INTERNATIONAL

October 2018

www.c4israel.org [email protected]

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Christians for Israel have worked tirelessly to enable 7000 Olim to return home to Israel this year, the Anniversary of 70 years Israel. It is wonderful and heartwarming to see all of these happy faces waving their new passports! 3 12 Highlights... Editorial Pg 2 Refugees Forever? Pg 8 Yom HaAliyah - Immigration Day Pg 3 Rami Sherman’s Role at Entebbe Pg 9 People of the Book, People of the Land Pg 4 ‘River of Tears’ Going to Europe Pg 9 View the Bible through a Lens Pg 5 I’m Not Alone Campaign Growing Pg 11 4 5 Beyond the Ideal of the Kibbutz Pg 6 A Small Exodus from Ukraine Pg 12

Israel & Christians Today is the premier publication of Christians for Israel Editorial October 2018 02 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Prayer Points Is Israel an ‘Apartheid’ State? By Pieter Bénard By Andrew Tucker, International Editor, Christians for Israel International Christians for Israel Prayer The Bible states that the Lord Photo Credit: flickr Coordinator will bring the Jewish people back to the land and re-establish them as a nation in the ‘last days’ (Micah 4:1-7). We are surely seeing the fulfilment of that promise over the last 150 years. ISRAEL The Jewish people are commanded to Ÿ Intercede for the inhabitants of the reclaim and resettle the wastelands, south of Israel because of the serious making them fruitful. But they no doubt threat from Gaza: missiles, mortars, also have a Biblical obligation to look after thousands of protestors who try to cross the other inhabitants of the land. The the border to kidnap or to kill Jews. purpose of the return to the land is to give Israeli villages are only a few kilometres them a ‘new heart’ and put a ‘new Spirit’ in from the border. Pray for the children, them – so that they will follow His decrees many of whom know no other reality Druze community in Israel – who support are definitely treated as second- or even and sometimes have to spend days on and keep His laws (Ezekiel 36). This surely the self-determination of the Jewish third-class citizens. includes compassion for the ‘strangers’ in end in bomb shelters. people, serve in the IDF and have Criticism of the Israeli government is fine, the land (see, e.g. Deut. 14:28-29). Ÿ Pray for the cooperation between contributed a lot to the establishment and and the Nation-State Law is not immune Israel and Islamic countries, particularly Reconciling these demands – possession growth of the State of Israel. from that. But we should also affirm the in the following areas: technological of the land, and compassion to others – The preparation of the law was chaotic right of the Jewish people to exist as a developments, inventions, and in the puts the Jewish people in a difficult and its enactment a public relations nation in Israel, and appreciate the fight against terrorism. This increases position. Especially when having to nightmare. It is a great pity the amazing contributions the Jewish people the chance of diplomatic relationships. defend themselves against those who are government did not get the support of the have made while fulfilling their difficult trying to annihilate them. Ÿ There are dozens of promises about Druze and other minorities prior to the task of settling the land, and looking after the restoration and salvation of Israel in The controversial Nation-State Law law’s enactment. And, from a diplomatic the strangers in their midst. Jeremiah 30 and 31. Give thanks for the recently passed by the Israeli Knesset has perspective, it may have been wise to have Let us pray the Jewish people will look only promises of the return to the land, and a brought to the surface deep-lying included– as many had suggested - at least to the Lord for guidance and that He will new covenant that the Lord will make differences of views within Israeli society a symbolic re-affirmation of Israel’s give them a ‘new heart’ and a ‘new Spirit’ – with them. itself about the spirit of Zionism and the commitment to democratic principles and as He has promised. Then His Name will nature of the Jewish State of Israel. At the equal rights of all citizens. be glorified in the midst of the nations. INTERCESSION same time, it has ignited hostile reactions But while the law may have its Ÿ Praying for Israel is not always easy from both Jews and non-Jews who object shortcomings, Israel is definitely not an because of the grave situation in the Christians for Israel to the idea of an exclusively ‘Jewish’ State. ‘apartheid’ state. Israel ranks consistently Middle East. We can be encouraged by The law – a ‘Basic Law’ which has semi- Philippians 4:4a, 6a,7: “Rejoice in the Lord as one of the most open and democratic Mission Statement constitutional status – goes a little beyond countries in the world in Freedom House always... Do not be anxious about Our mission is to bring Biblical what is already contained in the Israeli anything... and the peace of God, which rankings. The law does nothing to limit understanding in the Church and among the Declaration of Independence and other transcends all understanding, will guard the civil rights of non-Jews. For Arabs to nations concerning God's purposes for Israel your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Basic Laws. It lays down an exclusive accuse Israel of apartheid is the height of and to promote comfort of Israel through relationship between the Jewish people, hypocrisy. prayer and action. Ÿ The number of Christians in the Gaza the State and the land of Israel: ‘The land Strip has dropped from 4,500 to just The nationalist language of the law and of of Israel is the historical homeland of the under one thousand since 2012. Pray for some Israeli leaders may seem Jewish people, in which the State of Israel Jewish Festivals our brothers and sisters, who, just like in provocative. But we should appreciate the was established’; ‘the State of Israel is the Shmini Atzeret - Eighth Day of Assembly other areas where Islam dominates, are context. The PLO, Hamas and many Arab national home of the Jewish people, in which 1 October 2018 treated as third-rate civilians. Pray that nations refuse to accept the right of the it fulfils its natural, cultural, religious and Christians from other countries can visit Jewish people to exist as a nation. Some Simchat Torah - Day of Celebrating the Torah historical right to self-determination’; and them to encourage them. intend to annihilate it. And a majority of 2 October 2018 ‘the right to exercise national self- Ÿ nations in the world want to force Israel Yom HaAliyah - Recognises Aliyah, Pray for the Jewish people. A determination in the State of Israel is unique into borders that are arguably indefensible immigration to the Jewish State of Israel newspaper can publish a hateful article. to the Jewish people’ An illustration can make fun of them. in such a hostile environment (the ‘1967 16 October 2018 In a similar vein, it declares that ‘the state lines’). It is hardly surprising that the Jews Their history can suddenly be rewritten. Sigd - Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 views the development of Jewish settlement It goes on and on. feel the need to assert themselves. days after Yom Kippur as a national value and will act to encourage The right of peoples (including the Jewish 7 November 2018 CHRISTIANS FOR ISRAEL and promote its establishment and people) to self-determination in a specific Ÿ Pray for the Christians for Israel consolidation.’ It also makes Hebrew the geographical territory, is an accepted teachers who will speak about Israel single official language, relegating Arabic principle of international law and a core again this coming season at events and to a ‘special status.’ value of the United Nations Charter. conferences, covering countless topics. The law has been attacked by many as (yet Without that principle, most states would Ÿ Please pray for the staff and the another) attempt by the Jews to assert not exist. And, with the exception of volunteers of Christians for Israel their supremacy over non-Jews in the Islamic/Arab countries, the international News Team | Contact Details around the world. “Whatever you do, land. Some say the law is further evidence community has always accepted the right of work at it with all your heart, as working that Israel is an ‘apartheid’ state. The head Israel to be a Jewish state (for example, the INTERNATIONAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrew Tucker | [email protected] for the Lord, not for human masters, since of the Israeli Arab Joint List group of UN Partition Plan of November 1947 proposed you know that you will receive an parties in the Knesset, Ayman Odeh, the creation of a ‘Jewish’ and an ‘Arab’ State). MANAGING EDITOR inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It denounced the law as ‘the death of our Cathy Coldicutt Every well-developed democracy struggles Ph: +64 21 277 9198 | [email protected] is the Lord Christ you are serving.” democracy’. According to Time Magazine, to manage the tension between (Colossians 3:23,24). ‘be it making room for differences within INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM promotion of the values that underlie the Andrew Tucker, Cathy Coldicutt, Ian Worby, Ÿ Judaism or making room for minorities, Pray that we as staff and volunteers do state, and the human rights of all Bryce Turner, Marloes van Westing, Rita Quartel, not grow weary of always going against Israel is looking a little less democratic by the individuals and minority groups to equal Marijke Terlouw and Marie-Louise Weissenböck the flow. Negative news about Israel and day.’ treatment. Israel is no exception. The INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Judaism keeps on coming. It is a privilege Unfortunately, it seems the government truth is, most non-Jews in Israel – Arabs, Marloes van Westing | [email protected] to stand behind Israel; what is done to the under-estimated the backlash the law Christians, Druze, Bedouins, and others – Jews also affects us Christians. would create within Israel. Perhaps most much prefer to live in a democratic Jewish Scripture references: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® For daily Prayer Points, go to our painful was the complaint of State of Israel (with all its imperfections) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® website: www.c4israel.org discrimination by the 130,000-strong than an Islamic state in which minorities Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. October 2018 Theology | Biblical Review 03 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Yom HaAliyah - Immigration Day By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church

Immigration to Israel (Aliyah) is that the Jewish people entered the land of Photo Credit: Flickr a core value of the modern State Israel after the exodus from Egypt and the of Israel. The state was founded forty years’ stay in the desert (Joshua 4:19). partly as a result of several Interestingly, the verb used in this immigration waves and has by Scripture has the same root as the word definition seen itself as a safe Aliyah. Literally, Aliyah means ‘to go up’. In Biblical language, you go up to the land of haven for every Jew in the world, Israel, and to leave the land is to go down. welcoming new immigrants However, since 10 Nisan is in a school since its very beginnings. vacation, just four days before Passover, In 2016, the Israeli Parliament, the the commemoration of the 10 Nisan Knesset, adopted a law establishing the event, and every subsequent Aliyah, is annual commemoration of Yom HaAliyah held in the fall/autumn, on 7 Cheshvan. (Immigration Day) on the 7th of Cheshvan Nevertheless, Immigration Day is a (this year falling on 16 October), ‘to recognise national, rather than a religious feast day. the importance of Aliyah to the land of Israel Of course, this date is also not randomly as basis for the existence of the State of chosen. First of all, it is in the week in Israel, for its development and reinforcement which the Torah portion ‘Lech-Lecha’ as a multicultural society’. As one of the (Genesis 12-17) is read in synagogue. The lawmakers stated, this law also confirms very name of this portion suggests the who the real heirs are to the land of Israel. idea of ‘Aliyah’. The name is derived from Immigration Day is especially marked in the opening verse (Gen. 12:1), where God the school system, Government calls Abram, telling him: “Leave your Negev (the land of the south). He even season in the land of Israel, it has been an institutions, and the army. The idea was country…”, literally: “Go forth (Hebrew: went further to Egypt but returned to the ancient practice to insert the prayer for rain initiated by a group of young immigrants, lech-lecha) … to the land I will show you”. promised land to stay there. in the daily prayers only two weeks after who see it as a recognition of their Abram then is promised to become a great The 7th of Cheshvan is important also for Sukkot, in order to give those who came as contribution to the land. nation and receives God’s blessing. And another reason as the day on which the pilgrims to Jerusalem from the far regions Initially, the 10th of Nisan was chosen as Abram went, as we read in verse 4, and Jews in Israel begin to pray for rain. While of the land the opportunity to return home the date of Yom HaAliyah. This was the came in the land of Canaan, which he Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) is safely and unhindered, as rain would make day of the first ‘mass immigration’, the day crossed through from Shechem to the regarded as the beginning of the rain the roads impassable in the old days. Who is the Servant of the Lord? By Rev Cornelis Kant, Executive Director Christians for Israel International

servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and them: “Out of Egypt I called my son”. Isn’t bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will that very special? also make you a light for the Gentiles, that When we look upon the suffering of the my salvation may reach to the ends of the Messiah Jesus, and when we look upon earth”. How impressive! We often do not the ages of suffering of the Jewish people, read this text thoroughly, and we do not there is an inevitable similarity between observe an important detail. Isaiah both: Messiah Jesus as the first-born or emphasises here that the coming servant first-fruit of His own people. I am even is not only a light for the Gentiles, but He more amazed when I read Acts 13:47 where will also be instructed to bring back the Paul and Barnabas support their people of Israel to their land. commitment to bring the gospel to the Look at the word ‘also’. We mostly apply Gentiles by quoting Isaiah 49: “For this is the work of the Messiah solely to our what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have salvation. But He has more to do. made you a light for the Gentiles, that you Specifically in relation to His own Jewish may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”. brothers and sisters. It is amazing to see When Isaiah spoke about the light for the that not only the coming Messiah is called nations, he referred to the coming the Servant of the Lord: “But you, Israel, Messiah. But Paul as a Jewish expert in the Photo Credit: Lightstock my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you Scriptures also applies this light for the descendants of Abraham, my friend, I took In several chapters, the prophet As Isaiah says: “Here is my servant, whom I nations to the Jewish people. Both Paul you from the ends of the earth, from its Isaiah speaks about the ‘Servant uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I and Barnabas were Jewish believers who farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are of the Lord’. Who is he? I already will put my Spirit in him, and he will bring went out from Israel into the world to my servant” (Isaiah 41:8). hear you saying the answer: this justice to the nations. (…) I will keep you and spread the gospel. How deeply connected will make you a covenant for the people and So also Israel, the Jewish people, is called Servant is the coming Messiah, are the Jewish people and their Messiah, a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are by the Lord, His servant. There is a special both being called the ‘Servant of the Lord’. the Prince of Peace for Israel blind” (Isaiah 42:1, 6). In chapter 49 Isaiah connection between Israel and the and the whole world. says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my Messiah. The Lord spoke about both of

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The recent Aotearoa-Israel Powhiri (Māori identify themselves in formal settings. The welcome ceremony) held at the Hoani mountain, the river or sea, the tribe, are all Waititi Marae (Māori meeting house) in cited as a means of identifying who one is Auckland, New Zealand, was a reminder and where one belongs. This is the of the historically warm relationship turangawaewae, literally, the place for the between Māori (indigenous people of feet to stand. This is where one has rights New Zealand) and Jew. and place of residence through kinship and In the early 19th century, Jewish traders whakapapa. It conveys the idea of arrived and quickly developed friendships belonging. with the indigenous people. On an When life’s journey is over, the Māori individual level this continued throughout custom is to return to the place of their the 20th century, resulting in shared ancestors for burial. The integration of initiatives such as language revitalisation Māori thought is revealed in Te Reo Māori and experiments in communal living. (Māori language). Iwi is the word for tribe However the recent powhiri for the as well as bones, just as whenua is the ambassador is one of few corporate events word both for land and placenta. (It is a bringing together Māori and Israel. custom to bury a baby’s placenta in a place Aotearoa-Israel Powhiri (welcome ceremony) at Hoani Waititi Marae, Auckland, New Zealand Very early in New Zealand’s history, the of significance). similarities between Māori and Jewish In like manner, the Bible speaks of In the Māori worldview, the continual intertribal urban marae designed to meet customs and practices were noted. Well Abraham being gathered to his people and presence, called ahi kaa, or keeping the fires the needs of urban Māori living away from known missionary, Samuel Marsden, he was buried with his wife Sarah in burning) on a piece of territory gives that their tribal area. Every marae will host drew up a list of comparisons between the Macpelah (Hebron). The Bible records tribe mana whenua, or authority over the visitors from other areas, but it was fitting two peoples. While early theories that Jacob also being buried in Macpelah with land. In a similar fashion, Jews have always that the tangata whenua (Māori people Māori were one of the ‘lost tribes of Israel’ his ancestors, and when Joseph died in had a presence in the land of Israel, even from a particular location) of Hoani were debunked, there is no doubting that Egypt, he requested that his bones be though the majority were exiled. From a Waititi were joined by Māori from around many similarities exist between Māori and returned to the land of his forefathers. This Māori indigenous perspective, this gives a Aotearoa, New Zealand (Nga hau e wha, Jews as indigenous peoples. was accomplished in the time of Joshua. right or ownership to the land. No matter the four winds), to welcome Israel’s where a Māori person lives, ‘going home’ ambassador and the Jewish community for Foremost amongst the characteristics of It is not difficult to see the parallels in indigenous people (according to the Māori and Jewish thinking. Jews hold a means returning to their turangawaewae. the Aotearoa Israel Powhiri. It is hoped United Nations Declaration on the Rights deep connection to the land promised to The desire of the Jews to return to Zion, to that this historic event will set a precedent of Indigenous Peoples) is the connection their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. their place of belonging and to be in the of continued friendship between Māori to ancestral land. Land and whakapapa When they were exiled to Babylon, the land of their ancestors is, likewise, the and Israel, and will perhaps lead the way (genealogy) are two key elements in the remembrance of Zion brought weeping. natural longing of indigenous peoples. for New Zealand to restore its former Māori worldview, as with Jewish thought. Jews have lived in the diaspora for much While Māori practices have a long friendly relationship with Israel. While the Jews are called the ‘people of the of their history, and yet, for millennia the tradition, modern times have seen Sheree Trotter is an indigenous (Te book’, Māori are known as the ‘tangata longing for a return to Zion has been adaptation and change. Most marae are Arawa) New Zealander. She and her whenua’, the ‘people of the land’. This sustained and expressed in their daily connected to a particular place and people, husband Perry founded Shadows of appellation manifests in the way Māori prayers and yearly festivals. however Hoani Waititi Marae was the first Shoah, a unique Holocaust exhibition. C4I Philippines Hosts Special Conference By Rev Conrado D. Lumahan, Director Christians for Israel Philippines

“I’m amazed how God works in the thoughts the Philippines!” Rev. Elmer Miguel, district of the speakers to delve the deepest insights superintendent of the Assemblies of God. about Israel. I really appreciate the learnings “Glory be to God for the opportunity to lead I got about Israel.” Rev Dr Eva Garcia, the prayer of repentance of the sin of president, Luzon Bible College. replacement theology…. I thank God for the “The Israel Conference… opened my spiritual forgiveness and from now on I declare understanding of God's purpose and plan blessings for the Jews.” Rev Dionesio Patricio. through Israel in these end times. I was “God’s presence was greatly manifested as we particularly impacted by how pivotal pray and declare the Prayer of Agreement for Jerusalem is to the history of Christianity… the peace of Jerusalem… with a repentant My faith and vision have been sharpened and prayer for not realising the sin of anti- focused by my attendance at this Conference.” Semitism. God’s presence was felt as we unite Rev Rey Bernardes, pastor of a Philippine ourselves regardless of denominations. We congregation in California. look forward to partner with C4I for such as “The down-to-heart Spirit-filled revelation of time as this.” Bishop Paul Baguitay. Isaiah 43 of Rev Willem J.J. Glashouwer and After presenting US$2000 to Rev Willem Rev Willem JJ Glashouwer teaching at the special conference in the Philippines the exegesis on Romans 9:4-5 of Rev. to bring Jews from Ukraine and India to Lumahan have both pierced my heart that Israel, Pastor Conrado then awarded On 5-6 September 2018, Christians for Israel members, pastors and church leaders who day. While still contemplating these truths Aliyah Certificates to four of the eight Philippines hosted a Special Conference on attended this conference from 15 provinces on how God gave such unique place of Israel churches and individuals who had ‘Israel, End-times and the Second Coming’ at all over the Philippines. in His heart, Dr Lumahan came over and donated. After the interdenominational the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Here is some of the God-glorifying and advised me to lead a prayer, a prayer of conference, some other ministers and Baguio City, Philippines. Rev. Willem J.J. heart-warming feedback we received from repentance-for our hardness of heart toward churches pledged to start collecting funds Glashouwer, president of Christians for participants: the Jewish People, and I repented! It was a for Aliyah. They want to be a part of the Israel International, and Rev. Conrado “The conference has enlightened us more on life-changing truth and experience that gave fulfilment of God’s word when the Lumahan, director, Christians for Israel the dealings of God to the nation of Israel me a new strength to face the challenges of Sovereign Lord says: “See, I will beckon to Philippines were the speakers. and has inspired us more to pray and stand the end times and becoming more committed the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the There were 226 bishops, Bible College in solidarity with the people of Israel.” to the greater harvest of souls as the Second peoples; they will bring your sons in their presidents and instructors, district Rev Dr Edilberto Cruz, president of Clark Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ draws arms and carry your daughters on their superintendents and district presbytery Bible College. nearer and nearer. God bless Israel, God bless shoulders” (Isaiah 49:22 NIV). October 2018 The Biblical Heartland 05 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 View the Bible through a Lens Short News By Rev Henk Poot, Christians for Israel Netherlands New Railway Finally Itamar - In this edition of Israel & like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone Partially Open Christians Today we start our could count the dust, then your offspring Photo Credit: Flash 90 journey through the heartland of could be counted. Go, walk through the Israel, namely Judea and Samaria. length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you” (Genesis 13:14-17). It is said that the promised land has circles Abram was here too. In fact, it was here of holiness. The first circle is formed by that he entered into the Promised Land the borders: the coastal plain from Tel for the first time in his life. And not only Aviv and Jaffa, to Netanya and Haifa. In he, many centuries later the people of the north the Golan and in the south the Israel entered here under the leadership Negev. Looking at the Bible, not much of Joshua and the sons of Aaron. One of Israel’s new railway between Tel Aviv happened in this first circle: In Jaffa the those sons was called Itamar. He must be and Jerusalem partially opened last prophet Jonah once boarded the wrong month. Trains now operate between buried around here. I heard that his grave ship, and Peter rented a room from a Jerusalem and Ben Gurion Airport but it is still visited. tanner. I believe that is all. But on the will be a few more months before the inside of this circle, we find the heart of It is quiet. The only sound you hear is that track opens between the airport and Israel. All the familiar places from the of the wind. I look down and see the vast Tel Aviv. The project initially started in Bible that tie the Jewish people to the land Tirzah Valley stretching wide and long 2001 but has had many delays over the are in that area. The heart of the from east to west, from the River Jordan years. Once the project is finished, heartland is, of course, Zion, Jerusalem. to the foot of Mount Gerizim and Mount travellers will be able to travel from Ebal. Indeed, there is room enough here Jerusalem to Tel Aviv in half an hour. When we speak about the heart of Israel, for an entire people. My eye falls on a we speak about the so-called disputed hilltop in the distance, Elon Moreh. In the Eilat Coral Growing territories. Some people refer to it as the days of Abram, there was a terebinth tree West Bank or even the occupied Contrary to what you often read and which the people there had given the territories. In 1948 the Jordanian army hear, the coral in Eilat is growing. A name ‘teacher.’ Perhaps some sort of report monitoring the coral in 2017 conquered the area and established a Oracle. If the wind whispered through the said that the average coral cover in military administration. During the Six viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see the trees, people could hear the voices of their Eilat increased by an average of 0.5% Day War Israel seized the area and offered snowy peaks of the Hermon in the north, gods over there. Abram erected his first per year. The report also showed that it back to Jordan in return for peace. Peace the Jordan Valley in the east, the altar to the Lord over there. In my mind I although the average cover of coral was not achieved. After the war of 1973, Mediterranean Sea in the west and the can see him searching for stones, lifting fluctuates, overall a significant rise is which started on Yom Kippur (the Day of Negev in the south. them and building, preparing a sacrifice visible. The coral cover is now Atonement), Israelis started to inhabit the between 24.1 and 25.3 per cent, area, cultivate it and ‘deliver’ it – as In the days of Abram, there was a whereas, between 2004 and 2006, it religious Jews would say. terebinth tree there that the people was between 19 and 20 per cent. >> Our Journey Jewish New Year Begins had given the name ‘teacher.’ Acknowledged in Starting in the north, in the mountains of I think of the words of God to Abram: with only one thought in mind: “The Lord New York Samaria, somewhere on the border of “Look around from where you are, to the is my God and no one else. He is my teacher. The UN Secretary-General wished the Ephraim and Manasseh we enter the town north and south, the east and west. All the I wait for His voice. This is how I will enter Jewish world ‘Shanah Tovah’- ‘A Happy of Itamar. We drive through and take a land that you see I will give to you and your this land.” New Year’- at an official Tashlich path that winds its way up to a beautiful offspring forever. I will make your offspring Ceremony in September, just days before the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. He acknowledged that the event “provided an opportunity to reflect on the gains and setbacks of the past year and to consider how we can better serve the world’s people in the year ahead”. He then, along with other senior officials, took part in a Jewish Tashlich ceremony which included tossing bread into the East River, casting away sins of the past year in order to start the new year on a clean slate. This was an initiative of the European Coalition for Israel, of which Christians for Israel is a founding partner. View of the Tirzah Valley. The peaks of Ebal (right) and Gerizim (left) and in the View on Itamar. | Photo Credit: Flash90 middle place that the Bible calls Shechem, nowadays called Nablus. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons Sweden Another Lost Cause for Jews World Jewish Congress CEO has called the Swedish court of appeals’ decision not to deport a Palestinian migrant who was convicted of hurling firebombs at the synagogue in Gothenburg “an offensive moral outrage that sets a dangerous precedent for rewarding terrorist violence, anti- Semitism, and criminal behaviour.” Asylum had already been denied to this offender but the court of appeals is concerned that his human rights might be violated by retaliation from Israel, using this as justification for him View from Mt Gerizim over the Tirzah Valley. On the mountain on the right is Elon A slope of Mount Ebal. | Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons to remain in Sweden, where he is a Moreh. This is where the Lord promised to Abram that his offspring would possess the land. | Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons direct threat to the Swedish Jews. Israel 70 Years October 2018 06 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Beyond the Ideal of the Kibbutz By Ruben Ridderhof, Christians for Israel Netherlands

When you take a look at the history nearby village come out. She would get the have to be a good capitalist. >> Idealism and the of Israel, you can’t escape the men to collect dry bush branches, where they On the kibbutz, you have to contribute kibbutz and the role this type of built an oven out of clay, burnt the branches according to your means, and you receive Future community has played in the for heat, and baked the most delicious bread. according to your needs. But not everyone Whether the idealism of the kibbutz can rebuilding of the modern State of But after a few days, she had to go back. One has the same means. So some people receive stand the test of time, we’ll have to see. Israel. Idealistic pioneers were of the men returned with her and learned in proportion to their contribution more Amarzia Dayan from Ein Hashofet has a willing to share everything with how to bake the bread. He did this at the than others. You must be able to live with hard time believing it will. ‘The world has each other. But does the idealism of kibbutz till the day he died.’ that. Kibbutz life, therefore, requires a changed, Israel has changed, and our the kibbutz still have a future after certain degree of mutual trust. If you have a government has changed. People no longer seventy years? >> Trees steady source of income with which you can ask: what does my country need, but what A beautiful road, winding through green Gradually, the kibbutz expanded. The meet everyone’s needs, it is easier to do I need. I doubt whether this country needs wooded hills, brings us to Kibbutz Ein pioneers planted numerous trees in and maintain that trust. That’s why a company new kibbutzim. Does it need the values of the Hashofet. We are welcomed by Amarzia around the kibbutz. The wooded area that like BioBee is vital to our kibbutz.’ kibbutz? No doubt about it. Kibbutzim are Dayan, who is excited to tell us about the led us to the kibbutz is a miraculous now being established in the city; kibbutz. A ‘child of the dream’ is what he testimony to the change that the land >> Socialism and communities who want to contribute to calls himself, a child of the first generation underwent since the first pioneers Judaism what is needed in Israeli society. If they keep of pioneers who built the kibbutz. With a arrived here. But farming in this kibbutz their ideals, they can be of great significance little pride, he tells his story. ‘You must wasn’t successful ‘The soil here is not good The kibbutz movement was founded by to our country.’ understand that everything in the kibbutz was secular Jews. But Sde Eliyahu is a religious for anything’, says Amarzia, ‘our income When I ask Sara Goldsmith whether born out of necessity’, he says. kibbutz. Sara shares: ‘When religious Jews came mainly from industry’. believing the Bible is the foundation for wanted to start a kibbutz, there was a lot of carrying on the ideals of the kibbutz, she >> Necessity criticism. ‘How can you start a kibbutz as a >> Change laughs: ‘Not necessarily, because many religious Jew? Do you want to be a farmer? This necessity was of course already part The kibbutz movement seems to have lost religious kibbutzim have also been What will happen on the Shabbat and of the conditions in which the Jewish its fire. Most kibbutzim are privatized, privatized.’ She then adds: ‘But thanks to during the feasts? Will you just leave your people felt the need to build a safe and only a few still practice the socialist Judaism, the feeling of community has work?’ But that’s exactly what we have done. homeland away from the threats of anti- ideal of sharing everything. Ein Hashofet remained. I don’t think that the necessity to When you read the Bible, it talks a lot about Semitism. Driven by this idealism, young is one of those kibbutzim, and it is build up Israel is gone. Israel is only seventy agriculture! And you know what, it works! Jews often travelled in groups to Eretz secular. In the north of the Jordan Valley years old! That’s very young! During that When the pioneers came to Israel, they Israel where they wanted to establish the is the religious kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, which time we have fought many wars. There is wanted to shape the ‘new Jew’. But with that, land. In the archive of the kibbutz, also operates traditionally as a collective. still the necessity to build up our country, to they removed a lot of beauty from the ‘old Amarzia shows us pictures of a procession This is where the successful company restore, to heal from traumas. And I think Judaism’. But Judaism is actually very of cars in a desolate landscape. ‘That’s how BioBee is located, where bees are kept that the ideals of the kibbutz are very socialistic. The Bible teaches us to take care they arrived here. Full of dreams, but among other things. Sara Goldsmith is a important for this.’ of each other, and the poor, as a community. hopelessly naive. So what’s their first tourist guide and started living on this You will not find that anywhere else in early Excerpt from Israel 70 Years Anniversary necessity? Safety. That’s why the kibbutz kibbutz 29 years ago motivated by history. In my opinion, religious Judaism and Magazine. See coupon on back page to didn’t start on a barren hilltop, but in a idealism. ‘The privatization of kibbutzim the kibbutz go purchase a copy. nearby abandoned fort from which the first was in a sense also due to necessity’, she together very well.’ activities were carried out.’ says. ‘It wasn’t like the residents were thinking: we don’t want to be socialist >> Water and Bread anymore. The ideal was still there, but due to ‘The first building in the kibbutz was a water financial need the kibbutzim had to be tower. But there was no water here. That’s privatized.’ why the pioneers had a geologist come to examine the surroundings and point out >> Trust where they could dig a well. With this well, a ‘My husband and I intentionally maximum of 33 people could live on the chose a collective kibbutz’, says kibbutz permanently in the early days. For Sara. ‘But I often say: to be a bread, the pioneers had a mother from a good socialist these days; you October 2018 XII Theses 07 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779

4th Thesis: Covenants with Israel Short News By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church North American Jews In this article, we continue our Clarification: The respective >> Reflection by Make Israel Home discussion of the ‘Twelve Theses Covenants are elaborated on in different of Faith on Israel’ published by theses. Here, an exposition of the New Chan Siew Fong Christians for Israel. Covenant, that has also been made first Regional Trainer, Christians for and foremost with Israel, seems fit. Israel Asia We believe that all the Thesis 4: Yeshua came as Messiah in the first place Covenants since Abraham have been as the One who would redeem the sins of We believe that all the covenants made with Israel. His people, the people of Israel. And one since Abraham have been made Elaboration: We believe that the day that will happen, openly and publicly, with Israel. Covenants made with the patriarchs when the whole house of Israel will enter Before the Lord opened my eyes to the 239 North American olim, arrived in Israel remain valid for Israel. These Covenants into their own New Covenant (Romans truth that all the covenants since recently including 57 future Lone Soldiers, include the land, the nation, the blessing 11:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31-34, Isaiah 53, Abraham have been made between God dozens of Jewish communal leaders and and the Davidic kingship, as well as the Zechariah 12:10-14, etc.). But the and Israel, I used to think that the ‘New 27 medical professionals, as well as a Covenants regarding the priesthood of redemption and removal of the sins Covenant’ (1 Corinthians 11; 23–26) was the diverse group of individuals from 24 US Levi, the city of Jerusalem and the immediately has a worldwide perspective, exception, I believed the ‘New Covenant’ states and three Canadian provinces. On Covenant of peace. We believe that the including and regarding all of the nations, was made with the Church rather than board the flight were 30 families, 90 New Covenant, too, was made with the John 1:29: “The next day (John) saw Jesus Israel. Later, I discovered passages in children, and three sets of twins. House of Israel and the House of Judah, coming to him and said, “Look, the Lamb of Jeremiah (31: 31–34) and Ezekiel (36: 24–28) A special welcome ceremony for the new and that the Church has been engrafted God, who takes away the sin of the world!” on the ‘New Covenant’ to be made with Olim was held at Ben Gurion Airport into this Covenant through faith in Jesus After His coming in humility to take away the House of Israel and the House of upon the flight’s arrival and included Christ. Of this new Covenant the signs the sins of the world and being met with Judah. I also found out that when the more than one thousand guests, friends, are the broken body and spilt blood of our rejection, one day He will come in glory to Lord Jesus made the ‘New Covenant’ with family members and Israeli dignitaries, Lord. We believe and confess that Jesus gather all nations before Him (Matthew his disciples, they were of Hebrew including Aliyah and Integration Minister will come as the Messiah of Israel to turn 25:31-33, Isaiah 2:2-4, Isaiah 63:1-6; descent; there was no Gentile present. Sofa Landver, an immigrant from Russia, away godlessness from Jacob and to Revelation 19:11.). Anyone who does not When He made the covenant with them and Deputy Minister in the Prime redeem the guilt of the nations. With add to the words of the prophecy, or takes during the ‘Lord’s Supper’, the ‘Christian Minister’s Office Dr. Michael Oren, an great anticipation we expect His coming away from the words of the prophecy will church (of Gentile believers)’ had not even immigrant from the US. in glory and the bodily resurrection of the shout, together with the Apostle John: been born yet. That had to wait till Acts 2. righteous dead. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:18-20) Why did I erroneously believe that the Israel Leads in ‘New Covenant’ was not made with Israel? Sustainable I realise the root cause of my flawed Development thinking was my own biblical illiteracy and the focus of popular church teaching. Investment in research and development is recognised as a means of promoting Biblical illiteracy the UN’s sustainable development goals, I came to faith believing an incomplete as it has a positive impact on the lives of gospel that limited salvation to an people worldwide. Israel ranks second in insurance policy against hellfire; I had the world with its commitment to invest naively thought it was all about accepting in research and development. It invests the free gift of salvation and improving 4.2% of its GDP (gross domestic myself now and ‘playing the harp in heaven’ product). It is even leading in the for eternity. number of researchers per 1 million inhabitants. It took me some time, poring over Scriptures, to piece together God’s grand plan to save mankind culminating in Why Doesn’t Google Twelve Theses of Faith on Israel Christ’s return to rule mankind for 1000 Maps use Hebrew? years from Jerusalem, His eternal capital, 1. We believe that Israel was created and chosen by God to bless the nations. and following that, a new heaven and a 2. We believe that the Church and the nations should bless Israel. new earth. I learnt from many Old 3. We believe that the Church has not replaced Israel. By faith in Jesus Christ we Testament prophecies that God has not also have become ‘children of Abraham’, the father of all who believe. finished with Israel yet and neither 4. We believe that all the Covenants since Abraham have been made with Israel. should I omit Israel from our mind, my 5. We believe that the Lord will be faithful to all the Covenants He made with heart and my prayers. Israel, as well as to all the promises He gave to the Church. The Focus of Popular Church Google Maps is perhaps the most 6. We believe that there is the mystery of the hardening in part of Israel for our Teaching impressive cartographic endeavor in sake, but that there is also the blindness of the Church for Israel, and a veil world history, with nearly the entire over the nations with regard to Israel. Following the tradition of ‘Pietism’, popular globe detailed down to the street level. 7. We believe that the Church should repent for all deeds of anti-Semitism preaching topics include, prayer, giving, It uses local languages to display committed in her name, and should show her true repentance in acts of love devotion and outreach. Israel is foreign places — except for Israel! and solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people. conspicuously absent. Curiously, even after 8. We believe that the restoration of the Jewish people to the Promised Land of 1948 when Israel returned to the world Users looking for a map of Eilat, for Israel is the beginning of ultimate redemption. We believe that the nations stage, many churches still retain the example, will find it only in English, carry a responsibility to help the Jews return. teaching that the ‘New Covenant’ is a even though its neighbouring foreign 9. We believe that the City of Jerusalem is the place where the Lord again will covenant made between God and the cities - Taba, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan - make His Holy Name dwell. Church, and so there is no need to teach are displayed in both English and 10. We believe that one day, Messiah will come to establish His worldwide about Israel. The very fact that the Jewish Arabic. Nowhere in Israel are Hebrew Kingdom, Then the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead will take place people have been exiled for almost two place names displayed. Even obscure and they will reign with Christ in His Kingdom on earth. We therefore pray for millennia from their homeland, had languages like Ethiopia, get the dual the peace of Jerusalem. returned to re-establish their nation, is clear language treatment. But not Israel. 11. We believe that the Son of man will sit in judgment over the nations when the evidence that God is keeping His covenant This is surprising, considering Google has Kingdom comes and will ask them how they have treated Israel and the Jewish with Israel! We should include Israel in the large research and development offices in people. curriculum of churches and seminaries. Haifa and Tel Aviv and has made 12. We believe that ultimately and finally the renewal of all things will take place. An old proverb says: “None as blind as significant investments in Israeli startups Creation will be delivered from its bondage to decay and be brought into the those who will not see.” Let us not be - such as its $1.3 billion purchase of Israeli glorious freedom of the children of God. And God will be all and in all. counted with the blind. map tech company Waze. 08 Analysis | Current Affairs October 2018 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Refugees Forever? Short News By Dr Colin Rubenstein AM, Executive Director, Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) Per Capita Patents: The Trump Administration’s Israel 5th Worldwide recent decisions to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and close the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s mission in Washington may appear, prima facie, hostile to Palestinians. In reality, however, if responded to in the Over the past 18 years, Israel has correct spirit, these moves could always been at the forefront regarding potentially be the catalyst for positive, the number of international patents empowering steps that encourage the per capita, filed under the Patent Palestinian leadership to shed unhealthy Cooperation Treaty (PCT). rejectionism and unsustainable financial The peak came in 2000 when Israel dependencies and redirect their energies ranked third behind Finland and towards bettering the lives of their people. Sweden among the world’s registered Photo Credit: iStockPhoto For instance, consider UNRWA and the patents. Today Israel ranks fifth behind preserving the legally baseless and things is true – he can certify that the situation of the 5.3 million Palestinian Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and South historically unprecedented ‘right of Palestinians are not promoting, ‘refugees’ it looks after. Korea. Finland has fallen to sixth place. return’ to Israel – a ‘right’ virtually supporting, or endorsing action against While UNRWA provides a variety of impossible to imagine ever being Israel at the International Criminal Court Heartfelt Thanks humanitarian services such as education implemented – UNRWA is a trap for the (ICC) or the Palestinians have entered from South Israel and healthcare to these refugees – refugees it serves. into ‘direct and meaningful negotiation overwhelmingly descendants of since- Christians for Israel received a letter Thus, in a recent op-ed, Israeli peace with Israel.’ deceased refugees of the Arabs’ 1948 war from the mayor of Sha’ar Hanegev activist and former Labor cabinet minister It is simply a fact that neither of these against partition – this aid comes with the Regional Council to thank all our Yossi Beilin called the US decision to stop provisos are true today. The PA is trying baggage of the agency’s politicisation and supporters for their contribution funding UNRWA ‘just’, because as long as to take Israel to the ICC and has not exploitation of the refugee issue. towards the purchase of new UNRWA exists, Palestinians can never be engaged in even the pretence of direct firefighting apparatus. As we reported And the most important consequence of ‘emancipated’ from their ‘refugee-dom’. negotiations with Israel since 2014. So that baggage is that, after 69 years, in the previous edition, Southern Israel generations of Palestinian families are still ... this aid comes with the baggage has been plagued by fires caused by condemned to live as refugees, apparently balloons and kites coming from Gaza. forever, together with all their of the agency’s politicisation and In his letter, the mayor wrote: “Thank descendants. you all, from the bottom of our hearts, exploitation of the refugee issue. for being there for us! May these UNRWA, unlike the UN refugee agency challenging days pass peacefully.” (UNHCR) which handles all of the world’s Yet internal politics at the UN have always both as a legal and political issue, under other refugee crises, has no mandate to shielded UNRWA from reform. such circumstances, the US could not SodaStream to resettle a single refugee and perpetuates “For the Palestinian leadership (and) the countenance Palestinian officials the conflict by using its own unique Expand in Israel leaders of the Arab world,” Beilin wrote, undermining the White House and definition of refugee that includes those “there is nothing more unifying than paying feverishly lobbying foreign ambassadors descendants and even millions of lip service to the right of return, a right they against American policies in the shadow Palestinians who have full Jordanian know full well will never be realised.” of the Capitol, in defiance of US law. citizenship. UNRWA can’t even clearly claim to The Trump Administration’s moves are Remarkably, UNRWA has continued to represent the will of the Palestinian public clearly intended to pressure the maintain refugee camps in Palestinian- on the ‘right of return’ issue. In January, Palestinian leadership and transform a ruled areas and provide services to families the latest annual poll by the Palestinian frozen and unpropitious status quo. who have moved out of such camps and Center for Policy and Survey Research While that may feel threatening to many into the Palestinian Authority (PA). found that 62% of those surveyed would Palestinians, it also provides an SodaStream’s new investment of over What began as an initiative to improve support a two-state peace agreement that opportunity to improve future Palestinian US $25 million, will include expanding the quality of life for refugees has become resolved the refugee issue through prospects. its main production plant in Rahat, an organisation which principally exists to compensation. State-building, integration and which currently employs 1,100 people. safeguard the Palestinian claim of a so- Meanwhile, the US decision to close the resettlement of the ‘refugees’, and much- When the expansion plan is called ‘right of return’ to pre-state Israel PLO’s mission in Washington also fits increased self-reliance are all possibilities completed, SodaStream will hire 160 and educate new generations of into a larger policy of reworking the which are open in principle to the new employees. It has been reported Palestinians to cling to this false hope. untenable Middle East status quo. Palestinians if the damaging current that SodaStream’s activities in the Given that every descendant of a refugee Negev “have changed the employment The closure order was anything but hasty, logjam, constructed from 70 years of is also a refugee under UNRWA’s situation in the South, especially in coming many months after the PLO unhelpful myths and counterproductive definition, and no one can ever cease Rahat, by providing hundreds of jobs to announced it would cut ties with the institutions like UNRWA, is overcome. being a Palestinian refugee except by Bedouin women, thereby strengthening White House and had preemptively dying, the number of Palestinian refugees Sadly, historically, the Palestinian the population throughout the region”. rejected the anticipated Trump peace is slated to continue growing indefinitely leadership have had a poor record for plan, dubbed the ‘deal of the century’, as it has for the past 69 years – and so are seizing such opportunities when they are sight unseen. Medical School in the demands on donors to fund aid for presented to them. US legislation is actually clear that the Samaria these refugees. At some point, this was With PA President Abbas’ tenure in power closure is a required consequence of In August, the University of Ariel always going to become unsustainable. clearly coming to an end, a new leadership Palestinian behaviour. Under a 1987 law, opened a medical school. The could theoretically seize this opportunity Indeed, UNRWA’s unsustainable, the PLO is only allowed to operate in the university has been under attack by the for constructive, transformative change perpetually growing demand for donors US if the President signs a waiver BDS-movement for a while, because of away from an unproductive status quo. was cited by the US State Department as a certifying that its operation there ‘is its location in Samaria, within the primary reason for opting out of important to the national security Published with permission of ‘disputed’ area. Nevertheless, the continuing to fund UNRWA. interests’ of the US. Subsequent laws in Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs university is flourishing. The new Moreover, by discouraging Palestinians 2011 and 2015 dictate the President cannot Council (AIJAC) medical school is a real necessity: Israel from living normal lives in the name of issue such a waiver unless one of two has a shortage of physicians. October 2018 History | Holocaust 09 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Rami Sherman’s Role at Entebbe By Bryce Turner, Director Christians for Israel New Zealand

A police officer clears the way for rescued Air France hostages returning from and the 12 crew members of the Air France but it really prepared me for the army. Entebbe Airport. Photo: Moshe Milner 1976. Courtesy of flickr. flight. In his decision to stay with the Jewish The second important concept was that ‘we hostages, at the time when he could have are the kibbutzim on the top’, and we should flown out to Paris with the non-Jewish be there to help establish the country. It is a hostages, Captain Bachos showed me the difficult concept to understand, but even conflict of being a human – constantly harder to live out. Our motivation was to be choosing what is first in life; values like there in any way to support the country.” solidarity, humanity; responsibility for others As criticism of Israel by the or the interests of the individual for himself. world’s media continues, what Everyone must confront this conflict in his own life.” do you feel? What message would you have for the media? You speak of ‘rediscovering’ your “I mostly worry about how deeply today’s Jewish heritage through the media, in very covert and deceptive ways, experience of Entebbe, what brainwashes people. I really worry about the does this mean to you? new man who believes that he is a free man “It was a slow process. Firstly, for more than but doesn’t understand how shallow and 25 years after leaving the military, I was manipulated he is.” deeply into Buddhism, slowly journeying How do you think countries Major (Ret) Rami Sherman, commander During the following years, the story just until one day He (God) showed me his face. around the world could do better From that day my life was different. of one of the special operations teams didn’t interest me very much. I became a in their relationship with Israel? who carried out the Entebbe Hostage physiotherapist, which is what I occupied Then, by being able to share my story with “I believe there are steps that Israel should Rescue in 1976, recently toured New myself with for more than 25 years. Jewish groups, I realised that all my negativity take first. My country, Israel, should focus Zealand and Australia. Christians for had disappeared. I was no longer just reacting Then in 2016, 40 years after the operation, I first on working more and more at being a Israel New Zealand director, Bryce Turner, automatically to ‘being a Jew’, it became real, guess I became old enough to write my story lighthouse for any human being. It is not an was able to spend some time with Rami. personal. I am still learning more about what as one who took part. Then one day I got a easy path, but I believe it is the only way; it is this means, even at the age of 65, but I now I notice that you did not choose telephone call from a Chabad Rabbi in the mission of the Jews. More than that, it is have a much deeper understanding of why we to really share your story and Copenhagen asking me if I would share my the mission of all people living together in are in that piece of land.” your experience until relatively story, and since then my life has changed.” the land. We must continually strive to recently, what made you decide Your story - of your involvement I am told that you are a classic create an example of how different people to start sharing it? in the Entebbe rescue - is ‘kibbutznik’. How has your could live together, celebrating the human fascinating, especially for us experience of the Kibbutz spirit in our daily lives.” “When we returned home, our first duty was living on the other side of the influenced your life? What do you feel Israel as a to keep moving forward with other world, but the message you nation could do better, to operations for the security of the state. There “Having been born in a kibbutz, and lived was no time for speaking out to the public. bring is much deeper. If you were virtually all my life in the kibbutz, I’ll share improve its relations with other After four years I decided to start a new life, able to convey one message to two important things out of many. countries around the world? out of the security forces. I found myself in the world, what would it be? The first word which surrounds us from the “As any coach says to his players when the NZ, busy doing other things; I became a “There are a few, but the most significant is first moment we are born is ‘sharing’. It is team is down in the league, ‘Let’s go back to yoga teacher and the story just faded. seen in the actions of Captain Michel Bachos not an easy life, sharing almost everything, basics’.” ‘River of Tears’ Going to Europe By Perry Trotter, Creator of Shadows of Shoah

Christians for Israel New Zealand spoke easily overwhelm. The personal to artist Perry Trotter, creator of a unique experience of the individual son or Holocaust exhibition that has been daughter, brother or sister, is too readily invited to Europe. subsumed in the statistic. One could not be further from Detailed academic documentation is the Holocaust than in New profoundly important. But it is the human Zealand. How did you become so face, the pathos of this tragedy, that we involved in this issue? seek to communicate. I have long had an interest in antisemitism, From an interview, we distil just 15-23 largely driven by my study of Scripture and lines of text. These are choreographed realisation of Israel’s centrality to past, with black and white portraits and present and future history. original music. I attempt to communicate this most evil of events with beauty and Direct engagement with the Holocaust sensitivity - while of course maintaining was triggered by a 2008 visit to a kibbutz. historical accuracy. My wife Sheree and I learned that there were a number of survivors living there Ours is a media-saturated generation and and we asked if we could return for is very aesthetically driven. Our work does “Oh wall of the daughter of Zion, let your We understand you will take interviews and photography. I had no seem to reach this generation in a way tears flow like a river.” It is an ambitious your work to Europe? particular plan for the material, but upon that other media may not. work and uses a number of sensory We are delighted to have received an returning to New Zealand, I began to Tell us about your exhibitions. elements - water, haze, movement of invitation to take River of Tears to Croatia. develop a format by which to present Our first exhibition was launched by New ‘bricks’, the sound of the railway. It takes The invitation has come from Festival of excerpts of those powerful stories. Zealand Prime Minister John Key in 2013 at immersive engagement to a new level. Tolerance - JFF Zagreb, the president of What is unique about your work? a UN International Holocaust (View the video at www.riveroftears.net.) which is Branko Lustig, Academy Award- The Holocaust may be the most Remembrance Day event, followed by a tour We established a charitable trust for the winning producer of Schindler’s List. The documented event in human history. to institutions throughout New Zealand. work in 2012. It is a non-sectarian body, exhibition travels to Croatia January 2019. What has struck me, however, is that the The new exhibition is entitled River of with a number of Jewish leaders serving We hope to tour Europe, where, sadly, this sheer magnitude of destruction can so Tears - inspired by Jeremiah’s words: on our board. work is so needed.” 10 Theology | Book Review October 2018 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779

Dreadfully Direct Psalm 2, Part 4a © Johannes Gerloff, Theologian, Journalist, Lecturer and Author

This is the fourth instalment of a longer It quotes the living God several times with Photo credit: Shutterstock article written by German theologian and the words: ‘I say it, and I will also do it.’ v journalist Johannes Gerlofff on Psalm 2. Even the Hebrew word stem used in The full text of the article, including Psalms 2:5 to denote God’s speaking does extensive footnotes, can be found at not distinguish between ‘word’ and ‘thing.’ www.c4israel.org/teaching-articles/ What is being ‘said’ is one and the same as The God revealed to us by the Bible is not the ‘thing’ it designates. The object enters just sitting in heaven, smiling about the into being by speaking. The Hebrew word has the meaning ‘word’ as well (דבר) ’events on planet Earth. He interferes. The ‘davar prophetic psalmist of Psalm 2 foresees a as ‘thing’ or ‘object’. time when God speaks up, audibly, When God speaks, He does not just utter understandably, unequivocally, His thoughts. Instead, His word cuts unmistakably. powerfully into the waves of the sea of nations (compare Psalms 2:1-2). When the “Then He shall speak to them in His wrath. living Creator God breaks His silence, He In His fury, He will terrify them” (Psalm 2:5). can no longer be ignored by His creatures. God does not state objectively, from a .Hebrew), 7 ;תש"ן/Then, an energy is being released that connection between the Hebrew word 1990 distance, neutrally or even scientifically iii used here for God’s Rabbi Shlomo Ben Yitzchak (France, 1040-1105) or (דבר) ’makes any human-imaginable nuclear stem ‘davar what might happen. He gets emotional, ‘Rabbi Shlomo Itzchaki,’ is one of the extraordinary ָכֵּבד ֶדֶּבר) ’explosion seem insignificant in speaking and ‘the serious plague terrifyingly emotional. interpreters of Jewish writings and the very first who .which Moses threatens in Egypt in explained the Bible and the Talmud comprehensively ,( ְמ ֹֽאד comparison. God shapes the events in this Amos Hakhami hears in the language of world through His word. IV See note ii. Exodus 9:3. There, the Hebrew word ‘dever’ V vi Ezekiel 17:24; 22:14; 36:36; 37:14. this verse ‘a warrior of flesh and blood. First, Samson Raphael Hirsch recognises in the VI appears for ‘plague,’ which is totally Germany, Hamburg 1808- Frankfurt 1888. He is seen (ֶדֶּבר) he mocks his enemy, who is weaker than without as one of the founding fathers of the neo-orthodox ( דבר) ’a identical to ‘davar (בהל/Hebrew word ‘to frighten’ (bahal .movement (בעל) ’himself. Then he proceeds with fury against relationship with the word ‘ba’al ii vocalisation. The rabbinic teachers further VII him to fight and destroy him.’ The great which is usually translated as ‘lord,’ Jaacov Lavy, Langenscheidts Handwörterbuch iii observe that in 2 Chronicles 22:10, it is said Hebräisch-Deutsch (Berlin, München, Wien, Zürich: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (’Rashi’) refers to vii ‘husband,’ ‘proprietor,’ or ‘owner.’ of the wicked Israelite queen Atalya ‘she Langenscheidt, 7. Auflage 1985), 79. the ‘rage of fury’ in the ‘Song of the Sea’ VIII which in reality meant ‘she Samson Raphael Hirsch, Psalmen (Basel: Verlag ( ַוְתַּדֵבּר) ’Originally it refers to the one who has said (Exodus 15:8), and Hakham adds, ‘that one overwhelmed, subjugated and taken Morascha, 2. Neubearbeitete Auflage 2005), 9. killed everyone who belonged to the royal IX actually hears the snorting of the nose in this Rabbi David Ben Yosef Kimchi (France, 1160-1235), the possession of another. Hirsch opines, this x family.’ Ibn Ezra summarises concisely, so-called ‘Radak’, was the first among the great language. When a person is angry, he frightening is about ‘the overwhelming of iv “This is the language of death!” exegetes and grammarians of the Hebrew language. actually ejects breath through his nose.’ the inner being, (it is about) consternation’. viii X Rabbi Avraham Ben Me’ir Ibn Ezra (Spain, 1089-1164) is Footnotes: This is audible in the Hebrew word for one of the outstanding poets, linguists, interpreters of Rashi observes that God’s speech is not i (1921-2012) became known in Israel as champion of the .which is used here. Scripture and philosophers of the Middle Ages ,(אף) ’nose, ‘af directed in favour of the nations, but first Israeli and worldwide Bible quiz in August 1958, which revealed Amos’ genius and established his The Bible testifies of the word of God: He against them. Then he asks: “What is the Johannes Gerloff (1963) is a German ix legendary career as interpreter of Scripture. speaks, and it happens. ‘He calls, and speech of God actually all about?” Radak ii Amos Hakham, Book of Psalms, books 3-5, Psalms 73- theologian, journalist and Bible teacher who everything stands there’ (Isaiah 48:13). answers, some interpreters see a 150 (Jerusalem, Hotzaat Mosad haRav Kook, 6th edition, has lived in Jerusalem for over 20 years. Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church

Jesus’s parables In her books, Lois Tverberg is exploring Jewish context gives proof of the In her first book, Sitting at the Feet of fit perfectly the Jewish world of Jesus. The third historicity of the Bible. Rabbi Jesus, she explored the general into a non- volume, Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus, Jewish context of Jesus and the New The Jewish context means in the first Western, Jewish was published at the beginning of 2018. I Testament. In her second book, Walking place the Hebrew Bible, the Old culture that spoke with her at the presentation of the in the Dust (of Rabbi Jesus), she is focusing Testament. But it is the Hebrew Bible as expressed itself Dutch translation in Nijkerk, Netherlands. on sayings of Jesus in a rabbinic context. lived and studied by the Jewish people. through Nevertheless, she says, her approach is as Tverberg is a scientist of origin. Coming Early rabbinic writings, therefore, provide tangible a gentile, to learn and to teach gentiles. In from a sound Norwegian Lutheran a lot of background material for metaphors. He reading both the Hebrew Bible and the background, she started doing Bible understanding the New Testament. was engaging in studies to get a deeper understanding of New Testament, she is learning from sophisticated the Word of God. Not satisfied with the Tverberg writes for an audience of Jewish scholars. But there is no agenda theological liberal atmosphere at theological Christian adults, non-scholarly, non- towards the Jews. teaching, but we miss it if we seminars, she found new perspectives in academic, to share insights from Jesus’ This book review: Reading The Bible With are looking for the abstract deductive the discovery of the Jewish context of the Jewish culture that equip Christians to Rabbi Jesus - How a Jewish Perspective Can arguments of the Greeks. Jesus often first century. All of a sudden, Jesus’ read the Bible from a Hebraic perspective. Transform Your Understanding is written based his reasoning on experience rather sayings and doing made sense. Most “I am writing as a lay person, but try to be by Lois Tverberg. To purchase this book, go than if-then logic. significantly, the study of Jesus in His choosy in selecting the sources.” to www.ourrabbijesus.com.

We will study various better and lesser known women of the Bible, who have made an impact in Israel Study Tour the time they lived, and will also meet Jewish and Arab women in Israel who make a special for women contribution to society today. Women in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Galilee, Tel Aviv and Rehovoth will give 8 -16 March 2019 us an insight into their lives and activities. Bible study, times of worship and prayer will make this an unforgettable tour! For further information, Theme: Women in the Bible and a detailed itinerary, or to make a booking, go to Powerful Women in Israel Today www.c4israel.org/tour-women October 2018 Our Projects 11 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Letters of the Aleph-bet: Tsade By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church

The eighteenth letter of the aleph-bet is In classic script, the tsade is provided becomes weak. But when it is good, sake of the (36) righteous, who are hidden tsade. In the modern pronunciation, it with a small crown. In Talmudic someone of that age has also come to in every generation, according to Jewish represents a sharp ts-sound. A well- tradition, the two forms symbolise that bow down for God and become entirely tradition. known Hebrew word with tsade is tsaddik the tsaddik (righteous one), who is dependent on Him. As a result, he lives “The righteous will live by his faith” (righteous one). This letter is sometimes characterised by his humility and very close to God. This is first and (Habakkuk 2:4). Man is created in the also called tsaddik, first attested in therefore is bent, in the end, will be put foremost expressed in the power of his image (Hebrew: tselem: tsade-lamed-mem) Yiddish. In the past, the tsade was often upright. prayer. of God. The righteous one reflects the transliterated with z, hence, for example, The numerical value of tsade is ninety. “The righteous stand firm forever” (Proverbs image of God. Emunah (faith) has the the spelling Zion for the Hebrew Tsion. Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac 10:25). The Hebrew word olam that is the numerical value of 102. The numerical The tsade has two shapes. At the end of a was born. In the Mishna tractate translation for ‘forever’, also means world. value of tsaddik is the double: 204. This word, it is written with a downward tail, ‘Teachings of the Fathers’ (Pirkei Avot 5:21) You could also read Hebrew as: “The represents two levels of believing: in God just like the kaph and the peh, whereas on different age groups are characterised. A righteous are the foundation of the world.” as the Source of creation, and in God other positions it has a flat bottom. ninety-year-old is bent, it says. The body The world is founded on, exists for the who reveals Himself in His Torah. ‘I’m Not Alone’ Campaign Growing By Ariella Bernstein, Jerusalem Foundation

More than a year ago, the These new challenges add yet another Jerusalem Foundation embarked layer of complexity to their unresolved on the ‘I’m Not Alone’ campaign grief from other traumatic experiences. to support Jerusalem’s Holocaust Café Europa provides critical services to deal with these complex hardships. survivors. The Café Europa English Speakers Club There are five branches of Café Europa provides a place to feel safe and day centres that allow participants to understood. The group experience reduces meet and bond with others who suffered the feeling of isolation and allows survivors the same tragedies during World War II. to connect through retelling positive and One may have expected a decrease in the negative experiences. Survivors can speak demand for Café Europa over the years, of what they gained, lost and then rebuilt, yet the number of participants continues sometimes many times over. to grow, particularly among English Music, lectures, cultural outings, lessions speakers. The programme takes place at on survivors’ benefits and technology, Beit Yehudit Community Center in the coupled with Café Europa’s supportive German Colony neighbourhood in environment, offer comfort and the Jerusalem where they served 165 Holocaust freedom to process past experiences and survivors in 2017, up from 100 in 2016. their influence on their lives today. On a regular basis, between 20 - 35 A speaker at one of the weekly >> There is a reason Beit Yehudit Café Europa gatherings English speakers attend the Beit Yehudit for this 65% increase Café Europa every week and the impact “The session you had on our benefits helped grandson in America at the same time!” As Holocaust survivors get older, they face on their lives is evident through some of us financially. We got our hearing test for Renna Quint, an orphaned survivor of additional challenges and losses, such as their recent comments: free!” Jane and Eric Tietz, German Jews Bergen Belsen. losing a spouse or decreased physical and “Marilyn Lyons (singer) reminded me of my who escaped Nazi-occupied Europe to You can donate to Café Europa (Holocaust Switzerland in 1941. mental capacities. Their needs are often youth. After the camps, I wanted to dance, as Survivors - “I’m not Alone”) by using the greater, but the available support systems those were the songs we danced and sang to.” “The talk about technology was wonderful! I coupon on the back page. are more limited. Gerta Salon, an orphaned survivor. Facetimed my guide in Poland and my The Summer Vacation Bible School By Elvira & Pastor Naim Khoury, First Baptist Church Bethlehem

To our friends of Christians for Israel, we raising their hands up happily wanting Christians for Israel supports Arab You can donate to the First Baptist Church want to thank you for your generous their questions to be answered, and Christians through the First Baptist Bethlehem by using the coupon on the donation towards the 2018 summer quoting verses they had learned. Church of Rev Naim Khoury. back page. programme at the Vacation Bible School. They learned how to pray, and continued A lot of children attended this unique to do so at home. programme. They thoroughly enjoyed One family joyfully told us: “Our children themselves. Each morning when they learned to pray before eating their meals and arrived, they were very eager to see what before going to bed to sleep. We were had been prepared for them for that day. surprised to see them doing this at home, as The children were taught stories from the we had never seen them do that before.” Bible; they memorised verses, coloured Another family commented: “They pictures, learned Christian songs, made returned home happy, singing and telling us crafts, played games and enjoyed the what they learned that day”. refreshments they got each day. It is victorious for us to see His Word But the best part was when children being spread all around as we do His will! invited the Lord into their hearts during Glory to God for allowing us the chance the Bible class stories and were happy to to do so for His glory! ask questions. They were very excited, Photo Credit: flickr 12 Our Projects October 2018 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 A Small Exodus from Ukraine By Koen Carlier, Christians for Israel Ukraine

The summer months leading up to the >> Among them will Jewish New Year (9-10 September) have been busier than usual. Why? There are a be the blind and lame Each person, young or old, is allowed to take number of factors why more and more Elderly and socially disadvantaged people up to 70kg with them to Jews are leaving Ukraine. Firstly, the are also welcome in Israel. But they have start a new life in Israel, hence why there ongoing conflict of war in the East since to be patient, because a special place must are so many bags! March 2014 and the uncertain future. be found for them, as well as guidance, for Two major Aliyah Fairs took place in Kiev example, Juliya! in the spring and in Kharkov, which were Ceded at birth by her Jewish visited by thousands of Jewish families. mother, Juliya ended up in an Numerous integration programmes, orphanage. Many years later we companies and organisations gave an received a phone call with the expert explanation of what newcomers question: “Could you help Juliya?” could expect. VIP visitor at the fair was That is what we are doing now. Israeli Minister of Aliyah and integration, Every time we help an elderly or Sofa Landver (who made Aliyah from the younger person in a wheelchair or a former Soviet Union in 1979), who blind man on his way to Israel, the addressed the audience at the end. prophet Jeremiah reminds us what we see in Ukraine in our times (see Another factor contributing to the Jeremiah 31:7-9). choices that potential olim make is the 20 Aliyah seminars, organised this year by In short, it remains a challenge for us Christians for Israel and JAFI (Jewish to be able to meet all the requests for Agency for Israel) in small and large cities. help. Also in Israel, it is a challenge to And one must not underestimate the tens give an average of 2500 of thousands of olim who have already olim who are ‘coming made Aliyah in recent years who inform home’ every month from their family and friends about their new the four corners of the homeland. Add to this rising nationalism earth, a new place to stay. and increasing anti-Semitism, and not Each trip with olim to an surprisingly, the decision to leave for airport is very emotional Israel becomes easier and is made quicker. as those who leave realise there is no turning back. >> Free Assistance We then have an excellent opportunity to In Ukraine, we mainly provide free share and comfort the practical help. The Jewish families are Jewish families on their grateful for that. We always explain what way home, telling them Israel & Christians Today is the premier motivates us to do this work. It is the Lord that many Christians in publication of Christians for Israel Himself who calls the nations to bring His the nations are praying for Christians for Israel - International People home (Isaiah 49:22). them and support their return! Leon Meijer, Chairman Rev Willem J.J. Glashouwer, President Rev Cornelis Kant, Executive Director PO Box 1100, 3860 BC Nijkerk, The Netherlands Tel: +31 33 422 0405 YES! I Want to Support Christians for Israel [email protected] | www.c4israel.org TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION: CHRISTIANS FOR ISRAEL MINISTRY DONATION The English edition of Israel & Christians Today is Go to our website: www.c4israel.org/projects published by the following English speaking branches: o My donation for ministry costs, print & post $______INTERNET BANKING: Christians for Israel - Australia SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS Account Holder: Christians for Israel International Ian Worby, National Leader o Hineni - Soup Kitchen $______PO Box 1508, Springwood Bank Account No: NL12 ABNA 06275.15.460 Queensland, Australia 4127 o Holocaust Survivors - “I’m not Alone” Café Europa $______Bank: ABN-AMRO Bank, Nijkerk, The Netherlands Tel: +61 402 277 930 [email protected] | www.c4israel.com.au o CFOIC - Christian Friends of Israeli Communities $______BIC/Swift code: A B N A N L 2 A o Emergency Food Parcels Ukraine - $12 per parcel $______Ref: You name & donation purpose Christians for Israel - East Africa PO Box 34479, Kampala, Uganda o First Baptist Church Bethlehem and Holy Land Ministry $______Please confirm by emailing [email protected] Tel: +256 392 865 461 | [email protected]

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