FZS Update from Jerusalem – Spring 2023
Happy and Blessed Shavuot – Pentecost!
Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
and to the house of the God of Jacob… – Isaiah 2:3
Thank you Lena and Sergey!
We had to say goodbye to Lena and Sergey who have together officially retired in April after working for more than 23 years together at FZS in Jerusalem. They will be moving up north to the Golan Heights to be closer to family that lives there. We will miss them greatly and are very thankful for their love and service in helping the needy at our distribution center!
With their retirement, the handover at our distribution center in Jerusalem requires much administrative and logistical restructuring. We are also using this time of transition as an opportunity to start a new phase with open ears to where and how the Lord would lead. Our oldest daughter Yael is now taking over those administrative responsibilities and will serve as an integral part of everyday operations at FZS in Jerusalem. We appreciate your prayers for this time of transition!
Welcome, Yael!
“Having heard of the need to help with the operations at FZS Jerusalem, I was excited to jump at the opportunity to be onsite and be directly involved at our distribution center. I graduated with a M.A. degree in Jewish Studies, education and languages several years ago, have been gaining work experience in various fields, and also shadowing the ministry at FZS and its various outreach programs abroad ever since I can remember. I am excited for this new challenge and the doors that will open, and look forward to this new beginning at FZS both in Israel and abroad. Thank you to everyone who has accompanied FZS over the years, for all your support and faithful prayers!”
Passover
Our congregation celebrated Passover together in Jerusalem, commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. May we have the privilege of “Next year in Jerusalem!”
Aaronic Blessing at the Western Wall
Thousands gathered for the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall in Jerusalem
Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Jerusalem Association of Holocaust Survivors, “Zikaron LeShoah” (Hebrew: “In Memory of the Holocaust”), invited us together with Israeli university students to a gathering at their center to commemorate the Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 17th. Unfortunately, upon arrival, it was discovered that the facility had been flooded with nearly 3 feet of rain water due to damaged pipes and therefore, the scheduled event couldn’t take place as planned. Nevertheless, it was a blessing to see the familiar and welcoming faces of those who have stayed with us for retreats over the years and have nice fellowship with them in the park outside their center.
Some of the Holocaust Survivors who came to commemorate the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Jerusalem
Holocaust Survivors Gregory and Elena together with Yael
Spending a Day with HS
We were invited to join the Jerusalem Association of Holocaust Survivors as they spent a day of rest at the Dead Sea. Unfortunately, most are now unable to travel anywhere due to their deteriorating health as they age. Time is precious with the last living Survivors of the Shoah!
A day we spent with Holocaust Survivors at the Dead Sea
Bradley with daughter Yael at the Dead Sea
Visiting Tanya
Visiting Tanya at her home
We visited with Tanya, a Holocaust Survivor who spends most of her days indoors, as she isn’t as mobile anymore and her eyesight is fading. Her cheerful spirit and welcoming arms are a true testament to her gratitude and positive outlook on life, no matter the circumstances. Tanya faithfully prays multiple times a day and also never fails to bless anyone who crosses her path with the Aaronic Blessing.
Yom Haatzmaut – Israel’s 75th Independence Day
Modern day Israel celebrated its 75 years of Independence according to the Jewish calendar, beginning on the eve of April 26th. Of course we know that Jerusalem is over 3000 years old since the time when David declared it as Israel’s eternal capital.
Jaffa Road, Jerusalem City Center celebrating Israel’s 75th Independence Day
Visiting with Ukrainian Refugees
Alexander with his mother Tanya
We visited with Tanya and her 15-year-old son, Alexander, who fled from Kiev, Ukraine via Hungary 7 months ago, where we met and helped them at the border. Shortly after the family’s arrival in Israel, Tanya (36) became a widow when her husband of 16 years passed away unexpectedly. Having lost their husband and father, Tanya and Alexander are now all they have and cling to one another. They are very open to the Gospel and we were able to share and pray with them as we visited with them in their modest apartment in a city south of Tel Aviv. Tanya commutes to work every day to provide for herself and her son, while Alexander is busy juggling attendance at an Israeli school and learning Hebrew as well as completing his Ukrainian curriculum in order to graduate there as well. They are very grateful to be in the Land and are hoping to have Alexander’s grandmother (Tanya’s mother-in-law) join them in Israel in the near future.
Another 40 ft. Container arrives at FZS
Our distribution center welcomed another shipping container from the Netherlands which included clothing and brand new children’s Nike shoes which will help keep our supplies full during the summer months. We are very grateful to those who helped us unload the container, stack the bags and boxes of clothing in the warehouse, and sort through the aid in order to prepare for a more orderly distribution! Each day we aim to create a welcoming and spirit-filled environment to welcome those who come to us for assistance in His love.
Unloading another aid container at FZS in Jerusalem
Lots of aid to sort and prepare for distribution – PTL!
1500 pairs of new Nike children’s shoes!
As you can see, the Lord has blessed us with so much fellowship and special times together with the people of Israel, and truly there would be so much more we could share! THANK YOU for being a part of what the LORD is doing through FZS here in Jerusalem to care for the needy!
Bradley Antolovich
International Director
Aid to Israel and the Nations