2020: A Bad Year for Iran

The year 2020 has been a tragic and challenging year for the world—from the coronavirus pandemic to protests to political battles. But it’s been an especially difficult year for Iran. The economy has struggled under sanctions imposed by the US, the leader of Iran’s top terrorist spy agency was assassinated and then mysterious explosions hit

Seven Species Cake

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land…a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” Deuteronomy 8:7a–8 The seven species are a collection of grains and fruits that depict the landscape of both ancient and modern Israel. As in

Aliyah Boom

Despite the global challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Jewish people making aliyah (immigrating) to Israel in 2020 is set to top 50,000—almost double the figure in 2019. That figure is anticipated to double again in 2021, with predictions of 90,000 new immigrants making Israel their new permanent address. Israeli Minister of

The Surging Tide of Faith-based Diplomacy: A Review

I have known and worked with Josh Reinstein since 2003. I, along with a few other Christian leaders, sat with Knesset (Parliament) Member Yuri Shtern and Reinstein, strategizing how to make better connections between the Knesset and Christian leaders around the world. In 2004, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus was born. Over the past 16

Recalibrating the Focus to God

We are indeed living in troubled times, and the world has become a frightening and uncertain place. Self-help books abound that purport to have all the answers I need, telling me all about myself, who I am, what I can do and that the sky is the limit if I can just learn to love

The Season of Our Rejoicing

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) commemorates the 40 years Israel wandered the desert en route to the Promised Land, living in temporary huts, or sukkot—with nothing but the faithfulness of God to provide for their daily necessities in a barren wilderness. Today, their descendants celebrate Sukkot according to God’s command, “You shall dwell in booths for

Israel and the Bible

Israel is often called “the Land of the Bible.” The land itself brings the Bible to life. Modern cities and towns have ancient biblical names. The plants, trees, birds and animals are talked about in the Bible. Father Bargil Pixner, a Catholic priest, described the land as the “fifth gospel.” Everywhere you turn in Israel,

Convenient Scapegoats

“Anti-Semitism is best understood as a virus. It has no logic. Jews were hated because they were rich and because they were poor; because they were capitalists and because they were communists; because they held tenaciously to an ancient faith and because they were rootless cosmopolitans, believing nothing. Hate needs no logic. It is a

The Bible, the “West Bank” and Peace Plans

Thousands of years ago, Abraham was given a divine promise that his descendants—those who came from his son Isaac and eventually were known as Israel—would possess the land of Israel. In more recent history, Abraham’s other descendants—those coming from his son Ishmael and eventually known as Arabs—have laid claim to much of that very same

Culture of Rescue

There was a moment in the 20th century that signaled the point at which a people who had gone through the slaughter of the Holocaust without much resistance became a valiant, determined people who fought for their place in the world. The newborn State of Israel had promised to champion every Jewish person no matter

Elul—Preparing to Meet the King

Life’s special occasions call for extra preparation. We make the effort to study for the important test, train for the marathon, dress up for the big anniversary and bring out the good china when special guests come for dinner. The more extraordinary the event, the bigger the effort and the more intense the preparations. An

Israel Leading the COVID-19 Fight

During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the tiny nation of Israel proudly wore the title of safest country to be during the pandemic. Israel, nicknamed “the Start-up Nation,” stands among other world powers in the battle against COVID-19. This nation has kept pace with the US, the UK, China, Germany, Japan and other countries

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