FZS Update – Winter 2026
A very Happy and Blessed New Year from FZS!
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Dear Friends of Israel and For Zion’s Sake,
As we reflect and consider the Lord’s blessings in 2025, we stand in awe and gratefulness for all His mighty works, enabling us to reach out to hundreds in need of support and comfort in Israel and around the globe!
We would like to share with you some recent events this month as FZS welcomed a group of Hawaiians in Jerusalem who flew all the way from the Big Island. Together, we organized different events, including Luaus with traditional Hawaiian food, music and dance, and made multiple visits to comfort Holocaust Survivors, wounded soldiers, and others in pain and mourning with love and blessings.
Jerusalem Street Outreach
One rainy morning, we set up in Zion Square, downtown Jerusalem, and started playing in the cold. Soon, the sun came out and more and more people would stop to listen to the Hawaiian melodies played on the ukelele and guitars. Conversations started up out of curiosity, with some individuals staying for longer periods of time and even returning! Some of the questions and comments included: “Where are you from?”, “What are you doing here?”, “Since when do people outside of Israel love us?”, and “Wow! Amazing!”. A group of children with special needs also approached us and we all sang to congratulate one of the girls who was celebrating her birthday.
Street Outreach in Downtown Jerusalem
Visiting with Holocaust Survivors
FZS and “Shaloha” Meeting with Holocaust Survivors
We were blessed to gather several times with 2 groups of Holocaust Survivors, including a Chanukkah celebration, as well as a personal home visit. The Survivors truly enjoyed traditional Hawaiian food, songs, and dances, while also singing songs in Hebrew and Yiddish! They were visibly touched by the visitors from a far-away tropical island, the calming Hawaiian music, traditional dishes, care and love! Even the venue’s staff said it was an unusually warm gathering. We concluded the event by all singing HaTikvah – the Israeli National anthem, together.
A Hawaiian Luau for Holocaust Survivors
Sharing Love and Warm Embraces
A Chanukkah Celebration with Holocaust Survivors
On another occasion, we were blessed to visit Tanya, an 88-year-old Holocaust Survivor in her home one evening. She shared her story of survival, having lost her mother and brother as a 5-year-old, and spoke of the similar atrocities of October 7th. She then switched to a happier subject and proudly told of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose pictures and drawings cover each wall. As we said our goodbyes, Tanya made sure to personally bless each one of us who came to visit her!
Visiting Tanya in her home with much love!
Wounded IDF Soldiers and Hospital Visits
We continue to keep in touch with the wounded IDF soldiers that we have hosted for a week of restoration in Europe. FZS organized a similar Luau event for these young men together with the Hawaiian visitors at The Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem. The guys were happy to learn some Hawaiian terms and even new Hula dance steps! It was yet again a blessed time of sweet fellowship, and we shared with them words of encouragement as they continue with their ongoing recovery process.
A Hawaiian Luau with Wounded Soldiers
Another day, we set out to visit with such wounded young men who are still hospitalized after their injuries sustained in battle. One of the hospital buildings include an orthopedic department, where many of the patients have extensive nerve damage due to shrapnel, lost or amputated limbs. We gathered together, engaging in conversation and singing songs. It was very special for us to spend time with these patients, and we felt privileged and blessed to be able to bring a little comfort and joy to their lives in between treatments and recovery.
Visiting with Wounded Soldiers in Hospital
FZS Jerusalem Distribution Center
Our FZS Jerusalem Distribution Center continues to welcome new immigrants from cities all over Israel, to bless many Olim families, single parents, IDF soldiers, and Holocaust Survivors with brand-new clothing, shoes and food. Recently we have seen an increase in new arrivals from Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Clothing and Food Distribution at FZS Jerusalem
In partnership with a booming and expanding bakery, we also continue to distribute a large quantity of a variety of bread on a daily basis, including Challahs, sourdough loaves, buns and baguettes, blessing Holocaust Survivors, shut-in elderly and others in need.
Bread Delivery for Distribution for Holocaust Survivors and Shut-in Elderly
Wishing you many blessings in 2026!
Jerusalem at Night
Prayer Requests:
- As Antisemitism continues to skyrocket globally, please also pray for protection and wisdom in all decisions. Many who were once staunch and unmovable supporters of Israel are now questioning their stance due to the tsunami of antisemitic/anti-Zionist media and misinformation on social media platforms, which is also creeping into the church.
- We will be hosting our next group of wounded soldiers in January. We appreciate your prayers for openness and protection.
- Please pray for the Lord’s provision so that our distribution center is continually supplied with good things to give.
- Pray for those who have been affected by trauma, that they might find comfort.
Thank you all for your continued faithful prayers and support over the years to For Zion’s Sake and all the outreaches we are involved in! As we enter the new year, we pray abundant blessings over you and your loved ones! May His Light continue to shine upon and through you, and may His Love, Joy and Peace fill your every-day as you walk with Him!
We wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year!
Shalom and Blessings,
For Zion’s Sake Staff
For Zion’s Sake is a US-Israeli 501c3, non-profit humanitarian aid organization – established and dedicated to assisting the needs of newly arriving immigrants, Olim, home to Israel. For most Olim, starting life over in the Holy Land is both emotionally, socially, as well as economically overwhelming. Russian-speaking Jews have been the largest source of immigration with now over 1 million living in Israel and are a significant part of those who come to us for aid, along with many more from other countries who have returned home to Israel.
FZS was established to help meet the practical and spiritual needs of the returning remnant, and as the Lord leads and provides, we continue to minister to the ever-growing requirements that Israelis are experiencing as well as fulfilling our vision to assist in the guarantee of basic human rights to all people, joining others in efforts to prevent poverty around the world. Our hearts are also to bring global Humanitarian Aid relief after catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and terror attacks wherever they may occur as “First Responders”.
FZS US Mailing Address
For Zion’s Sake Ministries
PO Box 6536
Huntington Beach, CA 92615
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