Wartime News

Shavei Tzyon | Return to Zion Congregation

Haifa, Israel

You feel especially aware of your true dependence on the Creator, at birth and at funerals. Alina, a daughter of Misha and Olya in our congregation has become one of the fallen of the Israel Defense Forces. She was a true heroine! Like King David, she defended her fellow soldiers. Then she fell. In the Hebrew prayer, it is sung “Menukha nakhona al kanfei Shekhina.” May she rest in peace on the wings of the Shekhina presence of God and look forward to Glory! Please pray for her family and thousands of others around the nation as they mourn their lost ones. Our faith, confidence and security is truly in the Heavenly Father.

We have been receiving all sorts of requests for wartime supplies from people on the borders and in Judea and Samaria. The needs vary from base to base and soldier to soldier. We try our best to fill in the gaps. Although food and basic necessities are provided, many soldiers are lacking in tactical gear, especially bulletproof vests. If you are interested in supporting the soldiers, you can do so through the link below.

Even in the midst of war we would like to report regarding recent events in our Congregation. Over the summer a group of young adults revived the “Eagle Project” of discipleship held in Norway in partnership with Norwegian believers.

In early autumn, by God’s grace and thanks to your support and prayers, we held events for new immigrants celebrating the Feast of Trumpets and Sukkot. Most of these immigrants did not grow up with a basic understanding of their biblical identity as descendants of Jacob. At the events, our congregational minister Michael shared with them the background of these God-given convocations and their meaning for the Israeli people today.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, we invited Holocaust survivors and held an a special gathering for them. We call them “Golden Age People.” We were very happy to meet them, since every year there are fewer remaining Holocaust survivors, and not so many of them are still alive. So, we tried to bring them joy and support them with some small things. They sang songs, recited poems, and just talked with each other. Our ministry team prepared food for them.

Our new daughter-congregation, “Or Hai” (Light of Life) is preparing to begin holding their own services soon. To mark this new endeavor, the leader and his assistant, Dima and Mark, were recently anointed for the ministry.

O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how Your enemies growl, how Your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against Your people; they plot against those You preserve.