I know for many who love Israel and follow the Hebraic roots of our faith, whether or not to celebrate Christmas can be a real struggle. And I usually get some chastising notes and emails from well-meaning folks who are aghast that I allow a pagan Christmas tree in my home, when I should know better! So I will apologize in advance if talking about Christmas or saying “Merry Christmas” is offensive to you.
During the past six months, ever since I started working at CFOIC Heartland, I have met extraordinary people and visited amazing communities. It has been a true pleasure and an eye- opening experience for me to play a part in the wonderful relationship that has been created between our Christian friends and the people of Judea and Samaria. As a resident of Samaria for the past four years, I feel blessed to be able to live my life, build a home and raise my children in this very special area of our beautiful country.
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.
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.
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.
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 community. It wasn’t my first visit there — I have had family members living there for many years. But it was the first time I was exposed to the safety … Read more
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.
We arrived at the party fifteen minutes early because he wouldn’t let us be late and he stood by the door greeting his friends and their parents as they walked in. I was amazed. He is usually such a whirlwind, jumping off the walls, bumping into things and basically all over the place. But on that day there was nothing of that frenetic energy. The party started and he was amazing. Standing in the middle, the tallest in the class, he knew all the words to the songs and sang loud and clear. Actually, he was the loudest, and so off key! My husband wondered who Matan takes after but I knew right away – I laughed and told him that he is just like my grandfather.
Family was the most important value in my grandparents’ household. We would come together regularly at their house and like every other Jewish family, food was always the main event. Nothing made Bubbe happier than watching her grandchildren eat her amazing overloaded Mexican tortillas and play soccer in her big backyard.
Your donation today will provide new swings and a jungle gym specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Having a place to go that meets the development and activity needs of babies and toddlers is vitally important to families living in Sde Boaz. Community life, connecting with neighbors and friends, getting outdoors to run and play, is a central part of daily life in a Jewish community in Israel. You can be part of the fulfillment of God’s promises to return children to the land of Israel! Just imagine the squeals of joy and peals of laughter that will ring across the mountains of Judea as these precious children play once again in the fields of Boaz! You can make that happen!