CHRISTIANS HAVE DONATED $500,000 TO ISRAELI CITIES DEVASTATED BY HAMAS ATTACKS.

By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN January 22, 2024, 18:44 Updated: January 22, 2024, 19:07. Passages brought a plaque to express their love and solidarity with Netiv HaAsara during these difficult times. (Photo credit: MAAYAN HOFFMAN)

They also carry plaques to each community to show their love and friendship during this difficult time.

On October 7, Passages donated $500,000 to two southern Israeli communities devastated by the Hamas massacre.

During a solidarity mission to the South, Christian organizations sent them to Netiv HaAsara and Kfar Aza this week. This "birthright-style" trip is free for Christian students.

In addition, they bring plaques to each community to show their love and support during these difficult times.

According to Paul Weber, Passages' chief advancement officer, the funds will be used to provide immediate psychological counseling to some of the younger members of the community so that they can have help in trying to deal with the horrors of that day. Part of the funds will also be given to advanced commemorative projects.

"Our friends, the people we know, the people we work with, the people who have interacted with our students and alumni," said Scott Phillips, CEO of Passages. "These are two places where we have taken more than 11,000 students on Passage trips in the last eight years."

The organization paid more than two dozen alumni and other supporters to travel to Israel and make donations. They arrived on Friday.

Passages visitors stand with their donation plaque in Netiv HaAsara. (credit: MAAYAN HOFFMAN)

In his statement to the Jerusalem Post

Phillips stated that, as Christians, "many of us understand that the roots of who we are as Christians are in Judaism, in the Jewish people and the Jewish story... I think there is a natural connection between Christians and Jews."

He also stated, "God commanded us to stand with Israel, so I think it was an intrinsic motivation to come here, even if there was a war."

According to Weber, the funds came from American donors, mostly through micro-donations that later increased. When Passages began their campaign to help the community, they promised that all their money would go directly to the most needy Israelis rather than being deposited in the organization. "We have committed to bringing our prospective students to this community year after year, always keeping in mind what is happening here, and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters," he said in relation to the prize.

The delegation of passengers visited the cemetery in Netiv HaAsara. Raz Shmilovich, who was a resident and tour guide of Passages prior to the assault, briefed them. He told the visitors about all the people killed that day and then took them to the mosque, where they witnessed how Hamas terrorists infiltrated and attacked.

Shmilovich recalled, "We did not choose this war. The terrorists went from door to door and from house to house, looking people in the eyes and shooting them." One morning, we woke up to Hamas terrorists trying to destroy us.

He stated that he was among the first responders at the Moshav and that he saw "horror pictures—pieces of his friend's body, relics destroyed."

I can't live with the image of a well-armed terrorist just coming into our community and shooting at us, he said.

Trip to Kfar Aza: the group also went to Kfar Aza to see the regions most affected by the Nova Festival and see the memorials of the victims.

After October 7, Jews look for friends and associates. Rivka Kidron, one of the founders of Passages and a board member, stated, "Christian communities emerged, and they continue to emerge, not only in words but also in deeds." Our students have been uplifted and get support from them, and now we have to do the same for them. Our students will continue to come here to bear witness to this tragedy and stand behind the state of Israel and the Jewish people, especially in difficult times.”

David Peters, an alumnus, experienced the same feeling. She and her partner traveled to Israel from Nashville "to support our Jewish brothers."

He stated that they plan to return to their home country and tell the truth to the main anti-Israeli media.

"I believe that lies and deception will eventually fail, and the truth will be revealed," he said. "There are so many lies and deceptions, and it's different when your boots fall to the ground." Therefore, eyes will be opened if you remain steadfast, stay on track, continue to speak the truth, and pray.

According to Peters, "We just want to tell the truth and call evil evil and good good, especially in my generation, the younger generation."

News Sources : https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-783236