News and Reflections
May 2023 Heartland Highlight: Karnei Shomron
Karnei Shomron is determined to help the families of children with a variety of special
needs, those dealing with intense grief, learning disabilities and other emotional
challenges. Investing in these children and their families will enable them to reach their
full potential and find joy in their lives.
Mourning Our Dead, Celebrating Our Miracle
Today is Israel’s Memorial Day for our fallen soldiers and terror victims. It is a difficult day for all of us but particularly difficult for those who have lost loved ones. Their loss permeates their lives each and every day, but one day each year, the entire nation mourns with them.
Christians and the Holocaust
Sondra, Tommy, and Kim all discuss their feelings about the Holocaust. Sondra shares personal stories from her family.
A Visit With Shmuel: Ofra
This month, I visited the community of Ofra, one of the original Jewish communities in Samaria. What began as a workers camp grew into the first modern Jewish community north of Jerusalem.
April 2023 Heartland Highlight: Ofra
The Heart of Benjamin program, in Ofra, caters to families residing in the Benjamin region, providing resources for severely disabled children and their families, and helping them navigate a myriad of educational and social challenges. During the week before Passover the program operates camps for the severely disabled children, providing structure, and a memorable camp experience.
Israel in its Most Difficult Hour
After weeks of aggressive demonstrations in the streets of Israel against the Government’s proposed judicial reform, in the past few days, things reached a frenzy that was truly frightening.
Meet Lisa from Bet Yatir
Join CFOIC's Maya Berretta as she interviews Lisa from Bet Yatir!
A Visit With Shmuel: A Purim Celebration
We celebrated Purim last week and I filmed this on that day, in my own community of Zufim, enabling you to share my wonderful holiday with me. If you could not celebrate Purim in a Jewish community, then this is certainly the next best thing. Please join me as we celebrate Purim in Zufim.
Lessons of Purim
Today is Purim, one of the most joyous holidays of the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the events recorded in the Book of Esther.
Interestingly, God’s name is not mentioned once in the Book of Esther, the only book of the Bible where He is seemingly absent. But then again, that is the point.
Celebrating Tu B’Shvat after the Shemittah year!
Each winter we celebrate the Jewish Holiday of Tu B'Shvat, the 15th day of the Biblical 11th month, known in Hebrew as Shvat. It is a time when we all go out and plant trees, setting down roots in the Land of Israel and celebrating the return of the Jewish people to our land. This year was particularly joyous as it marked the first Tu B'Shvat after the Sabbatical year, when we did not plant any trees.
