Shalom dear friends,
We are approaching the Feast of Chanukah. It is not just an ordinary Feast but it is also a time to review our activities over the past 1.5 years of our project with Olim (New Immigrants – Jews that have returned to their homeland). The past 2-3 years have been marked by a renewed wave of Aliyah (immigration of Jews) from the former Soviet Union. Israel received more than 100 thousand new immigrants. And in response, our congregation provided aid (with your participation) to more than 5 thousand people. We are not able to keep in touch with all of them since we do not have the needed human resources. But we do continue to reach out to hundreds of new immigrants and to serve them. Over the past year and a half we organized numerous interesting events geared to these newcomers, and now we are starting a discipleship training course for Olim. And of course, this is a spiritual work, requiring more than just the effort of mind and logic. This letter is a request for your prayer. This is a request to intercede especially for them: for people that are burdened with the fear of not being able to adapt to settling in a new country, a new homeland. They are frightened by the reality of adjusting to life in a new country and lack of knowledge and wellbeing. The prophet wrote about these moments:
“They will come with weeping;
they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father.” (Jeremiah 31:9)
The whole process of purification is very painful. When we immigrated to Israel as part of the Aliyah wave of 25 years ago, many families broke up and there has been much suffering and tears. As established Olim who returned to Israel ourselves relatively longer ago, we fully understand and empathize with those who have come recently. It is not humanly possible to prevent these sufferings and conflicts. But this is the time when drawing closer to God will help, and it was for these “days” and “for such a time as this” that He has equipped those of us who have already returned, some of us 25, some 20 and some of us 15 years ago. However, this is impossible without a spiritual covering, and we need your intercessory prayer more than ever!
Over the past number of weeks we have organized different events:
- during the Jewish New Year and Sukkoth (the Fest of Tabernacles)
- educational trips throughout Israel
- and Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming of the Sabbath on Friday evenings)
- And in a few days, we are starting a discipleship training course for Olim.
Additionally, Shavei Tzion (Return to Zion) is arranging new aid packages like food baskets, winter necessities (bedding sets, heaters and kitchen accessories) for New Olim, whose influx into the country continues. Please prayerfully approach this financial need. We estimate that the approximate cost of the next phase in this project will be 42-45 thousand USD.
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[spacer height=”10px”]Our goals are to prepare:
1. 300 food baskets, each costing 200 ILS = 60,000 => $ 17,000
2. 100 bedding sets, each costing 350 ILS = 35,000 => $ 10,000
3. 100 heaters, each costing 250 ILS = 25,000 => $ 7,000
4. 100 sets of kitchen accessories, each costing 250 ILS = 25,000 => $ 7,000
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We are praying for an amount of 42-45 thousand USD. There is a famous Russian proverb saying: “A stitch in time saves nine”. A timely outreach effort can prevent bigger problems down the road. Also, together we will warm many hearts by providing warm clothes for the winter…. If the Lord speaks to you please give using one of the donating options below:
We are praying for you, for your wellbeing, and for Shalom of the Lord for you and your families.
Sincerely,
Leon Mazin
Return to Zion Ministry,
Haifa, Israel
