News and Reflections
What is Zionism?
Zionism was traditionally a Jewish issue. Beginning in the mid-19th century, Jews began to explore the idea of a modern return to the Land of Israel before Messiah’s arrival. Jews who advocated for this state and who sought to make their home in Israel, to “make Aliyah” were called Zionists. But can Christians connect to Zionism as well?
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Tomorrow night begins Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a day of mourning, of memory, of identification with the victims of the most heinous crimes in the history of humanity, the brutal murder of 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany.
Does Passover relate to Easter?
Passover is one of the most loved and celebrated holidays in the Jewish faith. Easter is a particularly holy day for Christians as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But are these holidays connected in any way? They always fall very close to each other on the calendar – is that a coincidence?
Community at a Glance: Einav
A visit to Einav today is a visit to a beautiful area of Samaria with young people who have recently joined the community alongside the old-timers, all proud of the jewel they have created in the center of Biblical Israel.
A Visit with Shmuel: Einav
I was supposed to go to Einav on Tu B’Shvat and film their tree-planting ceremony, sponsored by you, our CFOIC Heartland donors and friends. But then Israel was plunged into lockdown and my visit had to be cancelled. So when life opened up again, I took the first opportunity to visit Einav and it was a fabulous day indeed.
Judea and Samaria must Continue to Flourish!
A report was recently published with updated statistics on population growth in Judea and Samaria. The numbers are so encouraging! There are more than 475,000 people living in Judea and Samaria today, representing a growth of close to 3% in 2020 alone and a 17% growth rate over the last five years.
Esther, Mordecai and the Challenges of Exile
Each year, Jews all over the world celebrate the holiday of Purim. They celebrate the miracle of salvation as described in the Book of Esther, with special prayers in the synagogue, public readings of Esther, festive meals, gifts of sweet food packages to neighbors and friends and charity to the poor.
But there is a more serious element to the holiday as well – reading and studying the Book of Esther.
Community at a Glance: Gevaot
In Gevaot, special needs children and young adults are not only accepted as they are, regardless of their needs; they are celebrated!
A Visit With Shmuel: Gevaot
In this episode, I drop by the village of Gevaot, a community of forty families in the hills of Gush Etzion. The people of Gevaot are truly modern-day pioneers who dedicate their lives to creating a thriving utopian community.
Street Prayer Services
My father passed away in September, and I have been saying the mourners’ kaddish once a day since. I have found great comfort in the street service just outside my house. I regularly attend the afternoon service, which begins about 15 minutes before sunset.
