Search Results

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) remembers God’s goodness to the fledgling nation of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years to the promised land. Without a permanent home, they depended on God to provide for all their needs. Sukkot is a Hebrew word meaning huts or temporary shelters. During this Feast, households construct a Sukkah outside with palm branches for the roof and spend as much time as possible in it, eating meals and inviting friends and family to come and enjoy the Feast with them. The insides of the Sukkot are decorated with twinkling lights and garlands, with fruit (especially pomegranates) and scriptures. Sukkot also celebrates with thanksgiving the ingathering of the autumn harvest at the end of the year which includes wheat, olives, grapes, dates, figs and pomegranates. During the times of the Temple in Jerusalem, Sukkot was one of the three pilgrimage feasts during which the people of Israel went up to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple and present their offerings to the Lord. "Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread [Passover], the Festival of Weeks [Pentecost] and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you." - Deuteronomy 16:16 The Gospel of John mentions the Feast of Tabernacles in chapter 7. It records Jesus travelling up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast and mentions him teaching in the Temple courts. It describes how “On the last and greatest day of the feast Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” At that time there was a Sukkot tradition of drawing water from the pool of Siloam. Everyday of the feast the priests would collect the spring water in a golden pitcher amidst much celebration, singing and dancing. Returning to the Temple, the priest would pour out the precious water near the altar. An expression of dependence on God to send the much needed rain after the long, dry summer and of the cleansing of sins. Comparing physical thirst to spiritual thirst, Jesus offered the promised Holy Spirit to anyone who would believe in Him. The people had sung the words of Isaiah 12:3: “Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.” Jesus declared himself at that moment to be the source of that life-giving salvation. In response some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” The following excerpt is from: God’s Goodness Through The Biblical Holidays by Melanie Moscovich. Life Publications, 2020 https://mmmoscovich.wixsite.com/book “The holiday is also called Festival of Ingathering, Hag ha Asif. Part of the prophetic message of Sukkot is about people from every nation worshipping God and that there will be a full ingathering of people from all nations coming into his Kingdom. During Temple times sacrifices were made on behalf of the nations for people to know God. In the New Testament, the message of the Gospel going worldwide to all peoples is given. People from all over the world worship and follow Jesus and we look forward to a great harvest and ingathering of souls from every nation... “Each of the three pilgrimage holidays, Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, required the Jewish people to go up to Jerusalem. Each of these holidays represents a significant spiritual event of God’s plan revealed to mankind in his word. Pesach - Passover with the death of Jesus as the sacrificial Passover lamb making a way for the forgiveness of sin and a restored relationship with God. Shavuot - Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit so people can lead lives following God, have both been fulfilled. “The only pilgrimage holiday that has not been fulfilled is Sukkot. The Feast of Tabernacles prophesies the full ingathering of souls from all nations worshipping God... “There are already signs of this future promise as every year Christians from all over the world gather in Jerusalem for an event during the Feast of Tabernacles to worship the Lord.” IN THE BIBLE "The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. For seven days present food offerings to the Lord, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work... So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’” - Leviticus 23:33-43 ____________________________________ SUGGESTIONS FOR CELEBRATING >> It’s really fun to have a go at building your own Sukkah (Booth). Create a temporary booth outside that you can decorate with fruit, vegetables and flowers. Print out or paint some scriptures that remind you of God’s provision and goodness. Add a table and chairs and some decorative lights to make it pretty! Traditionally, the roof is made of palm branches so you can still see the stars from inside the Sukkah. >> Gather friends and family for a special meal. Spend time sharing stories about God’s care and provision in your lives. >> Make a model of a Sukkah for your table centrepiece and surround it with encouraging scriptures. >> Make an arrangement for your home of flowers and some of the fruit gathered in at this time of Sukkot in Israel e.g. pomegranates, grapes, figs, olives, dates. Add some bread to represent the wheat. Thank God for his abundance and variety. >> Read through the Hallel (Psalms 113-118 ) which are read in the synagogues and also Zechariah 14 which prophecies that people from all nations will go up to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

Maria, who is in her mid 90’s, was so happy to spend time with the Helping Hand Coalition team in her tiny apartment. She sends all her love to all the Helping Hand Israel team and partners. Maria said that in these war times, she doesn’t leave her home and therefore appreciates the company even more. Her son who was there with her during the visit was very grateful to know that so many people around the world care, think and pray for his mother. Ashdod is one of the cities in the south of Israel that’s being heavily bombed since the beginning of the war. Many survivors of the Holocaust live in hostels for the elderly in the city. They have bomb shelters on every floor, but not all of them can make it to the shelter because of health reasons and using mobility aids. During a recent visit to Holocaust Survivors living in the cities of Beersheva and Ashdod, the Survivors had an opportunity to share their heart gripping stories with HHC staff and overseas visitors. They recalled their struggle for survival as young children during WW II, running away from the Nazis, dealing with extreme living conditions and harsh winters. Considering the current situation in Israel and that both cities are under fire, it’s hard to imagine the feelings of these and many other survivors. And yet they continue to smile. PRAY: For Holocaust Survivors living in Israel today. For physical and mental health especially as they live through another war. For those reaching out to them with care and love with practical help and friendship. SUPPORT: Click the button below to financially support Holocaust Survivors living in Israel

Many Holocaust Survivors find themselves in severe financial hardship. The harsh conditions their bodies experienced during the Holocaust have left them in need of expensive medication in their old age and it is not unusual for a Survivor to have to weigh up whether to pay for rent, for food or for their much needed medication. Add to that the worldwide financial crisis and now the war with Gaza and life has become quite desperate for some. Helping Hand Coalition want to give these precious Survivors dignity in their latter years and run a nationwide program to distribute supermarket vouchers and clothing, toiletries and other needed goods to ease the burden. Despite the continuous barrage of rockets into Israel every day, the HHC staff have continued to travel around the country visiting Holocaust Survivors and distributing humanitarian aid. In a recent trip to Ashdod and Ofakim, the HHC staff told us, “Both cities had been under incessant rocket fire for the first two months of the war, and even now sirens are a common sound to the survivors. So much joy and appreciation from everyone of them for receiving help in such troublesome times.” Holocaust Survivors receiving Supermarket Vouchers: SUPPORT HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS LIVING IN ISRAEL:

CANDLE ONE | JEWISH AND ARAB FOLLOWERS OF JESUS LIVING IN ISRAEL In Israel today, the followers of Yeshua (Jesus) are shining their light to the people around them - being a beacon of love, hope and peace. We want to celebrate some of the amazing ministries we work with in Israel - each one dedicated to being a witness to God’s miraculous presence. Pray for the Body of Messiah to grow in Israel among Jewish and Arab communities. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill them with everything they need to live out the Kingdom, especially in these difficult times. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 5:16 CANDLE TWO | HELPING HAND COALITION (HHC) Back in 2005, Andre and Bozena, the founders of Helping Hands Coalition were preparing the movie premier event of a film they had been working on about the life of a Holocaust Survivor. When the invitations, sent out to the community of Holocaust survivors living in Israel, were being turned down, Andre and Bozena were shocked to discover that it was because they couldn’t afford the bus fare. This experience was a turning point for Andre and Bozena as they dedicated themselves from that point to ministering to this forgotten group of very special elderly people. In addition to tackling the poverty issue, they were determined to bring dignity and love into the lives of these heroes while there was still time. PRACTICAL SUPPORT HHC distributes financial assistance, supermarket vouchers, food bags, winter essentials like blankets, electric heaters to Holocaust Survivors all over Israel MEDICAL ASSISTANCE HHC mobilizes volunteer optometrists to visit community centres to provide Holocaust Survivors with new glasses. Other medical aids including wheelchairs, crutches and walking sticks are distributed to those in need. SHALOM HOME EVENTS With loneliness and the sense of being forgotten being one of the big issues to address, HHC have established ‘Shalom Home’Events. These very special gatherings bring Holocaust Survivors from all over the land together to the HHC villa in Ceasarea to shower them with love and respect. YPMP has had the honour to attend and serve at several of these meetings and can testify to the incredible effect they have on the wellbeing of the Survivors who come. From the moment the coach drops them off at the door HHC staff and volunteers do everything in their power to make their visitors feel as welcome and special as possible. For a few hours the emotional and physical pain in their everyday lives is washed away and they experience a little bit of heaven. Talented musicians set the scene with beautiful life-filled music - this often breaks into dancing as the joy overflows. There are times of sharing both by HHC and the Holocaust Survivors who love the opportunity to be able to tell their story. Often, HHC facilitates Christians from overseas to come and meet the Holocaust Survivors and share something with them. This is especially poignant when they are German Christians who have discovered that Grandparents were involved with the Nazis during the second world war. The sharing of repentance and forgiveness expressed brings healing to the overseas visitors and to the Holocaust Survivors. Every Shalom Home event involves food which is always beautifully presented as a way of making the Survivors feel special and loved. The attention to detail is amazing and is so worthwhile when you witness the smiling faces of the Survivors Pray for the Holocaust Survivors living in Israel. Pray for the Shalom Home events that the love of God permeates every area of the gathering and touches their hearts. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 CANDLE THREE | DOR HABA : COMING GENERATION Birthed out of a Jerusalem based 24/7 prayer ministry, Dor Haba’s passion is to raise up worshippers from among Messianic Jewish and Christian Arab young people for a new generation. Every summer Dor Haba runs a camp for teenagers bringing Jewish and Arab teens together to build friendships across cultural divides while enjoying workshops on singing, song-writing, instruments, videography and photography, drama and dance. The connections and friendships forged will shape the Body of Messiah in Israel for years to come. These bonds are especially important during times of national crisis when these young people can demonstrate a better way: loving one another as brothers and sisters no matter what is going on around them. During the year, Dor Haba runs smaller gatherings in various places around Israel and also some in the West Bank among Palestinian young people - bringing Jewish and Arab teens together to bless and encourage each other. SUMMER CAMPS In addition to building bridges between Jewish and Arab Believers, there are so many testimonies from these annual camps of teens and young people re-dedicating their lives to the Lord or coming to faith for the first time. HEBREW & ARABIC WORSHIP Dor Haba encourages the young people they work with to write new worship songs. Local songs that speak to the hearts of the people. They are professionally recorded and shared with the Body of Messiah in Israel to facilitate indigenous worship. PRAYER & WORSHIP WATCHES Dor Haba mentors young children and youth in regular times of prayer and worship. YPMP was so inspired to see young kids running an hour long worship watch! Pray for the work of Dor Haba as they build bridges between Jewish and Arab young people. Pray for these friendships to remain strong in these difficult times. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133 CANDLE FOUR | HOPE : HOUSE OF PRAYER AND EXPLOITS - NAZARETH HOPE House of Prayer in Nazareth was pioneered by Rania to train up Arab young people and Arab women as intercessors for God’s purposes in the Land. Rania is also instrumental in bringing Arab and Jewish Believers together for prayer and prophetic events. Just over a year ago, Hope moved into new premises after outgrowing their previous location. From their new home Hope run regular prayer watches, conferences and training in prayer and healing. Rania is a prophetic voice in Israel and speaks around the world. A HIGHWAY OF WORSHIP An ancient prophesy in the book of Isaiah is mobilising an unlikely partnership of intercessors across the Middle East. According to Isaiah, there would be a time when Egypt, Assyria and Israel would be worshipping together, travelling freely between each others nations and being a blessing to each other and the whole earth. Inspired by these words, intercessors from Israel, Egypt and Assyria (located within modern day Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey), along with representatives from other Middle Eastern nations, have been meeting together for several years now to pray for the salvation of their nations, for reconciliation between their peoples and for a spiritual connection that would grow and mature. Houses of Prayer have been springing up throughout the region. A highway of worship to the one true God is being built. As wars and uprisings tear ancient civilizations apart, God is raising up a spiritual army to praise his name, proclaim his word and call his Kingdom into being. Pray for these Isaiah 19 Highway Houses of Prayer. Pray for the gatherings when intercessors from all over the Middle East can come together to pray for each other and their region. Pray for a breaking down of walls and true heart to heart connections. Pray for the building of a Highway of Worship between Egypt, Assyria and Israel! Pray for Rania and Hope as they intercede for God’s Kingdom in Israel & the whole Middle East. Pray for the Isaiah Highway Houses of Prayer throughout the Middle East. Pray that the spiritual tide of hate, murder and fear will be turned back by the strong right arm of Adonai Elohim Tsevaot - the Lord God of Hosts. Pray that a spiritual tide of peace, reconciliation and love will flood the world, invading the hearts and minds of all who dwell on earth. Deliver us from evil and may Your Kingdom come and increase! In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria... Isaiah19:23 CANDLE FIVE | LECH L'CHA : 3 MONTH DISCIPLESHIP COURSES When young Israeli Believers returned from a discipleship course overseas they wondered why they had to go overseas to study the Bible and work in English, a foreign language. Lech L’cha was birthed out of a desire to provide something locally in Hebrew where young people could come to immerse themselves in God’s word, in their own language, in the Land of the Bible. Lech L’cha run 3-month Discipleship Programs, young adults weekend Conferences, and Mission outreaches to the Nations. “Lech L’cha” (translated: “Go forth!”) the words God spoke to Abraham when He commanded Abraham to leave his home and go to Canaan (Gen. 12:1), and again when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Gen. 22:2). These words also remind us of the commandment Yeshua (Jesus) gave His disciples, saying: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matt. 28:19). “Lech L’cha” is therefore His commission to us all, to follow HIM. Lech L’cha’s mission is to make disciples who make disciples and multiply. They equip young Israeli Believers for life and ministry (in whatever vocation they may be called to) while keeping Yeshua at the centre of all they do. “We aim to help them become fully grounded in the Word of God and equip them for their own daily bible study; to learn to live the life of a disciple of Yeshua, which is also expressed in the lifestyle of evangelism; to be equipped for service in their local congregations, according to the gifting God has given them and His calling in their lives, and to grow as servants of the Lord.” “Lech L’cha was an invaluable experience for me at a very shaky time in my faith. I needed a serious pause after the army in order to be immersed in the Word and around strong believers all seeking the same fellowship and common desire: to know Yeshua. As a group it was fantastic to dedicate time together to grow as a team and individually in our faiths, encouraging one another. For me, it was Psalm 1 in action: delighting in God’s law and meditating on it day and night, like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. Lech L’cha for me represented coming to the water to receive biblical teaching, prayer, and worship in order to grow strong roots, building my faith on a firm foundation." — Miriam “Changed my life, I fell in love with God...”​ — Daria Pray for Lech L’cha as they build strong faith foundations in the young Believers. Pray faith grows deep roots in these young people and they will be vessels for God to use for His Kingdom in Israel. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 CANDLE SIX | ADONAI ROI : MESSIANIC HEBREW CONGREGATION Adonai Roi is a Messianic Jewish Hebrew speaking Congregation based in Tel Aviv. ‘Adonai Roi’ is Hebrew for ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’. It was founded by Avi and Chaya Mizrachi in the summer of 1996 with a few people meeting in a private home. As the Lord added to their numbers, the small group grew and into vibrant congregation in central Tel Aviv. WHAT ARE MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS? "Messianic congregations are faith communities that stress the Jewish context of the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. Messianic congregations often employ Jewish forms of worship, use Hebrew in their liturgy and stress the connection of Messiah to the Hebrew Scriptures. By enlisting as many of the features of the synagogue as are consistent with the Messiah’s teaching, Messianic congregations provide a familiar environment for Jewish believers and seekers, many of whom are intimidated, confused, or simply uncomfortable among the trappings of Christian churches. "Messianic Jewish families often turn to Messianic congregations because they help children understand what it means to be a Jewish believer in the Messiah, and help kids feel linked to a faith community larger than their immediate family. It would be easy for Jewish children to become disconnected from their Jewish heritage in a Christian church. "Messianic congregations also emphasize the celebration of the Jewish festivals, which often become an event for members of the wider Jewish community who do not know Messiah. These outreaches allow Jewish believers to talk with their fellow Jews and answer their questions about how a person can believe in Messiah Jesus and still be Jewish. Connection with Jewish life through their Messianic congregations helps ease such concerns." - from www.chosenpeople.com Pray they are places of real community and connections for Jewish Believers. Pray for their witness to the wider Jewish community ...the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Romans 9:4 CANDLE SEVEN | DUGIT : OUTREACH MINISTRIES During a visit to his sister in America, Avi was very surprised to discover that she had become a follower of Jesus. During the visit, Avi heard the Gospel for himself and decided to give his life to Yeshua, the Messiah. He was determined to return to Israel to share the good news with his fellow Israelis. After attending a Bible School in America , he returned to Israel to preach the Gospel. Today, under the umbrella of Dugit Ministries the Gospel is being shared through a coffee shop in the centre of Tel Aviv and a foodbank/clothing distribution centre. Many are welcome to come and freely ask questions about Yeshua/Jesus and see for themselves that Messiah has come! SHARING HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES Avi shared with us recently that he had bought a wardrobe from Ikea. It was too big for him to put up alone so he had paid for Ikea’s assembling service. When the delivery arrived the man sent to help assemble it was an Arab Muslim. Despite all the trouble going on between Israel and Gaza, the men : a Jew and a Muslim, enjoyed pleasant conversation and built the wardrobe successfully. When they had finished Avi said, “You know, this situation that is going on, its not what is written in the Torah, in the Jewish scriptures.” The Muslim man agreed that neither did the Koran teach this. Avi then told him that there is a wonderful prophet called Yeshua/Jesus and he taught us to love one another. Here was a Jewish person sharing the Gospel with a Muslim person in the midst of a situation of war. In the end, Avi gave him some literature in Arabic and also a DVD of the Gospel of Matthew. The Arab man was delighted to receive the gift and thanked Avi. Avi was able to tell him that God loves him and if he has any questions to feel free to call, He left so happy that he was able to hear that there is hope for a better way. “In the midst of all this craziness, the harvest is ready,” shared Avi, “and there is a real opportunity to reach out with the hope of the Gospel .” Pray for opportunities to share the Hope of the Gospel with those in despair. Pray for divine appointments and dreams and visions of Jesus. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 CANDLE EIGHT | AYALA : BIBLE TRANSLATION Growing up in Israel, immersed in the Hebrew language, Ayala is using her gift of language to help translate the Bible into languages that do not yet have their own translation. After training with Wycliffe Bible Translators she was deployed to the Philippines where she has been working with local translation groups as an advisor and Hebrew expert. A few weeks ago, Ayala returned to Israel to get married. She is now working on future plans with her new husband to continue to serve as a translation consultant. Pray for Ayala and her local translation teams as they persevere to bring an accurate translation of the Bible to people groups that have never seen the Bible in their own language. Pray for Ayala as she settles into her new married life. Praise God, for her gift of translation and her heart to help minority language groups with their own Bible versions. Pray for the word of God to go out in more languages as a light to the world. I will also make you a light to the nations — so that all the world may be saved. Isaiah 49 We hope you are as excited an encouraged as we are to stand with these modern day candles - shining the light of Messiah in so many different ways. Light overcoming darkness. Keep them in your prayers! Thank you for journeying with us this year - we love sharing the stories of what God is doing in Israel.

Avi Mizrachi, is an Israeli evangelist and pastor with a passion to see his people come to know Yeshua as their Messiah. He has been serving the local Body of Messiah in Israel for over 30 years. He established Dugit, a Messianic Outreach Centre, which functions as a coffee shop in the heart of Tel Aviv where Israelis can drop in to find out more about Yeshua (Jesus). As Israelis began to come to faith, he started Adonai Roi (The Lord is my Shepherd) Hebrew speaking Congregation in Tel Aviv. Avi is involved in numerous conferences and ministries in Israel and around the world. Here is his story of coming to faith... “I was born and raised in a traditional Jewish family in Tel Aviv- Jaffa, and after graduating high school I served for four years in the Israeli Air Force. When I concluded my service in the early 1980s, I regret to say I was of the world and lost in sin. I had saved some money, so I decided I would go to America. My plan was to explore America—which for me, meant I would visit every disco and nightclub I could find—and then I would go to Las Vegas, gamble, and get rich! When I first arrived in America, I went to visit my sister and her family in Gainesville, Florida. Early Sunday morning, my sister woke me up. “What’s going on?” I asked. “I thought Sunday was a day of rest!” “Get up!” she said. “Come with us to church!” As it turned out, my sister and her husband had become born-again believers. When I resisted getting out of bed, she told me that it’s a nice church with a choir and a lot young people. So I got up and went to church for the first time in my life. For Jewish people, even walking into a church is a problem. Some big walls must be broken down before many Jewish people are open to even hearing about Yeshua. I sat in that pew with my sister and her husband and watched the Christians around me singing and worshipping God. I was touched and provoked to jealousy. But after the service was over, I was the first person out the door. Someone from the church called the house a couple days later and invited me to a weekend retreat. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go, but my sister said there would be basketball, fun and singles. So I decided to go. On the first night, a woman spoke of God’s love and grace, but also said we had all sinned and needed atonement so we can have a relationship with God— since the Temple in Jerusalem was no longer standing, there could be no more sacrifices for atonement for our sin. Which I knew was true. Then she talked about Jesus—Yeshua—as the lamb of God who came to came to take away the sins of the world. So there I was, a tough Israeli—four years in the Air Force— I saw that my sin had separated me from a holy God and I began to cry. As I opened my heart to Him, I felt a big hand took my heart of stone and gave me a new heart. There was such a peace in the room that I gave my life to Yeshua that night—and I was born again! And that was it for me! In a matter of months I went from tough Israeli with a heart of stone … to born again, baptized, got married, Bible Institute graduate, back home in Israel, sharing the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah with everyone who would listen. As you may have guessed, I never made it to Las Vegas. That is how Dugit Outreach Ministries started all those years ago. But the same fire, the same zeal, lives in me today to see the people of Israel saved from their sins!”

The season of Hanukkah is upon us this month, celebrated by the lighting of candles, a beautiful picture of light breaking through the darkness, and as followers of Yeshua, a precious reminder of His own declaration, “I am the Light of the world!” In Israel, both Jewish and Arab Believers will be sharing an expression of His light this month, as Hanukkiah are lit in Messianic homes and Arab Christians welcome the Christmas season to celebrate the coming of the Saviour of the World. At the beginning of his Gospel, John said, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” When we survey all that is going on in the nations, it can certainly seem like darkness is working hard to overcome the light, but darkness does not put out the light - light dispels the darkness. Certainly if there was ever a time to ‘arise and shine’, it is today. The first night of Hanukkah, just one candle is lit, but by the end of the 8 day celebration, the whole Hanukkiah is ablaze with candles, creating much light and warmth. Isaiah said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” We understand that the darker the environment, the brighter the light seems to shine, and the same is true in our world today. As we add our individual light to those shining around us, the light and love of Yeshua, the Saviour of the World, shines brighter and brighter, breaking through the darkness and bringing souls into the light! Thank you for adding your light to what God is doing through the local Believers living in Israel, with your generosity, your prayers, and your encouragement especially at this time. Together, we shine brighter, reflecting the love of Yeshua, truly the Light of the world! I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

A brilliant initiative is spreading love from Germany to Israel. Holocaust Survivors in Israel are paired up with sponsors in Germany who want to help heal the darkness of the past. The Survivors receive regular letters and messages and gift parcels from Germany - helping to repair the past with love. “Even in the midst of the war, non stop mail, messages and emails for Victims of the Holocaust nationwide, thanks to the kindness of German sponsors, who are expressing their love and support to the survivors, with whom they are connected through the Sponsorship Program, in these difficult times.” - Helping Hand Coalition (HHC) Seb from HHC met with Ilyas, his wife Neliah and Svetlana who are part of the German friends Sponsorship Program. They are World War II refugees and now, for the second time in their lives, also refugees of the current war in Israel. Ilyas and Neliah’s tiny apartment in Sderot is located 150 metres away from the police station that was assaulted and destroyed by Hamas forces at the beginning of the ongoing war. They had to hide, terrified for 8 hours. After the October attack, for security reasons, they were evacuated by the Israeli army, although they did not want to leave their home. Thankfully, they are very well taken care of and have been placed together with many more residents of Sderot in Tel Aviv, where they are provided a free stay along with 3 meals a day. 28,000 residents have been evacuated from Sderot, with only around 6,000-7,000 residents that have chosen to not leave their city. Ilya, Neliah and Svetlana are once again war refugees after evacuation years ago from their cities in their childhood to survive and run away from Nazism. They are so grateful for the love and care they have received from the members of Helping Hand Coalition and from all their international friends. SUPPORT HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS LIVING IN ISRAEL:

Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration, this year starting on the evening of 7th December, and concluding on the 15th. There are several miracles remembered: The miracle of a small band of Jewish men defeating an imperial army; the miracle of courage, of those who dared to stand for their beliefs against the flow of society; the miracle of a little cruse of oil burning for eight days, when it should have lasted for only one. Jewish people around the world will light candles on the ‘hanukkiah’ each night: on the first night, one candle; on the second night, two candles; and so forth, until the eighth night when the whole hanukkiah is ablaze! They are proclaiming the miracle from centuries ago and praising God for all the miracles He has done. Games are played with a dreidel (spinning top), carrying the phrase ‘A Great Miracle Happened There’. Traditional songs are sung recounting Israel’s victories from her ancient enemies. And of course, as with most Jewish Feasts, there is special food to eat, this time cooked in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts). Miracles are to be celebrated! In a few weeks, millions around the world will celebrate Christmas, the miracle of Immanuel, God coming to be with us. Some of us have experienced various miracles in our lives, big ones and small ones, happenings in our history that have paved the way for us to be here in this moment of time, without which we may not have been here at all. Life itself is a wondrous miracle, a gift from God. Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is a wonderful opportunity to remember and recount the miracles in your life, to publicise and proclaim what God has done. You could light a candle, share some special food with friends, tell your miracle stories to your children and grandchildren, or create a song about some of the amazing things God has done. However you like to express yourself, take the opportunity this Hanukkah, to celebrate the God of the miraculous!

270 young Jewish and Arab Believers, 13-18-year-olds, gathered for a week with 60 more (19-26-year-olds) joining them on the weekend for Dor Haba's summer youth conference "Fearless and Free." The heart of the conference was "to encourage personal encounters with the Lord, a lifestyle of intercessory prayer, the forming of key friendships that will foster unity in the body for years to come, and a space where they can use their gifts and talents to be a light for Yeshua. Over this week, they worked together on over 25 different Creative Projects in the areas of Music, Film, Photography, Art, Graffiti, App Development, Video Game Design, Dance, and Drama." According to Dor Haba, it was "an incredible time of growth in the areas of unity, intimacy with the Lord, leadership, and creativity." Watch this amazing recap video that was filmed and edited by film students at the conference: Every year, this conference provides an awesome opportunity for Believers from Jewish and Arab backgrounds, who often would never meet each other in their normal lives, to build friendships and bridge the cultural and political differences that divide their communities. Where the world preaches hatred and revenge, Yeshua (Jesus) calls us to love our enemies and our neighbours. Through engaging in creative projects that honour both the Hebrew and Arabic languages, and through building a foundation of worship and prayer together - deep friendships are formed and worldviews focused on the Kingdom of God. In Yeshua, there is forgiveness and peace and hope for the future as we work together in unity. "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility And Freedom!" Ephesians 2:14 The young people went out into the city of Netanya to perform music, dance, and theatre skits to encourage passers by with their message of hope. They also recorded new songs they had created in Hebrew and Arabic during the conference as well as music videos to share the message wider. One of the videos using a worship song called, "Not ashamed!" features Jewish and Arab kids coming together to sing and dance with joy. The message of the song is all about not being afraid to declare your faith in Yeshua. To the Jews who had believed him, Yeshua said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Yeshua replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36 31 Keep praying for these young people that the truths God spoke to them will go deep and that this generation will truly be fearless and free as they live out their lives for God's Kingdom! If you would like to support ministry among young people in Israel you can DONATE HERE and note your gift is for 'Youth'.

The celebration of the Feast of Shavuot, or Pentecost in the Greek, often happens around the end of May or early June. Its original significance is focused on the Barley Harvest, bringing the first fruit of the land to the Lord as an offering, a time of giving thanks for God’s provision, and the opportunity to pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There is the sense of marking time within its name: ‘7 weeks’ or ‘50 days’ from Pesach/Passover, and it also carries the weight of God’s covenant with Israel, the giving of the Torah/Instructions which Moses received on Mt Sinai estimated to have happened at this same time of year. The book of Ruth, the account of which also occurs during the Barley Harvest, reflects this sense of covenant as she leaves her people behind, to be joined permanently to the House of Israel and ultimately, through her marriage to Boaz, to be joined permanently to the genealogy of Yeshua (Jesus). As such, Shavuot speaks to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, akin to a marriage, a shadow and a foretaste of what was to come, counting the time from Yeshua becoming the sacrificial lamb at Pesach, to the awakening of His Bride, the Church at Shavuot with the coming of the Holy Spirit in power. This covenantal picture of marriage is woven into God’s salvation story, not only for His chosen people Israel, but also for those of us grafted into His promises. Let us continue to pray that the Bride in Israel and across the world will be ready to receive her Bridegroom when He comes in all His glory, as together we cry out with the Spirit, “Come Yeshua, come!” _____________________ If you'd like to learn more about the Feast of the Lord in the Bible, Melanie Moscovich has written a lovely book called "God's Goodness through the Biblical Holidays" which can be purchased through her website: https://mmmoscovich.wixsite.com/book

"Thank you for these events. We need these kind of Shalom House events. These events, they touch our souls and they bring us life. Thank you so very much for these…” - shared by Rachel, a Holocaust survivor who made Aliyah (immigrated) from Ukraine many years ago. Every Shalom House event hosted at Helping Hand Coalition’s centre in Caesarea is a unique occasion. Up to 50 survivors of the Holocaust arrive each time from different cities in Israel, usually for a concert, for sharing stories and for an incredible time of fellowship. From the moment the Survivors arrive, they are showered with love and lifted up from the daily struggles of life. On one particular summer day, the international group, One Lev, performed for these dear elderly (LEV means heart in Hebrew). Filling the event with Middle Eastern, European, and American inspired music, the band took the survivors around the world with a message of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. The excellent performance soon got everyone's hands clapping and feet tapping! When asked how he felt about playing at the Shalom House, the music group leader, Mikhail explained, “My heart is full of gladness and happiness to play for the survivors.” Before the performance, Helping Hand Coalition founders Andre and Bozena Gasiorowski, welcomed everyone and shared the vision of HHC. They introduced some of the special guests who shared stories and a beautiful atmosphere was created among the group with everyone really feeling like they had one heart. After the music, lunch was served and the Survivors were able to spend time sitting in the beautiful garden chatting and getting to know each other. "It is imperative that these dear Holocaust survivors are reached out to, helped, supported and lifted up as quickly as possible as they will be with us but for moments longer." shared Luke and Sarah Gasiorowski who help to manage these events. Your People My People have seen first hand, the wonderful effect these Shalom House events have on the Holocaust Survivors - lifting them up and showing them they are not forgotten. Each Survivor leaves the event with a spring in their step and a big smile on their face! If you would like to support Holocaust survivors in Israel and the work of HHC's Shalom House Events - you can DONATE HERE

The last time we were in Israel, we got to meet Eric, the outreach and evangelism director serving at Dugit's coffeehouse, HaOgen (The Anchor). Here is his story... How did the Lord lead you here to serve at Dugit Outreach Ministries? Well, funny story. I actually found Dugit before making Aliyah [immigrating]. So, when I came to Israel, I went to Tel Aviv and went looking for them. I loved their mission of being “fishers of men.” But after arriving in Tel Aviv, I spent about half an hour trying to find the place, and discovered I hated Tel Aviv—and wanted to get out of there! A year and a half later, I got a new job and found myself looking for an apartment in Kfar Saba (twenty minutes northeast of Tel Aviv). I had been in touch with a guy through a mutual friend back in Georgia, who offered me a room in his house even though we had never actually met in person. I agreed and so he sent his sister-in-law to pick me up and help me move. A few weeks later I was talking to my friend in Georgia, and shared with him that I was living with his friend. He told me that this friend is the leader of a congregation and that he is married to the daughter of Avi and Chaya Mizrachi from Dugit in Tel Aviv. Long story short, I met Avi shortly after, began dating his youngest daughter (who is now my wife), and joined the ministry. What do you like best about serving at Dugit? My greatest joy is working with the people. I get to be a fisher of men. I get to meet people from all walks of life, and to witness God’s redeeming power. How did you come to know the Lord? Growing up in a Jewish family in Georgia, my brothers and I were seen as “different” and we had to deal with a lot of antisemitism. Even though we tried to blend in the best we could, I was always proud of being Jewish and as a child dreamed of going to Israel at age 18 to serve in the IDF. But instead of the IDF, I chose competitive bodybuilding. This path led me into some dark times but looking back I can now say that God was already coming after me. He would place Godly men in my path at the gym who always encouraged me, were always full of joy, and always talked about Jesus. Since they were older, I wanted to be respectful and let them say what they wanted. Fast forward five years and I found myself on a surgery bed needing a hip operation. It turned out to be a birth defect that was exacerbated due to my heavy weightlifting and my heavier than average body weight. After the surgery, the first thing the surgeon told me was that I had the hip of a 90-year-old woman. If I continued doing what I was doing, I would need two hip replacements by the time I was 40. Suddenly I found myself in an identity crisis. For the past five years, my identity had been my appearance. I was known by my muscles and my success in competitions and in the gym. All my life I excelled in various sports—always earning first place or being the best at whatever it was I was doing. Now I was aware of my limits, recognized that my strength was not like it was, and realised I had to reevaluate the direction of my life. Then one of these men from the gym came to mind. I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to reach out to him. It had been about 6 years since I last saw him in the gym and wasn’t sure if he even remembered me, but something led me to send him a message anyway. He responded and asked to meet with me that evening. As we sat together, he began to share with me the goodness of God in his own life and the way God filled the role of a loving father—something he didn’t have through his childhood or youth years. And then there came this moment for me, as I sat across the table from this grown man with tears in his eyes, and I became jealous of what he was telling me. How can he speak of my God this way as if he knows more about him than I do? Isn’t God for the Jews, and Jesus for the Christians? He looked at me sitting there, pondering these things, and told me that I could have it too. I asked him, “How?” He began to share who Jesus is, what He did for us, and told me that if I repent and believe in Him, I could also enter into this relationship with Him. And so that night I decided to follow Yeshua. ________ Eric along with other Dugit staff reach out to Israelis with the hope and peace of Yeshua (Jesus) through a coffee shop ministry in the centre of Tel Aviv. If you would like to support this ministry DONATE HERE and note your gift is for "Outreach".