May 2004 - Special News From Israel

This note came from our friends outside Tel Aviv, Eddie and Jackie Santoro.

They are Tikkun emissaries and have ministered in our congregation on more

than one occasion.  We send them monthly support.  It's exciting to see what

the Lord is doing in Israel during these last days.  Enjoy, Michael.

Happy 56th Birthday, Israel!!!

With fireworks, the noise of huge crowds gathered together and with lots of

joy, Israel celebrated its 56th year of existence yesterday. There is a big

difference between July 4th in America and Yom Hatzmaut (Independence Day)

in Israel. First of all, Israel is only 56 years old! It is a nation that is

still filled with people who know what it was to be Jewish and have no place

to call home. There are still many who remember the immense suffering that

led to the birth of this nation. There is hardly a person here who is not

somehow connected with someone who has fallen in defense of this land. In

addition, there is no one who lives here that does not participate daily in

the struggle to maintain  the  miracle of the existence of Israel. Whether

by living under the continuous cloud of terror attacks, suffering the

rejection and hatred of so much of the world or by just paying the very high

taxes needed to sustain a military that is able to defend its borders, each

citizen is personally involved.

And then there is the nearly 50% of the population that has moved here from

other nations to be a part of Israel. Some fled persecution, some came out

of religious or Zionist zeal but all of these people have also paid a great

personal price in leaving their former land and loved ones behind.

Independence Day in Israel is really a big birthday party and Israel is the

guest of honor. In every city and town across the nation nearly all the

residents come out in the evening to begin the 24 hour celebration. This day

is not about sales in the shops and malls (they are closed!!) and it is not

about a day off from work but it is all about rejoicing in the existence of

this incredible nation that has become a home to a people that were once

dispersed throughout the earth.

We went to the festivities in a park located in Ra'anana, a town near where

we live and we joined the many thousands of others who also came out. The

town provided free shuttle buses to bring the residents to the park and we

rode on one that was reminiscent of my time in India; packed to overflowing!

The night was filled with fireworks, shows and lots of food! The crowds were

often overwhelming but we have long ago learned that Israelis like to do

everything together. This night was no different and it seemed as if not a

single person stayed at home.  In spite of the crush of people,  it was

inspiring to sense the  joy and appreciation that the Israeli's  have for

their nation.

Early the next morning, the entire nation, as is the tradition, headed out

to its public parks to have the annual Yom Hatzmaut picnic and barbeque. Our

congregation invited another congregation  to participate with us. It was a

blessed day of fellowship, lots of food, and as always there were unsaved

people that were witnessed to through the living presence of God's love.