MFounded by Ari & Shiraa Sorko-RamozIsraeSince 1976l October 2006 Tishrei - Cheshvan 5766 r e p o r t The Nahums - A Family’s Journey To Messiah

The Nahum Family at congregation tiferet yeshua: Batya, Shimon, Shlomi, Miryam, Yossi (a relative who is a new believer), Shua, Avraham, Malka, Olga, Ronen

By Aaron Allsbrook clothes on their backs. When they arrived at the “nation that was born in a day”- Israel, they faced a new language, a new n the late 1940’s, a young Sephardic Jewish couple economy and a new way of life. They struggled to survive Inamed Shua and Miryam Nahum packed up what financially, and as did most of the new immigrants, they belongings they had and made aliyah (immigration to suffered extreme poverty. But they believed the God of their Israel). Shua and Miryam were born in Tunisia, a small fathers had brought them back to their ancient homeland. North African country where Jews have lived for over 2,300 They settled in a very poor town called Lod - about 12 years. This was a difficult time for all who came in that great miles east of Tel Aviv. They started a family, and over the wave of Sephardic Jewish immigration. When Israel became course of time they had four children - three boys and a girl: a nation, the Muslim hatred turned on the Jews in their varioo Shimon, Shlomi, Avraham and Olga. The town of Lod was ous countries, and they had to escape, often with only the not the best place to raise a family. It was a mixed commuon nity of Jews and Arabs - a wicked place of crime, prostituot or truly happy. He began to wonder, “Why do I always tion and drugs. Over time, this negative environment took feel empty like this?” He asked questions, yet received no its toll on the children. answers. He tried pills and religious amulets. He prayed from the siddur (Jewish prayer book), but there was still that Growing Up in the Land of Lod deep void. Shlomi was successful according to the world’s The second son, Shlomi, was the first to have difficulties. standards, but he couldn’t earn, buy, or work hard enough Shimon and Avraham did well at school but Shlomi did not. to find true peace; he felt himself a tortured soul. He was So they felt that he might be better off in a religious instituot simultaneously climbing up in the world and falling deeper tion (yeshiva). While attending this school, he learned all into depression. about Rabbinic Judaism and developed a great love for the THE ELDER SON DEPARTS TO A “FAR COUNTRY” Word of God. However, when Shlomi suffered a physico cally abusive experience with one of the school’s superiors, As with so many young people who leave home to search he left the yeshiva and vowed never to return. This event out life - Shimon, the Nahum’s oldest son, left Israel for marked a terrible turning point in Shlomi’s life. Holland to “experience life.” He embraced a life of sin to the Around the age of 15, he began to take drugs, to cheat and fullest. Soon enough he ran out of money and was so poor

shimon, now a pastor in Jerusalem, gives the microphone to his mother, Miryam, a soul on fire for her Lord. She is articulate and passionate when she testifies of her faith to steal. He craved money and power. However, he was never that he couldn’t even buy food. His weight dropped from 185 content or happy; and he didn’t know why. By age 17, Shlomi lbs. to 95 lbs and he was desperate and near death from drugs found himself in crisis. He told his mother that if he didn’t and malnutrition. leave Lod he would end up in prison. His mother decided At that point of desolation, Shimon ran into a group of then and there that the family would move to Herziliya, a city believers in Holland who began to share with him about approximately 10 miles north of Tel Aviv. Yeshua. He responded quickly in defense, “I am Jew. I In the new surroundings, Shlomi did change his life. He believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the God became interested in more sophisticated ways to obtain power of Israel. I don’t believe in Jesus, the god of the gentiles.” and money. By the age of 21, he opened a hair-styling busion But he could not fail to notice that these Jesus-followers ness that became very successful. He attracted well-known were not embracing the debauchery and sinfulness that had customers - some even powerful people who influenced brought him to such a desperate place. So he found himself Shlomi’s outlook on life. Shlomi said goodbye to his life of inquiring, “Who is this Jesus?” These Dutch believers came nonsense and commenced on a journey to work and to make to Shimon’s house and continued to share with him about money. And he did - he made lots of money, had lots of Yeshua. Before they left, someone prayed for Shimon and friends and became a well-known hairdresser. told him, “Jesus will reveal Himself to you.” However, with all this success, he was still not content Shimon thought nothing of it and went to bed. But then,

You may donate to Maoz with Visa, Mastercard or other credit cards. To give by automatic monthly withdrawal, please call Maoz Ministries 1-800-856-7060 the atmosphere around him started to change. Something gregation regularly and helped with various jobs at the minisot was happening and a voice inside him said, “You shall try center. However, his concern turned to his family and their never die.” Shocked and awed, Shimon somehow knew it need to know the Messiah - especially his brother Shlomi. was God. Although he did not understand it all, he knew Shlomi was going from bad to worse. His gambling was that God was speaking to his heart. He blurted out, “Just out of control, and he often squandered tens of thousands of to let You know, I repent!” He still believed he was going shekels a night. He was depressed and drinking heavily. So to die, but he wanted God to know that he truly did repent Shimon prayed. In fact, he prayed for ten years! Whenever before he died! He heard no response - but not for long. he visited Shlomi, he would leave a Bible open next to his A small voice inside him said in Hebrew, “Come to me!” bed. When Shlomi would return home, he would read this Shimon couldn’t believe it. “I’m hearing God speak to me particular chapter, close the Bible and then pass out. During in Hebrew in Holland!” He reasoned, “But God, I’m such a this time, Shimon met his wife-to-be, Batya, at the congreog sinner!” But the voice of the Lord persisted, “Come exactly gation. They were soon married and moved to Jerusalem. as you are. I want you to return home to Israel. I want you Then there were seven years of no contact between Shimon to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them and Shlomi. about the Good News of the Kingdom.” Shlomi grew angry because he felt his brother had THE RETURN Shimon had no idea what this spiritual experience meant; he had never read Matthew 10:6-7, or any of the New Testament for that matter. But now he was sure that God was true, that he had encountered Him personally and that he had received everlasting life from Him. So the wayward son returned to the land of Israel and to his family. They were perplexed and distraught that Shimon now believed in Yeshua. But Shlomi, who was successful but unhappy, invitoe ed Shimon to live with him; and he even opened a business for Shimon. “After all,” he reasoned, “He is my brother!” His parents, on the other hand, weren’t so inviting. They couldn’t get past the disastrous reality of their son bringing a belief in Yeshua home. His mother was in anguish and his father pronounced him dead. His brother Avraham simply said, “Leave me alone.” But Shimon would not be deterred with his new faith. Shimon asked the Lord, “Now, that I am home, what am I to do?” His spirit urged him, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them about the Good News of the shlomi is now in full-time ministry with his brother, shimon Kingdom.” Shimon decided to go out to the desert to seek the Lord - to Ein Gedi, the place near the Dead Sea where David hid from Saul. Here Shimon waited on the Lord and deserted him. His life became one catastrophe after another prayed. As he sat meditating, Shimon noticed two young – business losses through gambling and a great dive in the women walking nearby. Soon enough one of them looked Israeli stock market. at him and began to head straight for him. She told him Then one day Shimon invited Shlomi and the whole bluntly, “God told me to talk to you.” family to come visit his house in Jerusalem for Shabbat Shimon was ecstatic. He begged the girl to tell him why (Sabbath) dinner. It was wonderful. Shlomi breathed in the the Lord had told her to speak to him. She gladly shared that warmth of the evening and listened as Shimon talked to their God was raising up an army in Israel and that he was to be parents about belief in Yeshua. He asked his brother if the a part of it. He instinctively knew that to be in this spiritual whole family could have Shabbat dinner with Shimon and army, he needed to be with other believers. Until then, he Batya at least twice a month and they agreed. had not met any born-again Jewish believers in Israel. Shlomi continued to visit his brother regularly, all the The woman told him about a congregation in Ramat while sinking deeper and deeper into despair and hopeol HaSharon led by Ari Sorko-Ram who would disciple him. lessness. Then Shimon suggested that they visit a new Shimon wasted no time; he moved in with the Sorko-Ram congregation the Sorko-Rams had started in the Tel Aviv family. Shimon was a man with a single focus. He desired area – near where Shlomi lived. After the third invitation, only to read the Word, to fast and to pray. He attended the conog Shlomi showed up at the congregation. What he saw was

By mail: By phone: By fax: Visit us online Maoz Ministries U.S. 800-856-7060 U.S. 214-677-0500 via our secure web sites: P.O. Box 535788 G.B. 44-208-692-2831 G.B. 44-208-333-7272 www.maozisrael.org Grand Prairie, TX 75053-5788 CAN. 866-712-0188 CAN. 613-394-8313 www.istandwithisrael.com 30 people raising their hands, playing instruments and singio one he met. He invited his parents to the congregation. ing to the Lord. He panicked, “What am I doing here?” He They couldn’t ignore the incredible changes in Shlomi’s looked for an escape; but he quickly stopped himself and life. Miryam comments, “We had two good kids, Olga thought, “I’ve come here; and out of respect for my brother and Avraham, and then two not-so-good kids, Shimon and and all those here, I should stay for at least 10 minutes.” So Shlomi. So when we started to see not just Shimon, but also he sat there, listening to the singing. Shlomi radically change, we knew there was something real about Yeshua.” The change in Shlomi’s life was so miraculo SHLOMO MEETS THE NAME lous that his new life spoke louder than any words. Later, Shlomi began to read the words of the worship song on his mother testified in the congregation, “One day, I just the screen: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He decided, if Yeshua can do this in my two sons’ lives, then I has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; He has want Him too!” Both she and Shua accepted Yeshua as their sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to King and Messiah. the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are OLGA DREAMS DREAMS bound…” (Isaiah 61:1). As he looked upon the personal Name of God on the screen (Jehovah - regarded with great It was at one of those family dinners that their youngeo reverence by observant Jews), it seemed that the Name est daughter Olga began experiencing an awakening in her became alive. Shlomi couldn’t resist staring at the Name of heart. Years before, at age 12, Olga dreamed that she saw God, the Name that was revealed to Moses at the burning herself on a big mountain. God handed her a staff, just like bush. And like Moses, he felt he was on holy ground. He Moses. She was puzzled by this dream and told her brother, fell to his knees. He began to weep loudly – so loudly that Shimon. He explained to her that the Staff of Life is Yeshua. the whole congregation was riveted to the drama of a sinner She admits to accepting Yeshua as the Truth at this time, but coming to salvation during the worship – actually before the she didn’t make the step to invite Him to be her Lord. It was sermon! He encountered the living God that day and suror merely knowledge. But after a family dinner at Shimon and rendered his life totally to Yeshua. For months, Shlomi wept Batya’s, Olga had the same dream! Again she told Shimon through every service that he attended. of the dream. Shimon sowed more seeds into her heart but Shlomi’s life turned 180 degrees. He closed all his busino she still did not give herself to Him. God, however, did not nesses and moved back to his parents’ home. Like Shimon give up on her. before him, for the first year he did nothing but pray, fast She was soon married to a man named Ronen. All was and read the Word. He shared the good news with everyoo fine and quiet for a year and half. God then made His move.

Shua and Miryam with their pastor, Ari, leader of Congregation Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv. After a long night’s sleep, Olga remembers, “I awoke, but love the people and they want to believe in their hearts. my room wasn’t the same. Something was totally differoe The Nahum’s are a uniquely blessed family. God has given ent. I was seeing and feeling strange things. I thought I each one of the Nahum’s a spiritual intensity for the Lord was imagining things. Then it suddenly clicked. God had that is very evident. They are a vibrant family that boldly come into my room.” The Truth that remained dormant in proclaims their faith among friends and neighbors. Shimon her head all those years finally awoke and her heart was and Batya lead a congregation, Besorat haMalchut (The Good changed. How can it be explained? She was seeing life News of the Kingdom) in the heart of Jerusalem. Shlomi is through her new spiritual eyes and her walk was set. a full-time evangelist who assists his brother, after having Her husband wanted no part of her new faith. At times attended Tiferet Yeshua for nine years. Shua, Miryam, Olga, he forbad her from attending the congregation. Olga began Ronen, all regularly attend Tiferet Yeshua and share Yeshua to pray and fast for her husband’s salvation, while Shlomi with all those around them while Avraham, and Malka are visited regularly, giving Bible studies in their home. After gaining ground. The story of the Nahum family is a special all, it was difficult for Ronen to brush off his brother-in-law, one and they are personally praying and working that other whom he dearly loved. After three years of faithful asking, seeking, Avraham and Malka and knocking, Olga saw her husband wonderfully receive the Lord. He has became a faithful member of the congregation and invited his mother and sister-in-law. Today, they too are believers! THE “GOOD SON” REACHES OUT TO YESHUA Avraham had truly been the “good son.” He had been a professional soccer player and had a good career and now he was a successful and honest businessman. But Avraham Olga and Ronen wanted nothing to do with belief in Yeshua. Avraham kept his distance but he could not help noticing that his brothers weren’t the same men he once knew. He watched massive changes take place in their lives and especially noted how they were honoo oring their parents and treating them with such respect and love. He also saw their lives turn from disaster to blessing. “Maybe there is something to this Yeshua?” he thought. As the years passed by, Avraham and his wife started having some financial problems and difficulties with one of their children. Israeli families will experience “family salvation.” The name, The problems were big enough that he was willing to “give Nahum, means “comforted” in Hebrew. This family is part of this Yeshua a try.” That’s a big step for a man who once the fulfillment of God’s commandment to “comfort, comfort wanted nothing to do with Yeshua. He thought, “My brothoe my people” (Isaiah 40:1). ers’ lives are headed in the right direction now and they’re The enemy knows that the land of Israel is God’s land full of blessing. Maybe I can find that path and go in the and that the people of Israel are God’s people (see Joel 3:2), right direction and receive this blessing, too?” He went to so the warfare - both spiritual and physical - is monumento Congregation Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv, and has continued to tal, but with great possibilities for victory. The lives of the attend ever since. He admits that he is not yet sure if he has Nahum family are a testimony of this overcoming power truly experienced the depth of salvation that causes changes and faith. It is another step towards the fulfillment of the in the heart that he wants; but both he and his wife, Malka, promise to see all Israel saved (Romans 11:26). quested by the media and no outrage was directed at the PA’s blatant inaction. (26Aug06) TERRORISM’S Contrast that, says the Jerusalem Post, with the venom spouted at Israel for bombing Hizbollah’s al-Manar televiso sion facilities during the Lebanon war. (Ibid.) In the last few years, several dozen journalists have been kidnapped and released in Gaza. No one has ever been arro CLOSE ALLY rested, or even identified as having been involved in capturio ing foreign journalists. Now, the emboldened Fox News kidnappers have issued a statement in which they warn, “Any infidel who comes to Palesto Guess Who? tine will be killed unless he converts to Islam.” (Ibid., 28Aug06) “FAIR AND BALANCED” IN A WORLD By Shira Sorko-Ram OF DOUBLE STANDARDS On August 14 a Fox News correspondent, Steve Centanni, Of all the world media covering the Middle East, Fox and cameraman Olaf Wiig were kidnapped by unknown gunmo News has been by far the most balanced. Balanced, in a men in Gaza. The international press gave little attention to secular sense, indicates that the reports objectively give both the story until nine days later when a video of them was reol sides an opportunity to tell their story, each giving their difof leased by a group calling themselves the Holy Jihad Brigade. ferent perspectives. The challenge is, of course, that Islam Other videos followed: Olaf Wiig reciting an anti-westoe and the West are on different playing fields when it comes to ern speech, and finally showing both Centanni and Wiig offo goals, values and truth. ficially converting to Islam. Fox News does attempt to give equal opportunity to the two Olaf Wiig’s wife, Anita McNaught, herself a freelance sides. A resounding “not so” with networks such as the BBC BBC World television presenter, mobilized the TV networks and CNN and other European and Western networks that simop and activated her connections in Gaza to put pressure on the ply don’t report objectively both sides and are heavily biased mysterious terrorist gang to release the captives. in favor of Islamic aspirations – for a variety of reasons. She met with Hamas terrorist leader Ismail Haniya who Having left behind the moral compass of the Bible, the expressed his complete solidarity with Ms. McNaught for world media has had an enormous influence on the nations the immediate release of the two captives. He explained that by creating their own rules of justice. Indeed, there is a basic kidnapping journalists is not good for the Palestinian cause. double standard in the way the entire world treats Israel versoe Other Palestinian Authority officials repeatedly stated that es the rest of the Middle East. This double standard is felt the Palestinians need the press to help them fight their battle by Israel on all fronts – today it is Kofi Annan’s insistence against the Zionists. that Israel pull out of South Lebanon, but his refusal to order Indeed, as Hamas and Fatah watched the attention of the world’s media increasingly focus on Centanni and Wiig, the Palestinian leaders began to “hunt” for the men, until, on August 25, they were “found” and released - however, not before the two journalists were filmed converting to Islam. “We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint,” Centanni later told Fox News. After their release, both journalists encouraged the other networks not to take their media people out of Gaza, which Wiig said, would be a tragedy for the Palestinian people. “Their story needs to be told,” he said. Olaf Wiig’s wife heaped mountains of praise on the Palestinian people and the heads of Hamas and Fatah. Kidnap victims, reminds the Jerusalem Post, sometimes succumb to the Stockholm Syndrome, learning to love their captors. In this case, says a JPost editorial, the international community and press seemed to have developed this syndo drome. Through the whole ordeal, the world’s media with all its colossal influence choose to essentially remain silo lent about the injustice of the kidnapping rather than annoy Gaza’s head honchos. No accountability or action was reqo UNIFIL to disarm Hizbollah, or even block the transfer of ties, crimes against humanity, and defying international huom new weapons from Syria to Lebanon. man rights and laws, while the barbaric acts of Islamic facist Yesterday it was Annan’s strong pleas for help to rebuild terrorist gangs –for that is what they are – are simply ignored Lebanon, but nary a word concerning the 6,000 houses and or barely mentioned. The UN picks up the propaganda and buildings damaged or destroyed from 4,000 rockets launched runs with it. It almost always condemns Israel, with little or by Hizbollah. The day before that, Annan and the European no mention of the initial terrorist acts perpetrated against the states refused to call Hizbollah a terrorist organization. Hizob Jewish people. bollah is not even mentioned in What is expected of Israel is Resolution 1701 – the resolution The terrorists “discussed how the not expected of any other nation which ordered a cease-fire obet problems of the Muslim world and in the world. America would be tween Israel and Hizbollah! delighted to target and assassino If Israel is struck by suicide the west could be solved if the west nate bin Laden, but Israel could bombers or terrorist acts, her reso converted to Islam.” Olaf Wiig not target Arafat, who was the sponse in self defense is usually father of modern terrorism and reported as overreaction. Words such as disproportionate, responsible for hundreds of Israeli deaths. Why this double aggression, war planes, occupation, gross violations, shockio standard? What is at the root of anti-Israel reporting? ing, immoral, illegal, hostilities and attacks are generously ISRAEL DOES NOT HAVE THE scattered among reports involving Israel. MORAL RIGHT TO EXIST Words such as innocent victims, losses, suffering and anog ger are sprinkled throughout the media’s representation of There is an underlying malignant belief which especially the Arab side. How often have we heard reports from Gaza permeates European media that Israel really doesn’t have a and the West Bank of the injuries and deaths “of women and moral right to exist. The Middle East, they believe deep children” while Israel’s casualties are usually “citizens.” down, belongs to the Arabs, to Muslims from time eternal. Take this example: Since Hizbollah terrorists double as Yasser Arafat himself testified that his Muslim brothers were civilians, virtually all the media reported 1000 Lebanese ciov the “first Christians” in the Holy Land. vilian deaths as a result of Israel’s raids – with no militant or In other words, the Jews’ historic claims to the Holy Land terrorist casualties among them! are false. At the time Arafat was pontificating on the origins of Christianity, the world media duly quoted his claims as WORDS ARE WEAPONS newsworthy, making little or no comment as to its historic These word-usages are subtle but very important. The authenticity. world, including world leaders, react to what they see on TV. The truth is, it makes post-Christian Europe and liberal With Arab news stations proliferating, Western stations often Americans, not to speak of pagan Russians and Chinese, simply rebroadcast the Arab propaganda. Why label it propo deeply uncomfortable to consider Jewish origins in the Holy paganda? Because Israel is presented as perpetrating atrociot Land, simply because its validity originates in a book called the Bible – a document which claims to be written by God! What could be more threatening to the “prince of this world” than that? As is often repeated, it is not the existence of Israel that is so irritating to the world, but the existence of the God of Israel. IF ISRAEL DIDN’T EXIST THERE WOULD BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST – AND ALL THE WORLD. This is another lie, a fiction, that much of the world has swallowed: Israel is a trouble maker. She is always at the center of war and destruction. If she would disappear, then the world would have peace. The Israeli media often observes the frustrated politicians in Europe and the UN, and even the U.S., who simply get tired of the “Israel-Arab crisis”. They would like it to just go away. Of course, it is irrational to believe that without Israel, peace on earth would spring forth. Was Israel the cause of the Iraq-Iran war that claimed 1,000,000 lives? Does the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist olaf wiig (left) and steve centanni, videotaped by their group’s attempt to topple the Egyptian government have anyot kidnappers, as they state they are converting to islam thing to do with Israel? Would Iran’s lust for atomic weapoo ons disappear if Israel disappeared? Would Afghanistan’s poppy-raising terrorists lay down their arms if there were along with and pandering to Islam and its aspirations. Who no Israel to fight? And are Iraq’s power struggles between cannot read the Koran and see that its Last Day scenario is to Shiites and Sunnis over Israel? kidnap the world and force it at the point of a gun to convert The reason there is war throughout the Muslim world is to Islam or die? Who cannot understand that Iran is building because radical Muslims with large majorities of sympathetoi a bomb – to annihilate Israel first, take on the West second ic Muslim citizens behind them, want to create a world for and then the rest of the world? the god Allah. In spiritual terms, this god wants to replace Of course, the Scripture still stands: Those who bless Israoe the God of Israel. el shall be blessed. Those who curse her will be cursed. The The Apostle Paul, or as we say in Israel, the Shaliach Shaul, Middle East Islamic world owns a gigantic land mass which told it like it is: Our struggle is…against the world forces of is floating on oil. The world through the UN has poured in this darkness, (Ephesians 6:12) These world forces, then are trillions of dollars to help the poverty-stricken Arab Muslim using the world media as pawns to attain their goals. lands – with what results? The Palestinians, who are the only people on earth with A VEIL OF DARKNESS their own personal Unitoe AND INCOMPREHENSION “Large sections of the international media ed Nations department COVERS THE EARTH are not only misreporting the current conof that deals exclusively And this leads us to the third flict in Lebanon. They are also actively with financing and feedoi cause for anti-Israel reporting. fanning the flames. The BBC World Serov ing them, (no such depo A deadly lethargic stupor has partments in Africa) have pervaded the world’s diplomatic vice has a strong claim to be the number- only seen a worsening of and media spheres. There is inco one villain. It has come to sound like a their situation. comprehension of what is really A people who spend happening. A denseness, a self- virtual propaganda tool for Hizbullah.” their days and nights, their induced coma. Either through livelihood and their lives fear or sympathy with the milio Tom Gross, syndicate journalist plotting to destroy tiny Isor itant’s cause, media networks rael have ended up with regularly hire westerners who faithfully report preposterously nothing. And they spend their lives blaming Israel for all their distorted news. Networks often employ Palestinian and Arab troubles. If only Israel didn’t exist, then they would have it all. reporters (I’ve never seen an Israeli reporter hired) who have A POWERFUL ALLY the same ambitions and world view as the terrorists regimes on which they are reporting. But the Muslim haters of Israel, relentless to their cause, In the recent Lebanese-Israel war, these networks folol have discovered in our generation a willing partner to help lowed around Hizbollah-led tours, dutifully repeating what them reach their goal – to first destroy Israel, and then conoq the minders told them, staging photogenic but inaccurate quer the world. It is none other than the world media. For scenes of “victims” and respectfully refraining from asking whatever reasons, it is known that individuals who choose a inconvenient questions such as operations in civilian buildio career in media are usually politically to the left of the geneo ings or about the existence of terrorist’s weapons stockpiles. eral population of their particular countries. And they genoe Oh yes, and never ever calling Hizbollah attacks on Israeli erally support all of the popular agendas of the left – which citizens acts of terror. now includes the demonization or discrediting of Israel. They just don’t get it – that the evil spirit-driven attacks Tom Gross, in a syndicated article, “Media Missiles. against the existence of Israel will ultimately be directed Working for the Enemy.” writes in several newspapers (see against the very countries and institutions that are playing Google and Jerusalem Post, 2Aug06): “Large sections of the international media are not only another 60 years to grow back in this semi-arid climate. misreporting the current conflict in Lebanon. They are also According to Tom Gross, “CNN senior international corro actively fanning the flames. The BBC World Service has a respondent, Nic Robertson admitted that his anti-Israel repo strong claim to be the number-one villain. It has come to port from Beirut on July 18 about civilian casualties in Lebano sound like a virtual propaganda tool for Hizbullah.” non, was stage-managed from start to finish by Hizbollah.” To give you a typical example of the subtle and powerful CBS’s Elizabeth Palmer commented on her report that Hizob manipulation of the news against Israel, he says that the BBC bollah is also determined that outsiders will only see what it has repeatedly stated that Israel’s “attacks on Lebanon,” will wants them to see. serve as “a recruitment drive for al-Qaeda.” This statement Gross went on to say that journalists were denied access delegitimizes Israel’s right to defend its citizens, and causes in the areas controlled by Hizbollah. There was no way to the viewer to believe that Israel is directly responsible for the check any of their stories or to know who was an innocent growth of al-Qaeda. bystander and who was a “Hizbollah fighter by night” Tom Gross continues, “But if anything is going to win He concludes, “But this is far from being an exclusively

new recruits for the likes of Osama bin Laden, it will not be Jewish issue. Some international journalists seem to find it Israel’s defensive actions, which are far less damaging than amusing or exciting to bait the Jews. They don’t understand Western TV stations would have us believe, but the inflamom yet that Hizbullah is part of a worldwide radical Islamist matory and hopelessly one-sided way in which they are beio movement that has plans, and not pleasant ones, for all those ing reported by those very same news organizations.”(ibid.) – Moslem, Christian, Hindu and Jew – who don’t abide by He goes on to say that “pictorial distortion” is even worse its wishes.” (Ibid.) than their slanted comments and selective interviews. For exao In Isaiah, chapter 25 – a chapter of the coming judgment ample, though the destruction in Beirut is grievous, the areas on the nations and concluding with the conquering Kingdom bombed were limited to a small part of the city, specifically of God, the prophet sees a better day: “And on this mountain where the Hizbollah “deliberately ensconced themselves in (kingdom) He will swallow up the covering which is over all civilian homes.” However, by showing the areas over and peoples. Even the veil which is stretched over all nations. over again, it looked more like World War II, and again picot And he will swallow up death for all time…” (verses7-8) tured Israel as an aggressor bombing innocent people. There is a covering of blindness on the peoples. The press However, compared to other conflicts in the world the caso is controlled by mighty spritual powers using it for their own sualties in Lebanon have been mercifully low. Yet, if you goals. There is a veil that prevents the world media from only watched the BBC you would never know that a million seeing and reporting the truth. This conflict is always the and a half people in Israel lived in stifling shelters or fled to same – the battle over good and evil and the struggle to open the center of the country. or close countries to the spread of the Gospel. You would never know that 6000 houses and buildings were Today, the hosts of Allah are battling against the hosts of damaged or destroyed by 4,000 rockets. You would never Jehovah. And they are using tactics that many born-again know of the deaths of Israeli soldiers who lost their own lives believers have not considered. But with knowledge and undo trying not to endanger innocent Lebanese lives. You would derstanding, we can resist the evil day and stand firm, knowoi never know that 750,000 hand-planted trees in Galilee, the ing that our prayers are powerful and that one day the Messo greenest area of tiny Israel, have been destroyed, and will take siah of Israel will place His throne in Jerusalem.

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At the beginning of this school year, Ari and Shira and the staff honored the children who are graduating to the next class in our congregation’s Shabbo bat school.

GOALS: Islam’s first stage in these last days

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End The Unjust Jewish Occupation Of Muslim Land!