News and Reflections
The Meaning of Chanukah – Then and Now
As I write this newsletter, we have just learned that the IDF has launched a military campaign to identify and destroy a series of tunnels along Israel’s northern border that have been dug by Hezbollah to enable them to invade Israel and wreak terror and destruction. We must constantly be vigilant against ongoing threats to our lives and our very existence as a nation.
The Giving of Thanks
Wow! I can’t believe we are already in the middle of November. Where does the time go? In America, November is a holiday month because of Thanksgiving -- a national holiday that is dedicated to celebrating the blessings in our lives. It is a day characterized by a large turkey dinner, too much food, family gatherings and football.
Liat’s Story: Blind and Abandoned to Loved and Wanted
Forty-years years ago a baby was abandoned by her biological parents after they discovered she was blind. She was left at the hospital and had no one in the world to care for her. One day an amazing couple came to the hospital and heard this child’s story.
Voting For Israel and in Israel
As Republicans battle Democrats for control of the Legislative Branch, Israel is looking at these elections as well. It is no secret that Trump has been unusually supportive of Israel in these past two years and that his natural tendency is pro-Israel. Republican representatives and senators have also usually been pro-Israel although there have also been some outstanding pro-Israel Democratic legislators as well. We cannot begin to comment nor understand the ins and outs of domestic issues in these American elections, but I can turn to you, our American friends, and ask that you consider Israel when casting your vote today.
Next Year in Jerusalem!
If you are one of those who have that desire to visit Israel, I encourage you to take a step of faith and follow that call. You will never be the same! Why or how I cannot explain, but I have witnessed it year after year. You never read your Bible the same way again -- something about seeing where your favorite Bible stories took place makes them come alive like never before.
Meet Tzur, Head of Shaarei Tikva’s security department
By: Tessy Agassi A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to join the head of security in Shaarei Tikva, on a tour of the...
Celebrating the Covenant of Abraham
But beyond the joy that we all feel in the birth of a new baby, the Brit itself has such a special significance to us as individuals and as a people. Some 4,000 years ago, an old man named Abraham heard the call from G-d to leave his home and go forward to the Land of Israel. Some years after his arrival in the land, G-d commanded him to circumcise himself as an act of covenant between him and G-d, an act of covenant that would be repeated by his descendants forever. At the original covenant with Abraham, G-d changed Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham.
Yom Kippur
On Tuesday night and Wednesday, we will be observing Yom Kippur, otherwise known as the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year. It is a time when Jews all over the world spend the day in fasting and prayer.
UNRWA – The Time has Come to Pull the Plug!
We were treated to wonderful news last week as US President Donald Trump declared that the US would no longer fund UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and criticized the agency for hindering rather than helping efforts to improve the lives of Palestinians. UNRWA’s 2017 budget, according to the Washington Post, was $1.1 billion and the US provided more than 30% of that annual budget.
A Community that Camps Together Stays Together!
Every year the entire community of Leshem, where I live, goes on a one night camping trip at the Sea of Galilee. A group of volunteers organizes the entire trip. This year the trip was set for the 15th day of Av (July 26th), the Jewish version of Valentine’s day, so the theme of the trip was LOVE.
