Category: English

As usual we are helping the wonderful children to celebrate the Biblical Feasts through the Jewish roots (Lev 23). We as a team were invited to one of the schools, to celebrate the beautiful Feast of Passover together with them. To hear the story about the slavery in Egypt and the Exodus, how God with His mighty Hand took them out of Egypt, out of slavery.

It is such a joy to be a part of this important work which the Principal and the teachers of the school are doing. To see with how much enthusiasm and energy they fulfill this commitment God gave to the Jewish people: “to celebrate Passover”, and to tell it to the children.                                                     

They organized a Passover meal with a special meaning. The Rabbi explained this deep meaning. So wonderful to be there and to see in person what Sabra is able to give to these children, through your prayers and support. It is so important, to invest in children. They are the future.

The principal said: ”How great is our God” and thanked all the people who made it possible to celebrate this feast of Passover in this great way.

I added: ”We cannot do it without the wonderful prayers and support from friends all over the world.” The reward was the joy and the big smiles on the faces of those children. For a moment they could forget the troubles in their young lives. 

Together with us in this celebration was also a couple from Finland. They wrote a few words about their feelings.

Volunteers Mirja and Olli:

We are grateful that we had the possibility to join the Pesach Celebration in the school. We were allowed to sit in the seats of honour and to follow the party by participating in the celebration to the best of our ability by singing and playing. We were able to enjoy Seder-Pesach meal together with the children and staff.

It was really interesting to watch the lively joining of the children in the course of the celebration; the children participated in the party each with their own temperament, yet the party was in good order. The staff fully gave from themselves everything towards the celebration. Our attention was especially drawn to the principal, how he gave everything from himself in leading this party and how the Rabbi of this school genuinely joined this celebration, not only by speaking – but he showed his tender care for the children by chatting with them.

This school wants to teach the children through this celebration about the Jewish roots and love and goodness of their Abba Father toward each one of them. This school appreciates very much the support that Sabra is giving to them.

Another no less exiting celebration my team and I were invited to, was “receiving the first Prayer Book” for the children of the first class. Here in Israel it is a very important and special event. It is accompanied by an excursion. Also the parents are invited. We went to the city Tzfat (Safed) “The highest city in the Galilee with a rich history.” The ceremony was in a Synagogue build in the 14^th century. It is difficult to explain, how special it was. The parents where deeply touched. Also this event included the Prayer Books for the children that were given by Sabra, given by you. Also we gave Hebrew/English Bibles to the teachers. They were so happy with them. I finish this report with Psalm 104:24

Psalm 104:24

O Lord, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions.. 

When we follow the Word and the Voice of God, we believe it is from Him and we continue to strongly follow the Vision we received. Even though sometimes we are in a storm and find big stones on the road, we continue to go on with faith. Eventually we will see the light and blessings on our deeds and continue to follow the Vision, He gave us.

Sabra is more than 20 years active. It started in Siberia (Russia) where I received the Vision in 5 parts. After some years (2003) we established Sabra in The Land of Israel in the Galilee. It was not an easy journey, with a lot of disturbance and rejection and Sabra stood by itself alone. Even though friends could not stay in the faith of the Vision, Sabra continued with a few friends who kept the faith in the Vision God gave to me. Friends who believe in the God of Israel, who love the people of Israel and the Land of Israel, they continued to support and prayed for open doors to do the Will of God and continued to do the will of God.

We believe that every single drop, joined by another drop, eventually will become a sea. Every single drop of acting and doing, joins with another drop of acting and doing, will become a sea of good deeds and covers the whole dry earth.

The reason that I am writing this is because of the results!

The last Independence Day May 5 – 2022, Sabra and me as the founder and chairman received the “Honour of Worthy Citizens of Afula Award”, given by the mayor of Afula in a big ceremony in the city palace. On the moment I received it, I felt that I am not alone: each of you are partners of Sabra by praying, supporting and encouraging. All of us together were there and received this price of recognition.

At that moment I thought: “Each of you is a key to open the door to the hearts of other people to join the Vision of Sabra, by prayers to receive new friends from all over the world. Through your faith, support, prayers and encouragement we broke that wall of resistance.”

We need your prayers to move higher and to help more needy people and be able to do more work. We started to be active in Jerusalem, Holon and we believe, more friends will join us and bring another friend to Sabra. Today we need it more than ever!

We thank God for His faithfulness for what He did for us until now and continue to help us to go on.

Believers in the Creator around the world join the people of Israel in celebrating the rebirth of Israel on at least two days in the year: Independence Day, and Jerusalem Day.

Independence Day is the official birthday of the modern State of Israel. But that is secondary to Jerusalem Day. Why? Because Jerusalem is destined to be the center of the whole world. “For the Law will go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3)

Israel’s independence meant the release of the Jewish people from a stateless condition, where they had no choice but to adopt another country as their own. Once again, we were able to determine our own national identity and destiny. But Jerusalem? To again possess “the city of the Great King” (Ps. 48:2) as our nation’s capital was both a physical and spiritual liberation.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that both these milestones are celebrated between two of the Creator’s holy “appointed times”: Passover and Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks). On Passover we left behind the life of a slave to become a nation; and on Shavuot we received the Torah at Sinai, a body of righteous laws which would bind us together as a nation. No other nation has this kind of calling, which is physical and spiritual at the same time.

It’s definitely no coincidence that the Hebrew word for “independence” (atzma’ut) is very close to the word for self-identity (atzmaiyut). Independence Day embodies the first, while Jerusalem Day points to the second. The nation of Israel has no sense of identity without having access to the place where the GOD of Israel has set His Name for all time:

“I have consecrated this house which you [Solomon] have built, by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there always.” (1 Kings 9:3)

“And He said to me [Ezekiel], ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the sons of Israel forever.’” (Ezek. 43:7)

That’s why the Jews in Babylonian captivity refused to sing “one of the songs of Zion” while cut off from the city that made them who they were:

“How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.” (Ps. 137:4-6)

Notice what the LORD of all the earth declared when the first Temple was built: it’s exactly the same as His declaration in the vision of the last Temple that is not yet built! He does not shorten “forever” or change His mind. He doesn’t care about the global declaration that the Temple Mount now belongs to others and has a different name, or that Jerusalem does not belong to the Jewish people.

And neither should we. Rejecting the lie doesn’t even take faith, only a basic knowledge of Middle East history.

King David officially bought the Temple Mount from the previous (Jebusite) owner, paying full price for it (1 Chron. 21:18-25). When the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to rebuild the city, they answered the skeptics and mockers: “The GOD of heaven will make us successful; therefore, we His servants will arise and build. But you have no part, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.” (Neh. 2:20) And when they did succeed, they praised the Creator so loudly that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard from far away.” (Neh. 12:43)

For thousands of years, Jerusalem has not belonged to anyone EXCEPT the Jewish people. When no one else gave a thought to the neglected, ruined city, it was ONLY the Jewish people who said every year, “Next year in rebuilt Jerusalem.” At every Jewish wedding, the groom repeats the solemn oath of Psalm 137 to never forget Jerusalem, before breaking a glass under his foot.

The slanderous outcry today that Israel is “Judaizing Jerusalem” is as silly as accusing the sun of “solarizing the sky”. What could be more natural, and more proper, than for both to be exactly where they are supposed to be, in obedience to the Creator’s decrees?

And yet the Creator declares that even the sun which He set in the sky will not be able to outlast His connection with Jerusalem: “Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun be put to shame, for the LORD of armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.” (Isa. 24:23)

The holy Scriptures testify that the One “who dried up the sea… for the redeemed to cross over” at the Exodus is the One who will enable “the redeemed of the LORD [to] return and come to Zion with joyful shouting.” (Isa. 51:10-11) He is also the One who promises to listen to “the foreigner” who is not from the people of Israel, when he “prays toward this house,” so that the nations will revere and love Him as Israel does (1 Kings 8:41-43).

From north, south, east and west, the believers among the nations who turn toward Jerusalem to pray are meeting in the Spirit and uniting their hearts across the miles. That experience is even greater for those who can physically come to the city of the Great King. We are practicing for the End of Days: “And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob; so that He may teach us about His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.’” (Isa. 2:3)

Jewish tradition teaches that a heavenly Jerusalem will descend at the End of Days, to unite with the earthly city and impart holiness to it. It is an acknowledgement that the Jerusalem which we see today is not yet holy in the way that it someday will be, based on Scriptures like these:

“Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, Zion; clothe yourself with your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city; for the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer come into you.” (Isa. 52:1)

“Then you will know that I am the LORD your GOD, dwelling on Zion, My holy mountain. So Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will no longer pass through it.” (Joel 3:17)

“The LORD says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.’” (Zech. 8:3)

The modern restoration of the Land and its Capital City are therefore signposts for the soul, telling us that everything the Holy One has promised – physical AND spiritual – will come to pass:

“Now it will come about that in the last days, the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it.” (Isa. 2:2)

Thus, Jerusalem Day reminds us that the city’s liberation is not yet complete. We await the Messiah, who will reign from that place on the “unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night.” (Zech 14:7) May we see it in our days.

Be blessed by the Most High from the Land of Zion and Jerusalem,

There is a Jewish prayer that says, “Our Father in Heaven, Rock of Israel and its Redeemer, bless the state of Israel – the first flowering of our Redemption….”

In my opinion, every true believer who loves the GOD of Israel, the people of Israel, and the Land of Israel should be praying that (the entire prayer is included below).

The state of Israel is not just another country on the planet like the others. It’s true that every country has a unique history and heritage, sometimes speaking a unique language. But how many countries have their history, heritage, and physical borders recorded in the Holy Scriptures? Only one! How many peoples were warned in advance that they would be forced to leave their homeland because of their sins, and were then promised – in advance – that the Creator in His mercy would return them to that same land?? Only one! (Deut. 30:1-5)

In short, the people of Israel and the Land of Israel were always uniquely destined for each other, by Divine decree. Only when the Land and the people were brought together could both be expected to flourish.

Israel’s Independence Day celebrates that return and rebirth, not only as a victory for the people and a revival of the land, but also as a vindication of the Holy One:

“For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the lands; and I will bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances.  And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your GOD….

Then the nations around you that are left will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolated; I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 36:24-36)

Thus, the day is one of joy for every lover of the Creator, everywhere in the world: This is a GOD who keeps His promises!

For those who lived through Israel’s rebirth, however, it was a frightening time of uncertainty. Not everyone fighting for their lives knew the promise that the Holy One would perform a unique wonder for them:

“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be given birth all at once? As soon as Zion was in labor, she also delivered her sons. ‘Shall I bring to the point of birth but not give delivery?’ says the LORD. ‘Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?’ says your GOD.” (Isa. 66: 8-9)

Many who did know Him and His promises, in Israel and abroad, saw immediately that a miracle was happening before their eyes – not because of human desire (although that was great) or because of the goodwill of the other nations, which was not so great (they suggested a Jewish home in Uganda or Madagascar…). It was entirely because the Creator decided that the day of Israel’s rebirth had finally come. “This is the day which the LORD has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24)

The citizens of the reborn nation literally fulfilled the prophecy: “When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting. Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are joyful.” (Ps. 126:1-3)

Think about it: YOU, and those alive during the past 70 years, have witnessed something that the rest of humanity for the last 2000 years could only read about.

What’s more: YOU who live outside of Israel have the opportunity to personally take part in this mighty work of the Creator, which is still ongoing. YOU are mentioned in His words of comfort to lonely, bereaved Zion!

“The children you lost will yet say in your ears, ‘The place is too cramped for me – make room for me that I may live here.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has fathered these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children and cannot conceive, and I am an exile, and a wanderer? And who has raised these? Behold, I was left alone; where are these from?’ This is what the Lord God says: ‘Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My flag to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders’….” (Isa. 49:20-22)

Still, we recognize that Israel’s return to the Land is only “the first flowering of the Redemption”. There is much more to come, before “the kingdom” returns, ruled by the Creator’s righteous servant-king who will “bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isa. 42:1)

Among other things, the Holy One needs to perform a second stage in His Redemption. After Ezekiel prophesied in his vision, bringing the “dry bones” of the house of Israel back together, he saw that “there was no breath in them” until he prophesied a second time – calling to the Spirit to come and “breathe on these slain, that they may come to life.” (Ezek. 37:7-10) The Hebrew word translated into English as “the breath” also means “the Spirit”, confirmed by what follows: “’And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,’ declares the LORD.’” (v. 14)

Who would not want to take part in this unique miracle? We can all ask the Creator who we love to give us a task that relates to the Redemption of His people Israel. At the very least, we can stand against those who deny the Creator’s promises, seeking to release them from their blindness.

Be blessed by the Most High from Zion and Jerusalem,

Prayer for the State of Israel

(From the Hebrew prayer book, adapted for supporters of Israel living abroad)

Our Father in Heaven, Rock of Israel and its Redeemer, bless the State of Israel, the first flowering of Your people’s redemption. Shield it with Your wings of lovingkindness, spread over it the Tent of Your peace, and send Your light and Your truth to its leaders, ministers, and advisors, to furnish them with good counsel from Your Presence. Strengthen the hands of those who defend Your holy land, grant them deliverance, O our GOD, and crown them with a crown of victory. Grant peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.

Please visit all the people of Israel, our spiritual brothers and sisters, in all the lands where they are scattered, and lead them walking swiftly and erect, to Your city Zion and to Jerusalem, the abode of Your Name; as it is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses [Deut. 30:4]: “Even if your outcasts are at the end of the heavens, from there the LORD your GOD will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And the LORD your GOD will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your fathers.”

Draw their hearts and our hearts together to revere and honor Your Name and keep the words of Your Law, and quickly send the Messiah, son of David, Your anointed Righteous One, to redeem those who await Your ultimate salvation.

Manifest Yourself in the proud splendor of Your boldness to all the inhabitants of Your world, and may everyone having a soul within them affirm – as we do, who love Your Name – that the LORD, the GOD of Israel, is King and His Kingdom is absolute over all. Amen.

Afula-Israel, 30-03-2022

Proverbs 22:9

He who has a generous eye will be blessed,

For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Sabra news and prayer letter

Shalom dear friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers and generous support. These make it possible for Sabra to help, to lend a hand, and to rejoice with hearts in need of heavenly grace.

We recently finished celebrating Purim, the Holiday from the Book of Esther, and helped Holocaust survivors, children, schools, and boarding schools.

In the Book of Esther we can learn to give gifts to one another and to the needy. This is what the LORD of all the earth has given us to do: the commandments to help, to pray, and to walk in the ways of the LORD.

Mercy

Schools

The first preparation for Purim was, to help the schools celebrate this holiday and thereby give in depth teaching about the Words of the Creator of the world. We also helped the families of the children who are in great need, with vouchers.

The boarding school in Afula

As we were able to help for over the last ten years, also this year we organized the celebration of the Holiday of Purim in the boarding school, with sweets, cakes, and gifts. Those children at their age would also receive gifts, like other children growing up in normal families.   

For me personally and also the team with me, it was so touching to see those happy faces. We said to one another, “What a privilege that our great God gave us the opportunity to help this boarding school.” It was a real joy to be there and despite what those special children experienced in their lives, we felt such a unity and happiness in this moment of celebrating Purim together.

Holocaust survivors

Over the years we wrote to you about the Holocaust survivors that are living among us. Most of them were children during the Holocaust, which not only ruined their childhood, but also caused them to carry the signs of suffering with them every day. It may seem like a distant story to us, but as time goes on, those events keep returning to them.

How happy I am, that Sabra can help them and bring a smile to their faces. Their health is declining, and we cannot prevent losing them, but we can help them where we can and like it is written in the Book of Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people. ..” We are aware that without your prayers, your support and your encouragement, we cannot do this important work among the needy in Israel.

Afula

At Sabra House we celebrated Purim with Holocaust survivors, families of new immigrants (new olim), believing guests from Finland, and Germany; the excitement was great.

Sabra constantly helps Holocaust survivors with medicine, food, clothing, and warm “handmade” socks, knitted by precious ladies from Finland.

With much happiness we celebrated Purim with them and managed to bring a little smile and joy in their hearts.

Holon

This year for the first time we were able to celebrate Purim with Holocaust survivors in Holon. We helped them with food, medicine, and vouchers.

“It is not always easy and sometimes it is really difficult to help the poor with what they need. Till now God blesses us with wonderful believers who love Israel, the God of Israel, and the people of Israel. Through their love, support, and prayers it is possible to continue the work. I am always so thankful for the Sabra team, who works so hard with joy to do the work that has to be done. Not only in Israel, but also outside Israel.”

Jerusalem

Another celebration we held was in the city center of Jerusalem. This celebration we did also for the first time. It was a great success, we could see their excitement. The mayor’s advisor for Holocaust survivors and new immigrants in the city of Jerusalem also participated in this celebration.

We didn’t know what to expect and how many would really come after our invitation to celebrate Purim with us. We almost had not enough places for them to sit and we were afraid to not have enough food and drinks, but we managed, and these precious Holocaust survivors where so happy and really enjoyed themselves.

This party followed after we began helping them with medicine, clothing and even woolen socks, that warmed their hearts because believing women knitted these for them in prayers and love.

We make home visits and help also the Holocaust survivors who are not able to celebrate the Feasts with us in Sabra-Afula and in Jerusalem.

Aliyah

I like to share with you a very touching story: recently I came back in contact through a friend, with our very first “olah chadasha” (new immigrant) “Chavah”. Sabra helped her to immigrate to Israel more than 20 years ago, from Russia. She is also a Holocaust survivor, and her story is horrific. You cannot believe what she went through already from when she was a very little child, but it is unbelievable how she kept her faith.

She is still a warm person and received me with tears. Even though she is already more than 90 years old, she recognized me immediately. She asked me to pray for her. We talked a long time and now our team is visiting her every week and I also regularly visit her. She is very poor and needs our help, prayers, and comfort.

Refugees of the Russian-Ukrainian War

The Municipality asked us to accept refugees from the Ukraine at Sabra House and to help with other means in various places such as Jerusalem, until a permanent solution is found. Sabra’s dedicated staff began to receive them with love and warmth until they are allowed to permanently stay in Israel and move to their own apartment. Today in Sabra House we have an elderly man who escaped the inferno of the war, and two days ago we received two more women who also went through a nightmare.

We help survivors in the Jerusalem area with towels, utensils and toiletries because they had to leave everything behind.

Jewish Roots

Passover and additional help

Passover is approaching and we want to help the needy, as we do all year round, celebrate this special Holiday. This is truly the Holiday that has shaped the way of believing in our world. Transforming the tribes of Israel into the people of Israel. A people that is under the Covenant and wings of the LORD of all the earth. These are not just words, notice how God’s words focus on this miraculous event that changed the face of the world and especially faith in the world.

As the help for the Holocaust survivors is spreading from Afula to Jerusalem and Holon, we must lend a helping hand to everyone.

Prayer Request

Those who need help, and everyone in Sabra who does this sacred work in your name, and of course the projects which we continue to do, desperately need your prayers, help, and financial support.

We are blessed from above,

Mordechai ben Yakov

and the entire Sabra team worldwide

Afula, 16.02.2022

Soon we will celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat (the 15^th day of the winter month, Shvat).

This is an odd holiday at first glance – it doesn’t seem connected with anything that the Creator commanded. But if we look more closely, we will see that this observance has spiritual layers which can add new depth to our faith.

We begin with something that the Creator commanded the people of Israel to do as soon as they reached the Land of Promise: they were to plant all kinds of fruit-bearing trees (Lev. 19:23-25). “Now when you enter the land and plant all kinds of trees for food….” When we come to this land, it is praiseworthy to plant it with edible growing things.

Planting is actually a godly occupation. Remember that the Creator Himself planted the Garden of Eden, before setting Adam there to tend and keep it. Everything connected with planting is holy. The Lord of all the earth asks His people, those who love Him, to behave as He does. Planting in the Land of Israel is one way we can fulfill the command, “You shall follow the LORD your God.” (Deut. 13:4)

Thus, when the Land of Israel yields produce, we offer up to Him some of it – the work of our hands. At least two Appointed Times are dedicated to this: “You shall keep the Feast of the  Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.” (Exod. 23:16)

Just as trees yield fruit, human beings also do. It is written in Deut. 20:19: “For is the tree of the field a human…?” But in the original Hebrew, this can also be read as a statement: “For the man is a tree of the field….” The second idea is confirmed by other Scriptures that use the same parallel. For example, the one who trusts the Creator “will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season….” (Ps. 1:3)

A tree is connected to the earth by its roots. Its survival is not guaranteed by its branches, leaves or fruit – only deep roots can nurture it, keep it stable in a storm, and give it long life. Where are your roots planted, and how deep do they go?

Prophecies about planting have an especially deep meaning for believers in the Creator who love the Jewish nation. GOD says that Israel in the last days “will rebuild the desolated cities and live in them; they will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit.” And at that time, the LORD will be settling His returning people, giving them deep roots: “’I will also plant them on their land, and they will not be uprooted again from their land which I have given them,’ says the LORD your God.” (Amos 9:14-15)

The traditional sign that it’s time for Tu B’Shvat is the first blooming tree in the new growing season, which is the almond tree. This tree’s name in Hebrew is related to the word that means “diligent” or someone who puts “great effort” into their work. A Bible study on the almond tree will reveal its spiritual symbolism in the holy Lampstand (Exod. 37), the rod of Aaron (Num. 17), and the Creator’s “diligent watching” over His word to perform it (Jer. 1:11-12).

In addition to giving a tree to predict the approaching spring, the Creator also set apart a particular region as the place that will announce the end of Israel’s exile in the same way: “But as for you, mountains of Israel, you will grow your branches and bear fruit for My people Israel; for they are about to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown.” (Ezek. 36:8-9) This mountainous region is today called Judea and Samaria, the heartland of modern Israel. Anyone driving through these areas can confirm that the once-barren mountains are literally bursting with growth and fruit – including vineyards that are winning international wine competitions! The word of our GOD stands forever.

But long before the awakening of the “mountains of Israel,” a longing arose among the exiled Jews in the 19^th century to return to the Land of their forefathers. They looked at the fruitful fields, orchards and gardens in Europe, Asia and the Americas… and they realized that they would only be satisfied by the fruits of their homeland… a place they had never even seen. These agricultural pioneers came to a land of dust, sand and swampy mud, and they began to plant things. On Tu B’Shvat in 1884, they planted 1500 fruit trees in the Galilee. Thus, every year from then until now, Jews of all ages across the country have planted new trees on the 15^th of Shvat.

In the days of the Messiah, when Israel will be fully redeemed, remarkable trees will spring up along a river that flows out from the holy Temple (Ezek. 47). “And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the Sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” (v. 12) This new Garden of Eden will be for all the nations, and those who love the God of Israel “will stream to it.” (Isa. 2:3)

Being among planted trees is a fascinating experience for the senses. You can hear the rustling of the leaves in the wind, and it sounds like a song or a prayer. Some Scriptures hint that the trees and other growing things really are capable of giving thanks to the Lord of all the earth (see Isa. 55:12). According to Psalm 148, we are urged to join the trees, and all created things, in universal praise to our Maker!

In that context, the following story from the Holocaust may not be so strange as it might first sound.

A young girl in one of the concentration camps told an older woman, “I know I’m about to die, and I accept that as God’s will. Before I came here, I was pampered and didn’t take spiritual things seriously. But, do you see that tree over there?” She pointed to a tree growing outside their hut. “It has been my very best friend during my time here. I have talked with it lots of times when I was lonely.”

Her friend looked at her, wondering what to say. “Did the tree answer you?”

“Yes, it did,” said the girl thoughtfully.

“What did it say?” the woman asked with real curiosity.

“It said, ‘I am here… I am here… I’m alive, with eternal Life.’”

I close this letter with a prayer that the Lord and Maker of Heaven and Earth will plant within us eternal Life, through His living Word, so that we will be the tree whose “leaf does not wither” (Ps. 1:3).

Be blessed from the Most High in Zion and Jerusalem

Mordechai ben Yakov

I humbly and proudly want to tell you about Sabra’s activities in the last two months: Hanukkah events, activities with Holocaust survivors, about Aliyah and immigrants, and of course the ever-expanding activities in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah: In schools and boarding schools

During Hanukkah, we helped the schools and boarding schools where we support the celebration of Hanukkah, the holiday of light. In a little gifts, we delight the children with donuts and lighting the candles. The Representatives from the Afula Municipality have participated in these events, praising Sabra and the donors,  when one of the representative told the children about the donors, that they deserve all the praise and blessings. The rush was big from one place to another, from school to school, from boarding school to boarding school. As we hurry up from place to place, one verse runs through my head “… how great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts deepened …” (Psalm 92: 6).

In one school, I have already shared about the subject of first grade kindergarten to many of you.

On January 3rd, we will be at the second M/N/ school which we also helped with the renovation of the classrooms and we will write more about it during the month of January 2022.

Holocaust survivors in Jerusalem and Afula

We visit the houses of the Holocaust survivors in Afula and gave the donated menorah and the candles. Our visits was encouraging and so important especially the attention we gave to each of them. Some of them we gave warm socks (at present, the righteous women knit socks in Finland and some are already on the way to Israel. We will distribute itto the Immigrants and to Jerusalem).

In Jerusalem we are helping about 85 Holocaust survivors, with food stamps, visits, and slowly gain their trust, (For Holocaust survivors, the story is complex and not everyone is “open” to tell their story or even meet strangers, working with them must be slow with a lot of patience. I personally knew this Up close in light of the experiences of my parents and grandparents.

Two of the Holocaust survivors whom we met were dressed up in clothes not warm for the winter, so we bought them some clothes.  Both  were so happy for our regular visits and for the helpful gifts.

Regarding the meetings of our representative and the girls in Jerusalem – Hannah continues to meet and help.

Committee for Holocaust Survivors

For the first time in Afula, the Afula municipality, headed by the mayor, decided to set up a special committee for Holocaust survivors, as the bureaucracy is complicated, and more and more survivors leave their homes for the health and old age, lack of money to buy food, house heating, etc. I was asked by the deputy mayor to lead the committee in Afula and help. I expressed my consent, and indeed last weekend was the first conference for Holocaust survivors and I presented from the experience that Sabra experienced to the work plan for 2022 and how we can help (we will need your prayers), these people are dwindling before our eyes so at least we can share a few things and little happiness with them.

Let us not forget to continue regularly to help the Holocaust survivors by supporting the medicines they need, the medical equipment to transport them to the hospitals, and the clinics27th of January is the national day of the Holocaust. We like to give them extra attention on this day. Please pray for this.

Help for the needed

At the same time every week, we continue to help the needy  with rich food packages: meat, vegetables, fruits, sweets for children, and of course on Hanukkah the food packages were much fuller to celebrate the Feast of Light, each family has its own sad situation, there were families whom could not even pay the electricity bill.

Unusual event

A new immigrant from Belarus whom just divorced had a nine-year-old boy and one-and-a-half-year-old baby.  About a week ago, a fire broke out their apartment. They survived from the fire, but they have no place to lay their heads down. That evening, the deputy mayor of Afula picked up the phone and asked if we could help them for few days with give shelter in Sabra. They lost almost everything. We have to help them. Please pray for them.

To you my dear friends I thank, pray and congratulate you for giving this generous hand. It’s not taken for granted. It is all by the grace of heaven and to you who obey the divine command and help.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for them for what they have done.”

Proverbs 19:17 Be blessed from above

Mordechai ben Yakov
Director Sabra Foundation