Letter from the
Director Dear friends, Early in April, Israel commemorated the Holocaust, when six million Jews were brutally and systematically murdered throughout Europe at the hands of the German Nazis. A week later, we were reminded of the 23,085 Israeli soldiers who have fallen defending the nation since 1948, followed by Israel’s joyous day for celebrating its independence – Yom Hatzmaut. Israel is 65 years old and has risen literally like a phoenix from the ashes of Auschwitz, Treblinka or Theresienstadt. This nation is truly a miracle before our very eyes! Attending the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies at Yad Vashem this year gave us a strong reminder of one of the challenges facing the Jewish people today. One of the six Holocaust survivors chosen to light the six torches at Yad Vashem, representing the six million martyrs of the Holocaust, passed away just one week before the ceremony. There are still some 200,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel, but every day another 35 survivors are dying. One lady residing at our home for Holocaust survivors in Haifa recently shared with me her biggest concern. “What will happen when we all have died?” she asked. “Will anybody believe that it all happened?”
ICEJ was founded in 1980 as an act of comfort and solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people in their claim to Jerusalem. Today, the Christian Embassy stands at the forefront of a growing mainstream movement of Christians worldwide who share a love and concern for Israel and an understanding of the biblical significance of the modern ingathering of Jews to the land of their forefathers. From our headquarters in Jerusalem and through our branches and representatives in over 80 nations, we seek to challenge the Church to take up its scriptural responsibilities towards the Jewish people, to remind Israel of the wonderful promises made to her in the Bible, and to be a source of practical assistance to all the people of the Land of Israel. The ICEJ is a non-denominational faith ministry, supported by the voluntary contributions of our members and friends across the globe. We invite you to join with us as we minister to Israel and the Jewish people worldwide by using the enclosed response slip to make your donation to the ongoing work and witness of the ICEJ.
Word from JERUSALEM
CREDITS Executive Director Dr. Jürgen Bühler International Director Juha Ketola Editor David Parsons Graphic Design/Illustrator Peter Ecenroad Administration David van der Walt, Wim van der Zande, Stephan Vorster Photography Jani Salokangas, Herbert Kelly, Nehemias Jaruchik, Petra van der Zande, Estera Wieja, Birte Scholz, Yonathan Parsons, Israel Images, WikiMedia, Associated Press The New King James Bible is used for all Bible references unless otherwise noted. Word From Jerusalem is published by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Word From Jerusalem has no subscription price and is supported through contributions worldwide. All gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible (in countries where this applies). For more information visit us at: www.icej.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM P.O. Box 1192, Jerusalem • 91010, ISRAEL
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I assured her that this is one of the core callings of the ministry of the Christian Embassy. Our partnership with Yad Vashem is a powerful tool against forgetfulness. Every year, we bring pastors from all over the world to Jerusalem for a week-long conference to learn not only the lessons from the Holocaust but also what can be done so that history will not repeat itself again. Our vision is to double the number of pastors who are taking part in these annual seminars in coming years. One pastor from Singapore assured me of how important this week was for him. A ministry leader from Australia insisted that it was life changing. Please help us touch and change more lives in the challenging days ahead! May the Lord bless you out of Zion!
Dr. Jürgen Bühler ICEJ Executive Director
COVER PHOTO: ICEJ and Yad Vashem directors at the Yom Hashoah ceremony in Warsaw Ghetto Square. For Magazine Archives visit www.icej.org/media/word-jerusalem