Sorrow and Hope

Dispatch from Jerusalem

The Russian Enigma

Often when discussing Israel, speakers remark that the tiny nation is in the news, on the airwaves and visible in cyber space no matter where you might travel. For those who recognize the biblical and prophetic significance of what God is doing in Israel, it comes as no surprise. However, another country is finding a

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Israeli Hospitals Break Down Borders

Israeli hospitals far surpass the norm of simply a place where sick people go to get better. They are those rare places on earth where miracles seem to abound; not only medical miracles but relational ones as well. Many people of different religious affiliations and all walks of life come together under one roof for

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Revering the Name of God

Studying Jewish worldview and culture has greatly enriched my life on many levels. For instance, when I see the reverence that Jewish people have for God’s name I am often challenged. It is a deeply held precept often referred to as Kiddush HaShem—Sanctifying God’s name. This is usually done in two main ways: by living

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Taking the UNHRC to Task

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) has made it a point to deal with inequities toward Israel at the UN. In May she penned an open letter in the Washington Post in which she took the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to task for its anti-Israel bias and unfair judgments against

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First Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast

Knesset Members and Christian leaders from around the world recently gathered in Jerusalem for the first annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. A highlight was a visit to the president’s house. “This is a significant convening,” Rivlin said. “The meeting at the Knesset and here at my residence is important as we long to receive the prayers

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Pnina’s Chicken Pilaf

I grew up eating this dish almost every erev Shabbat (Friday evening). My mom learned from her mom who learned it from her mother-in-law. This recipe has been in our family ever since they left Bucharia (now known as Uzbekistan). It is traditional to cook the pilaf in a large cast iron pot but a

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The Complexities of Living in Israel

The Status of Jerusalem “Fifty years ago we returned to the heart of our capital and our country, and 50 years ago we did not conquer—we liberated…With the bravery of our soldiers and with the love of our people, Jerusalem was reunited and so, today, I say to the world with a loud and clear

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Arabs Want Peace with Israel, but Palestinians Do Not

Peace in the Middle East is more than just a dream. For multiple Arab nations and Israel, it’s already something of a reality—or at least close enough for now. That’s the opinion of Dr. Jonathan Spyer, a Middle East expert who told The Mideast Update that secretive relations between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United

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Rejoicing with Jerusalem

2017 will be remembered as the year of unforgettable anniversaries. In 1917 the Balfour Declaration was penned and General Allenby liberated Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire. The first Zionist Congress met 120 years ago and issued a united declaration to establish a Jewish homeland. This was pivotal for the next milestone which came 70 years

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Mobility Means Freedom

One of the keys to independence is mobility—being able to move from place to place at will. For those who have suffered spinal cord injuries or perhaps a crippling illness, a wheelchair is the ticket to that mobility and independence. Today there are between five and eight million disabled children in the world who need

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