“The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

As I write to you today, my attention is turned towards the words of the Psalmist who acknowledges the reality of God strengthening His people — and blessing them with peace. 

There’s an underlying tension in the above verse. We will face circumstances that will require a supernatural measure of strength to endure and overcome. But in the midst of it all we’ll experience the blessing of peace.

I pray over you now that God would give you strength and peace, no matter what you’re facing today. And as Israel and the Jewish people continue to face the threats and uncertainty of the future of Iran, I also ask that you join with me and everyone at Jewish Voice as we pray for God’s strength over His people – and His blessing of peace. 

ISRAEL, U.S. DISCUSS “PLAN B” FOR IRANIAN NUCLEAR THREAT

The Washington Post reported late last week that U.S. and Israeli officials are exploring a “Plan B” for dealing with Iran if the Islamic Republic does not return to negotiations to salvage the languishing 2015 nuclear deal.

According to The Washington Post, details of any other options were not publicly released, though there are a wide range of non-diplomatic options that could be considered – ranging from stepped up sanctions to covert or military actions. But The Washington Post did report that a Biden administration priority has been to revive the deal, and abandoning that goal would be a blow to its foreign policy objectives.

At a joint news conference at the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that the window for Iran to return to the agreement is closing but again declined to give a date at which it would be too late. “Time is running short,” he said. “We are prepared to turn to other options if Iran doesn’t change course, and these consultations with our allies and partners are part of it.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, according to The Washington Post, was much more blunt – raising anew Israel’s warnings that it will act, with military force if necessary, to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“There are moments when nations must use force to protect the world from evil,” he said. “If a terror regime is going to acquire a nuclear weapon we must act. We must make clear that the civilized world won’t allow it. If the Iranians don’t believe the world is serious about stopping them, they will race to the bomb.”
 
The Washington Post further reported that those concerns appear to have struck a chord within the Biden administration, which is loath to appear less than supportive of Israel. 

Before Blinken and Lapid spoke, the administration’s special envoy for Iran negotiations, Robert Malley, made similar comments about exploring paths beyond diplomacy with Iran.

“We have to prepare for a world where Iran doesn’t have constraints on its nuclear program and we have to consider options for dealing with that,” Malley said. “We will be prepared to adjust to a different reality in which we have to deal with all options to address Iran’s nuclear program if it’s not prepared to come back,” he said. “There is every possibility that Iran will choose a different path, and we need to coordinate with Israel and other partners in the region.”

IRAN’S U.N. AMBASSADOR WARNS ISRAEL AGAINST THREATENING IRAN

The Jerusalem Post reported last week that Majid Takht Ravanchi, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N., slammed Israel, claiming that “over the past months, the number and intensity of Israeli regime provocative and adventurous threats has steadily increased to alarming levels.” 

According to The Jerusalem Post, Ravanchi has slammed Israel in the past. 

Several weeks ago, he complained about Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s speech, claiming it was “full of lies.” Bennett said that Iran was trying to dominate the region. “Iran-phobia runs rampant at the U.N. The Israeli regime PM’s speech was full of lies on Iran,” Ravanchi said.  

Now Iran is angry about comments reported from Israel. The Jerusalem Post reports that the quote that has Iran up in arms was the warning from Israel’s IDF Chief of Staff – “Operations to destroy Iran's capabilities in various fields will continue at any time.”

Iran says there are explicit systematic threats by the Israeli “regime”, and that this constitutes a violation of international law. This coming from the same country whose leaders often threaten to destroy Israel. 

The Jerusalem Post comments that Iran, in this sense, is playing the victim, which is interesting. It basically admits it has a dangerous nuclear program, but at the same time wants that program to be protected – which shows that Iran is concerned about Israel’s recent comments and actions.

“PEACE IS THE VICTORY OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN US”

Last week a Knesset event was held to commemorate the first anniversary of the Abraham Accords. 

According to Hamodia, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, is quoted as saying, “The Abraham Accords will go down in history as one of the moments when people chose life. The new government in Israel not only accepted and embraced the Abraham Accords, but it also moved them forward. It made them a lever of a new reality: economic, security and political.”

In addition to words of gratitude for former Israeli Prime Minister and current Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump for leading the agreements, Lapid called on other countries to join the accords, notably the Palestinian Authority. 

“I take this opportunity to call on the Palestinians, as well as the citizens of every Arab nation, to turn to peace. The people of Israel have not returned to their ancient homeland to fight, but to build a life of prosperity and good neighborliness here.

“I call upon the Palestinians, and every Arab nation that is listening: We seek peace. Peace is not a compromise or a weakness but rather an embodiment of the human spirit. Those living in the Middle East are welcome to look around and see which countries are in a better position – those who seek peace, or those who seek war.

“If you decide to join the Abraham Accords, to bring prosperity, jobs, a culture of progress and success to your peoples – our hand is extended to you. Let’s do it together.

COVID: ISRAEL TO GIVE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY PFIZER

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel will start offering the option of receiving the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine starting this week.

The vaccine will be available with a specific medical referral, which will be given to those who cannot receive an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons, those who have experienced significant side effects after Pfizer or those who have other special circumstances.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the vaccine by AstraZeneca is based on a different technology than Pfizer’s and Moderna’s, which are both messenger RNA vaccines. AstraZeneca uses a weakened animal virus as a viral vector. It contains the coronavirus spike protein so that the body’s cells will be able to recognize it and produce antibodies.

Individuals who receive two AstraZeneca shots or get a shot of AstraZeneca after receiving one Pfizer vaccination will be considered fully protected 14 days after the second shot.

Individuals who receive a booster shot of AstraZeneca will also be considered inoculated after two weeks (for Pfizer it is after seven days).

As of Monday, 6.2 million Israelis have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, 5.7 million at least two and 3.8 million have been inoculated also with a booster.

On Monday, Israel was expected to pass 8,000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. In the morning, the death toll stood at 7,999.

In the past month, on average, 15 people succumbed to the virus every day. Since the beginning of October, 213 people have died of COVID in Israel. 

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God to bless the efforts and the intention of the Abraham Accords – bringing peace and prosperity to regions rife with turmoil and violence 
• God to give wisdom and insight to Israeli and global leaders as they continue to navigate the nuclear threat from Iran 
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

From drugs and violence to hope for a better future

You helped a young family make it through the pandemic

Kalia has three young children and is doing her best to raise them all by herself in a country that is not familiar to her.

When Kalia and her husband moved from Ukraine to Israel, they just had one child, Daniel. Her husband was in recovery for his drug addiction.

Subsequently, the couple had another child, Vivian. She is severely disabled because of her father’s drug abuse. It was a constant struggle to make ends meet and provide for their kids.

Kalia’s husband entered multiple drug rehab programs. He would get better for a little while, but ultimately end up taking drugs again.

He was violent at times and even though Kalia fought for her marriage, she ended up feeling hopeless and alone. For years, Kalia was responsible for providing for her family. With two young children, she could only work while they were in school. She didn’t make much and because she wasn’t a full citizen of Israel yet, Kalia didn’t receive any social benefits.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the kids were at home so Kalia wasn’t able to work at all.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Your support helped put food on their table

Thankfully, one of Jewish Voice’s partner ministries stepped in to help this young family. Your support means Kalia and her kids received groceries and other needed supplies.

Kalia and her husband reconciled briefly, and she got pregnant. But after the birth of another child and then a painful separation with her husband, Kalia and her children need help more than ever.

A volunteer from our partner ministry does the grocery shopping for Kalia and her kids and even helps cook meals for them.

In addition, a ministry staff member regularly visits the family and takes Daniel for play dates with other kids since Kalia needs to be home with Vivian and the baby.

Bringing hope to a whole family

Kalia takes part in regular prayer counseling and a peer support group for single moms. The ministry is also able to serve as a liaison between Kalia and the government agencies she is working with to get benefit assistance for her family.

Daniel enjoys being involved in the ministry’s children’s programs. Kalia and her kids have hope for a brighter future today – thanks to your support of Jewish Voice and our partner ministries in Israel.

You are blessing single moms, widows and orphans, recent immigrants, Holocaust survivors and other Jewish people in need in Israel.

Together we are changing lives in the name of Jesus the Messiah!

Thank you!

“I thank my God at every memory of you, always praying with joy in every prayer of mine for you all, because of your sharing in the Good News from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

We thank God for you and are so grateful for your prayers. Prayer moves mountains, opens doors, and prepares hearts to receive the Good News. Each time you pray, the Lord uses those prayers to further accomplish His plans and purposes for Israel and the Jewish people through us together.

Here are some wonderful praises for which your prayers have paved the way:

• We have seen growth among the Ethiopia and Zimbabwe congregations, spurred on by the Lord amid (and, in some cases, due to) constraints related to COVID-19.
• When COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from bringing some of our typical Outreaches to areas, local leaders developed new and creative ways to reach out.
• The number of small groups meeting together in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe for fellowship and discipleship has really multiplied. That is a praise in itself, but these groups could perhaps one day become congregations, which is an exciting possibility.
• A Jew and A Gentile Discuss podcast celebrated its one-year anniversary, reaching many who desire a deeper understanding about Jewish and Gentile Believers and where their beliefs diverge and intersect. We are moving into year two with anticipation.
• The Night of Promise: The Day of Atonement broadcast on television and online was a beautiful expression of unity in the Body. Many ministers, worship leaders and viewers joined Jonathan Bernis and Gordon Robertson in preparation for Yom Kippur and in support of Israel.
• The response to Operation 1226 — a week of prayer based on Psalm 122:6 — far surpassed our expectations and confirmed the passion our partners have to pray for Israel and the Jewish people.
• We recently launched the Jewish Voice 24-7 Prayer Watch, giving our partners another way to activate their desire to come before our heavenly Father in ongoing prayer for Israel, the Jewish people, and the nations.
• Although, since early 2020, we’ve had to cancel several Outreaches and conduct some without volunteer partners, Outreaches are back on the calendar, and our partners have been able to go on several of them.
• We have sought God for new Outreach models and have held several food-distribution Outreaches as well as resumed some standard Medical Outreaches.
• Our spring Outreach to Ethiopia was a huge blessing, with encouraging fruit coming from the Zehra Kids Program in particular.

These praise points are all in response to God’s goodness and your prayers. Whether you recall praying for these things specifically or not, when you pray for Jewish Voice Ministries, the Lord hears and answers, furthering His plans and purposes through us, in response to your prayers.

Thank you, and please keep praying! Whatever the months ahead hold, we know that together we will experience the goodness of God and many answers to your prayers.

“The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

In whatever you’re facing today, I pray God’s strength and peace for you. 

I’m reminded, that no matter what we face – no matter what God’s Chosen People face – He’s close at hand to bring strength and peace. 

That’s why I’m hoping you’ll join with me and everyone at Jewish Voice as we pray for Israel. The conflict with Iran continues to fester. There’s unsettling animosity – that, when unleashed, poses a grave threat to Israel and Her people. 

We must stand together, remain watchful and vigilant . . . and ask God to strengthen His people, give them peace and change the hearts of their enemies. 

AT U.N. ANTI-RACISM CONFERENCE, IRAN FOREIGN MINISTER INVOKED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE JEWISH STATE

The U.N.’s Durban IV event in mid-September, with the theme of “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent,” commemorated and adopted a statement 20 years after the first meeting in Durban, South Africa. 

Concerning the event, U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres is quoted as saying, “Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification.”

Fox News reported that while the original purpose of the event was combating racism, critics say it has been hijacked by an anti-Israel agenda that turned it into an anti-Semitic hate fest leading the U.S. and Israel to walk out of the first conference.

With the U.S. and 37 other nations boycotting this year’s conference due to its history of anti-Semitism, Iran’s new Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, invoked the destruction of the Jewish State.

As reported, Abdollahian further said his country opposed all forms of racism while threatening the existence of Zionism.

“As the new foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I’m honored to announce that my nation’s willpower is dedicated to the total elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, including apartheid and Zionism.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who focuses on Iran, told Fox News, “Abdollahian didn't mince words: the Islamic Republic will use every opportunity afforded to it to seek ‘the total elimination’ of Zionism. That is code for working towards the destruction of the Jewish state.”

Taleblu said the new Foreign Minister’s words should serve as a warning to the Biden administration about engaging with the regime in Tehran. 

“Washington should understand that working zealously to engage Iran with the aims of reviving the flawed 2015 nuclear deal not only makes no strategic sense given Iran’s irreversible nuclear advances in 2021, but would result in yet another infusion of cash to the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism,” Taleblu said. 

“That would mean men like Abdollahian would be in a greater position to put their money where their mouth is.”

“THE WAR WITH ISRAEL HAS ALREADY STARTED”

The Jerusalem Post reported that late last week Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, told Israeli reporters that “The war with Israel has already started.”

Khatibzadeh continued, “Israel has carried out attacks that were intended to destroy our nuclear program for peaceful purposes. It murdered nuclear scientists and harmed the Iranian people. Iran is accused of terrorism, but there is no good or bad terrorist. The whole crisis in the region is Israel's fault.”

And while Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed Iran has agreed to return to negotiations and resume compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal soon in Vienna, The Jerusalem Post reports that Khatibzadeh has accused Israel of having “done everything” to thwart such negotiations – and to cause conflict between Iran and the world powers. 

The Vienna talks, which aim to bring both Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the deal, were adjourned in June after hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was elected Iran’s President.

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER’S HISTORIC VISIT TO BAHRAIN SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE OF UNITY TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC

Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, arrived in Bahrain late last week. 

According to Israel Hayom, this is the first high-level visit to the small Gulf state by a senior Israeli official since the signing last year of a landmark agreement to establish diplomatic ties.

Israel established formal diplomatic relations with four Arab states last year as part of the U.S.-brokered “Abraham Accords.” Lapid has already visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco.

The deals to establish relations with Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and the UAE were the first peace accords between Israel and Arab states in decades, after peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1995.

According to The Times of Israel, the centerpiece of Lapid’s mission to Bahrain was the visit to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the home of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The Fifth Fleet operates in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, where Iran has been stepping up operations and covert attacks.

“We’re very aware of Iran’s posture and we’ll be prepared to deal with that appropriately,” U.S. fleet commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said.

The attending dignitaries, according to The Times of Israel, made statements that didn’t explicitly mention Iran, as they stood in front of the USS Pearl Harbor, a hulking 16,000-ton amphibious warship.

But the statements were clearly beside the point. It was the visual that mattered: representatives of the three countries with the most adversarial relationship with Iran standing together beneath a clear symbol of U.S. military might on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

The message was stark: The U.S. backs Israel’s burgeoning ties with Gulf states; Washington is determined to protect civilian shipping against attacks by Iran and its proxies; any who believe the American withdrawal from Afghanistan means the U.S. is washing its hands of the region are mistaken.

EU TO WITHHOLD 20 MILLION EUROS IN AID FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IF IMMEDIATE CHANGES ARE NOT MADE TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM

YNet News reported early last week that the European Parliament’s Budget panel approved an amendment to withhold 20 million Euros in aid to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) if immediate changes are not made to the curriculum taught in its schools, which allegedly includes anti-Israel rhetoric and incitement of violence. 

According to the approved amendment, 20 million Euros in aid “will be released by the next academic school year if substantive positive changes are made in the Palestinian Authority curriculum that promote coexistence and tolerance with the Jewish-Israeli ‘other’ and peace education with Israel in alignment with the goals of the two-state solution.” 

The amendment added, “Should there be no change, appropriations in reserve shall be used for funding Palestinian NGOs that have a proven track record of promoting educational initiatives in school settings for children designed to foster tolerance, coexistence and respect towards the Jewish-Israeli ‘other.’” 

Prior to the amendment on the conditional funding, Al-Monitor reported that Palestinian factions in Gaza organized a conference in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, to call for the revocation of the framework between the U.S. and UNRWA.

The conference was attended by hundreds of citizens. The Palestinian flag was raised while several banners stressed “the refugees’ rejection of the conditional funding of UNRWA and the rejection of the agreement.”

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God’s peace to turn the hearts of Israel’s enemies 
• God to strengthen His people against the threats they face from Iran and terror organizations along the Gaza Strip 
• God’s continued wisdom to be poured out on the world’s leaders in handling the nuclear threat from Iran
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

When Neviah (we have changed her name to protect her privacy) and her husband immigrated to Israel from Azerbaijan with their two sons, she had hope for a brighter future.

Unfortunately, not long after their daughter was born, Neviah’s husband turned violent. He was an alcoholic and began drinking more. Neviah feared for herself and her children. After a particularly violent attack by her husband, the neighbors called the police, and he was arrested and put in jail.

Neviah worked two jobs to try to make ends meet — unfortunately the pandemic meant her housekeeping job was nearly nonexistent, making her family’s already tight budget even tighter.

Neviah, who is Jewish, had accepted Jesus as Messiah before moving to Israel. During this turbulent family crisis, she turned to a local Messianic congregation for help.

This congregation — that’s supported by Jewish Voice — was able to come alongside Neviah and her children in their time of need. Neviah says her faith has been strengthened as she’s seen God provide for her through the challenges of this last year and a half.

Your support to Jewish Voice meant we could provide grocery vouchers through our partners on the ground for the months Neviah and her kids needed help with food. We were also able to help meet other urgent needs, including orthopedic
shoes for her special-needs son and dental work for Neviah.

This hardworking mom continues to grow in her faith as she takes part in a peer support group with other single mothers. Her kids are involved in the youth program sponsored by our partner ministry in Neviah’s community.

You help make all of this possible — from meeting urgent physical needs to offering support and encouragement!

I hope you will give again right now to help other women and children in need like Neviah and her kids.

There are so many facing similar difficulties who need help. Struggling single moms. Women fleeing domestic abuse. Widows. Orphans. Please say yes today!

I can’t think of a more wonderful way to share the love and hope of our Messiah, Jesus, than by being His hands and feet through your support! And you, in turn, will be blessed when you give. In the book of Psalms, King David says it like this:

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” — Psalm 41:1 (NIV)

Because of your love for Israel and the Jewish people, I believe you’ll want to help meet this need and make a life-changing difference for someone like Neviah and her kids.

Knowing she can feed her children is like Neviah having a heavy burden lifted from her weary shoulders. And knowing someone cares gives her hope during a difficult season.

We must raise $172,000 to come alongside our ministry partners in Israel and make sure women and children who have nowhere else to turn get the help — and hope — they need.

For your gift of any amount, we would like to send you our 2022 Jewish Voice Wall Calendar, filled with images to remind you of the wonderful work you make possible through your support.

If you’re able to give $100 or more, we would like to add our Chanukiah. You’ll have your own nine-branched candelabra for Chanukah, designed especially for Jewish Voice partners. We’re offering the Chanukiah to you now so you’ll have time to prepare for your holiday celebration (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).

Thank you for doing what you can to make sure these women and children are cared for in the name of Jesus.

Why do Jewish holidays change dates every year?

Actually, they don’t. They just follow a different calendar.

Most of the world uses the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year. The Jewish calendar is called lunisolar, meaning it is a combination of the lunar and solar cycles. The lunar cycle is the time it takes the moon to orbit the Earth, which happens monthly. The solar calendar is based on the time it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun, which is one year. As a lunisolar calendar, Jewish months are based on the lunar cycle while the Jewish year follows the solar cycle. To understand this and other differences between the Jewish and Gregorian calendars, let’s start with the day.

A Jewish Day

The Jewish day begins at sunset rather than at midnight. This follows the biblical account of Creation, which states, “…And there was evening, and there was morning––the first day” and so on throughout the week in which God created all things (Genesis 1:5 NIV). In this system, a calendar date’s morning comes after its evening. For example, when celebrating a holiday, festive evening gatherings and meals come a whole night’s sleep before the holiday’s morning synagogue services.

A Jewish Week

The Jewish week consists of seven days, just like the Gregorian calendar. However, the Jewish week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. The workweek in Israel is Sunday through Thursday with the weekend on Friday and Saturday. In the Gregorian system, the week begins on Monday with a Saturday/Sunday weekend.  Again, the Jewish calendar follows Scripture’s account of Creation. God rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1–3). The Hebrew word for Sabbath is Shabbat, and it means “seventh day.” This is the Gregorian day of Saturday.

A Jewish Month

In the calendar system we’re used to, a typical month has 30 or 31 days – except February with 28 days in non-leap years. This Gregorian method of marking the passage of time is based on the solar cycle. In the Jewish calendar system, a month is based on the lunar cycles. Each month begins with the new moon and has either 29 or 30 days.

Jewish Months and Their Gregorian Equivalents

              Nisan                  30 days                            March/April

              Iyar                     29 days                            April/May

              Sivan                  30 days                            May/June

              Tammuz            29 days                            June/July

              Av                        30 days                            July/August

              Elul                     29 days                            August/September

              Tishrei                30 days                            September/October

              Cheshvan          29 or 30 days                 October/November

              Kislev                 30 or 29 days                 November/December

              Tevet                  29 days                            December/January

              Shevat               30 days                            January/February

              Adar                   20 days                            February/March

A Jewish Year
The Gregorian calendar system uses the year to determine the number and length of months. The Earth’s annual orbit around the Sun is divided into 12 months. However, because Scripture bases the beginnings of months on the appearance of new moons, the Jewish calendar determines the year by compiling months. Instead of a fixed year being divided by 12 months, set months are grouped to form a year.

This causes a problem similar to how that pesky quarter-day of a solar cycle creates 365 and ¼ days per year, requiring that we add an extra day to February every four years. Twelve lunar cycles add up to about 11 days short of a solar year. Without adjustment, Jewish calendar dates would eventually shift into different seasons. The Bible is clear that certain holidays are tied to harvest seasons of the year, so we can’t have that. To accommodate the difference, the Jewish calendar also factors in leap years, but in a different way.

Jewish Leap Years

To compensate and stay in sync with the seasons of a solar year, in 7 out of every 19 years, the Jewish calendar includes a 13th month called Adar II. But Adar II isn’t really the second month called Adar. It’s the first. Confused? Yes, it’s a bit complicated. The second Adar doesn’t slip into the calendar after the regular Adar. The leap-month Adar is inserted into the Jewish calendar before regular Adar and takes its name as well. The added month becomes Adar, and the regular Adar becomes Adar II. Thankfully, experts keep track of all this, and all we have to do is look it up on the internet or buy a wall calendar.

Jewish New Years

Interestingly, there are multiple Jewish New Years. The primary ones are the biblical and religious New Years. The difference is similar to that created by a fiscal year in the business world. In the biblical year, Nisan is the first month, occurring in March or April. As time went on, the Jewish sages came to believe that God created the Earth on the first day of the seventh month, Tishrei, which falls in either September or October. Thus, the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah became known as Rosh Hashanah, meaning “head of the year,” on the 1st of Tishrei. The biblical year runs from Nisan to Adar, and the religious year is from Tishrei to Elul.

Jewish Year Tally

Another significant difference between the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars is seen in the year count. The Gregorian marks the presumed year of Jesus’ birth as Year 0, adding forward and subtracting backward through history from there. Thus, we have B.C. and A.D., more recently referred to as B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era). The Jewish tally of years begins with Creation and adds forward. Thus, according to the Gregorian calendar, Israel was reborn as a nation on May 14, 1948, C.E. On the Jewish calendar, the date was Iyar 5, 5708.

So, the next time you ponder how Yom Kippur can be weeks later or earlier than it was last year… or you marvel to see a Jewish New Year message ringing in a year almost 4,000 years larger than what you’re used to… you’ll know how it all makes sense. Everything is in order: Jewish holiday dates don’t change on the Jewish calendar, just on the Gregorian.

To learn more about the Jewish calendar, watch “The Significance of the Jewish Calendar” on the Jewish Voice television show.

“I will bless those who bless you.”
Genesis 12:3a (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

I’m thankful to God for partners and friends who are eager and generous in their support for Israel and her people. Please know you are valued and your prayers are deeply appreciated. 

That’s why I wanted to make sure you saw the anti-Semitic sentiment in the words and actions of some of America’s elected representatives last week regarding the U.S. providing critical funding for the Iron Dome Defense System. And while the U.S. remained true to one of our closest allies, we must be vigilant to continue to pray for — and stand with — Israel and the Jewish people. These are God’s Chosen People — whom He called and led thousands of years ago. And through whom He revealed His Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), to the world through the Gospel. 

So please join me, and everyone at Jewish Voice, in praying for divine peace and for God to change the hearts of those who stand against His people. And may you and yours experience the blessing of God in a special way. 

U.S. HOUSE APPROVES FUNDING FOR IRON DOME BUT NOT BEFORE BITTER CRITICS THREATEN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved $1 billion in new funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system late last week. But this approval only came after a bitter fight from vocal anti-Israel and anti-Semitic members of Congress. 

The New York Times reported the final vote was 420 to 9 to help Israel replace missile interceptors after a missile war and heavy fighting with terror groups along the Gaza Strip earlier this year.  The provision was originally included in a larger spending bill meant to fund the government through December. However, a group of vocal anti-Israel representatives stated that they would not help pass the larger bill if Iron Dome funding was included. This would have led to a government shutdown.

In response, House leaders stripped the Iron Dome provision out of the emergency spending bill and arranged a separate vote to approve the Iron Dome money.

Following the landslide vote in favor of the Iron Dome funding, one of the most vocal critics, Representative Rashida Tlaib, said, “I will not support an effort to enable war crimes and human rights abuses and violence. We cannot be talking only about Israelis’ need for safety at a time when Palestinians are living under a violent apartheid system and are dying from what Human Rights Watch has said are war crimes.”

The Times of Israel reported that May’s rocket fire included over 4,300 rockets from Hamas and other Gazan terrorists targeting Israel, which according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was the highest ever.

According to the IDF, 90% of the missiles fired at populated areas within Israel were downed by the Iron Dome.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) released a statement saying:

“Extremists in Congress are playing politics with Israeli and Palestinian lives. Calling to remove funding for a life-saving defensive system is an affront to our values, risks further conflict and is counter to the commitment made by Biden and supported by Congressional leadership. It’s simple: Iron Dome saves lives. Blocking funding for Iron Dome helps terrorists kill civilians.” 

ISRAEL PREPARES FOR MORE ROCKET FIRE AFTER DEADLY WEST BANK RAIDS

The Jerusalem Post reported that two IDF soldiers were injured and five Palestinians were killed after armed clashes broke out during a wave of anti-Hamas operations in the West Bank earlier this week.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the operation included a number of arrests in five different locations in the West Bank, targeting a Hamas cell that Israeli security forces had been tracking for several days. The cell was planning an attack. 

IDF told media personnel that it was possible that Hamas would decide to fire rockets from Gaza in response to the operation. “This was a Hamas cell, one that we have been following for a long time with intelligence from the Shin Bet. There’s always a chance that there can be rockets, especially since this was a Hamas cell and the group is always trying to connect Gaza to the West Bank,” IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Ran Kochav said.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the raids were led by the Duvdevan counter-terrorism unit as well as the Israel Police and Border Police YAMAM, YAMAS counter-terrorism units and the Shin Bet security services.

NUCLEAR STANDOFF WITH IRAN REMAINS UNCLEAR — ISRAEL AND U.S. OFFICIALS SECRETLY CONVENE TO DISCUSS A “PLAN B”

In the first U.N. General Assembly address early last week, U.S. President Joe Biden called on Iran to return to the nuclear deal.

According to The Jerusalem Post, since taking office in January, President Biden has unsuccessfully sought to revive the 2015 Iran deal, which former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration exited in 2015.

“We are working to engage Iran diplomatically, to seek a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). We are prepared to return to full compliance if Iran does the same,” President Biden said to the General Assembly. He underscored, however, that the “United States remains committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”

And while negotiations are hoped to kick start again in the near future, the potential outcome remains unclear. 

The Jerusalem Post reported that there was a deal in hand under the previous Iranian government in May for a reciprocal return to the 2015 JCPOA. But under the new radical regime in Iran led by President Ebrahim Raisi, the Biden administration is ready to engage in new negotiations – whose results would either be the same or lead to new American concessions.

The premise of Biden’s approach, reported by The Jerusalem Post, has been that he is ready to give up U.S. leverage of worldwide sanctions on Iran if the ayatollahs will cease their 60% uranium enrichment violation of the JCPOA and fully restore International Atomic Energy Agency inspections.

According to Axios, the U.S. and Israel recently held secret talks on Iran to discuss a possible “Plan B” if nuclear talks are not resumed. 

The meeting was held via a secure video conference call and led by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata.

While both the U.S. and Israel are concerned about the current stalemate in diplomatic talks with Iran — including a range of issues related to the challenges and threats Iran poses to Israel — U.S. officials are reportedly willing to impose additional sanctions on Iran to get them to the negotiation table more quickly. 

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God’s grace and peace to turn the hearts of Israel’s enemies 
• God’s protection as terror groups along the Gaza Strip — and surrounding Israel — continue to threaten His people with violence and acts of terror 
• God’s wisdom to be poured out on the world’s leaders in handling the nuclear threat from Iran
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

So says the writer of Psalm 119. What does he speak of? The Word of God.

Simchat Torah means “Joy of the Torah.” It is a holiday set aside to celebrate the gift of God’s Word. Jewish people stay up through the night reading the Torah, and in synagogue services the next morning, congregants parade the Torah scroll around the room, dancing, leaping and shouting with joy. Worshipers make many circuits to allow as many people as possible to carry the Torah scroll.

Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual reading cycle that takes us through the first five books of the Bible in a year. Jewish people the world over follow the same weekly reading plan. In synagogue services on Simchat Torah, we read the final Torah portion, or parasha, and then immediately read Genesis chapter one to remind us that our need for God’s Word is endless. As the weekly reading cycle starts over with the first parasha, we begin another year of reflecting on the very words of the Lord Almighty.

In its most literal sense, the Torah refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), written by Moses. As the word Torah, in Hebrew, means “instruction,” its broader interpretation encompasses the entire Word of God.

God is our Rock. He is true and good, and He loves us beyond comprehension. We know this because of His Word. Scripture anchors us to the Lord in truth. It shows us who He is, what He has done for us and what He will do one day to restore all things. There is hope in God’s Word. There is great joy on its pages and within its lines.

On Simchat Torah, take some time to reflect on the incredible gift given to you in God’s Word. Open it up and pray along with Asaph, who said in Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes, so I may behold wonders from Your Torah.” May the Word of God be your delight and the joy of your heart forever (Psalm 119:77 and 111).