by Shannon Smith | Sep 8, 2026 | Reflections from Israel
The weekly Torah portion is suspended this week as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Shana Tova! This year we are pulling from the archives and sending out a teaching by our beloved International President Sondra Baras. The Bible commands the Israelites to sound the Shofar...
by Shannon Smith | Sep 8, 2026 | Reflections from Israel
Jews often refer to this time of year as the High Holy Days. It is a time that includes the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement. The Bible does not reference a New Year but refers instead to a “Day of Blowing”, implying the Shofar. Many Christian...
by Shannon Smith | Sep 8, 2026 | News from the Land, Newsletters
There’s a famous saying that “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” As human beings, we often appreciate someone or something only after we lose them, such as a loved one, a relationship, a job we once complained about, or even a chapter of life we took for...
by Shannon Smith | Aug 31, 2026 | News from the Land
Anatot: An eternal symbol of hope and redemption! Just under 3,300 years ago, the ancient city of Anatot was selected to serve as a center of spirituality in the Land of Israel. After the Land was liberated from the idolatrous Canaanite nations, Anatot was designated...
by Shannon Smith | Aug 24, 2026 | News from the Land, Newsletters
On a hot August day, our CFOIC Heartland team was invited by friends on the ground to spend a full day exploring the hills of Judea. We were told that something extraordinary was happening in the region and that we needed to see it with our own eyes. So, we drove...
