Winter 2016

Help Create An Educational Hub in the Desert!

Since the regional library is a half hour drive from Hemdat, the local library in that community has become a fixture in the Jordan Valley, not only serving Hemdat residents, but residents from neighboring Maskiot, Roi, Bekaot, and Hamra. It has become a center for children’s activities, musical performances, guest lectures, and symposiums. The library has happily outgrown its small space, and is now in the beginning stages of renovation and expansion.

Hemdat is asking for our help in purchasing library equipment and furnishings. The community needs a library computer system, children’s center equipment including a puppet theater, more shelving, and of course, books! Let’s give this gift to the hardworking pioneers of the Jordan Valley, people who have done so much for Israel, let’s give them what they need to enjoy the library for years to come!

Request your complimentary paper copy of this Nahala

Stand Up For Israel

Victoria Hearst: A Publishing Heiress with a Heart for the Heartland

One of Victoria’s fondest memories of Israel is her February 2011 visit. Sondra took Victoria to visit communities all over Judea and Samaria. She had been to Ariel before, but had never really spent time in the smaller communities of Judea and Samaria. During that trip she visited the communities of Karnei Shomron, Itamar, Ofra, Efrat, Kfar Etzion, Nokdim, and Tekoa.

Victoria visited the Heart of Benjamin after-school program for special-needs children in Ofra, which at the time was functioning out of temporary caravans. She was warmly welcomed by Heart of Benjamin leaders, Mali and Yaakov Striegler who hosted Victoria and Sondra in their home for a barbeque dinner. In Tekoa they had dinner with Seth and Sherrie Mandel whose son Koby was murdered by terrorists at the height of the second Intifada.

These experiences over the years have given Victoria a keen sense of what Judea and Samaria is all about. She has connected with the people of the Biblical heartland and understands the pressing need for assistance. “I’d have to say that the projects closest to my heart are Gush Katif refugee needs, and special needs children’s projects. But that’s not to say that playgrounds and day care centers aren’t also important.”

“I’d tell the person trying to get involved to visit, come see it for yourself. And if you can’t visit, give to CFOIC Heartland. Even if you can only give $20, that money is making a difference!”

Pioneers in Our Day

Yisrael Medad: His Right Word

Political advisor, spokesperson, activist, author, journalist and blogger are just a few of the many hats Yisrael Medad has worn during his impressive forty-five year career working for the people of Israel in the Land of Israel. Visiting his blog called “My Right Word”, you get a good sense of the kind of guy he is and the matters closest to his heart. He describes his blog by defining himself: “My thoughts, assertions and observations on issues important to me as a Jew, a Zionist, a Revenant in Yesha (Hebrew acronym for Judea and Samaria) and as an inquisitive human being.” As it were, he is as interesting as he is inquisitive.

Over the years and thanks in part to CFOIC Heartland, Medad has met with Christian Zionists from all walks of life. “I feel very comfortable talking to Christians,” Yisrael affirms. He has been featured on the “Prophecy Today” program, and most recently had the opportunity to guide Father Gabriel Naddaf at ancient Shiloh. Father Naddaf and Medad clicked instantly and at the conclusion of the tour, he told Medad: “Continue to dig for artifacts. Continue to discover history. You can’t imagine how moved I am today by what I see here. Everyone should come here and see these things for himself and be blessed by it forever. Be strong, and may God bless you.” May God continue to give Yisrael Medad the strength and passion to write, speak and advocate for Israel!

Give Thanks!

We don’t know how to thank you, Sondra, and your incredible community of friends at CFOIC for your generosity and, equally as important, your ongoing support of our efforts here at JobKatif.

Over the years, you have been staunch supporters of our work with Gush Katif evacuees — be it helping them find stable employment, launching new businesses, subsidizing scholarships for second generation students or professional retraining courses for the parents. Together, we have helped to reintegrate into the work force more than 2,600 people.

While most of our work with the Gush Katif families is coming to a conclusion — from an 85% unemployment rate to an 85% employment rate — there is still much to do. JobKatif is committed to helping the remaining individuals who, after ten years are still not able to support their families. Our work with them will continue, but we will also be reaching out to other population sectors, where we believe we can make a major contribution and help them turn around their employment prospects and future…

Warmest Wishes,

Yosef Zvi Rimon
Chairman and Founder Executive Director
JobKatif

Judy Lowy

An Eye on Zion: Kochav Yaakov

Just over a century later, a group of devout pioneers sharing the same love and passion for the Land of Israel, founded a new community just north of Jerusalem. Drawing their inspiration from Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira, they named it “Abir Yaakov,” the same venerated title that was used to address the late Rabbi during his life. Subsequently renamed “Kochav Yaakov,” (“Star of Jacob”), the community has absorbed many Jews who, like Rabbi Abuhatzeira, left their respective countries of birth to live in the Land of Israel.

Mar 3, 2025

The Evil That Surrounds Us

As we watched the return of what we thought were the bodies of four beautiful Israelis, we wept with the families and with all of Israel. Shiri Bibas and her two gorgeous red-headed children, Kfir and Ariel — their story and their pictures traveled the world and became the symbol of the evil and cruelty of the Hamas terrorists.

Feb 25, 2025

An Eye on Zion: Kiryat Arba

On April 4, 1968, Rabbi Moshe and Miriam Levinger, a visionary couple, registered themselves and dozens of others to stay at Hebron’s Park Hotel. Just ten months after the People of Israel liberated Hebron and the rest of the Biblical Heartland during the Six Day War in 1967, this dedicated group excitedly planned to hold the city’s first Passover Seder in several decades.

Feb 17, 2025

The Price We Pay for Caring

What an emotional roller-coaster! Last Sunday and again this past Saturday, we waited with baited breath to see which hostages would be released and what they would look like. It had been more than a year since the last hostage release, and no one knew what their condition would be.

Jan 28, 2025

A Week in Washington D.C.

The experience of participating in what could be one of the most pivotal moments for Judea and Samaria left an indelible mark on me. I want to share with you, my friends, the highlights of this extraordinary journey.

Jan 23, 2025

An Eye on Zion: Yakir

The pioneers named the nascent community “Yakir,” meaning “precious,” the precise Hebrew word used by God to describe His “son,” Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:19).

Jan 13, 2025

Life in a Villa in a Jungle

It is hard to believe that another year has gone by—another year of seemingly unending war, tragedy, loss. There are still 100 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. While at least 36 have been murdered, it is not clear how many of the remaining 64 are still alive.

Dec 31, 2024

An Eye on Zion: Avigayil

Drawing their inspiration from the Biblical figure Avigayil (Abigail), Elisha and his friends decided to establish a new community in the southern Hebron Hills. They parked an old bus on a plot of land facing Maon, the ancient Biblical site where Avigayil lived.

Dec 9, 2024

Israel Welcomes Trump

What an astounding result in the US elections! While this regime change will have significant effect on many issues in the US, as an Israeli, I want to share with you my thoughts, which reflect the thoughts of so many in Israel, on how this change will affect Israel.

Nov 19, 2024

An Eye on Zion: Bet Hagai

On Friday evening of May 2, 1980, a group of students from Nir Yeshiva, located on the outskirts of the Biblical city of Hebron, excitedly headed to the Cave of Machpelah. There, they joyfully welcomed in the Sabbath with uplifting prayers.
That evening, however, terrorists threw grenades and fired bullets in the direction of the students, murdering three of them.

Nov 11, 2024