IFCJ - Building Bridges

The Bible states that the nations of the world are to be a blessing unto Israel. Indeed, Scripture not only urges Gentiles not to harm or curse the Jewish people; it also warns them of the disastrous consequences they will face if they defy those instructions. Genesis 12:2-3 gives the clearest expression to this idea. Similarly, when Balak and Balaam sought to curse Israel, God admonished them saying, "You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed." (Numbers 22:12) The biblical mandate given to the Gentiles is to relate to Israel and the Jewish people with unconditional love. Christians are called to be a source of solace and comfort to the people of Israel, to be a blessing to them and to stand in solidarity with them in their times of need. Those who fulfill this mandate will find their lives blessed and enriched; those who deny or dispute it will be divinely chastised and cast away. (Genesis 27:29)

History has proven this to be true. Those nations that acted with hostility toward the Jewish people and sought to destroy or oppress them no longer exist. The nation of Israel, in contrast, continues to live. Those who raise their hand against God's people will not triumph. Indeed, they will meet their own demise . . . for they are doing battle with God Himself!

How Can Christians Be A Blessing to Israel?
1. PRAY: For the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6
That we might be a blessing to Israel. Genesis 12:2-3
Prayer uplifts us spiritually and links us with God. It stems from a deep-seated belief in a loving, caring God who hears our cries, answers our pleas and is profoundly concerned for our welfare. Prayer in the true biblical sense, however, is not so much an isolated feeling, a mere vocalizing of words. Prayer is a condition of "being," a call to action. Ideally, our very lives should be prayerful songs; our every deed should be a prayer of blessing. Being a blessing to Israel must, therefore, first and foremost, involve lifting her up in our prayers. In the words of the Psalms, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6)

2. STUDY: Learn about the Jewish roots of Christianity. Become sensitive to Jewish concerns. It is hard to be a real blessing toward Israel if one is not intimately familiar with her land, people, history and faith. It is only after exploring ones own roots in biblical Judaism and rediscovering the Jewishness of Jesus,that the Christian can come to appreciate the full dimensions of his or her own faith. Moreover, to be a true blessing to Israel and the Jewish people, it is important for Christians to know how to sensitively love them. For only when we are keenly aware of each other¹s feelings and concerns can true caring, loving and blessing become possible. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, wrote "How Firm A Foundation" specifically to give Christians a clearer understanding of the Jewish roots of their faith.

3. VISIT: Walk in the land of the Bible. Encourage the people of Israel and reassure them they are not alone. There can be no greater opportunity to combine prayer with study than to actually visit the Holy Land and interact with the Israeli people. At the same time the Christian pilgrim is thoroughly enjoying himself and being awakened to new spiritual insights, he is experiencing history as he walks on the very soil that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus walked on. Touring Israel is not only a profound religious experience and tremendous blessing, but it also sends an encouraging message to the Israeli people, reassuring them that they are not alone in their struggle for survival. Christians who stand in solidarity with Israel and her people by visiting and experiencing her rich history are welcome and greatly appreciated. And, of course, tourism is a significant factor in the Israeli economy.

4. PARTICIPATE: Build bridges of understanding with the Jewish people. Foster solidarity with Israel by speaking out for her.

5. SUPPORT: Provide funds so needy Jews can come "home" to Israel. Become a partner in The Fellowship's ministry.

Why Should Christians Be A Blessing To Israel?
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS is an organization dedicated to helping Jews around the world through programs that address both their immediate and long-term needs. Whether providing food for an elderly Ukrainian Jew, job and language training to Ethiopian olim (immigrants), or counseling and medical care to the victim of a terror attack in Jerusalem, IFCJ and its dedicated supporters strive daily to carry out God¹s work here on earth.
The Fellowship and its devoted supporters strive daily to carry out God¹s work here on earth. They do this by carrying out the following missions:
  On Wings of Eagles, which has brought hundreds of thousands of Jews to Israel, their ancestral homeland, from the Former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Argentina and other countries in distress. The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy foretelling the return of Jewish exiles to their land is taking place before our very eyes. You can have a part in the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and in alleviating the dire plight of Jewish people by supporting the massive exodus of Jews from the former Soviet Union who are immigrating to their homeland, Israel! The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews proudly sponsors the ministries of On Wings Of Eagles, helping pay the cost of relocation to and resettlement in Israel. Isaiah 58, which brings food, clothing, medical help and other lifesaving aid to elderly Jews and orphans in the Former Soviet Union.
Guardians of Israel, which helps families suffering the impact of poverty and terrorism in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.
Stand for Israel, which mobilizes U.S. churches, Christian leadership and individual supporters of Israel to express their solidarity with the Jewish State through prayer and advocacy.

HOMELESS CHILDREN
Desperate Soviet boys and girls need your prayers and support,
"I am going to die soon, and there is no one to take care of my son," the woman said, with tears running down her face. "Will you take him?"
  The Jewish orphanage in Ukraine was her last chance at finding a home for her child. The director spoke quietly but with reassurance - of course, the boy would have a place to live. Shortly after, the mother died. They are a common sight in the former Soviet Union - thousands of Jewish children abandoned, orphaned or from families too poor or dysfunctional to care for them - languishing in the streets and alleys of Ukraine, Russia and other former Soviet republics. They are alone. For a time, they survive off their wits and the occasional kindnesses of strangers. Ultimately, however, they must choose - between a life of crime on the streets and a place in one of the few orphanages and children's homes that exist and are supported by The Fellowship through the Isaiah 58 program for destitute and abandoned orphans.
Anatoly was one of these children. Abandoned by his father, he was left to live with his dying mother and then with an aunt who could not afford to keep him. He was one of the fortunate ones. He found a place in a children¹s home, where finally he can count on being fed, clothed and cared for.
But Anatoly is the exception. Most orphanages have long waiting lists. In one cramped facility, 50 girls share a single shower. These children are safe in their new homes, but so much more is needed - more facilities, more food, more clothing, more staff to care for helpless young victims of a cruel society.
Now they look to you, their caring Christian friends in America, to join together with the Jewish community in providing the resources to build, renovate and equip orphanages and children's homes. By supporting The Fellowship, you will provide a future for boys and girls who have nowhere else to turn. Throughout the Bible, we are admonished to care for the orphans amongst us. Deuteronomy 10:18 says: ³He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)
Through this ministry we have an opportunity to be "God¹s hands and feet" in reaching out to the weakest of God¹s creatures, the orphans who were left behind in desperate need.

Your help is needed:
* To take desperate children off the streets and place them in safe homes and orphanages.
* To provide food, clothing and beds for orphaned or abandoned children in the former Soviet Union.
* To improve the meager living conditions in overcrowded, understaffed children¹s facilities.

PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT
Worldwide aliyah continues with help from Christians who seek to bless Israel.
By the time economic conditions in Buenos Aires reached the crisis state, we were living with no lights, water or gas. We could not afford these services.
Thus begins the story of one Jewish family struck hard by the catastrophic economic collapse that hit Argentina two years ago. And their plight is a common one.
Eduardo and Yehudit saw their income slashed when the company Eduardo worked for went bankrupt. But they were among the country¹s more fortunate Jews, able to make aliyah as Argentina's crisis pushed more of its 200,000 Jews into abject povety.
. Aliyah (immigration to Israel) means a new chance at life for Jews in countries with anti-Semitic persecution or economic distress - which often is blamed on a country¹s Jewish population. In today¹s uncertain times, aliyah is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Jews in Argentina, France and across Europe. At the same time, Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Arab lands continue their decades-long emigration from repression and persecution in their home countries to freedom in Israel.
The Fellowship and its devoted partners have worked tirelessly to rescue these Jewish emigres by providing "freedom flights" to the Holy Land. Its special program, ON WINGS OF EAGLES, has helped tens of thousands of such Jews make aliyah to their Jewish homeland.
Despite hard times in Israel, the daily arrival of new Jewish residents to the Holy Land is perhaps the single most important factor in the survival and strength of the Jewish state.
Your commitment to Wings truly is an investment in saving precious Jewish lives, and your faithful support of this project is paramount in making it happen.
But the ministry of Wings cannot be measured in economic terms alone, for we also are helping to fulfill the prophetic plan of God as foretold in Scripture: "I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders." (Isaiah 49:22). Today, more than ever, you can transform the lives of the remnants of Israel with your love and your help.

Your help is needed:
* To rescue Jews from the "land of the North" (former Soviet Union).
* To help needy Jews return "home" from lands of distress.
* To meet basic needs of new arrivals to the Holy Land.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is devoted to building bridges of understanding between Christians and Jews, developing a broad base of support for Israel, and encouraging cooperation on other shared concerns. You may wish to prayerfully consider participating in our ministry and supporting our work. The Fellowship has developed an array of educational material - books, tapes, and videos - to help you learn more about the Jewish roots of your faith and how to be a blessing to Israel.
For detailed information about these life-changing projects please contact:
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
30 North LaSalle, Suite 2600, Chicago, IL 60602 Phone 312-641-7200
Fax 312-641-7201
http://ifcj.org