The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was established in1980 in recognition of the biblical significance of all of Jerusalem and its unique connection to the Jewish people. Today the ICEJ represents millions of Christians, churches, and denominations to the nation and people of Israel. We recognize in the restoration of Israel the faithfulness of God to keep His ancient covenant with the Jewish people. Our main objectives are:
• To stand with Israel in support and friendship
• To equip and teach the worldwide church regarding God’s purposes with Israel and the nations of the Middle East
• To be an active voice of reconciliation between Jews, Christians, and Arabs, and to support the churches and congregations in the Holy Land
From its head offices in Jerusalem, the ICEJ reaches out into more than 170 countries worldwide, with branch offices in over 90 nations.
Our vision is:
• To reach every segment of Israel’s society with a Christian testimony of comfort and love
• To reach and actively represent to Israel the support of denominations, churches, and believers from every nation on Earth
The Christian Embassy is a non-denominational faith-based ministry supported by the voluntary contributions of our partners and friends across the globe. We invite you to join with us as we minister to Israel and the Jewish people worldwide by donating to the ongoing work and witness of the ICEJ.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Dear friends,
As we celebrated the miraculous rescue of four Israeli hostages from Gaza last month, Israel continued its multifront battle against her enemies who want to see her wiped from the map. Since October 7, more than 19,000 rockets, missiles, mortars, and drones have been fired toward Israel. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time and season for everything—and we are in a season of war.
It’s sobering, to say the least, but here at the ICEJ, we continue to stand firm in God’s promises that “He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). He is watching all of this—and will prevail.
In this month’s issue of Word From Jerusalem, we highlight ways the ICEJ is coming alongside the people of Israel and all Jewish people to love and comfort them in their greatest time of need. You’ll read about our involvement around the world in pro-Israel rallies and conferences, as well as in the Land—like a camp we sponsored to help traumatized youths evacuated from their homes recover.
You’ll also read a powerful teaching article by ICEJ’s David Parsons on an “appointed time” of worldwide judgment based on a passage in Isaiah 51 that declares the “cup of tembling” will be “put into the hand of those who afflict you [Israel].” I encourage you to read it.
Finally, despite the war, this year’s Feast of Tabernacles will continue, and I encourage you to participate and be counted among the nations! Israel needs to know that Christians are standing with them, which is why whether you attend on-site in Israel or online from home, your registration matters this year more than ever. See page 10 for more information.
FROM JERUSALEM
CREDITS
ICEJ President Dr. Juergen Buehler
USA Director Susan Michael
VP International Affairs Dr. Mojmir Kallus
VP Finance David van der Walt
VP Operations Barry R. Denison
VP International Spokesman David Parsons
VP AID & Aliyah Nicole Yoder
Managing Editor/Publications Director Laurina Driesse
USA Managing Editor Karen Engle
Staff Writer Anastasiya Gooding
Graphic Design/Illustrators Ryan Tsuen, Nancy Schimp
Photography Adobe Stock, Adobe Firefly, AP, Getty Images, RTE, Flash90, JAFI, Gospelimages, Wikimedia, UnSplash, Levi Dörflinger, ICEJ Staff and Branches
The New King James Bible is used for all Bible references unless otherwise noted.
Word From Jerusalem is published by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Word From Jerusalem has no subscription price and is supported through contributions worldwide. The ICEJ USA Branch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with offices in Tennessee, Florida, and Washington, DC. All gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible according to United States law.
Support our ministry online at: www.icejusa.org
Our calling as Christians to support Israel has never been more needed than now. We can do that in many tangible, practical ways, but most importantly, we can do it through prayer. Join us daily for prayer focused on Israel, encouragement, and upto-date briefings during our daily Global Prayer Gatherings. We meet every day at 9:00 a.m. (EST). You can learn more at: www.icejusa.org/event-item-global-prayergathering/
Many blessings from Jerusalem,
Dr. Juergen Buehler
President International
Christian Embassy Jerusalem
COVER PHOTO: Local Israeli pastors bear witness to the devastation of October 7 at Kibbutz Be’eri
FOR MAGAZINE ARCHIVES visit www.icejusa.org/wfj
ISRAELI PASTORS WITNESS SCARS OF TERROR ON GAZA BORDER TOUR
ICEJ STANDS WITH ISRAEL
“See, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of My fury; You shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you.”
(Isaiah 51:22–23)
A Taste of the “CUP OF TREMBLING”
BY DAVID R. PARSONS, ICEJ VICE PRESIDENT & SENIOR SPOKESMAN
For months now, the plight of the hostages and loss of so many loved ones have been like a heavy cloud hanging over Israel. The sight of tens of thousands marching in the streets of Western cities in brazen displays of antisemitic fervor has only compounded the somber mood. Leftist agitators who insist “Zionists do not deserve to live” have overrun university campuses. Radical Muslims protesting outside the recent Eurovision contest in Sweden openly supported the rapists and murderers of Hamas, vowing: “Sinwar, we will not let you die!”
Equally troubling, the international community voted overwhelmingly for a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly calling for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, even though the Palestinians do not meet any of the qualifications for statehood. Palestinian society is bitterly divided between two rival armed political factions, neither of which truly controls the territories they claim. Yet world leaders somehow think that conferring official statehood on this miserable mess will bring peace. It is rather a reward for terrorism and will only bring ruin for everyone— Palestinians included.
For all this to happen in the wake of the mass atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 is truly disturbing. It is like a madness or mass delusion has come upon many in the world, including those we entrusted as leaders.
Whether it is driven by the odious impulses of religious bigotry, racial animosity, or outlandish conspiracy theories, Jews are still being blamed for all the woes in society, and Israel alone is singled out for condemnation among all the nations of the earth. The people who suffered the worst atrocity in human history during the Holocaust are now maliciously accused of committing genocide in Gaza, even though the IDF is doing more than any other army has ever done to avoid civilian casualties among their enemies.
Yet these global waves of antisemitism have occurred before (every time Israel has come
under attack in recent decades), though this time it is taking place with much more intensity—even to the point of insanity. And it is easy to see how it could one day lead to a final global showdown over the Jewish return to their ancestral homeland—and especially to Jerusalem. The Bible clearly foretells of such a last days’ “controversy of Zion” (Isaiah 34:8), which will lead to the humbling and judging of the nations, and recent events are simply a foretaste of how it could play out.
The prophetic passages on this end-time battle over a Jerusalem restored to Jewish hands are numerous and include Psalm 2; Isaiah 4 and 34; Joel 3:1–3; Micah 4; Zephaniah 3:8; and Zechariah 12:1–9 and 14:1–4. Yet the Bible also is clear that God wants to draw the nations up to Jerusalem for judgment over their obsessed maltreatment of Israel, and this alluring potion is often described as a “cup of trembling” that the Lord will cause the nations to drink.
To Jerusalem for Judgment
For instance, Psalm 75 speaks of an “appointed time” when God will judge the whole earth (v. 2). The psalmist adds: “God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is fully mixed, and He pours it out; surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down” (Psalm 75:7–8).
Likewise, the prophet Isaiah says that the inhabitants of Jerusalem once drank from this cup of God’s wrath when He destroyed the city and scattered its people (Isaiah 51:17–20), but now that same cup will pass to the hand of Israel’s tormentors:
Thus says your Lord, the Lord and your God, who pleads the cause of His people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of My fury; you shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, who have said
to you, ‘Lie down, that we may walk over you.’ And you have laid your body like the ground, and as the street, for those who walk over.” (Isaiah 51:22–23)
Jeremiah also foretold of a divine judgment to come upon all nations over Jerusalem and that those who refuse to take the cup and drink will do so nonetheless, saying: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘You shall certainly drink!’” (Jeremiah 25:15–31).
Elsewhere, the Hebrew prophet Zechariah was straightforward in warning of this coming day and the ultimate fate of the nations: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. … It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:2, 9).
Finally, the book of Revelation affirms that the nations are destined to drink of the “cup of His indignation” and of the “fierceness of His wrath” (Revelation 14:10; 16:19).
Watching the disgraceful marches of antisemites worldwide and the United Nations’ appalling decisions concerning Israel over recent months, I am more and more convinced that the nations will indeed be drawn up to Jerusalem one day soon by a totally pervasive wave of Jew-hatred. Hitler drank daily from this same poisonous elixir, and many are doing the same today—to their own shame. This is not about the flaws in Israel’s leader or its policies. It is the pure evil of blaming the Jews for every ill in our world— and God wants the world to get its fill so that He might judge the nations in righteousness and vindicate the people He uniquely called to bring salvation to the world.
In the meantime, let us please keep praying for the safe return of the remaining Israeli hostages and for the Lord to comfort the families and friends of those who have lost their lives for the sake of the restoration of Zion over the past year.
ISRAELI PASTORS WITNESS SCARS OF TERROR ON GAZA BORDER TOUR
BY RYAN TSUEN, ICEJ ART & DESIGN OFFICER
The scars from the mass terror attacks on October 7 are etched deep in the hearts and minds of the Israeli people, though surprisingly, many have yet to visit the area to see for themselves where the atrocities took place due to the ongoing security threat and strict rules on entering the devastated communities.
However, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s close relations with regional councils allowed us to arrange a special tour of the area for local Israeli pastors and ministry leaders. Some 20 ministers joined us to bear witness to what happened there firsthand.
Though the traumatic events of that dark day took place nine months ago, the journey to southern Israel still reveals the carnage of the “Black Shabbat” massacres, which left wounds lingering within the entire nation.
Near the farming village of Tekuma lies a chilling memorial site filled with over 1,300 burned-out vehicles, now widely known as the “car graveyard.” Each rusting vehicle holds a story of immense heartbreak,
reminding us of the horrific way Hamas terrorists massacred many victims. The sheer number of cars, some of which contained entire families before they were killed, speaks to the brutality that unfolded as they tried to escape for their lives.
As our guide described the towering wall of destruction, she explained that identifying victims was a slow and painstaking process. Some previously buried ashes were later exhumed in an agonizing search for answers, revealing to some families their worst nightmares of lost loved ones.
The site also contains some of the terrorists’ vehicles as a grim reminder of their meticulous planning. A heap of burned motorcycles, a tractor, and even a mobility scooter paint a picture of a ruthless assault that targeted everyone in their path.
At the Nova music festival site near Re’im, another memorial marks the senseless murder of nearly 400 innocent young lives and the cruel abduction of some 80 others. The encirclement by Hamas terrorists
T he “car graveyard,” where over 1,300 burned-out vehicles remind onlookers of the devastation of October 7
and the ensuing chaos on the roads left many trapped and unable to flee death or captivity. As the tour participants walked through the many makeshift memorials of lives lost on October 7—attempts that grieving families made to hang onto the memories of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters—they were broken.
The group continued to Kibbutz Re’im, a once vibrant community now reduced to some 50 residents who chose to remain in the village and maintain its grounds. Their resilience amid such a harsh reality is a sign of hope. A briefing from the local security chief offered a glimpse into the horror of that morning. However, like other nearby communities, Re’im benefited from lifesaving communication devices provided by ICEJ donors, which served as a stark reminder of the constant struggle for security in the region.
Our final stop in the South was visiting Nir Oz, one of the hardesthit communities. The community now resembles a ghost town, shrouded in silence and, in some spots, the residue of death. Burned homes, a ravaged community kitchen, and the heavy silence spoke volumes of the unimaginable loss suffered there. Yet, amid all the charred debris, there was a flicker of hope.
A local resident of the area, Iftach, spoke to our group and, on the verge of tears, emphasized the residents’ desire to rebuild the only place they know as home.
As the day ended, everyone on the tour was contemplative. So we asked the question: “How do you feel after seeing all this?” Sarah responded, “Heartbroken.” Her answer resonated with the whole group. The weight of the tragedy was etched on everyone’s face. Many said the visit would help them better minister to their congregations and fellow Israelis still impacted by the immense pain and loss felt across the nation.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit the kibbutzim invaded by Hamas on October 7,” said another ministry leader. “I have wanted to do this for some time. [It was] sobering to say the least.”
“It was an extremely valuable and challenging experience,” added one pastor’s wife. “We have been talking much together about our impressions. It has given us so much to think about, and we will be praying with more understanding.”
While walking through the destruction at Nir Oz, we listened to the story of a young lady, Sapir Cohen, who was taken hostage from the kibbutz along with her boyfriend Sasha and his mother and grandmother. Sapir recounted being drawn to recite Psalm 27 days before the attacks of October 7, not knowing fully why, until that fateful morning. That’s when she came to realize it would become her light and hope during the long, traumatic days while in captivity in Gaza.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (v. 1)
Join the Israel Encounter Pastors Solidarity Tour to Israel this year, September 16–25, where you will not only see your Bible come to life but engage with local leaders and hear about current events in the region.
Images showing the unimaginable devastation after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel last fall and makeshift memorials of entire families lost
From the United States to Melbourne ICEJ STANDS WITH ISRAEL
BY ICEJ STAFF
The many national offices of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) have been busy over recent months holding or taking part in rallies, conferences, and October 7 survivor visits in support of Israel around the globe. Here are recent reports of ICEJ activities and events in just some of our branches worldwide, including the United States, Australia, Colombia, Norway, Panama, and the Philippines.
ICEJ USA Participates in Be’eri Survivor’s Visit
In the first week of June, a delegation of Survivors of the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Be’eri traveled to the United States to speak out on behalf of those from their community still being held captive by Hamas and for a secure future that will enable them to return and rebuild their vibrant kibbutz. The ICEJ’s US Branch assisted them in securing appointments, and then stood beside them as they spoke to senators, members of Congress, churches, synagogues, the media, and various other groups.
Highlights of their journey included an interview with Shannon Bream of Fox News Sunday, the Israel Allies Caucus Jerusalem Day event at the US Capitol, and meaningful
encounters with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representatives Max Miller (R-OH) and Mario Diaz-Balert (R-FL).
They also spoke in several churches in the Chicago area and southern Virginia. After a Wednesday night gathering at Foundations Church in Williamsburg, VA, one survivor, Naor Packiarz, shared that he felt like he had encountered the “real America” for the first time, noting the genuine interest, kindness, and encouragement he received from those
in attendance. We hope that our friends from Be’eri ended the week knowing they have many more true friends here in the United States than they had ever imagined and are not alone as they continue on the road to recovery and restoration.
ICEJ Australia Joins Mass Rally in Melbourne to Stand with Israel
The Australian branch of the ICEJ has been working with the “Never Again Is Now” movement and other groups to stage large pro-Israel rallies over recent weeks in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne, with additional rallies planned in Brisbane and Perth. The rallies also aim to combat rising antisemitism in Australia and are being held under the slogan: “Stop the Hate, Mate!”
Over 7,000 Israel supporters participated in the rally outside Parliament House in Melbourne, an impressive number considering the cold, rainy weather. A large group of counter-protestors tried to harass those standing with Israel, but the Victoria police did well in preserving calm. Speakers included politicians, Christian leaders from all denominations, Jewish community leaders, and cultural influencers—all who boldly and publicly supported Israel and denounced antisemitism.
ICEJ Australia joins a mass rally in Melbourne to stand with Israel.
Photo credit: David Southwick, MP Australia
October 7 Survivors Naor Packiarz (far left) and Keshet Shavit (second from right) with ICEJ USA Communications Director Shannon Bennett and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balert (R-FL)
ICEJ Joins Large Pro-Israel Rally in Colombia
Several ICEJ representatives recently participated in a massive “Colombia Blesses Israel” rally with over 7,000 attendees held in Santa Marta, the oldest city in South America. The gathering was prompted by the leftist government’s decision to suspend relations with Israel over the Gaza war and signaled widespread Christian support for Colombia’s traditional friendly ties to the Jewish State.
“There was so much opposition, with the president of the country threatening to boycott the event,” said ICEJ Language Department Head Claudia Fierro. “But God is stronger! The Jewish community in Colombia was surprised—they had no idea that so many Christians support them!” While many Christians in Colombia support Israel, some local churches are reluctant to speak out because of fear of government retaliation, threats from militant pro-Palestinian activists, and the biased coverage of Israel in the media.
Norway Rally Protests Rampant Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Bias
In mid-May, ICEJ Norway joined other Christian, Jewish, and secular organizations to demonstrate in front of the Parliament building in Oslo to speak out against hatred of Jews and Israel. Several politicians and community leaders addressed the rally in
support of Israel and the Norwegian Jewish community. The rally was held in response to the government and media’s failure to confront the growing antisemitism and antiIsrael atmosphere in the Nordic country.
Back in 2012 the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issued an alarming report on the high levels of antiIsrael attitudes in Norwegian society, which they warned could fuel further antisemitism. The OSCE report urged the foreign ministry to “promote a civilized discussion about the Middle East conflict and react to those who in the debate demonize the State of Israel.”
“Unfortunately, this report was largely covered up and ignored, as for decades the Norwegian media has been extremely biased against Israel in its coverage of the Middle East,” said ICEJ Norway National Director Dag Oyvind Juliussen. “Our society is struggling with rampant antisemitism because of decades of biased coverage against Israel.”
Regional Conference in Panama Builds Christian-Jewish friendship
In March Dr. Mojmir Kallus, the ICEJ’s Vice President for International Affairs, traveled to Panama for a Latin American regional conference. There he shared the ministry’s vision and how it is being implemented during the current war by emphasizing prayer, giving, and solidarity with Israel. The conference was organized by local representative Yeni Moreno and her team and was attended by National Representatives Dr. Luis Solares from Guatemala, Marco Zevallos for Panama and Peru, Mauricio Bolanos from Costa Rica,
Valeria and Daniel Ashllian from Argentina, Cesar Folgar from Peru, and Fedra Bonnels from Colombia—plus guests Luis and Adeline Velarde from the Dominican Republic.
Informal fellowship between participants was an important feature of the meetings, most meeting face to face for the first time. They exchanged experiences, shared ideas, prayed together, and encouraged one another. Yeni Moreno was appointed as the new regional coordinator for Latin America, taking over
from Claudia Fierro, who will return to the Jerusalem staff as head of our language coordinators.
The group also visited the Israeli embassy in Panama, attended a special screening of a new documentary about the October 7 attacks, visited the Shevet Achim synagogue, and met with Edwin Alvarez, pastor of Hosanna, one of the largest churches in Central America with over 10,000 members.
ICEJ Philippines recently organized and hosted an Asia-Pacific regional conference in Manila attended by Christian Embassy representatives from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Dr. Mojmir Kallus, Vice President for International Affairs, traveled from Jerusalem to give an update on the current situation in Israel and teach about the importance of the kingdom of God and the calling of Israel as a nation. ICEJ’s new Southeast Asia regional coordinator
Jehu Chan traveled from Singapore to stress the need for stronger Christian support for Israel in Asia. Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss was also on hand to bring a warm greeting on Israel’s behalf. About 50 local Christian leaders attended the sessions; for many, it was their first introduction to the work and ministry of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
ICEJ representatives from throughout the region had the opportunity to get to know each other personally and share their successes and challenges. A prophetic word came forth from Isaiah 54:2 about expanding the Embassy’s reach in Asia, which confirmed a similar vision by ICEJ Philippines National Director Pastor Stephen Mirpuri. Indeed, the region of Southeast Asia is poised to play an increasingly important role within the ICEJ’s global network.
COMFORT AND STAND WITH ISRAEL. Give today at: www.icejusa.org/give
ICEJ Norway National Director Dag Oyvind Juliussen speaks at a rally against antisemitism and antiIsraelism
ICEJ Language Department Head Claudia Fierro speaks at the pro-Israel rally in Santa Marta, Colombia
International delegates at the ICEJ Panama Regional Conference
ICEJ Asia-Pacific Regional Conference participants in Manila
TWhy You Should Register for the FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2024
BY DR. SUSAN MICHAEL, USA DIRECTOR
he Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot in Hebrew) is one of the seven feasts (“appointments”) God set with the children of Israel in Leviticus 23. The feast is designed to remember when God dwelt with His people while they wandered the desert and to celebrate His provision and care for them. Though the Jewish people observe it every year in Israel and in the nations to which they have been scattered, the Bible indicates it’s a “dress rehearsal” for what’s ahead—a future time when God will once again dwell with humanity, and His kingdom will rule and reign on the earth (Revelation 20:4–6).
The prophet Isaiah describes this time as one of peace when God’s perfect instruction will go out from Zion—Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2–4). And Zechariah tells us one day, people from all the nations will go up to Jerusalem year to year to “worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (14:16).
That’s why every year since 1980 the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has hosted a Feast of Tabernacles celebration to “practice” for the fulfilment of Zechariah
14:16. It’s a wonderful time to join the Jewish people in thanksgiving for His protection and care over them over thousands of years. And this year, considering the multifront war Israel is fighting and the unfathomable antisemitism surging around the world, it's more important than ever that Israel’s friends pray for and stand with the Jewish State.
That’s why despite the war, ICEJ will still host a Feast of Tabernacles celebration. Even though we expect it may be a smaller event than last year, it is of the utmost importance— an opportunity for Christians from around the world to demonstrate their solidarity with Israel by showing up despite the war, whether in person or online.
I encourage you to participate in the Feast and be counted among the nations! If it is impossible to make the trip to Israel, please register for the online event. We want to be able to tell Israel that thousands of American Christians have registered and are joining us online. No matter what our government does or says, the American people support Israel, and we must demonstrate that support at this year’s Feast of Tabernacles.
Whether you attend on-site in Israel or online from home, your registration matters this year more than ever!
JOIN THE ON-SITE EVENT IN ISRAEL, OCTOBER 14–23 www.icejusa.org/feast-tour
The Christian Embassy held its annual International Leadership Conference (ILC) in Helsinki in early June, with ICEJ Finland National Director Jani Salokangas and his team organizing and hosting the yearly gathering of our global network of national leaders. Some 60 representatives from over 20 countries attended in person, while a similar number joined the proceedings online. The Finnish Branch was marking the 40th anniversary since its founding by Dr. Ulla Järvilehto in 1984—a special milestone to celebrate with other faithful Finnish Christian supporters.
During the business sessions of the ILC, the leadership addressed the serious issues facing Israel and our ministry in this difficult time of war. ICEJ President Dr. Juergen Buehler described how Israel has been changed by the current conflict, noting that there is much national grief over the remaining hostages and losses on
JOIN THE ONLINE EVENT, OCTOBER 16–23, 2024 www.icejusa.org/feast-2024-online-registration
ICEJ GLOBAL LEADERS GATHER IN FINLAND FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
BY DAVID PARSONS
ICEJ VICE PRESIDENT & SENIOR INTERNATIONAL SPOKESMAN
the battlefield but also a turning to God and a sense of unity among Israelis. He also spoke about the need to explain to Evangelical believers the traditional Christian concept of a “just war” in relation to Israel’s rightful struggle to defend itself against sheer evil and terror.
ICEJ Board Chairman Rev. Ingolf Ellßel reminded everyone that the conflict raging around Israel is a “spiritual battle” and issued a challenge that our international movement must understand this fight against rampant antisemitism is not against people but against principalities and powers of darkness, citing Ephesians 6:12.
Every delegate left the leadership conference renewed in their commitment to comfort and support Israel in this difficult hour, just as the Christian Embassy was called to do.
ICEJ SPONSORS CAMP TO HELP EVACUATED ISRAELI YOUTHS RECOVER
BY NATIVIA SAMUELSEN, ICEJ AID ADMINISTRATOR
In the blink of an eye, Hamas militants turned the lives of Israeli children and teenagers living near Gaza upside down. One day, these teens were attending school, forging their identities, and enjoying time with friends. The next day, they found themselves amid chaos and carnage as rockets bombarded Israel and armed terrorists infiltrated their neighborhoods.
These youngsters were quickly evacuated with their families from their homes to safer areas of Israel, but not before many witnessed massacres committed in their own neighborhoods. Some heard stories of kidnapped friends or family members. All of them saw graphic images of the atrocities of October 7 circulating on social media, which caused many teenagers across Israel to experience secondary trauma. Moreover, these youth have been away from their homes and routines for over six months. Those evacuated from northern Israel have no definite return date, while those in the South are slowly trickling back home.
The traumatic impact of these experiences on evacuated Israeli youths is immeasurable. They wrestle with deep emotional scars of loss, confusion, fear, and anxiety. Coping mechanisms vary. Some withdraw; others deal with depression or anger. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with the support
and resources they need to stay resilient and recover in these troubling times. At the ICEJ, we are committed to supporting initiatives that build inner strength and foster healing.
One such social aid project is a respite camp for evacuated youths hosted in the Galim Youth Village near Haifa. In a recent visit to
the camp, our AID team saw how the camp operates and brought Passover holiday gift packages for 110 youth and their families, courtesy of Christians in Singapore.
The visionary who initiated the camps for evacuee youth, Saray Cohen, greeted us. Hamas kidnapped 10 of Saray’s family
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r-NjmAnt_8
members into Gaza. After that harrowing experience, she knows how difficult these days are for evacuee families. (Thankfully, all her family members were released but one, and we hope and pray for his swift return.) Not one to sit and do nothing, Saray dreamed of providing respite camps for youth impacted by the war where they could have some good old-fashioned fun with friends that would be healing and strengthening for them.
Besides the holiday packages, the ICEJ sponsored the youth camp for 40 teens from Kiryat Shmona, a town on the northern border evacuated due to ongoing shelling and concerns over terrorist infiltrations. The families were spread among various towns throughout Israel, which meant that teenage friends who could have been a vital emotional support for one another were separated.
“These children all knew each other before the war,” Saray explained to Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID & Aliyah. “They were classmates and best friends. But after October 7, they were scattered across Israel. Through this camp, they can finally be reunited.”
“The first day of this camp was filled with joy, yet it also was tinted with the realization that their world had changed irreversibly,” she added. “Despite the beauty of their reunion, there remains a deep, lingering sense of loss and longing for what once was.”
We met the teenagers as they were heading into a dog training session. Each beautiful pedigree dog barked eagerly as they were matched with two teenagers. This activity taught responsibility and sensitivity, but most
importantly, the dogs brought comfort and therapeutic relief. After receiving their dog, the teens went to a field with dog training equipment scattered about, and a local trainer gave instructions. As the teens ran across the field with their dogs, taking them through various training activities, their voices filled the air with excited calls to their newfound furry friends.
Maya, one of the camp’s dedicated social workers, explained that the goal for each activity is to nurture the children and bring some sense of joy. From a bowling night to these animal therapy sessions, the activities help these youths process their experiences. Additionally, group counseling sessions with bonfires and the warmth of shared meals create a safe space for discussion and reflection that allows the youth to work through their emotions and build strength for what comes next.
Your generosity enabled us to sponsor this camp and invest in Israel’s youth, which are the future of this nation! Please support our continuing outreach to Israel during this difficult time by giving to out Israel in Crisis fund.
Dog training session at the respite camp
“FAMILY UPDATE” FROM THE ICEJ’S HOME FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
BY YUDIT SETZ, ICEJ DEPUTY AID DIRECTOR
For the elderly residents of the ICEJ’s Home for Holocaust Survivors in Haifa, we provide a warm and welcoming community that feels more like family than a retirement home. Each one lost many relatives in the Holocaust some 80 years ago, and they are so glad to now live out their lives in dignity among our caring staff and fellow Survivors who shared the same experiences. Here are some of the latest happenings at the Haifa Home.
Celebrating Life
Birthdays are always milestones for our residents and worth celebrating! The personal attention they receive is always meaningful and makes them feel special. One resident from Ukraine was so excited to celebrate her birthday that she organized a party and invited
the staff to celebrate with her. It brought her so much joy to arrange the party.
Her excitement for the celebration was evident, and her heartfelt words truly resonated with everyone present. Reflecting on her journey fleeing from Odessa two years ago, Natalia shared her emotional transition:
When I first arrived here, tears were a daily occurrence. Leaving behind my social circles, home, and everything I knew was difficult. My husband passed away, and my son lives abroad, and I felt utterly alone. But now I feel like I’ve found a family here. You are my family! I’m grateful every day for the chance to live in this community, the care I receive, and the sense of belonging.
A grateful Haifa Home resident (standing) celebrates her birthday with ICEJ staff
Solidarity Groups Visit the Haifa Home
In a wonderful display of solidarity, an ICEJ German group of over 40 people recently made a heartwarming visit to Israel, bringing gifts and singing songs to uplift the residents of the Haifa Home. All the Survivors were deeply moved by their visitors’ acts of love and support despite the war and with the rise of antisemitism across the West.
Lena was touched when she received a gift from some of the Germans in the group. With tears in her eyes, she remarked: “If I hadn’t come to the Haifa Home, I would have never known that Germany has so many Christians who love us.” She added, “Thank you so much, German Christians—for supporting Israel, for praying for us, for helping us and sympathizing with us, and for coming to us, even though we are in the middle of a war. From all my heart, I am thankful and send you God’s blessings.”
Lena’s words are just one example of the profound impact felt by countless residents who were touched by the solidarity of the German group.
Remembering Genia Schwartzbert
Genia Schwartzbert, a beloved resident of the Haifa Home, passed away recently at nearly 101. She survived immense loss during the Holocaust, including her parents and separation from her brother, while protecting her younger sister. After making Aliyah in 1957, she faced more personal tragedies but remained resilient.
Genia cherished her time at the Haifa Home, and we will miss her dearly. She was buried in Haifa, surrounded by loved ones. Thank you to those who supported her.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Amid the challenges of war and the troubling rise of antisemitism worldwide, this year’s Holocaust Memorial still unfolded at the Haifa Home. Attendees, including Holocaust Survivors, soldiers, schoolchildren, Knesset members, rabbis, and delegates from Russian, Romanian, Taiwanese, and Indian embassies gathered outside together.
Together we remembered the tragedies of the Holocaust. During the ceremony, I addressed the audience with these words:
Precious Holocaust Survivors, I embrace you on this very difficult day in the name of Christians around the world who love you and stand with you. In this very difficult time for Israel here and abroad, nice words at ceremonies without deeds ring empty and have no meaning. ICEJ represents Christians who have echoed the words of Ruth spoken to Naomi. “Your people are my people, and your God is my God.” We stand with you in prayer, in action, fighting against antisemitism, and standing for what is right. You are not alone!
In the face of adversity, amid the echoes of history’s darkest chapter, these words instilled a glimmer of hope in a time when Israel feels so alone in the world.
Please partner with the Christian Embassy in our work among Holocaust Survivors in Israel by supporting our special elderly care home for them in Haifa.
A group from Germany visits with Haifa Home residents
ICEJ Deputy AID Director Yudit Setz holds a Holocaust Survivor’s hand at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day at the Haifa Home
Haifa Home resident Lena
TICEJ RIDING RENEWED WAVE OF ALIYAH TO ISRAEL
BY HOWARD FLOWER, ICEJ ALIYAH DIRECTOR
he International Christian Embassy Jerusalem continues to assist hundreds of Jewish families from many lands in making the journey home to the Land of Israel this year despite the ongoing war in Gaza. Although the October 7 terror attacks slowed the pace of Aliyah temporarily, Jewish immigration to Israel has sprung back to life, with over 30,000 newcomers expected in 2024.
According to the latest figures released by the Jewish Agency, more than 10,000 Olim (new immigrants) arrived in Israel between January and April. Many of these immigrants are coming to Israel due to the rising tide of antisemitism worldwide, which has reached levels not seen since the 1930s.
So far this year, the Christian Embassy has assisted more than 1,200 of these new arrivals. This includes sponsoring nearly 300 Aliyah flights for Jews from France, Ethiopia, South Africa, and several Russianspeaking countries, which is currently the largest source of worldwide Aliyah right now at 70 percent. The ICEJ also is assisting Jewish immigrants at the pre-flight stages, including Aliyah camps, seminars, and consular visits, as well as ground transportation to the airports.
Faced with the alarming surge in antisemitism, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) has called upon the Christian Embassy to assist Jewish families from both Russia and Ukraine who are now war refugees in other parts of Europe.
The Russian language, which spread as the regional lingua franca under both the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, is spoken by most Jewish families living in
the former Soviet republics. At its peak, the Russian Empire was home to more than five million Jews, with some 800,000 Jews remaining in these areas.
Many Jewish families from Russia and Ukraine have fled to Europe for safety, starting in 2014. The escalation of the war in Ukraine has increased the danger and the number of refugees. In addition, the growing wave of antisemitism has produced new perils for these Jewish families.
To facilitate their Aliyah process, Israel’s Foreign Ministry uses a special diplomatic visa application for Russian-speaking Jews called Nativ. These visa interviews for prospective immigrants are currently being conducted at the Embassy of Israel in Riga, Latvia, where the ICEJ’s local office is actively assisting many of these families. Additionally, ICEJ has been supporting Aliyah seminars and summer and winter camps in the Baltic states for over a decade, helping to prepare young East European Jews for their move to Israel. With our help, a new group of camp counselors is being trained to start working with Jewish children at the summer and winter camps in the Baltic region in coming months.
In April this year, the ICEJ sponsored a new educational training tour and seminar for these madrichim (camp counselors) under the themes of Passover and the Holocaust. Thirtysix future counselors participated—most from the Baltic countries, but a few Ukrainian Jews traveled from Poland, one from Sweden, and several Israeli expatriates now living as war refugees from Latvia. They learned more about the Exodus story and traditional Jewish foods, celebrated Shabbat, and enjoyed the Passover Seder meal together.
Besides passing on these Jewish traditions, they will also teach other youths about Jewish history, the Holocaust, and antisemitism— then and now—strengthening Jewish identity and the importance of Israel as their ancestral homeland and only true haven for Jews today.
The future counselors also visited places connected to Jewish life in Poland, including the Auschwitz concentration camp, to raise their awareness about the dangers that can occur in the Jewish Diaspora and be better equipped to convince the younger generation that they belong in Israel and will be welcomed home at any time.
The ICEJ is also assisting Jewish students in Riga this month to be tested for school placement in Israel as part of the Naale youth program run by JAFI. Many students come from Jewish families in other parts of Europe, such as Berlin and Warsaw.
The importance of these efforts cannot be overstated. As antisemitism continues to rise globally, Israel remains the only country where Jewish people can live freely and openly as Jews without fear of persecution or discrimination. By making Aliyah, Jewish families and individuals can ensure their safety, connect with their heritage, and contribute to Israel’s vibrant and diverse society.
Join us as we continue to bring more Jewish families home to Israel from all over the world—many as part of urgent rescue missions. By supporting the ICEJ’s Aliyah efforts at this critical time, you are answering God’s summon in Scripture for gentiles to get involved in the great prophetic ingathering of Israel (Isaiah 49:22–23).
ICEJ ALIYAH ALONG THE SILK ROAD
BY HOWARD FLOWER, ICEJ ALIYAH DIRECTOR
The ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting the Far East with the Middle East and Europe, not only served as a conduit for commerce but also as a corridor for the movement of peoples and cultures over the centuries. Lesser known is that it also became a route of exile and migration for some of the Lost Tribes of Israel. In recent decades, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) has played a key role in the historic return of many Jewish communities from the Silk Road region to their ancestral homeland in Israel.
One such community is the Bnei Menashe (sons of Manasseh) in northeast India, who trace their ancestry back to the Israelite tribe of Manasseh. According to their oral tradition, the Assyrian Empire took the tribe captive in 732 BC and resettled them in the cities of the Medes, located in what is now Iraq and Iran. The Bnei Menashe believe their forefathers eventually journeyed east along the Silk Road, settling in China before migrating south into India around the second century BC. Ancient Chinese records refer to Jewish communities living in China as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220). The Kaifeng Jews are the most prominent example, building their first synagogue in Kaifeng in AD 1163.
Over time, these Jewish communities in India and China became isolated from the rest of world Jewry. Facing assimilation, dwindling populations, economic hardship, and political instability, the prospect of making Aliyah to Israel became an increasingly attractive option for many of them.
In 2012 the ICEJ began a transformative journey with the Bnei Menashe, assisting them in making Aliyah. To date, we have helped over 1,300 members of this community return to Israel. Our efforts have involved:
• Verifying their Jewish ancestry
• Providing pre-Aliyah training to prepare them for their new lives in Israel
• Arranging their flights and absorption
A total of 4,500 Bnei Menashe have now settled in Israel. Many of the younger generation are serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Entire
Bnei Menashe villages in India have emptied out as families leave to start a new life in the Jewish homeland.
Meanwhile, starting in 1998, the ICEJ also launched a major operation to reach the Bukharan Jews and other Jewish communities spread across Central Asia. Many faced a precarious situation following the Soviet Union’s collapse, prompting some to leave. That year, our ICEJ Finland Branch drove a bus to Uzbekistan to help transport Bukharan Jews making their way to Israel. Then in 2006 we assisted a group of 120 Bukharan Jews from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan who had initially settled in Rego Park, New York, but later decided to relocate permanently to Israel.
Kaifeng Jews of China
The ICEJ began assisting Kaifeng Jews as well in 1999 when China finally opened more to the West after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. In 2000 we had the privilege of helping the first Jewish family from Kaifeng make Aliyah to Israel via Finland. Our efforts with the Kaifeng Jews have been especially moving for me, as the prophet Isaiah’s words resonate: “Behold, these shall come from afar; and these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim” (Isaiah 49:12). Most scholars agree that “Sinim” refers to China.
The ICEJ has now assisted over 12,000 Jews from the Silk Road region in making Aliyah over recent decades, but our work is not without its challenges. The Aliyah process involves navigating complex bureaucratic procedures to verify Jewish heritage, which can be timeconsuming. In addition, these communities face significant economic and cultural challenges in leaving their countries to start anew in Israel. Yet despite these challenges, we remain committed to helping the Jewish communities along the Silk Road in their prophetic return to the land of their forefathers.
This unique Aliyah has enriched Israel by restoring these historic Jewish communities, each with unique traditions and customs, back to their ancient homeland. I have found it a special honor to be part of this exciting chapter in the modern-day ingathering of the Jewish people. Through this miraculous return of the Jews from the Silk Road, we are witnessing the fulfillment of God’s promise to regather the scattered Jewish people from the farthest corners of the earth.
Your Israel Answer
Was Gaza an Open-Air Prison?
By Dr. Susan Michael, ICEJ USA Director
Wedged between Egypt, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza has been described as an “open-air prison” and the “world’s largest concentration camp.” Those touting this view say that since 2005, when Israel withdrew its people and military forces from Gaza, Palestinians living there have been trapped with no opportunity to better their lives—they have been deprived of food, water, and healthcare and have not been allowed to enter Israel from Gaza. Israel has “locked Gaza down for 16 years,” and as a result, the economy is devastated, and its people fragmented.
Did Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005 turn Gaza into an open-air prison? Let’s look at a few claims used to support this lie and then unpack what has really been happening in Gaza.
LIE #1:
Israel prohibits Palestinians from entering Israel from Gaza. Before October 7, people left Gaza all the time. Some 165,000 Palestinians crossed the border into Israel every day to work at jobs that paid far more than what they could earn in Gaza. Sadly, many of these individuals who worked in Southern Israel were gaining intelligence on Israeli homes, military positions, and targets that aided in planning Hamas’ October 7 attack. The IDF has since discovered Israeli work permits alongside Hamas militia cards on terrorists and inside homes in Gaza.
LIE #2:
Israel built a fence on the border with Gaza to keep Palestinians trapped inside.
Israel constructed a fence on its border with Gaza as a security measure, not to trap people inside Gaza. This claim conveniently leaves other key details out: Gaza also shares a border with Egypt, whose government erected a wall on its border with Gaza. Both are not to keep Palestinians trapped inside Gaza but to monitor who enters their respective country so they can protect their own people against terrorist attacks.
LIE #3:
Israel restricts Gazans from food, water, and healthcare. The only thing Israel prevents from entering Gaza is weapons. According to UN data, 70 food trucks on average entered Gaza every day before the war, and more than 35,000 have entered since (though Hamas terrorists have hijacked much of it). Since the Hamas attack, Israel has also continued to supply electricity, water, and medicine to Gaza, though Hamas steals that too. Any humanitarian aid or fuel crisis in Gaza is because of Hamas—not Israel.
Israel also treats Palestinians in its hospitals and clinics. Before the war, some Hamas leaders sent their entire families across the border for medical care, even though there are 36 hospitals in Gaza. (Those hospitals are merely a camouflage for Hamas’ underground tunnel system and weapons stash.)
If the Gazans are lacking in anything it is because their leaders stole the money intended for them. The top three leaders of Hamas are worth a combined $11 billion and live in luxury in Qatar.
Conclusion
When Israel evacuated Gaza in 2005, Gaza could have been a coastal paradise, with beautiful beaches and resorts. However, Hamas, under the support of the Iranian regime, used money to bolster its arsenal of weapons and build tunnels, keeping Gazan residents in a lower economic position. But even the “economic devastation” claim doesn’t line up. Prior to October 7, Gaza had large, furnished houses, wide avenues, public areas, a promenade, parks, and a vibrant city center that even its mayor called a “gem” of cultural riches.
Gaza could not have been a “gem” of a city and “like a concentration camp” at the same time. The real issue is that pro-Palestinian activists continually shift the narrative to place blame on Israel for any issue in Gaza instead of on Hamas, where it belongs.
Zechariah 4:6 october 16-23, 2024 SAVE THE
‘‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’’ Says the Lord of hosts.
For more information visit: www.icejusa.org/feast-tabernacles
