Taking a rest in the Sukkah after the hectic weeks in Ukraine?
The period prior to the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur always causes high levels of activity where we live, with hundreds of Olim and young Jewish children aged 14 through 17 who leave for Israel from Ukraine for good with a study programme.
What a joy and strength these children had when they left! We have known many of them for years. Their parents⊠Well, they certainly had to wipe a tear from their eye, but many of them will probably follow within two years. That is the objective of the Naale program created by Israel. It means âreturn for the parentsâ.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
Tomorrow night the Feast of Tabernacles starts, so no more rides with Olim who leave for Israel. You would almost think: taking a rest for a minute⊠Well: yes and no!
A large group from the Netherlands and Germany is arriving on Saturday the 12th of October (today) for an encouragement tour till Saturday the 19th of October. The participants had already been here before, so we prepared a special programme with numerous new places to visit.
The group will also roll their sleeves up, because we will pack 2,000 food parcels and hand them out during the Feast of Tabernacles. A special feast we can participate in and celebrate in the Sukkah. Once a rabbi told me that Jews are actually commissioned to invite non-Jews in the Sukkah, to praise the Almighty and enjoy the simple but delicious food!
The prophet Zechariah (14:16-19) also spoke about what is in store for the nations when they will not celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and will not go up to Jerusalem to bow for the Great King!
Food for the poor
During this feast many poor Jews will receive a food parcel! Three hundred families in eastern Ukraine already received their food parcel.
In five new cities near the battle front we made contact with the small Jewish community still living there. The next step is to supply them with food parcels.
Good news is that our team has been boosted with two Sergeys: one Sergey as helper and interpreter and the other Sergey as driver. He also owns his own minibus, which is very handy. The female chefs of the local Baptist Church in Vinnitsa are already pleased that they can cook for the âforeignersâ.
In the upcoming December edition of âIsrael & Christians Todayâ you can read more about our food parcel winter action in Ukraine.
Greetings from a still sunny Ukraine!
Friendship
The food parcels are regularly distributed among Holocaust survivors, poor families, Jewish refugees, children and the sick. A food parcel is more than a bag of food. Itâs a sign of your friendship and your support, a testimony to our Jewish brothers and sisters that they are not alone.
Will you help?
The cost of one food parcel is 10 euros or 11 US $. For this amount we buy wholesale products. The parcels are packed by volunteers and distributed throughout Ukraine. Will you help with one or more food parcels? Your support is desperately needed!
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