send more angels like you.”

The Rabbi was touched by this woman’s strong faith in God and her appreciation for even the smallest gift of food. This elderly woman has so little, yet she said to the Rabbi, “I wish I could be able to greet you with a nice dinner.” But she can barely afford food and, prior to receiving food from The Fellowship, lived on potatoes because they are so cheap. Even so, she continued to tell the Rabbi how much she trusts in God. “The Bible gives me strength and inspiration and enables me to have everything that I need here.”

Anna also suffers from poor health and desperately needs medication, but she doesn’t have enough money for it. She’s already lost vision in one eye because she couldn’t afford the medication she needs. Such a faithful woman deserves to have heat during the winter, enough food, and medication for her illnesses.

Thankfully, when The Fellowship learned about her condition, we sent a Fellowship volunteer, who now visits her monthly to bring her medicine, as well as food and firewood to heat her home. Without this monthly visit, Anna wouldn’t survive. We are so glad to help Anna live out her final years knowing she is cared for.

“I’m Alone in the World”When Rabbi Eckstein walked up the pathway to

Sofia’s home, she hurried out the door to embrace him. But as she rushed, she slipped on some ice

and injured her hand.These are the challenges elderly Holocaust

survivors, like Sofia, face every day in Ukraine. Sofia’s only source of water is the pump in her backyard, but to fill a bucket with fresh water means she must walk over frozen ground. But she risks falling and injuring herself like she did as she greeted the Rabbi.

Rabbi Eckstein explains the daily struggles for the impoverished elderly in the FSU. “It's a dangerous situation to go to the bathroom because they have to go outside. And to get water, they have to go outside.”

Unfortunately, Sofia lives alone and doesn’t have any friends or family to help her in her old age. She lost most of her family during the Holocaust and doesn’t have any children to help her. She receives a pension, but it’s so small that she cannot afford both food and heating. So when she opened the package filled with food and other basic necessities from The Fellowship, she kept thanking the Rabbi for his kindness.

“We're here telling her that she's not forgotten,” said Rabbi Eckstein, “that we are with her, that she has a friend – a Christian friend, a Jewish friend, in America, in Canada, in different parts of the world – who will stand with her no matter what.”

So many elderly Holocaust survivors wait for care packages from The Fellowship and, thanks to our generous donors, we continue to deliver them throughout the FSU. These care packages not only provide them with sustenance, they also show the elderly, like Sofia, that they are not alone. n

Learn more about The Fellowship’s isaiah 58 program and how you can help provide winter assistance, food, other essentials, and security assistance to needy Jews in the Fsu at ifcj.org/GiveIsaiah.

sOFIA


I t was a glorious Tuesday morning in Jerusalem’s Rose Garden, situated right across the street from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. The sun shone brightly, a steady breeze

cooled its rays, and traditional Jewish music filled the air as I approached a welcoming ceremony arranged by The Fellowship to greet the newest arrivals on one of our Freedom Flights.

Waving Israeli flags in the air, The Fellowship’s dedicated Israeli staff, along with Rabbi Eckstein and his wife, Joelle, greeted a busload of new olim (immigrants) who had just arrived in the Holy Land through our On Wings of Eagles program.

Fleeing France’s Anti-Semitism

A growing number of French Jews are escaping to Israel on Fellowship Freedom Flights, including one family that had a frightening wake-up call.

by Ami Farkas

These particular olim came from France and Belgium, Western European countries where many Jews no longer feel safe. These French and Belgian Jews still recall the Holocaust survival stories their parents and grandparents told them, and recognize the implicit warnings within those stories – the signs that Jews are no longer welcome in their home countries and should escape before it’s too late.

Thankfully, for the first time in thousands of years, Jews have come back to the land of their forefathers. No longer a homeless nation and people, we now have a place to go where we can live in safety and freedom.

“ I thought it was normal for a Jew to get beat up”

As the new olim arrived at the ceremony, music echoed through the garden. Rabbi Eckstein and Joelle joined the new Israelis in traditional dancing, while staff members waved Israeli flags in the air. The crowd of new olim was a mix of young people, parents with small children, and elderly couples. They had all just realized their dream to move to Israel and escaped the bitter reality Jews face around the world today.

As the ceremony progressed, I had a chance to talk to some of the new olim, to hear the stories of how they ended up making aliyah (immigrating to Israel).

“When I was a kid, I would come home from school with bruises, torn clothing, busted lips, or a bloodied nose. Being Jewish meant being singled out for abuse,” explained Julien, a new Israeli from France. “I thought it was normal for a Jew to get beat up on a regular basis, and at that time, I didn’t know or believe that Jews can live any differently.”

Eventually, Julien’s parents took him out of public school and sent him to a private Jewish school in Paris. Yet today in Europe anti-Semitism is no longer just an issue of discrimination or bullying. The situation has become extremely dangerous, and Jews fear for their lives.

“We knew we had to leave”Julien’s wife, Sandra, explained that sending kids to

a Jewish private school, like the ones she and her husband attended when they were younger, is no longer a solution.

“After the massacre in Toulouse,” she said, referring to the Islamist terrorist attack that killed a teacher and three students in March 2012 at a Jewish Day School, “Jewish schools in France started hiring private security


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guards from Israeli security firms to protect the children. But as soon as school is over and the kids are no longer surrounded by armed guards, our children put their skullcaps in their pocket, tuck their Star of David necklaces inside their shirts, and run home as fast as they can.” Sandra’s eyes showed anger at this terrible situation and concern for those still living in France.

The fear and humiliation Julien and Sandra described has enveloped the Jewish communities of Western Europe. “We knew we had to leave, but we had nowhere to turn for answers. We were overwhelmed by the complexities of moving to Israel, what the process would entail, what rights and benefits we would be eligible for. Without someone guiding us, we felt overwhelmed and

so we put our aspirations of making aliyah on hold,” Sandra explained.

Like so many other Jews who want to make aliyah but are intimidated by the idea of picking up and starting over in a country where they do not even speak the language, Julien and Sandra put their dreams on hold and went back to living in fear. However, sometimes God won’t let us close our eyes and resign ourselves to our fate. Sometimes He sends us a wake-up call we cannot ignore.

For Julien and Sandra, that call was an unpleasant one.

“ Why does everyone hate us?”One sunny morning in Paris, Sandra took her daughter

to a children’s science museum near the Eiffel Tower where a pro-Palestinian protest was also in progress. As they walked by, demonstrators started shouting, “Death to Jews! Jews to the gas chamber!”

Sandra held her 7-year-old daughter’s hand tightly, and before long they were both crying hysterically. “Mommy, I hate being Jewish!” Sandra’s daughter cried as tears covered her red cheeks. “Why does everyone

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hate us? What did we do to them?”Sandra had no answers, but she knew at that moment

they could no longer wait. She came home that day and told Julien, “Whatever it takes, we are moving to Israel!”

Julien and Sandra went to various organizations to try to find information about making aliyah and to see if there was financial assistance for which they might be eligible. Unfortunately, each path led them to a dead end. “No one had answers to our questions, and it seemed as if no one really cared about our plight,” Julien recalled.

Three years passed and the family still lived fearfully in Paris, praying and hoping that someone could help them make it home to Israel.

“ With The Fellowship, I’m sure we will make it!”Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors,

The Fellowship has been able to extend and expand our On Wings of Eagles program to include more Jews from Western Europe, as well as those from South America.

The Fellowship ran a Facebook campaign informing French Jews about our Freedom Flights to Israel and

inviting them to an event where they could meet our representatives. Sandra and Julien got in touch with our representatives, and in only a couple weeks they were already on a Fellowship Freedom Flight to Israel.

“The Fellowship has helped us in every step on our aliyah – finding schools for our kids, paying for our airfare, helping us with money for child care so we can look for work here in Israel,” Sandra explained with a gracious smile.

“With The Fellowship, we have a partner or guardian aiding us each step of the way, giving us the confidence that we can make it in Israel, that we can start again. With The Fellowship on our side, I am sure we will make it!”

As we sat under a makeshift tent in the Jerusalem Rose Garden that morning, Rabbi Eckstein welcomed all the new olim with a heartwarming speech, after which he picked up a guitar and sang a song that echoed the words of the prophets of Israel: “‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the LORD. ‘They will return . . .’” (Jeremiah 31:16). Thanks to our faithful Fellowship friends, this prophecy is coming true. n

Learn more about The Fellowship’s on Wings of eagles program and how you can provide aliyah (immigration to Israel) and klitah (resettlement) assistance to Jews around the world at ifcj.org/GiveWings.


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Providing Heat and Hope for a Precious Elderly Couple

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last year, The Fellowship’s winter heating project warmed the homes of 20,651 elderly citizens across 105 Israeli cities. We focus on the elderly for this project because many senior citizens in Israel live on meager government pensions and are forced to choose between buying food or heating their homes in the winter.

I had the privilege of meeting an elderly couple in northern Israel who received The Fellowship’s winter heating aid. As I walked into their apartment, Asiya, an 80-year-old woman from ukraine, sat me down next to her husband, Alexander, 78. Immediately, she began telling me how moved she is by the bridges The Fellowship is building between Jews and Christians.

“I know you came to hear my life story and how The Fellowship’s winter heating aid got us through the winter,” Asiya said. “I will get to that! However, I want to start by thanking our Christian friends. Not just for the money they donate to us, without which many of us would be in dire straits, but also for the political and moral support they give to Israel at a time, when, once again, the world is turning against the Jewish people.”

Asiya does not take Christian support for granted. She knows too well what happens when anti-Semitism spreads and there are no voices to oppose it.

When two Holocaust survivors couldn’t afford to heat their home, The Fellowship offered a helping hand.


by Ami Farkas

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Fleeing War“I was just a little Jewish girl from Kiev who knew nothing about Hitler and his wish

to destroy my people when World War II broke out,” Asiya recalled. When Hitler’s army descended on Ukraine, her father and brother were immediately taken to fight in the Red Army. Asiya and her mother fled to the Ural Mountains in Russia, near the border of Kazakhstan, in the former Soviet Union (FSU).

“There was a place of refuge for families whose fathers and sons were fighting in the Red Army,” Asiya recalled. They arrived by train with other families whose fathers were on the frontlines. And as they arrived, the local people began to select families they would host until the fighting subsided.

Word got around that five-year-old Asiya and her mother were Jewish, and so no families wanted to host them. At this time in Russia, Jews were said to be evil. They were robbers and murderers, popular gossip said, and certainly not deserving of anyone’s trust.

“My mother and I stood on the station platform for hours, waiting for someone to adopt us. We hugged each other tightly so we would not freeze, as tears streamed down our faces.”

Thankfully, late in the evening a woman named Anna finally picked them up out of pure pity.

The Prejudice Continues“At first Anna didn’t trust us, and though she had a kind heart, she, too, fell prey to the

horrible rumors and libels that had been spread about Jews for centuries,” Asiya recalled. Anna kept them in the attic and locked them in their room every night out of fear. It

took a long time before Anna started to trust Asiya and her mom, no longer fearing they might steal her belongings or murder her son in the middle of the night.

Alexander and AsiyaLearn more about The Fellowship’s guardians of israel program and how you can help provide needy Israelis with vital assistance at ifcj.org/GiveGuardians.

Guardians of Israel®



It seems like a lifetime ago, but Asiya still recalls how at the tender age of five she did not understand why all the Russian kids hated her so much. Every time she would go outside to play, the other kids would yell, “Jew, Jew, dirty Jew,” and then they would kick her, spit on her, and knock her down.

“I didn’t know what Jew meant. Can you believe that?” Asiya said with a sad voice. “Since I didn’t know Jew wasn’t a universal term, I started cursing other kids in return, saying, ‘You’re a Jew. You’re a dirty Jew.’”

Seeing the sadness in her eyes as the trauma from her past began to resurface, I offered Asiya a cup of water to give her a small break. With shaking hands, she recited the traditional blessing, took a sip, and continued with her story.

“For the entire duration of the war, Anna let us stay in her home. In return, we took care of the housework, barn work, cooking, and cleaning. Although it was difficult, it saved our life.”

Beating the OddsThe war eventually ended, yet the discrimination and

venomous hatred of Jews did not. Nonetheless, Asiya and her mother were no longer passive survivors. They had learned how to become fighters, and somehow, they managed to thrive in a hostile environment.

They eventually returned to Ukraine where, against all odds and with lots of determination, Asiya received an education – and even made it all the way to university, which is a miracle, considering how Jews rarely received entry into colleges and universities.

“I received a doctorate in Mathematics. No one believed this was possible for a Jewish girl from Ukraine, but I did it!”

Asiya eventually moved to Riga, Latvia, in the FSU, where she met her husband, Alexander. The situation in Riga was better than in Ukraine and Russia. “The Latvians resented the Russians to such a degree that they ignored the Jews,” Asiya explained.

Asiya became a university professor and raised a family with Alexander. And though life was quiet and stable, they dreamed and prayed daily to return home to Zion. “The Iron Curtain placed an unmovable barrier between us and our dream to make aliyah [immigrate

to Israel],” but as soon as the curtain came down, Jews began to migrate home to Israel.

Asiya’s two daughters, who now had families of their own, made their way to Israel the first chance they got. For Asiya, it was hard to give up her pension, which she had worked her entire adult life to earn. “I knew that the minute I immigrated to Israel I would lose everything I worked for, including my pension. How would we survive? How would we make it?”

Finally Home, Finally HopefulIn the end, Asiya and Alexander decided that they

would rather be poor in Israel than comfortable in another country, that there are more important things in life than money. Currently, Asiya and Alexander live on a fixed Israeli government pension, which barely covers food, rent, and utilities.

“Unfortunately, heating became an expense we simply could not afford, and so we bundled up and learned how to live through the cold winter months,” Asiya explained. Then she turned her sad, but compassionate gaze to Alexander, who sat quietly throughout the entire interview. “But my dear husband, who has always been there for me, is not well, and I worried in the beginning of the winter that he would not make it through another cold season bundled up in our freezing apartment.”

Alexander doesn’t speak Hebrew very well and has lost much of his memory, but his gentle, warm demeanor speaks volumes about his character. “The Fellowship’s winter heating aid saved my husband’s life this winter. The cold would have destroyed his already failing health. I cannot thank you enough. God bless The Fellowship and the donors who support people like me and Alexander.”

As I left Asiya and Alexander’s apartment, Asiya proudly pointed to their family pictures on the wall. I looked at the pictures of their daughters, as well as their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and thought about what a treasure this elderly couple is. I imagined all they have been put through and what they’ve achieved despite hardships, and I felt immensely blessed to be part of The Fellowship’s ministry, which brings aid to such precious people. n

“ The Fellowship’s winter heating aid saved my husband’s life this winter.”



start the Year sTrongby Safeguarding Your Family and YouR FutuRe

Charitable gifts | estate Planning

Many supporters of The Fellowship like you have resolved that 2017 will be the year – and January will be the month – they put plans in place for a secure future. Are you thinking about ways to provide a solid financial foundation for your family while also leaving a legacy of your love for Israel and the Jewish people? There’s no better moment than today to act, and we can help you get started!

It’s easier than you may think to do good for others through your estate plan – in the form of a properly prepared last will and testament or living trust. Here are four benefits you will enjoy.

The Fellowship has prepared Building a Legacy, a free guide to estate planning, wills, and trusts. It’s yours for the asking, with no obligation. Just contact us in the way you prefer for your copy. And if you have specific questions about leaving a legacy, our friendly and knowledgeable estate planning staff is always available to help you.

As you plan, we hope you will prayerfully consider a gift to The Fellowship in your will or living trust. We can show you how to include a charitable gift in your plans even while making sure your family is taken care of first.

• Security Few things are more important – or a greater blessing – than knowing your plans are in place for the future. It’s one of the kindest gifts you can ever give to your loved ones.

• Simplicity Some people think preparing a will or living trust is complicated. It doesn’t have to be … and what’s truly complicated is sorting things out when there is no plan. let us show you, step by step, how simple it can be.

• SavingS A well-crafted plan will preserve your hard-earned assets so that less will go to the government or lawyers later – leaving more for your family and the causes you care about.

• Flexibility “What if my circumstances change in the future?” That question stops many people in their tracks, but it’s a concern easily addressed. A will or living trust is a very flexible document which can be amended by you if family situations or personal needs should change in the future.

• call toll-free 888-588-4325• email your request to [email protected] always, consult your personal advisor before making financial decisions.


Your Next Step

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o: iS

tock

16 The Journey Magazine | ifcj.org16 The Journey Magazine | ifcj.org

I met her months ago, but still can’t get her out of my heart.I was in Jerusalem, the holiest city in the world, at a Fellowship-sponsored soup kitchen packed with

people of all ages and backgrounds. The truth is, I loved each of the people standing in that room. I hugged the adorable child with black curly hair and offered her a baguette, smiled at the homeless man as I placed

a large spoonful of roasted vegetables on his plate, and helped the old woman with a walker carry her plate to the table.

But then Chana walked in, and immediately my heart connected with hers. It was like going to one of my daughter’s gymnastics shows – although there are dozens of cute children performing, the only one I really see is my beloved child.

I felt like I was seeing a long-lost family member for the first time. She was holding on to the wall, limping on unsteady legs. She had green eyes and a lined face that spoke of the hardships she has endured. Just by looking at her I could tell her mind was still sharp. I thought she looked like an angel.

A Long JourneyI asked another volunteer to take over serving the food to the long line of people waiting, and I gravitated

straight to Chana.“Shalom,” I said, placing my hand on her shoulder.“Shalom,” she said, with a warm yet exhausted smile. Chana used my arm for balance as we sat down at the

closest table.“Where did you come from?” I asked.

BY YAel eCkSTeIN

my encounter with a humble woman

at a Fellowship soup kitchen touched my heart and taught me

a valuable lesson.phot

o: IF

CJ


“Talpiot,” she said, as she took a napkin and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a shaky hand. Her answer shocked me; Talpiot is an hour-long bus ride from the center of Jerusalem where we were sitting.

“Why did you come all the way here?” I asked.

And after a moment of silence, Chana looked at the line of people waiting for a warm meal and said, “Because I have to eat.”

I wanted to hear Chana’s story, but it was clear that until she had a plate of food in front of her, she would be unable to relax. I immediately got her a big plate of vegetables, rice, meat, a bowl of soup, and a challah roll.

“Wow, so much food,” she said.When she thought I wasn’t

looking, she put half of the food in a Tupperware container she had brought in her purse. I have seen others do the

same, explaining, “So that I’ll have food for tomorrow.” Although Chana obviously didn’t want to speak about it, I know that’s what she was thinking, too.

“It’s Hard, but It’s Home”I sat with Chana for an hour,

captivated by her amazing life story, hugging her when the tears began to fall and speaking words of encouragement to her at every opportunity.

Chana is an 89-year-old widow who made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) 10 years ago. “I had dreamed about returning to the Holy Land my entire life,” she said.

“Is it really better here?” I asked, looking at the strangers in the soup kitchen with whom Chana eats her lunch every day.

“It’s hard here. But it’s home,”

she said, and kissed the table in front of her.

Chana came to Israel with just the clothes on her back. She had no savings, bank account, or pension fund. She has lived the past 10 years on around $500 a month in government aid, and will live on that tiny stipend until she dies.

But Chana has a grateful heart, free of animosity, anger, or hate.

Every day, Chana takes the hour-long bus ride from Talpiot to the center of Jerusalem to have her only warm meal of the day at the Fellowship-sponsored soup kitchen.

“Getting my food here enables me to pay my electric bill and buy the medication I need,” Chana told me with a smile, while tightening her grip on my hand, which she lovingly held for the entire hour we spoke. Instinctively, I hugged her.

A Lasting LessonWhen she had finished eating,

I walked her outside, and it was difficult not to cry as we said goodbye, knowing that she was going back to an empty house with no one to love or listen to her.

But my comfort was in the knowledge that she indeed has a safety net and a place to turn in her time of need. The soup kitchen is open six days a week, with warm, healthy, delicious food, and caring volunteers who will never turn a blind eye to Chana’s, or anyone else’s, pleas.

Chana thanked me profusely for sitting with her during lunch and giving her so much joy. But in reality, it was she who touched me, more than she can ever know. Two months later, I still pray for and think of Chana, who reminded me that the greatest gift we can give a person is often a simple meal, an open ear, and a loving heart. n

phot

o: o

livie

r Fito

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Rabbi eckstein and Yael serve food to patrons of the Fellowship soup kitchen.


Join our special “monthly giving” family, and you will receive a complimentary subscription – in either

digital or hard-copy format – to our fact-filled Limmud educational resource created by Rabbi Eckstein.

Limmud in Hebrew means “a study” or “a teaching.” This monthly resource will provide you with in-depth studies on a variety of topics as they relate to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

Each edition will explore engaging topics from the Torah – such as blessings, prophecy, and prayer – as well as Christian traditions like baptism, and reveal how they are rooted in the Jewish Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament.)

Together, you and Rabbi Eckstein will go far beneath the surface level of each topic, gaining important insights from millennia of Jewish tradition, wisdom, and commentary.

In each informative and colorful issue, the Rabbi will explain how each topic is integrated into Jewish living today, ask stimulating questions, and offer ways to apply teachings from the Torah into your own daily life.

It is the The Fellowship’s hope and prayer that through these studies, you will have a greater understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity and that you will grow deeper in your faith and walk with God.

Sign up today as a monthly ministry partner and begin your new study of the Bible with us through Limmud!

In-Depth Teaching Resource Now Available for Monthly Giving Partners!

“‘ If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.’”

— Leviticus 25:35

T zedakah, commonly defined as the Jewish term for charity, is actually a very different concept from what we typically associate with altruistic giving. The word “charity” implies giving by people who have wealth to those who are impoverished as an act of loving-kindness. However, in the Jewish tradition, tzedakah is not rooted in kindness. Instead, it comes from the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning justice. This linguistic relationship teaches us the most fundamental concept about Jewish giving: It’s not an act of mercy; it’s an act of righteousness. It may seem counterintuitive that charity is rooted in justice. We might think that because we have worked for our money we should decide what to do with it. If we choose to share it with others, that should be our decision. If we choose to spend it on ourselves, that should also be up to us. However, that’s not how God designed the world. The word tzedakah is actually two words put together – tzedek, meaning “justice,” and kah, which is a name for God. Together these words mean “the justice of God.”Based on this understanding, let’s take a look at what giving is really about when we bring God into the equation. The first step is to realize that everything belongs to God: “‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8). Everything that we possess — from the wealth that we attain, to the talents and circumstances that allowed us to acquire it — are all gifts from God.

God has given us all that we have in order that we might use our resources appropriately. While we are encouraged to enjoy God’s gifts, we are also commanded to give to the poor: “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them . . .” Since all our money is really God’s to begin with, He has every right to command us to share what we have with others. In fact, according to Jewish tradition, when we give to the poor, we are merely giving them what is theirs in the first place, but entrusted to us temporarily. It is indeed an act of justice.

In this month’s Limmud we will explore the depth and breadth of the concept of tzedakah from a Jewish perspective as rooted in the Bible. We will learn how tzedakah is a foundational value in the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, “fixing the world.” God could have completed creation without our involvement, but He chose to leave the work of creation unfinished so that we might be His partners in creating the ideal world. The primary way through which we do that is by upholding the ideals of kindness and justice. Tzedakah is a way for us to put both values into action. In our study we will examine how righteous giving forms the building blocks of God’s Kingdom and brings us closer to a perfected world.

LimmudלמודTzedakah: Righteous Giving

This month’s study with Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

A MONTHLY STUDY ON THE JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY

800-249-9003 • [email protected] • ifcj.org/FOF

If defining tzedakah as an act of justice was not radical

enough, the Bible provides another understanding of

tzedakah, which turns the entire concept of charity on

its head. Instead of seeing charity as an act that primarily

benefits that receiver, Scripture teaches that philanthropic

giving is an act that mostly benefits the giver. While

many people respond to requests to give with a grudging

heart, the Bible teaches that charity is actually a golden

opportunity for the giver.

The Bible commands us to “Give generously to them and

do so without a grudging heart.” And when we do so,

“ . . . the LORD your God will bless you in all your work

and in everything you put your hand to.” Tzedakah is an

act that boomerangs back upon the giver who receives even

more than he or she has given in return. Moreover, the

Jewish view is that wealth and poverty are like a revolving

wheel. Those who are wealthy today might become poor

tomorrow. Therefore, when we give generously and with an open

heart, we ensure that should we need it one day, the same

generosity will be afforded to us. The Bible emphasizes

this concept in Exodus 22:25, where we read, “If you lend

money to one of my people among you who is needy . . .”

The Jewish sages comment that God specifically says “my

people among you” because we need to see ourselves as

“one of them.” We need to understand that we could just as

easily be in the shoes of the pauper and give as we would

want to be given to.

Ultimately, the main reason to give generously is because

the poor are not strangers but our brethren. As the sages

point out, every time Scripture commands us to give to the

poor, the word “brother” also appears. This teaches us that

we must see the needy as our own family members. Just as

we would never turn our backs on our loved ones, we must

never close our hearts to those who are also the children

of God.We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves

(Leviticus 19:18). When we love each other, we help each

other, and by giving tzedakah lovingly, we bring great

pleasure to our Father in Heaven. And we also help bring

God’s kingdom ever closer into our corner of the world,

one generous deed at a time.

With a Willing Heart

Give generously to them and do so without

a grudging heart; then because of this the

LORD your God will bless you in all your

work and in everything you put your

hand to.

— Deuteronomy 15:10

apply it…1. Make an accounting of your earnings. According to

Jewish thought, 10 percent of our earnings simply

do not belong to us; they belong to God, Who

intended it for the poor. Make a plan to be more

purposeful and intentional about distributing 10

percent of your money to charity on a regular basis.

2. Activate your faith. When we give tzedakah, we put our

faith into action by giving away what we have, with

trust that we will not lack, but even gain as a result.

3. Go hungry for a day. We are called on to be

empathetic when we give. Going without food for a

day or sitting out in the cold can help us feel what

the needy feel and make our giving more willing.

4. Help someone find a job. According to Judaism, the

highest form of tzedakah is when we help someone

become self-sufficient and no longer reliant on

handouts. Finding a job for person, giving someone a

job, paying for job training, or financing a business

loan are all ideal ways to leverage our giving.

5. Pray with a grateful heart while giving. While

most people tend to expect gratitude in return

for their charity, Judaism explains that we should

be grateful for the opportunity to give. Next time

you give, praise God for the privilege to do so.

6. Honor the needy. It’s common for people to look

down upon those in need. Instead let’s do the “just”

thing and give the poor what is truly theirs with the

utmost respect, kindness, and love. Find a way to

express and affirm their dignity as you help them.

7. Make a tzedakah box. With your family or circle

of friends, make giving an integral part of

your gatherings by constructing a charity box.

Whenever you are together, make it a practice

to pass the charity box and collect gifts for the

less fortunate. A quick internet search for “how

to build a tzedakah box” will give you some ideas

for all ages, from the simple to the ornate.

It goes against logic that if we give something away, we will be left with more, not less. Yet God promises us exactly that when it comes to giving tzedakah. In

Proverbs 28:27 we read: “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing . . .” However, not only will we not lack as a result of our giving, we also will gain. In general, according to Jewish belief, we are not allowed to test God. We cannot say that if we pray extra hard, we expect God to give us all we pray for. We are not permitted to say that if we do a certain act of kindness than we expect extra Divine protection. Yet, there is one exception. When it comes to the act of giving tzedakah, God promises to reward us financially, and He tells us, “Test

me in this.” In the book of Malachi, God told the Israelites, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this . . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

This is why the Jewish sages equate giving tzedakah with emunah, having faith. When we give charity, we express our

faith in two aspects. Firstly, we demonstrate our faith that God created the world and everything in it, therefore it is our duty to distribute God’s wealth appropriately. Secondly, we have faith that while we may be giving away our hard-earned money, we will not lack, but will ultimately gain.

When we give tzedakah, we quite literally “put our money where our mouth is.” We take the faith that is in our heart and the faith that we speak and preach about, and turn it into action. This also explains why the sages equate the giving of tzedakah with the fulfillment of all the commandments in the Torah. The act of giving takes the most fundamental concepts in the Bible – that God created the world and that God is involved in the world – and makes them real through our actions.Moreover, God promises that there will always be poor in the land (Deuteronomy 15:11). This is because tzedakah is not just a physical solution to a social-economic problem; rather it is a spiritual practice, one that we will always be required to fulfill as an expression of our faith in God.

“ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” — Malachi 3:10

With a Spirit of Faith

1. There are approximately seven billion people living in the world today. Of those, about one billion are living in extreme poverty and in a state of starvation. However, studies reveal that the world is producing enough food to feed 10 billion people! How do these facts change the conversation on solving world hunger?2. If every person on earth tithed their earnings, there would be enough money for everybody. If every person tithed their time, donating 10 percent of their time to altruistic causes, we could put an end to some or all of the world’s deadliest illnesses and solve some our greatest problems. What step might you and your family take to either begin or increase a “tithe” of your resources toward helping those around you? How might we increase awareness of this potential and inspire others to participate in tithing?3. The Hebrew word “to give” is natan, which is a

think about it… palindrome, meaning it reads the same way forward as it does backward. This teaches us that giving is a two-way street — when we give, we also receive. How does that concept inspire the way you give and how much you might contribute in the future?4. But for the grace of God we go. Had God chosen so, we, too, could be impoverished and

needy, completely dependent on the kindness of others. When we put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, how does that impact the way we see the needy? What kind of help would we want if we were in their shoes?5. Judaism maintains that how we give is as important as how much we give. How might we

give in a way that preserves the dignity of the receiver and even provides comfort and hope?6. Tzedakah is an act of justice and obligation both physical and spiritual. How does this definition color your view of giving? How might the world be different if people gave out of a sense of duty as opposed to a feeling of mercy?

“‘ If any of your

fellow Israelites

become poor

and are unable

to support

themselves

among you,

help them as

you would a

foreigner and

stranger, so they

can continue to

live among you.’”

— Leviticus 25:35

Tzedakah, commonly defined as the

Jewish term for charity, is actually

a very different concept from what

we typically associate with altruistic giving.

The word “charity” implies giving by

people who have wealth to those who are

impoverished as an act of loving-kindness.

However, in the Jewish tradition, tzedakah

is not rooted in kindness. Instead, it comes

from the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning

justice. This linguistic relationship teaches

us the most fundamental concept about

Jewish giving: It’s not an act of mercy; it’s

an act of righteousness.

It may seem counterintuitive that charity

is rooted in justice. We might think that

because we have worked for our money

we should decide what to do with it. If we

choose to share it with others, that should

be our decision. If we choose to spend it on

ourselves, that should also be up to us.

However, that’s not how God designed

the world. The word tzedakah is actually

two words put together – tzedek, meaning

“justice,” and kah, which is a name for

God. Together these words mean “the

justice of God.”

Based on this understanding, let’s take

a look at what giving is really about when

we bring God into the equation. The first

step is to realize that everything belongs

to God: “‘The silver is mine and the gold

is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty”

(Haggai 2:8). Everything that we possess

— from the wealth that we attain, to the

talents and circumstances that allowed us

to acquire it — are all gifts from God.

God has given us all that we have in

order that we might use our resources

appropriately.

While we are encouraged to enjoy God’s

gifts, we are also commanded to give to

the poor: “If any of your fellow Israelites

become poor and are unable to support

themselves among you, help them . . .”

Since all our money is really God’s to begin

with, He has every right to command us

to share what we have with others. In

fact, according to Jewish tradition, when

we give to the poor, we are merely giving

them what is theirs in the first place, but

entrusted to us temporarily. It is indeed an

act of justice.In this month’s Limmud we will explore

the depth and breadth of the concept of

tzedakah from a Jewish perspective as

rooted in the Bible. We will learn how

tzedakah is a foundational value in the

Jewish concept of tikkun olam, “fixing the

world.” God could have completed creation

without our involvement, but He chose to

leave the work of creation unfinished so

that we might be His partners in creating

the ideal world. The primary way through

which we do that is by upholding the

ideals of kindness and justice. Tzedakah

is a way for us to put both values into

action. In our study we will examine how

righteous giving forms the building blocks

of God’s Kingdom and brings us closer to a

perfected world.

LimmudלמודTzedakah: Righteous Giving

This month’s study with

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

A MONTHLY STUDY ON THE JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY

T he main law that guides tzedakah is the biblical directive to contribute 10 percent of our earnings to charitable purposes. This law is derived from Scriptures that states: “Be sure

to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” While this commandment was written in agricultural terms, it has general significance: we are required to give away 10 percent of our earnings. This is the source of what has become known in Christian and Jewish traditions as “tithing.” We give away a tenth of what we have.

Judaism’s oral tradition explains that the average person must give away at least 10 percent, but not more than 20 percent so that the person should not come to neglect his or her own needs. However, the Jewish sages also recognize that while the poor are required to tithe what they have like everyone else, if a person is so impoverished that their basic needs are barley met, the 10 percent mandate is suspended. In addition, a person with unusual wealth may give away far more than 20 percent. Moreover, when we give charity as part of repentance or as part of a prayer to God, we may make an exception and give more than the suggested amount.

Another important idea that directs our giving is the old adage that charity begins at home. This means that a person is expected to provide for his or her family members before strangers. After family, we work out in concentric circles, taking care first of the poor of our community, then our city, then our country, and then the world. The exception is the poor of Israel, which is seen as the poor of our community even when we live outside of Israel, and consequently, this is placed as a higher priority in our giving.In addition, Judaism recognizes that all giving is not the same. In fact, the sages list eight types of giving, from the least ideal to the most meritorious. The levels range from the lowest level, which is giving begrudgingly, to the highest level, which is enabling the poor to become self-reliant by giving them a job or some other means of supporting themselves.Customs surrounding tzedakah include giving when taking on a spiritual pursuit like combating anger or having more faith, and giving before lighting Sabbath candles or performing other biblical commandments. It is common to give charity as an accompaniment to prayer so that a person may be healed, find a marriage partner, find a job, and so forth. Tzedakah is also given as a form of repentance and is particularly emphasized during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. Finally, tzedakah is often made part of a daily spiritual practice. Whether we give a little or a lot, the goal is that we become givers at our core.

Laws and Customs Observed Today

© 2015 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews | www.ifcj.org

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. — Deuteronomy 14:22

The Little Box that Makes a Big DifferenceA staple of Jewish giving is the pushka, Yiddish for “little box,” also known as a tzedakah box. These small containers can be as simple as a tin can or as elaborate as a silver-engraved receptacle. They are a staple in Jewish homes, but can also be found in Jewish establishments, such as kosher supermarkets, book stores, day school classrooms, and other Jewish gathering places or businesses. These containers are meant for depositing spare change and dollars. However, the point is not to save and keep the money, but to give it away as charity. The idea behind the pushka is simple: a little is a lot. With the centrality of the tzedakah box, it is easy to give charity, and it then becomes a frequent, if not daily, practice. The small deposits ultimately add up to large sums. Whether we give away a large sum at one time or a small sum each day, we have participated in the act of giving. And in doing so, we transform our very essence and become givers at our core.

For more information and to enroll, call us

toll-free at 800-249-9003, or email us at [email protected]/FOF


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Gifts have been received in hOnOr Of:James a. and Martha stice by Mr. Lawrence Sticerabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mr. and Mrs. Richard ShafferMark e. bryant by Ms. Verna Bryantrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Jeanette Kawayoshirabbi eckstein by Ms. Charlotte Scherrerrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Caroline Braudrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Ellen Larsondon and Pat Miller by Ms. Mildred McClaintheodore Williams and family by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sellersrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Kathleen Pawlickirabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mrs. Carol Brawdyrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mrs. Virginia Garrisonrabbi eckstein by Ms. Norma MasseyMarcus crutchfield by Ms. Sharon Cornicerabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Pauline Beckwithchelle alaniz (birthday) by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Marescharmand and bradford dwayne by Ms. Katherine Ingramclyde and ruby binkley, billy ray, helen Wilma hamilton, and victor and velma hamilton by Miss Dwana Hamiltonrabbi eckstein by Mr. George Tremblayrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Robin Gillrabbi eckstein by Mrs. Billie Johnsonrabbi eckstein by Ms. Sonja SchwartzJoyce Lynn holcomb by Ms. Pamie CarterJoyce shoebridge (sunday school teacher) by Ms. Debbie Glover

rabbi Yechiel eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Nanette Doxsierabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mr. Wayne Constantinealter Wiener (holocaust survivor) by Ms. Carol Olsenrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mrs. Louise BrantleyPastor Joel Logan by Ms. Barbara Burtray Johnston (husband) by Mr. and Mrs. Paula Johnston rabbi Yechiel eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Judith RagerPetra Luna by Mr. Cesar Lunarabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Geneva McDowelldanielle Pafford by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Paffordrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Ms. Gislaine JosephMaggie J. bohrer by Mr. and Mrs. David WhetzelGeneral schwarzkopf by Gi Nyeong YiZachary hamm (brother) by Mr. David HammGary Kisor (happy anniversary) by Mr. Ara Kisorrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mr. and Mrs. John Salomon Larry M. Greenbaum by Mr. Gregory Fileneda and J.J. Wedel by Ms. Vickie Wedelrabbi eckstein (birthday) by Mr. Michael Marvel

Gifts have been received in MeMOrY Of:Mark rosenthal by Mr. John BrittGrady collins (husband) by Mrs. Ann CollinsMr.and Mrs. theodore tumbleston by Ms. Wanda RussellJuanita Perez and Jo brite by Mr. Wayne Westermannorma and Joyce Piersdorf by Mr. Raoul PiersdorfMary e. bryan (wife) by Mr. Joe Bryandawn denise rush by Mr. Roger RushJames Jr. and Lauretta coles (parents) by Mr. and Mrs. James Coleseric sweet by Ms. Isabel Slackbob hulst (husband) by Ms. Geraldine HulstWatts and sarah Wood (great grandparents) and Montressa and virginia cox (great grandparents) by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sellersramon Kontorovsky by Ms. Dora KontorovskyMrs. sharon Zefo by Mr. Ronald Stroopschristine sharon countryman (sister) by Mr. William GarrisonMr. and Mrs. alexander duperroir sr. (parents) and James b. duperroir by Ms. Shirley Vanderbiltharold and barbara noe by Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Von WeiheMom, dad, and sister by Mr. Charles Kevil

tonya Morales (wife) by Mr. Paul MoralesMarlene smith (wife) by Mr. Norman Smithburgess Waters (husband) by Ms. Mary Waterscharles, ruth, and Michael sklar by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Pollockrabbi Michael Lohrberg by Mrs. Jean BushKaren reynolds (sister) by Kathy SchmittWillard and Mildred Young by Mr. Ronald SpitkoJohnnie Wood (husband) by Mrs. Carrie WoodPaul J. Martin Jr. and ellen Mae Pledger (mother) by Ms. Pearly RobertsonLeonie Joseph (mother) by Ms. Gislaine Josephfred L. bennett sr. (father-in-law) by Mrs. Lynne BennettMother by Ms. Nola Jan Fisher GreavesMitchell newlin sr. by Mrs. Janet NewlinJanice bias (beloved friend) by Mrs. Susan KnappMark anthony smrekar Jr. by Mrs. Melanie Smrekardr. Gene f. Mahaffey (father) by Mrs. Michelle Duncanruth rogers (wife) by Mr. John Rogerscole spinner by Ms. Debbie Spinnerchris stopard (husband) by Mrs. Mollie Stopardhershel and elsie reed by Mr. and Mrs. Don EstridgeMichele strickland (daughter) by Mr. Al Stricklandclifford hughes by Mrs. Shirley HughesMildred Garcia by Ms. Mildred McClaindeacon Louis, annie daniels, and ruth Lightsey by Dr. Louis Danielsrich Myers by Mrs. Diane Myersdr. christopher M. stein (son) by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Steinsterling t. and thelma P. Woodard (parents) by Mrs. Daisy Greencorrine nowak (mother) by Mrs. Corrine Nowakdebra Joyce herman berger by Ms. Cheryl SamuelsMarsha horn by Mr. Bill Horndr. Marvin e. ament by Ms. Dianna McGeehershel Lee Wooden by Ms. Judy ElmoreWilliam thomas Mason (father) by Ms. Constance Masonrabbi simon L. eckstein by Mr. and Mrs. Michael PyleMarjorie t. smith and Mary t. schroen by Mr. and Mrs. Billy Weaversye rubin (uncle) by Ms. Priscilla Moyrev. William casey (husband) by Ms. Virginia Wilson Caseydoris henry by Ms. Holly Henry

Memorials and Tributes | We ReMeMbeR AND hoNoR ouR oWN

moRE NAmES IN NEXT ISSuE


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LOVE AND FEARFoR ISRAEl

A New Year’s Day terror attack last year stirred memories and fears for a Fellowship staffer.

By Eva Geller

It has been a year since a horrific attack struck Tel Aviv. A Palestinian terrorist opened fire on several businesses in the bustling Israeli city, killing three and wounding seven more. A nationwide manhunt for the shooter took a week before he was found and stopped. But his crime – just one of far too many that have afflicted Israel during the year-and-a-half terror

wave still gripping the nation and its people – not only affected those in Israel, but also those who were abroad when they occurred. Eva Geller, a Fellowship staff member based in Israel, was traveling in London at the time, and wrote of the fear that grips the Holy Land’s people

whenever and wherever they are targeted by evil.


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I log onto Facebook and see a newsflash about a terrorist attack, about people injured on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv. The news reports come fast and furiously, from every direction – the number of people injured, the terrorist that escaped, the panic, the trauma.

A day passes and the terrorist has not been found. Another day and the heartrending stories and eulogies of the wounded and the dead shatter my heart and soul. Yet another day and still the terrorist has not been caught. In the meantime, more and more stabbing attacks in Jerusalem, the Holy City and capital of Israel. And the terrorist still has not been caught.

Meanwhile in London, I am on vacation, trying to enjoy myself. But my heart is in Israel. I am crying with the pain of Tel Aviv, of the whole Jewish state.

I sit in a café with a big television screen and there is a newsflash that announces that the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brussels have been cancelled because of warnings of terrorist attacks. My friends in Paris tell me of empty streets. Now everyone is experiencing the same lack of personal security, the same lack of national security that Israel experiences every day. How sad that evil and extremism have taken over.

I think back to the summer of 2002. I was in high school and spent the summer in the United States with my family. We woke up one morning and the television was talking about a murderous attack in a restaurant in downtown Jerusalem. Fewer people had cellphones then, and my anxiety ran high. Where were my friends? Were people I knew murdered? The images on the television were shocking – 15 people killed and dozens more wounded. It was impossible to absorb. It was the reality of the Second Intifada: suicide bombers causing grief throughout the city.

Five days have passed now, with Israeli forces still searching for the Tel Aviv terrorist. It does not look like we are getting anywhere, so we simply move on. The stories of the terror victims, of blessed memory, prove to us again and again that we are a special and strong nation; we love life and pursue justice.

But I keep asking, when will peace and tranquility come to our nation? And when will we feel like a free nation in our own land?

I want to walk from the parking lot to my house without apprehension, to walk around the Old City of Jerusalem without fear, to sit in a café without the anxiety that a terrorist will begin to shoot in every direction.

But still we Israelis travel around, go places, and enjoy what this country has to offer us. Both of these feelings – fear and love – are Israel’s reality. n

January 1, 2016. London.

on January 1, 2016, an Israeli Arab man pulled a submachine gun out of his bag and opened fire on a sushi restaurant, a café, and a bar just before 3:00 p.m. in Tel Aviv. He killed two people – 26-year-old Alon Bakal, the manager of the bar, and 30-year-old Shimon Raimi, a patron at the bar – and then fled the scene in a taxi. The driver, Amin Shaaban, was later found murdered as well. The gunman was later identified as Nashat milhem, an Israeli Arab who appeared to be inspired by ISIS. He was shot and killed by Israeli forces in an exchange of gunfire a week later.

What happened?ph

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Eva Geller in happier moments on vacation in London.


A n g e l sGod’s Mysterious Messengers


BY YAEl ECkSTEIN

Every night when I put my children to bed, I sing them lullabies and, like many

Jewish mothers around the globe, I sing them traditional Hebrew songs about angels. We sing and pray that the four archangels – Michael, angel of mercy; Gabriel, angel of strength; Uriel, angel of light; and Raphael, angel of healing – surround our sweet little ones as they go to sleep.

I’ll sing a song with words from the patriarch Jacob when he blessed Joseph’s sons: “the Angel who has delivered me from all harm – may he bless these boys . . . ” (Genesis 48:16). This is how we send our children, and ourselves, off to sleep – with thoughts of angels, guarding and protecting us.

Yet, when it comes to angels, everyone envisions them slightly differently. For some, angels are chubby, child-like creatures with wings. To others, angels look like people. In the Bible, angels are often described as fiery beings or as terrifying apparitions.

However, while we all have an idea of what an angel might look like, no one in our time has actually, knowingly, seen an angel. No one really knows what angels look like or what they really do. Angels belong to a different realm – to the world of the spirit, a world beyond us all.

Yet, clearly God wanted us to know about angels – to know that they exist. Angels are mentioned throughout the Bible – from the angel who stood guard at the Garden of Eden with a fiery sword, to the three angels who visited Abraham with good news about the pending birth of Isaac. It was an angel who stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, and another angel who rescued Hagar and Ishmael in the desert. The list goes on and on.

Moreover, in Judaism, we mention angels every single day in our prayers. We speak of them every night before we go to sleep. On the Sabbath, our tradition is that angels accompany us home from the synagogue, and our Sabbath meal begins by welcoming God’s angels.

So why does God want us to know about these invisible celestial beings that we cannot speak to or recognize? According to the Jewish sages, the answer is simple: God wants us to know about

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If you have ever had the suspicion that a person you encountered was an angel in disguise, you are not alone. We need not look any further than Genesis 18 to see that, indeed, angels can disguise themselves as people and pay us a visit when we need it the most.

In the beginning of Chapter 18, we find Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. What makes this noteworthy is that Abraham had just undergone circumcision three days earlier at the age of 99! The Jewish sages comment that the third day after any operation or injury is always the most difficult.

In fact, when the Bible tells us that Abraham sat in the heat of the day, it is also teaching us that God had made the day unusually hot because He didn’t want any visitors bothering Abraham while he recovered. However, Abraham, who was known for his hospitality and kindness, found the lack of visitors even more painful than circumcision.

So Abraham sat at the entrance of his tent looking and hoping for visitors. When God saw how much Abraham desired to be hospitable, He sent him three angels.

The sages teach that angels are able to “dress up” or disguise themselves as people. In this case, Abraham had no idea that his visitors were actually angels. The Bible refers to them as men, and Abraham treats them as such. Full of joy, he washed their feet and prepared them a feast. obviously, angels have no need for any of the things that Abraham did for them, but Abraham desired to give, and so they graciously received his generosity.

However, giving Abraham an opportunity to perform

loving-kindness was not the only purpose of the angels. According to Jewish tradition, each angel can have only one mission. These three angels had three unique purposes: one was sent to heal Abraham; one was sent to tell Abraham and Sarah the good news that they would have a child in their old age; and the final angel was sent to destroy Sodom after visiting Abraham. Although the angels looked like men, they were God’s divine messengers, making Abraham’s life a little more joyful and carrying out God’s plan.

God does send us His angels. Sometimes we can see them, and sometimes we cannot. Sometimes we may know we are dealing with a supernatural being, but more often than not, we are not aware. The Bible only refers to the men who visited Abraham as angels in Chapter 19, once they had left Abraham and had arrived in Sodom. Perhaps Abraham never even knew there had been angels in his home. And perhaps we, too, have been visited by angels

though we never knew it either.

angels because He wants us to know how much He loves us.

As further proof of that teaching, consider this: Despite the fact that angels are described as other-worldly beings, who are purely good, yet with supernatural powers to destroy if commanded by God, God chose us, mortal humans, as the object of His desire. He told these awe-inspiring creatures that all Creation is for the sake of humanity. That’s love!

Consider also that while angels are purely spiritual creatures, they have no free will. Yet because God loves us so much, He gave us free will so that we could choose to be close to Him.

The most common Hebrew word for angels is the word malach, which also can mean “messenger.” This is because the clearest definition of an angel is a messenger of God. Angels function as God’s army of helpers, and they are charged with guiding, protecting, challenging, and helping human beings. As it says in Psalm 91:11, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways . . . .”

If you have ever felt alone, forgotten, or forsaken, knowing that angels walk among us will fill you with hope, peace, and gratitude. We are not alone. And while God is our ultimate Savior, He sends legions of His angels to assist us every single day. n

Angels in Disguise BY RABBI YECHIEl ECkSTEIN

“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” — Genesis 18:2

LEARN mORE about angels in our new booklet, angels: Ten Biblical Lessons on god’s Mysterious Messengers. www.ifcj.org/angels


Do you believe in Angels? You Should!

to order, go to store.ifcj.org or call 800-486-8844!

Order your copy of angeLs today

The bible is filled with story after story of encounters with these supernatural creatures who carry out god’s bidding. Clearly, god wants us to know about these mysterious messengers whom He has sent to protect, encourage, guide, and assist us. Discover more about the role angels play in our daily lives through the

encounters that people of the bible had with these other-worldly beings. The more we know about

angels, the more confident we can be in facing the challenges

of our lives, knowing we are

never alone.

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Biblical Teaching from the Rabbi BY RABBI YECHIEl ECkSTEIN

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During my travels through the U.S. last fall, I learned how deeply and profoundly

Americans have been affected by the most recent presidential election. People of all political persuasions were glued to televisions and computers waiting for the results.

Weeks later, they were still glued to their screens, reading the opinions of politicians and pundits as they discussed how then President-elect Donald Trump’s policies may change the country and the world. Of course, it is good and right to be concerned about politics. But there comes a time

that we must tear ourselves away from our screens and focus on deeper things.

For me, the Psalms have a wonderful way of putting things in perspective, giving me a deeper, more complete view of the challenges we face, both personally and as a nation. Perhaps it’s their honesty – their willingness to address God personally in both good times and bad – that has brought me back to these ancient Hebrew prayers time and again.

A Sobering ReminderThe psalmist sings praises to

God’s glory, cries out to Him from

the depths of his despair, laments what he believes to be God’s absence from his life, and even freely expresses his doubts before God. And the Psalms don’t just voice our emotions; they remind us of God’s character. In them, we come to know God as Creator, Sustainer, Healer, and Redeemer.

The themes of God’s power and sovereignty are evident in Psalm 76 and Psalm 8. They are especially meaningful because in biblical times, as today, Israel was surrounded by fierce foes bent on her destruction.

Psalm 76 serves as a sobering reminder of God’s power. It leaves

“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8:1

The Reassurance ofIn troubling times like these, the perspective and peace.


Receive a biblical teaching from Rabbi Eckstein every sunday through Friday when you sign up for our free holy Land Moments devotionals at holyLandmoments.org.

no question that it is indeed God alone who rules the earth! The psalmist speaks of the invincibility of God in battle, and the futility of trying to stand against Him and His chosen land of Israel.

Psalm 76 reassures the people of Israel that they can take great comfort and have confidence in God as their Defender – and yet, they must remember that He is to be feared and worshipped: “let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared” (Psalm 76:11).

Childlike Awe and Wonder

Psalm 8 begins and ends by ascribing to God the highest praise. In verses 1 and 9 the writer, identified in the superscript as King David, used the personal name of God that God gave to

Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) – Yahweh, the God of Israel’s covenant.

God’s majestic name is wonderfully appropriate to this psalm. God is personal in His interaction with His creation, being mindful of mankind and caring for us – and yet, He is also the Master of creation who rules over all.

The psalm moves from earth to heaven, from God to His people, and back again. We are to have a childlike sense of awe and wonder when it comes to the display of God’s glory. His great love for mankind is shown in that He cared enough to place us just underneath the angels in terms of rank in creation. Verse 9 ends the psalm the way it started, extolling the Lord’s majesty.

Divine PerspectiveIt’s all too easy to become so

immersed in the things of the world that we forget that God is our ultimate defender and protector. But these psalms remind us to have the proper attitude when coming before God.

It is both exhilarating and humbling to know that He goes ahead of us in our challenges, and that we are objects of His affection and care. May we always be awed by the things of God. And may we always be reminded of God’s power and His sovereignty over all things. n

the Psalmswords of the psalmist offer needed


One Thursday night, after a long day of working and then volunteering in the center of the city, I couldn’t wait to get home.

I planned to take the bus back to my home in south-central Jerusalem, but soon realized that my bus fare card was completely empty. After searching through my purse, I realized that I didn’t have any cash to pay for my bus ride. I was exhausted – and now disheartened.

It was late, and I just wanted to get home. I hoped someone on the bus would lend me the money because I didn’t think the driver would let me on the bus without paying.

In my kindest voice, I said to the driver, “I’m sorry, but it’s late and I want to go home. Maybe one of the passengers can lend me the bus fare?”

To my utter surprise, the driver responded, “No problem; you can pay twice the next time you get on a bus.” I was relieved and grateful to finally be heading home after a long day.

An unexpected ConnectionBut as I started looking for a seat on the bus, the driver

happened to ask, “Where do you work?”I explained that I work for a nonprofit, humanitarian aid

organization called the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

With a knowing smile, the driver replied, “You see, I owe you. My wife received financial assistance from The Fellowship after she was injured in a terror attack.”

I was floored by his words. What were the odds of him having a connection to The Fellowship? I felt truly

touched by the bus driver’s kindness and was inspired by his support and gratitude for The Fellowship.

When I commented that I was amazed to meet him, he responded, “What’s amazing is the work The Fellowship does in Israel.”

Then bus passengers began to ask me questions about The Fellowship and our aid to terror victims, so I told them about the work The Fellowship does across Israel. I explained that we reach out to all Israelis who have suffered a terror attack, like their bus driver and his family, by giving $1,000 grants to each victim to help pay for the unanticipated costs of healing.

Bringing hopeMoments like these make me and other Fellowship

staff members feel truly blessed to work for such an impactful organization that reaches out to people all across Israel. This unexpected moment reminded me that the work The Fellowship does every day to protect and provide for Israel and her people really does matter.

It’s amazing how The Fellowship has influenced so many people. It seems as if every other person we meet has either been assisted by or knows someone who has been helped by The Fellowship. We as a staff need to

remember this on a daily basis when we come to work. We should always think about the ways we’re touching so many people.

I went home that night feeling an extra level of excitement

about my work with The Fellowship, where I can help bring hope to those who have nowhere else to turn. I’m extremely proud to work here! n

An unexpected Blessing on a Jerusalem Buson my way home from work one day, a surprise encounter made me extra grateful to work for The Fellowship.

The Fellowship’s Jerusalem staff members often interact with the people we help – when they volunteer at our soup kitchens, deliver Fellowship food boxes to shut-ins, or attend dedications at orphanages or spiritual centers. But one of our Jerusalem staff members recently met one of the countless Israelites we’ve helped in a most unexpected place.

Reflections BY oRlI JACkSoN Orli Jackson is the Knowledge and Training Manager for The Fellowship’s office in Jerusalem.

With a knowing smile, the bus driver replied, “you see, i owe you.”


snapshot of The Fellowship

may it ever WaveThe Fellowship recently hosted a welcome reception for new olim (immigrants) who arrived in Israel on Fellowship Freedom Flights from France. Held the day after a seminar on transitioning to their new life in the Holy land, the reception was at Jerusalem’s Rose Garden and attended by The Fellowship’s entire Israel staff. The new olim enjoyed music, dancing, blessings, lunch, and gifts. Two of the younger attendees got the added bonus of sitting next to Rabbi eckstein, who helped them grasp the joy and the pride to be found in the flag of their new country and spiritual homeland.

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Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Founder and President

30 North LaSalle, Suite 4300 • Chicago, IL 60602

[email protected] • ifcj.org

The start of a new year is the perfect time to begin your own spiritual journey with the shared insights and meditations from Rabbi Eckstein and Christian theologian Dr. Tremper Longman III. In The One Year® Holy Land Moments Devotional, each daily reading offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish faith, history, and perspectives, as well as the Christian interpretation of beloved biblical verses and events.

When you spend a reflective moment each day contemplating the history of God’s work in the world, you’ll gain a greater understanding of Christianity’s deep roots in the land, events, people, and faith of Israel.

Start your new year with this special worship and study set!

Buy a copy of the

Holy Land Moments Devotional $12.99 hW (plus $3.25 shipping)

and receive a free bonus book

Work of the Heartorder at store.ifcj.org or call: 800-486-8844

these books are great for

yourself or as the perfect gift for

a friend or your church.

NoNprofit org.US poStage

paiDiNterNatioNal

fellowShip of ChriStiaNS

aND JewS

The start of a new year is the perfect time to begin your own spiritual journey with the shared insights and meditations from Rabbi Eckstein and Christian theologian Dr. Tremper Longman III. In The One Year® Holy Land Moments Devotional, each daily reading offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish faith, history, and perspectives, as well as the Christian interpretation of beloved biblical verses and events.

When you spend a reflective moment each day contemplating the history of God’s work in the world, you’ll gain a greater understanding of Christianity’s deep roots in the land, events, people, and faith of Israel.

Start your new year with this special worship and study set!

Buy a copy of the

Holy Land Moments Devotional $12.99 HW (plus $3.25 shipping)

and receive a free bonus book

Work of the HeartOrder at store.ifcj.org or call: 800-486-8844

These books are great for

yourself or as the perfect gift for

a friend or your church.

NoNprofit org.US poStage

paiDiNterNatioNal

fellowShip of ChriStiaNS

aND JewS

Building Bridges Between Christians and Jews

Journeymagazine

The

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

30 North LaSalle, Suite 4300 • Chicago, IL 60602

[email protected] • ifcj.org

Mr. TJH Winter/January 2017 6404 International Pkwy Suite 2020Plano, Texas 75093I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Account# DMX1701XCEXHM 9999

We trust you will enjoy this 2017 winter issue of THE JournEy MAgAzInE. This complimentary publication is sent to faithful Fellowship partners like you to increase your understanding of the spiritual bonds between Christians and Jews and the common biblical roots we share in our love and care for Israel and her people. Shalom!

Help Us Rescue Jews Facing Terror Attacks, Anti-Semitism, and Frigid Winter Temperatures

For important updates regarding Israel, go to ifcj.org/SignUp to receive IFCJ’s eNewsletter, or include your email address here:

emaIl Thank you! Your IFCJ gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Fellowship fulfills the Better Business Bureau Wise giving Alliance’s twenty rigorous standards.More information is available at ifcj.org

I pray this letter finds you enjoying a blessed start to 2017!

As we start this new year, I can’t help but reflect on all we were able to accomplish

in 2016 thanks to your faithful support. We brought thousands of new olim (immigrants) to Israel on Fellowship Freedom Flights, provided for Israeli victims of terror attacks, and gave lifesaving food, medicine, shelter, and companionship to Jews in need throughout the Holy Land and the former Soviet union.

you made all of this great work possible and I cannot overstate my gratitude for your partnership in this mission.

Sadly, the huge needs among these same communities continue into 2017. As you will read in the enclosed issue, Jews experiencing anti-Semitism in countries such as France are so grateful to escape on our Freedom Flights.

The Holocaust survivors I visited in

ukraine last winter are still utterly dependent on us to keep them alive through these frigid winter months.

And terror attacks continue to threaten the lives and well-being of Israelis simply longing for a normal life in their spiritual homeland.

While it would be easy to get discouraged by these huge needs, I am certain of two things that give me hope: our faithful god, and you, our faithful donors.

It is always a privilege to share with you what your partnership has accomplished. I hope that seeing the fruit of our ministry in these pages will encourage your heart as much as it has mine, and will inspire you to continue to partner with us in this lifesaving ministry.

Shalom!


Exp. Date _____ / _____ Phone ( ______ ) _______________

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Please Place a Single or Monthly Donation on My Credit Card:

Print your name as it appears on your card

This single gift in the amount of $ ____________________

Please make this a monthly gift of $ ___________________Account no. per moNth

My Prayerful Gift for Needy Jews Around the World! Yes! rabbi Eckstein, I want to provide lifesaving food, medicine, shelter, and companionship to Jews in need throughout the Holy Land and around the world! Here is my gift of:

$XXX $yyy $zzz $___________ for Where Needed Most On Wings of Eagles Isaiah 58 Guardians of Israel 10 20 70 50

I have included my check in the enclosed envelope. I have included my credit card information below.

I want to become a monthly Friend of The Fellowship partner.

Account# DMX1701XCEXXX 9999 Mr. TJH Winter/January 2017 6404 International Pkwy Suite 2020Plano, Texas 75093

30 N. LaSalle St. • Ste. 4300 • Chicago, IL 60602-2584 • 800-249-9003 • 312-641-7201 (Fax) • [email protected] • ifcj.org

Dear

I am delighted to send you this winter issue of The Journey magazine!

I have not heard from you in a few months and wanted to reach out to express my appreciation for your past support – and share what we have been doing lately. I hope the stories of the lives that we have rescued will encourage and inspire you to re-commit to bless Israel and the Jewish people.

There are two quotes in this magazine I would like to point out, as I think they underscore the importance of the work we do. The first was blurted out by a 7-year-old girl as she and her mother fled a crowd of angry protestors shouting “Death to Jews!” in their Paris neighborhood. As they rushed from the scene, the young girl cried to her equally frightened mother, “Why does everyone hate us?”

It’s hard to believe that this kind of virulent anti-Semitism still exists. But the increasing requests from Jews in peril around the world hoping to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) on a Fellowship Freedom Flight prove that, tragically, it certainly does. I am grateful that, due to the generosity of our donors, we have been able to expand our aliyah program so that in 2016 alone we brought Jews to Israel from 20 different countries. The needs are real and rising, and we hope we will continue to be able to meet them.

The other quote I don’t want you to miss was uttered by Anna, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives in a remote village in Ukraine. I had the privilege of visiting Anna’s humble home, which she often heats with only one small log a day in her wood-burning stove. That’s all this destitute woman can afford. When the final embers burn out, she wraps herself in a blanket and climbs on top of the stove to make the most of the residual heat.

When I delivered her a care package of basic foods, she replied, “My life is in God’s hands and hopefully God will send more angels like you.” While her words moved me, they weren’t entirely accurate. The angels are our donors, people like you who have a compassionate heart for Israel and her people and who take seriously the biblical command to “spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10).

I hope that seeing the fruit of our ministry in these pages will encourage your heart as much as it has mine, and will inspire you to resume your partnership with The Fellowship in our lifesaving work. If you do, we would be happy to continue sending you The Journey magazine so you can see the difference you are making. Won’t you consider renewing your support now with a $100 gift – or whatever amount God places on your heart – to help ensure that The Fellowship’s lifesaving work can continue and that we won’t have to turn away any who come to us for vital assistance?

With your help, we will be able to keep offering frightened young girls and freezing elderly women – along with so many others – the aid they desperately need, and reassuring them that they do not face their struggles alone.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


John,

DMX1701XCEXXXTO PROVIDE RESCUE AND

COMPASSIONATE CARE

Rabbi Yechiel EcksteinInternatIonal FellowshIp oF ChrIstIans and JewsP.O. Box 96105Washington, D.C. 20090-6105

PleasePlace

First-classStamp Here

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews • P.O. Box 96105 • Washington, D.C. 20090-6105 • 800-249-9003 • [email protected]

The International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Inc. was incorporated on May 16, 1983, in the state of Illinois. Your gift is much appreciated and deductible as a charitable contribution as allowed by law. A copy of the latest financial report may be obtained by writing to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60602-2584; phone: 312-641-7200. If you are a resident of one of these states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: FLORIDA—A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration CH8924. GEORGIA—A full and fair description of the programs of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and our financial statement summary are available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above. MARYLAND—For the cost of copies and postage, Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. MISSISSIPPI—The official registration and financial information of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. NEW JERSEY—INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NEW YORK—Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. NORTH CAROLINA—FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 1-888-830-4989. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE. PENNSYLVANIA—The official registration and financial information of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. VIRGINIA—Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. WASHINGTON—Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422, 1-800-332-4483. WEST VIRGINIA—Residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by any state.

Volume 10 Facing Winter Alone - IFCJ · 2019-08-23 · Winter 2017 | The Journey Magazine 1 WINTER...

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Transcript of Volume 10 Facing Winter Alone - IFCJ · 2019-08-23 · Winter 2017 | The Journey Magazine 1 WINTER...