Page 52 - Holyland Magazine - 2023 Edition

A ray of hope

in the midst of hate

These acts of lovingkindness date back to
1938 when The Friends of Israel was founded
by Christians who welcomed Holocaust
refugees with open arms, passports, and
supplies—providing both physical and
spiritual care.
Today, FOI continues to serve the Jewish
people worldwide.
In the heart of the largest Jewish population
in Argentina, our FOI doctors operate a free
medical clinic. In Ukraine, a brave team of FOI
workers provides safety and supplies in the
midst of war. In Poland, impoverished children

Working alongside
new Israeli friends at
a local hospital

A volunteer sorting and distributing
vegetables at a food bank

on Israel, Christians are turning toward her. attend summer camps led by dedicated FOI
Karen Katulka Instead of committing acts that evoke hatred, workers who teach the Bible, play games, and
Director of Marketing & Communication
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry they’re offering care and kindness. provide refuge. In France, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,
The Hebrew word hesed, which means Israel, and the United States, FOI stands with
“lovingkindness,” best describes this support. the Jewish people.
Why a group of volunteers spread Every year, a group of Christians from the
kindness throughout the Holy Land U.S. boards a plane to Tel Aviv with a shared May our acts of Christian love be stronger than
focus—to show hesed to the Jewish people.
any antisemitic act of hate.
Hesed, a Christian adult-volunteer program to
ith antisemitism on the rise, it’s Israel hosted by The Friends of Israel Gospel To learn how you can demonstrate loving
hard to ignore the acts of hatred Ministry, partners with a local Israeli hospital or kindness to our Israeli friends, visit www.foi.org
the Jewish people face. You might food bank to show lovingkindness.
think antisemitism would have
Wrelented after the Holocaust; but, For two weeks, the Hesed team says “yes!” to
history has shown, God’s Chosen People chores like painting a supply room and sorting
remain the target of hostility and persecution. fruits and vegetables for the less fortunate
in the Holy Land. Whether cleaning toilets
Yet, we can’t ignore the hope-filled acts that or picking carrots and radishes, this labor of Volunteering at
are shining light in the midst of this lingering love is motivated by God’s love for His people a local hospital
darkness. (Genesis 12:3).
Throughout the world, Christians are standing “You must come back and teach us to love
up against the rising tide of antisemitism and like you!” one Israeli hospital doctor said upon
showing their unwavering support for the Hesed’s annual return. “Of course we will,” our
Jewish people. Instead of turning their backs team leader said. “We are Israel’s friends.”

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