Celebrating the Strength of Holocaust Survivors

Did you know that Israel is home to half of the world's Holocaust survivors? And today we're going to deliver these beautiful flowers to a Jerusalem based group of Holocaust survivors, concentration camp and ghetto survivors. Because CBN Israel is sponsoring a picnic for them. You know, right now more than ever, we just went through a round of missile strikes here in Israel. And the elderly are often sheltered and they're afraid to go out. This is a time for us to gather with them, to celebrate life with them, to encourage them and to remind them that they're not forgotten. So, let's go meet them and celebrate with them. 

Approximately 111,000 Holocaust survivors live here in Israel. Every one of them is above 80, and one out of four is already 90. One of CBN Israel's main pillars is to provide aid to Holocaust survivors, groceries through emotional support and through events. Just like this one. We just finished having an amazing picnic lunch here with this wonderful group, and I'm just amazed at the stories they're sharing with me. And, you know, just talking with them, I couldn't help but think about the reality of what we're living here in Israel. 

The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures talked about a return of the Jews to their land. Many of them were either in refugee camps or ghettos, and they have gone through horrific things. And now they're here in Israel. They are a fulfillment of prophecy. This is a land where they can be free, where they can flourish. And at the same time, we have to reflect that Just a couple of days ago, we were under threat of missile fire again. And it's a difficult situation, but what they truly appreciate, what they are actually saying. We're so grateful that we get to be here. We get to go out and experience this fellowship and just be around and to celebrate life. 

During the event, Misha shared his perspective: "Your organization that Christians who stand with Israel. The Lord is one. We pray to the very same God, and we are happy to be under his shelter, under his domain, under his wing. Under his protection. And we are happy because of that. Thank you". 

What an incredible opportunity to be here and to be able to celebrate life with this wonderful group of people. I came up to them, and I just wanted to express my gratitude and just how inspired I am seeing them being so resilient. And I said, you guys are so strong, and this is what they said back to me, “It's not because we're so strong, it's because we have a desire to live.” And this is what we're celebrating. We're celebrating God's faithfulness, preserving them. We're celebrating their drive, their resilience to live that even though they've gone through horrific things, they're here in the land of Israel, fulfilling prophecy, seeing God's faithfulness manifested here through their lives. And we get to show the love of God to them through what we're doing here, spending time with them, providing food. 

And they even joke with me, let's do this more will inspire you again. And I just want to say, this is possible because of the generosity of donors like you who support the people of Israel in their time of need. So, I want to say from them to you. Thank you. And thank you for standing with Israel.