JANUARY 2025
YOU ARE STANDING WITH ISRAEL AND BLESSING HER PEOPLE IN NEED ISRAEL
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR | GRIGORYʼS STORY
As World War II began, Grigory was just 15 and living in Ukraine. When his father was forced to fight in the war, he stayed behind with his mother and younger sister. But then the Nazis invaded this Jewish family’s home and seized everything of value, so the three of them fled east over the Ural Mountains.
He recalled, “I saw so much pain during World War II, and after it ended, I learned about the horrors of the Holocaust that my family and I narrowly escaped.”
Grigory found work at a factory, where the noise level damaged his hearing—and eventually he became totally dependent on hearing aids. When he was 75 and his wife had cancer, the couple moved to
Israel. They became citizens and she received life-saving treatment, living 18 more years.
Now Grigory is a 98-year-old widower living alone near Nazareth. “I was outraged by the attacks on October 7,” he said. “It brought back all the memories from World War II and the Holocaust.” He was also distressed because he desperately needed a new hearing aid but couldn’t afford to buy one. His fixed income barely covers food, medicine, and rent. Feeling lonely and isolated, where could he turn?
Through CBN Israel, you gave Grigory a new hearing aid, helping him feel more connected to others. In addition, you are providing him with groceries while also hosting gatherings and meals that are special for people like him—those who battle loneliness. He exclaimed, “Your kindness is amazing!”
Since the war began, many other Israelis are also in crisis situations. They’ve had to evacuate their homes, leaving behind their possessions and jobs. Your ongoing support can bring them emergency relief, food, and shelter—while continuing to assist refugees, war victims, single moms, and others who are struggling to survive. Thank you!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE!
ISRAEL RELIEF
Your support provides food, clothing, housing, education, and hope to Israel’s most vulnerable people. You are blessing victims of war and terror, Holocaust survivors, widows, orphans, single moms, refugees, and others who desperately need our help.
ISRAEL NEWS
Your gifts make it possible to produce unbiased, independent journalism through broadcasts, podcasts, and online media dedicated to informing the world about what is happening in Israel and the Middle East through our news bureau in Jerusalem.
ISRAEL FILMS
Your funding helps produce groundbreaking films that tell the true story of Israel, its right to exist in the face of growing antisemitism, its extensive biblical history, its innovative and entrepreneurial culture, and its commitment to helping others—even its enemies.
ISRAEL INSTITUTE
Your partnership enables us to shape the future of Israel advocacy by training, educating, and equipping the next generation of Christian leaders to stand with the Jewish nation and counter anti-Israel propaganda, disinformation, and antisemitism.
SAVING LIVES BY RENOVATING BOMB SHELTERS
This past year, a team of CBN Israel volunteers helped renovate dozens of bomb shelters for Israeli families in low-income communities that face near-daily rocket barrages from Hezbollah.
In October 2023, the terrorist group began firing tens of thousands of rockets at the Jewish state from its massive arsenal of weaponry in southern Lebanon.
Unfortunately, many public bomb shelters in Israel were in a state of neglect due to disuse in calmer times. If residents were to take refuge in the shelters for extended periods of time, repairs would have to be made, such as fixing the plumbing so the bathrooms were functional.
You were there to help, through CBN Israel’s partnership with Tenufa Bakehila. This organization, which rehabilitates housing for underprivileged families, has been renovating public bomb shelters in marginalized communities since the October 7 attacks.
Six miles south of Lebanon’s border, the Israeli
town of Hatzor Haglilit had been spared from Hezbollah’s rockets and shrapnel for 11 months—but now, it was under direct attack. When they asked Tenufa Bakehila to help protect its 12,000 residents, they were dismayed to learn that the group’s budget had just run out.
The next day, however, you provided the funds to renovate their bomb shelters! CBN Israel volunteers also assisted in painting and repairing the shelters, located beneath apartment buildings, that protect hundreds of families.
Residents expressed their heartfelt thanks to CBN Israel, and the mayor exclaimed, “The work you are doing here is not a luxury item. It is lifesaving! With these renovations, we can stay here if needed for days.”
This is just one of many ways your gifts to CBN Israel have been offering crucial help to vulnerable Israelis. You also bring food, housing, and essentials to others in need. Thank you so much for caring!
RISING TIDE OF GLOBAL ANTISEMITISM
By Chris Mitchell
This month, Israelis and many around the globe will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. More than one year after October 7, 2023—the worst day since the Holocaust—this day resonates deeply within the heart and soul of Jews worldwide. It’s also a reminder that a new generation of Christians and “Righteous Gentiles” needs to stand up to the rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
On November 7, 2024, well-organized gangs of radical Muslims—reportedly with help from Iran—brutally attacked Israelis who came to watch their soccer team in Amsterdam. Israel had to organize emergency flights back home for nearly 2,000 Israelis.
Eran Zahavi, the head of the Israeli team, told reporters, “We all saw what happened—shameful. This is the world we live in now, unfortunately. Our fans were very intimidated when they went through the worst there. They came to see soccer and that’s what happened.”
Israel’s new foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, flew to
Amsterdam and warned European leaders these attacks could not be tolerated. “Radical Islam is dangerous not only in the Middle East, not only to Israel; it is dangerous to Western society,” he said. “If you compromise with this mob that made these barbaric attacks in the streets of Amsterdam, eventually you will not be able to recognize the society and the country you are living in. And this is the real danger today.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew a connection between the attacks and a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice condemning Israel. “In both cases,” he said, “it is a dangerous antisemitism that aims to make the Jews and their country helpless.”
But some Christian organizations are working to mobilize followers of Jesus to stand with the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Albert Veksler, the co-founder of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, told CBN News of a recent prayer breakfast in Denmark aimed at encouraging Christians to stand with Israel.
European student protesting with a poster calling to “keep the world clean,” with the Star of David thrown in the trash can.
Jewish women in shock immediately following the violent attacks.
Veksler said, “Denmark has the history of standing with the Jews for the last 100 years. They were the ones who saved their Jewish population during the Holocaust. King Christian the 10th—the legend said that he wore the Star of David. So, we are literally doing this to encourage our Danish friends to continue standing with Israel as they become the presidents of the European Union Council. They will be leading the European Union in the second part of 2025, and they will be non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. So, we need to strengthen a relationship, their covenant relationship with Israel, in this very, very critical time.”
Filmmaker Rabbi Raphael Shore spearheaded another effort to sound the alarm about the ancient hatred of antisemitism and modern anti-Zionism with his new film Tragic Awakening, which explores the resurgence of antisemitism after the October 7 attacks.
“Antisemitism didn’t suddenly resurge. It’s always been there. But we sometimes go into an illusion that it’s disappeared. It morphs. It comes in different shapes and sizes. And in this generation, it’s coming in the form of anti-Zionism and anti-Israel hostility.
So, I felt that if we can explain the deeper reasons for antisemitism, we can help people understand how to get on the right side of history.”
Rabbi Shore says it’s a tremendous challenge to combat antisemitism, because the forces for evil are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars a year into the media. They also control many of the professors in academia and the elites in society.
“What I’m trying to do here is provide enough clarity so that people who are on the right side of history—people who are Jewish and others who want to stand with Israel—can understand the underlying antisemitism and not get fooled or feel bad about supporting Israel.”
Shore says it’s a battle we all face—and that for Christians and Righteous Gentiles, “never again” is now.
“Because at the end of the day, this is a fight against America. It’s a fight against Judeo-Christian values. It’s a fight against Christianity, and it’s a fight against the Jews. And we need to stand together. And that’s what I’m trying to do, to give strength so that we can have moral self-confidence to stand up for what is right.”
Top (left to right): Rabbi Raphael Shore on Jerusalem Dateline discussing his new film, Tragic Awakening. Tragic Awakening: A New Look at the Oldest Hatred is a profound and timely documentary that delves deeply into the roots of antisemitism. Albert Veksler, co-founder of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, makes a special appearance on the CBN News show Jerusalem Dateline. Bottom (left to right): Anti-Israel demonstration in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Jewish men and women under attack on the streets of Amsterdam. Israeli Jewish man lying in the street after being viciously assaulted.
HOW’S YOUR LIGHT?
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16 niv
We live in a world where people like to talk. Our lives are filled with the noise of communication. Our news, sports, and even weather updates are filled with talking heads that all have something to say. Social media provides a platform for everyone to talk and express themselves.
As followers of the Lord, we may assume that we display our light through what we say, the causes we defend, and even the arguments we have on God’s behalf.
Light shines. It provides illumination in the darkness. It just does; that’s its nature. It doesn’t have to announce itself or let everyone know what it’s going to do. It shines and is visible to all.
Many of us who grew up in church were told that the way our light would shine was by sharing with our words, but Jesus equates letting our light shine with our good works. Thus, it’s not just what we say; it’s what we do. Our actions, deeds, and
works cause those around us to give glory to our Father in heaven.
As the saying goes, talk is cheap. We live in a world filled with cheap talk, quite often even by those who are followers of the Lord. We complain about the rise of anti-religious attitudes and secularism in our society, and we think that we need to speak out all the louder to stem this growing tide.
Perhaps, if we take Jesus more seriously, we should let our light shine by doing good works. People can endlessly argue with our words; they cannot argue with our actions aligned with the teachings of Jesus.
Do our good works cause people around us to give glory to God every day? Do we realize that perhaps the reason our world doesn’t glorify God is because we lack good works, or our light isn’t shining brightly enough?
Maybe we should focus more on what our works communicate than our words. So, how’s your light shining today?
PRAYER
Father, may we live our lives today obediently submitted to Your will and commands, so that those around us may see our good works and give glory to You. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
Pray that the world will never forget the horrors of the Holocaust nor the massacre and attacks of October 7, 2023.
Pray for films like Tragic Awakening to sound the alarm of antisemitism.
Pray for more Jewish families to make Aliyah and return to the land of promise as foretold by the Hebrew prophets.
Pray for Gordon Robertson on The 700 Club as he daily speaks out for Israel and the Jewish people.
Pray for CBN News as it continues to report on the spread of antisemitism.
Pray for CBN Israel as it continues to provide tangible help and hope to thousands in need across the Holy Land.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
DO YOU HAVE A PRAYER NEED?
CBN F ILMS PRESENTS
Based on the New York Times bestseller by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, The Genius of Israel reveals why the Jewish state is largely immune to the social problems that plague many Western societies.
Filmed on location in Israel and hosted by Gordon Robertson, this new CBN Films documentary explores the unique religious and cultural traditions that make Israel one of the most innovative and resilient democracies on earth.
