JEWISH VOICE BLOG

April 02, 2019

Hilina’s* tragic story will shock you. It begins with her scars. The flames have left their mark all along her right side. It was only by God’s grace that she escaped with her life. No one even remembers anymore why the mob was so angry. The reason was probably trivial. But Hilina was an easy target. They surrounded her house. And then, they set it on fire — All because she is a member of the Beta Israel, or House of Israel, a descendant of one of the “Lost Tribes of Israel.” Because, t...

April 01, 2019

April 1‒7 Prayer for Israel Israel’s Children Children are among the most vulnerable in any society, and we know that they are precious to God. Lord, we lift up Israel’s children to You and ask that You watch over them. Protect them – body, mind and heart. Keep them from violence and abuse, hunger and homelessness. Guard them against the temptations of this world. Keep them free from falling prey to harmful activities and associations. Provide the nurturing that each one needs. Ma...

March 29, 2019

During his visit to the Middle East last week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Chief Political Analyst David Brody and Middle East Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell of the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) in Jerusalem. The interview occurred soon after The Times of Israel reported Pompeo’s visit to Jerusalem’s Western Wall as “the first time a U.S. secretary of state visited Jerusalem’s contested Old City accompanied by a senior Israeli official.” That senior Israeli official was Prim...

March 28, 2019

Prayers Needed NOW! Your prayers are urgently needed! Although we’ve been to Masvingo, Zimbabwe, twice – and to the country numerous times – we have never held an Outreach there amid the challenges of their current social and economic conditions. The recent cyclone hitting Zimbabwe has added to the great needs of the people there. As you receive this email, our staff team is already in Zimbabwe, and Outreach Partners are beginning the series of flights that will bring them there. Everyone ...

March 28, 2019

Open Doors to Change Lives Our theme for 2019 is Open Doors. God is opening doors and providing many new and exciting opportunities to change the lives of His people through medical aid and spiritual care. We need volunteers like you to come alongside us and partner in bringing the love of Yeshua to thousands of Jewish people and their neighbors. During our first medical outreach of 2019 in Ethiopia, we saw 17,787 lives changed in less than a week. God is moving among His people and you ca...

March 26, 2019

Last week, Cyclone Idai slammed into eastern Zimbabwe killing at least 31 people and devastating homes and communities. As you read this, our staff team is right in the middle of the crisis preparing for our first Zimbabwe Medical Outreach of the year, from March 28‒April 8. Although we’ve been to Masvingo, Zimbabwe, twice – and to the country numerous times – we have never held an Outreach there amid the challenges of a natural disaster on top of the existing social and economic condition...

March 22, 2019

Despite the economic damage caused by re-imposed US sanctions on its oil sector, Iran has made significant steps toward a threat made in January to switch strategies from defense to offense regarding its long-term goal of destroying Israel. Three recent developments reveal this new strategy: a drone operation, a new missile plant in Syria and deploying an armed flotilla. ‘Way to Jerusalem’ Drone Operation Last week, Iran’s Defense Ministry announced it had successfully completed a drone...

March 19, 2019

Disguised as a non-partisan rebuke against bigotry, last week’s vote in the US House of Representatives for HR183 hoisted anti-Semitism to a new level. Only 23 lawmakers – all Republicans – voted against a resolution originally intended to reprimand Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for remarks she made at a town hall. She had insinuated that American Jewish people have allegiance to Israel rather than the US. Jewish member Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), who previously sparred with Omar over anti-Sem...

March 18, 2019

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently handed out its yearly awards, or “Oscars” as they’ve come to be known. Above all, they are intended to celebrate compelling stories, intriguing characters and fabulous settings. History is often more fascinating than fiction, and the Bible is no exception. The Purim (PURR-ihm) story, found in the book of Esther, sounds like it comes right out of Hollywood. In fact, the story of Esther has been told in movies on both big and small scree...

March 14, 2019

Purim is one of the most festive Jewish holidays. It includes rejoicing, costume parties, reenactments, giving to charity, and sharing food gifts with friends. But other than the festivities, what does Purim hold for us today, removed as we are from the ancient times when the story took place? What kernels of spiritual nourishment can we glean from this holiday? First, let’s refresh our memories with the story. The Purim account In the 5th century B.C.E., the Jewish people were under ...