This issue of Maoz Israel Report

DECEMBER 2015 Kislev - Tevet 5776 KATZIR YOUTH CAMPS TAKE PLACE 3 TIMES A YEAR IN ISRAEL. IT IS A TIME WHEN MANY ISRAELI TEENAGERS MAKE A SOLID, LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE GOD OF ISRAEL AND HIS MESSIAH YESHUA. MAOZ HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH KATZIR FOR MANY YEARS TO HELP EVERY TEENAGER WHO WISHES TO ATTEND. This issue of Maoz Israel Report is about you. How God has used you to change lives and help grow the Messianic Jewish community. And it is about how you have enabled Israel s Christian Arab community to obtain the tools to evangelize among Muslims and nominal Christians. And as a result of your generosity we have been honored to reach out to the most desperate among mankind Muslim Arab refugees. Through IstandwithIsrael, our humanitarian outreach, Maoz has channeled your gifts to those who need it most Israelis with impossible debt or expenses for many different reasons. Or simply because they are immigrants who have arrived with nothing. You also blessed students with scholarships, young people and children at Messianic camps and conferences, couples with help on their mortgage down payment, and the only Messianic Hebrew day school in Jerusalem. And because Israel s appointed commission is to be a light to the nations, when we see the horrendous needs among refugees, we also see unequaled opportunities with Jewish and Arab evangelists and pastors. Together with you, our Maoz partner, we cannot but say, Here we are. Send us! Celebrate with us the fruit of your giving! The family of God has given to all these people, programs and plans, more than $771,144! Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram By Mail: Maoz Ministries P.O Box 535788 Grand Prairie, TX 75053-5788 By Phone: U.S. 800-856-7060 CAN. 866-712-0188 U.K. 020 3740 5794 By Email: maozus@maozisrael.org maozcanada@maozisrael.org maozuk@maozisrael.org Online: www.maozisrael.org www.istandwithisrael.com Follow: maozisrael1 @maozisrael

2 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 Israelis make about 55% of American workers.* Israel reports that 1.7 million Israelis live under the poverty line. It goes without saying that Israel s Messianic Jews and Christian Arabs in Israel fortunately know the way to be free of addictions and abusive living which greatly enhances their standard of living. Yet, there are always believers who have met with misfortune - sickness, loss of jobs, etc. Many new immigrants, not having the Hebrew language, find that they struggle for years to make a living wage. Once people fall into debt, it may take them years - or never - to climb out. They lose the right to a bank account and all the amenities of what is considered normal life. We are fortunate, blessed of God, that Maoz can give a one-time gift to help pull these believers out of perpetual poverty. This couple saw their small grocery store go into bankruptcy. They have been struggling to pay off their debts for 11 years. They appealed to IstandwithIsrael to help them begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. V.K. came to faith and recovery from drug addiction through a Messianic Rehab Center. He has reunited with his wife and three children and is searching for a job. *www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org. > A SINGLE MOM WHO NEEDED HELP TO PAY FOR HER TWO DAUGHTERS DENTAL WORK. IstandwithIsrael.com Total Humanitarian Aid in 2015 - $771,144

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 3 Yaffa Sapir (right) is a holocaust survivor who immigrated to Israel at an elderly age. Yaffa has been living off of social security and her health has deteriorated so much, she is now living in the Messianic nursing home called Ebenezer Senior Citizens Home in Haifa. It is not subsidized by the government, but has a high rating from the Ministry of Health. She was in need of funds for entry into the home. Immigrants from Kazakhstan, this mother raised her two boys by herself after alcoholic husband left them. For years, she slowly paid off many loans and debts from the lifestyle of her exhusband. Nevertheless much debt still remained. She underwent a back surgery last year and has had a temporary disability. She came to faith a year ago and is a member of Israel Chai congregation. IstandwithIsrael has been able to help this family have a new start! A. immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in 1999. She became sick, and permanently handicapped, and was abandoned by her husband. Not only did we help her eliminate her debt, we also provided financial counseling to help her going forward to live within her meager means. IstandwithIsrael assisted 137 Israeli families and individuals from 51 congregations $298,000 Schools and education $22,350

4 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 Helping Israeli Messianic Jewish young people obtain a college education is one of the most powerful ways to build a healthy and prosperous next-generation Messianic community. Young people who are spiritually established and successful in careers and jobs can be active and generous in their congregations. They are representatives of the Messiah s promise of abundant life in this world and Eternal Life in the world to come. By helping them, they in turn will be able to help others. [Note: All applicants must be approved by their pastors as a true disciple of Yeshua in order to receive IstandwithIsrael aid.] Shilo and Sarah Ben Hod. Shilo is one of Israel s rising young Messianic musical artists. Ayelet Zobrava made aliyah alone from Ukraine when only 17 years old. Later her family immigrated. She is studying to be a kindergarten teacher. Music and musicians $31,525 Persecuted believers in Israel $33,500 Nepal earthquake survivors $35,000

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 5 AVI ASHER AND LIORA HYDE Twenty-two-year-old Avi Asher Hyde made aliyah with his family at age 11. He started training in martial arts immediately, knowing that it would help him physically and mentally to become a better soldier. Ariel and Avishag Hadar both serve on the Tiferet Yeshua worship team. Michael Elady is in charge of the media department of Congregation Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv. Two years a believer, he is very active in God s Kingdom. Camps and conferences $83,400 Holiday food vouchers $1,600 Tiferet Yeshua Congregation $178,000

6 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 MAKOR HATIKVAH MESSIANIC SCHOOL IN JERUSALEM, GRADES 1 THROUGH 9. ABOVE, ODELIA; RIGHT, ITSIK ; TEACHERS AT MAKOR HATIKVAH MESSIANIC SCHOOL. Israeli Arab and Palestinian outreach $37,263 Syrian, Iraqi and Kurdish refugees in Iraq, Kurdistan, Jordan and Turkey $57,000

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 7 23 CHILDREN IN MAKING MUSIC FOR KIDS PROGRAM Vladimir, an immigrant from the Ukraine, earned his M.A. in musical studies in the Ukraine, a music teacher s diploma from Bar Ilan University in Israel, and studied at the Music Academy in Copenhagen. As an accomplished musician, he has performed with numerous symphony orchestras and taught at several music conservatories. With a professional marimba Vladimir can increase his livelihood through solo performances. Yaron Cherniak is one of our finest Israeli Messianic musicians and composers. Maoz is currently producing a music video with Yaron. Katzir Youth Camps Israel Frontline - program on Middle East issues hosted by Shira on It s Supernatural

8 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 They have the plans and now they can start building! Apartment of their own in Galilee. The husband comes from an Orthodox family whose family disowned him. The wife s family does not live in Israel. EQUIP Leadership Conferences Partnering with Palestinian Christians Monthly help to two Ethiopian congregations

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 9 RIGHT: ASSOCIATE PASTOR RON CANTOR. PASTOR ASHER INTRATER. TIFERET MEMBERS CELEBRATE AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING OF THE NEW COFFEE HOUSE AT THE CONGREGATION. Twelve Tribes of Israel Stained Glass panels display in Israel Prayer Tower in Jerusalem Return to Zion Community sound equipment

10 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 AT ELAV 2015 IN JERUSALEM, 600 MESSIANIC JEWS, ISRAELI ARABS AND PALESTINIANS GATHER TO WORPSHIP GOD AND FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER. By Katy Smith Jerusalem. Thursday morning. Hot summer day. Our media team walks into a large pavilion in the heart of the city. Bright light is shining into the welcome area. The music is loud. It s coming from the inside. It s in Arabic. On the screens placed around the hall you can see the worship team on stage and the crowd with hands lifted up. The Holy Spirit is here. His presence is undeniable. We part the black curtains separating the meeting place from the entrance, and the feeling of overwhelming love comes over me. I have heard about the ELAV conference and read about it, but no account came close to what I m feeling right now. It feels so much like what I imagine worship in Heaven to be. In the crowd there are mostly young people different colors and backgrounds. An Israeli soldier in uniform catches my eye. He is standing with his hands toward the heavens, and next to him stand Arab, Asian, and Ethiopian believers. Together, they are worshiping the God of Israel. I soak in God s presence and my heart is filled with joy. When the worship time comes to an end, Rick Ridings of Succat Hallel, the organizer of this conference, comes on stage with an Arab brother. This man gives his testimony of how worship drew him to Yeshua. It s powerful and encouraging. God knows how to catch our attention, and He is preparing a great revival for Israel and the entire world. Including the West Bank. Including Gaza. The main speaker for this session is Oded Shoshani. He talks about King David and the people who influenced his life the prophet Samuel, who recognizes David s calling and instructs him in wisdom; King Saul, who was an example of how David should not rule; Jonathan, his best friend in every sense of the word; and prophet Nathan who was not afraid to rebuke David s sin and show him the way to repentance. Who are the influencers in your lives? the speaker asks. You should find them and learn from them. The message is simple, but it speaks to the heart of every person in the audience. An altar call is given and as the worship team begins to play, young believers come up for prayer. I see Jews praying for Arabs. Arabs praying for Jews the Holy Spirit is moving, breaking chains, healing, strengthening, encouraging It s during moments like this that you realize each one of us is born with love of God planted deep in our DNA, and this love is ready to burst out if we let it for all human beings, no matter how different we are. This love is what the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, and conferences like ELAV are beating him down, letting that love shine forth, breaking the barriers of hatred which seem to be filling the region and the entire world. For three days, about 600 young Messianic Jews, Israeli Arabs and Palestinian Christians from the West Bank gather for this conference. Together they worship, pray, hear teaching, and have fellowship in Hebrew, in Arabic and in English. They get to know each other and they become friends against all odds given to them by the world in this day and age. They leave forever changed by the presence of God, returning to their homes determined to bring that change to those around them. In this world where peace has became a word that means so little, our Father in Heaven is creating opportunities for believers in Israel to experience His meaning of the word. And it s the best experience ever. Desks and chairs for Palestinian Community Center Sponsored 31 Young Israelis to MJAA Conference in USA

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 11 ONE OF THE 10 HOMES MAOZ PARTNERS BUILT. HUSBAND WAS IN HIS FIELDS WORKING. REBUILDING LIVES IN NEPAL AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE Because of your generosity and that of your readers, we were able to achieve substantial relief for the people of Nepal. We delivered over 13 tons of food such as rice, lentils, cooking oil, and salt to 18 villages affected by the earthquake. In addition to food, we were able to provide temporary shelter, mosquito netting, and bedding for several of the villages. For 13 of these villages, we were the first responders on the scene; some had still not seen any aid 3 weeks after the first earthquake. We ve been able to fully reconstruct 10 homes for families who lost everything and had no funds available to rebuild. We were also able to build a temporary school building for a school that was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude quake. Thank you for impacting the lives of so many in Nepal! Kirby Trapolino - Executive Director & Founder Peace Gospel International Handel s Messiah Performances in Hebrew Sponsored Israeli leader to National Institute of Leadership

12 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 By Rev. Bob doctor and I will soon be traveling to Mount A Sinjar, located on the western mountain range of northern Iraq, where we will deliver food and Jesus! At this present time, half of this area is occupied by ISIS. This is my most dangerous mission yet! Genocide is still happening in this region, yet the press says not a word. I have been guaranteed a personal audience with the second highest Holy Man of the Yazidi people. (The number one man does not see anyone at all ever.) Since I am a reverend, I am coming as a Holy Man from America! I will distribute food and money to the Yazidi people, as appropriate. While in the outposts of Kurdistan, I will meet with several leaders to help determine the most effect way to help the Yazidis, and what can be done next. I will also meet with the mayors and others who are directly involved with boots on the ground to develop effective strategies going forward. For 2 3 days I will actually be in a War Zone. I will, of course, have an agency guarding me with AK-47 s. Even though the Holy Spirit has told me to go and I am ultimately protected by HIM, I still must make prudent security decisions. Of course, our main objective, assisted by Maoz Israel Ministries, is to provide food and basic physi- LAST DECEMBER REV. BOB BROUGHT FOOD AND GOODIES FOR CHRISTMAS TO IRAQI CHRISTIAN REFUGEES IN JORDAN. Elav Conference Hosting Israel/China Destiny Conference in Jerusalem Hebrew language courses for immigrants

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 13 PRAYING WITH CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM REFUGEE CHILDREN IN LEBANON BEFORE THEIR MEAL. IRAQI CHRISTIAN REFUGEES IN JORDAN. cal necessities to help the malnourished bodies there. We will also have the opportunity to provide education for battered and raped Yazidi women through giving them a thumb drive filled with hygiene training for the raped women, teachings to build back self-esteem, basic educational skills, a Bible in their language, and also the Jesus film in their language. It is amazing that, as poor and needy as the people of this region are, they still have some access to laptops! As I have in years past, our team will also sponsor Christmas for Refugees, providing a holiday meal for displaced refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. Thank you, Maoz, for partnering with me to bring hope to the refugees fleeing from the barbarity of ISIS. As we provide a safe, clean and loving environment for them during this holiday time, with a meal and some warm clothes, we are YOUR hands impacting the lives of those who are hurting and need the love of God in action. Dissertation in Hebrew on Gospel of Matthew published Legal fees for Israelis persecuted because of their faith in Yeshua

14 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT DECEMBER 2015 The largest effort globally in Evangelism to Muslims today is the ministry among the refugees. The war has caused Muslim refugees to see Islam as the source of their pain and displacement. They see Christianity as a solution to their crisis as Christian volunteers come and serve refugees for free. They respond positively to the act of love in action demonstrated by the Christian workers. The opportunities for Arabic-speaking Christian workers who are able to travel freely without a need for a visa to Europe is mind boggling. The wars have led thousands to leave Islam and follow Christ. In our ministry among the Syrian Kurdish refugees there is a growing Kurdish home Church in Turkey. (Anonymous for security) DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO SYRIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON. IRAQI CHILDREN IN JORDAN HOLD A FOOD CERTIFICATE MADE POSSIBLE BY MAOZ DONORS. A KURDISH HOME CHURCH IN ERBIL, KURDISTAN. Prayer Line in the USA: Email your prayer request to prayer@maozisrael.org from anywhere in the world.

DECEMBER 2015 MAOZ ISRAEL REPORT 15 The situation of the refugees in Greece is the worst ever. I have seen with my own eyes thousands of people living and sleeping in the streets of Athens especially across the street from the Greek parliament and mainly in the Island of Kos. They use public parks to sleep and for toilet. Greece is their first station to freedom from the Islamic world but with the country s economical crises, the Greek government is not doing anything at all for them. As far as I know, no ministry presence in Athens is yet working with the refugees there. Opportunities are endless, especially with the freedom we have there for preaching the Gospel. I wish to help feed the children and adults as well bring warm clothes, medical help, and help the children overcome the trauma they experienced in Syria or by traveling via boats to Greece. The ultimate goal is to share the Love of Jesus with these dear Muslim refugees. We will partner with Greek Churches and ministries, planning to establish a ministry presence there. (This evangelist is an Israeli Arab who can speak the language of these refugees.) SYRIAN CHILDREN LIVING ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE GREEK PARLIAMENT. BELOW: AHMAD, FOUND THE TRUE GOD - AND A PLACE TO LIVE. Ahmad is a young man from Syria who was homeless and sleeping in the street right outside our hotel. He ran from the war as many of the Syrians did. One of our team took him to a barber shop, bought him new clothes, fed him and asked him to spend the day with us. While there we met a home group of 45 people - most of them Kurdish Syrian believers and others from Egypt and Morocco. Ahmad was with us and heard amazing stories of how Muslims are coming to faith! That shocked him. The love he received from us was overwhelming to him. He said, You Christians helped us while the Muslims killed us and kicked us out. That evening, an Egyptian former Muslim asked me if I could baptize him and I said of course. Eleven people went to the beach including Ahmad and on the way a Morrocan believer testified to him. Before we went to the water to baptize the Egyptian brother, Ahmad said that he wanted to receive Christ! After Ahmad prayed with tears, I asked him if he wanted to be baptized too and he said yes! I ended up baptizing two dear brothers who left the darkness of Islam into the light of Jesus! Then, the Egyptian brother offered Ahmad a place to stay. Ahmad is following Christ now! Pray for him to be a living testimony and grow in the Lord! Ahmad is a real testimony of the work of the Lord in Turkey. Give a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation by credit card from almost any country. Go online to www. maozisrael.org or call our USA office at 800-856-7060 All credit cards accepted.