How You Can Help Israel
Updated: Oct 25
On the Jewish holiday of Simcha Torah, in the early morning of Shabbat, Hamas initiated an unprovoked attack from Gaza into the surrounding areas of Israel. October 7th was to be a day of joy, a day when Jews celebrate the glorious Torah and the beginning of another year of daily readings from God’s word. This was a day when the Torah would be honored and even paraded in the streets, held high and accompanied with dancing and gladness. Instead, terrorists paraded hostages in the streets and what should have been a day of joy, turned to mourning.
One of my friends asked me what they could practically do for Israel and I thought maybe others are wondering the same. Here are four important and practical ways you can help Israel during her time of need:
PRAYER
My heart is always for Israel, whom I consider my people, and so I have been partly here in the states, and in my heart and prayers, there with my brethren. For those who are praying, your prayers are powerful and effective! When we speak a blessing over Israel, it makes a difference in the spirit. My current prayer is that like Elijah’s servant in 2 Kings 6:17-20, the eyes of the citizens of Israel who do not know Yeshua as their Messiah yet, will be opened and they will literally see angels protecting them. I pray that many will have dreams and open visions of Yeshua and that this great tragedy will be transformed into a spiritual harvest. Prayer is no small thing, it is EVERYTHING.
ONE FOR ISRAEL
One for Israel was birthed as a bible college in 1990 and became a dynamic, multifacted ministry headquartered in Israel. Their goal is to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and encourage unity between Jews and Arabs in Israel. Their media evangelism efforts are first-class - You can view their testimonials on YouTube. They also provide support for Messianic IDF soldiers https://www.oneforisrael.org/evangelism-media/ and are currently providing emergency relief to those affected by the current crisis. You can find out more from the following video:
FRIENDS OF THE IDF (FIDF)
The FIDF is the only organization in the United States that is authorized to collect charitable donations on behalf of the soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces. They are an amazing national organization that has been in operation since 1981 serving the men and women of the IDF, wounded veterans and families of fallen soldiers. They have a four star rating on Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133156445 with a 98% score. My husband and I are personally connected with the FIDF regional representatives and are volunteers for our region. We are very impressed with the programs and impact. Currently, 100% of the emergency fund donations are going to the soldiers and IDF. They are in need of temporary field hospitals, intensive care ambulances, hygiene kits, plasma kits, etc. You can find more information at: https://www.fidf.org/ Please contact your local regional representative to find out how you can personally help. Below is a sample video from one of their series on YouTube:
CONNECTING WITH RONIT BENDER
In my previous blog, you were introduced to Ronit Bender; Messianic Jewish Israeli, evangelist, minister and widow who lives in Haifa. She is a treasure of information and can personally
inform you on what is the status in her area and the specific real-time prayer needs. Supporting Ronit is a valuable way you can help Israel at the grass roots level. She can be contacted by email at: tbender1@fastmail.fm
Prayer, giving, partnering and passing on this blog information, are important ways you can literally help the nation of Israel now. May Psalm 121 be their comfort and hope during this crisis:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORDis your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.