Israel Trip Jan. 4, 2006- Jan. 18th
- Sephardim Hope International
I arrived to Israel on Thursday to the beautiful and
cozy Jerusalem Gold Hotel. This hotel feels more like a
'boutique", small and warm. It was housing
several Gush Katif families at the time. This
hotel sits next to the Jerusalem Bus station, somewhat away from the
Old City, but convenient for 'going in and out" of
Jerusalem. The owner is a very warm and caring
lady named Ariela.
Ere'ev Shabbat, Friday Jan. 6th
I was privileged to sing 'The Lion of
Judah" at the Esther Banquet for Christine D----'s Women on
the Walls Conference at the beautiful Nafoura
Restaurant at Jaffa Gate in the Old City.
These are true supporters of Israel and continue to
partner in the Judeo-Christian bridgebuilding as does SHI in
support of Israel. Several wonderful
musicians joined in, including Merla and Merv
Watson, along with their daughter, Elana.
The next day was spent in rest for
Shabbat. Sunday I went to
visit our Armenian friends the Berj Gejekoushian Brothers at the
Armenian Souvenir Shop in the Armenian section of the Old
City. They were hosting some Jewish friends from
Baltimore. Galia and I (our RE
agent) enjoyed a beautiful Armenian lunch prepared by
mom Ida!
Delicious!
Monday Jan. 9th met with Calev M----, Attorney at
Law for review of papers to purchase the condo in
Beersheva. His professional help was much
appreciated. I gave him one of the CD's
of Obadiah 20, as his lovely
wife also writes and sings original music.
Calev advised that SHI does not need
another 'company" at this time to buy from an
individual as an Amuta, non profit. He advises
that SHI may want to hire an accountant for 'memberships", etc. or
form another company later.
Wednesday Jan. 10th I met with
attorney Slomo, for signing of docs for down
payment of $27,000. March 31, $77,000 is due and
May 15th balance due. SHI paid for the
extra 'fees" and some of the commissions due on this
purchase.
Future
"Anusim Center" in Be'er Sheva located in this
building.
The next week I went to Tel Aviv Airport with our friend,
Linda O---- and I met with Dov B--- of El Al Tourism Services in Tel
Aviv. Mr. B--- directed SHI to write letter to
head office in NY. Linda may go Feb.
14th to the NBR conference and follow up with EL
AL. They are interested in the possible
assistance in the project of the Anusim's return to
Israel.
SHI met with one of the Directors of
Relations with the Friends of Israel at Keren
Hayesod in Jerusalem. We discussed
the eventual Aliyah changes
that may be needed in adjustment to allow the
Anusim's return. His remarks were
encouraging, as he himself had predicted the present
partnering with the 'Christian/evangelial"
community who is in support of Israel and is presently working in
the 'Judeo-Christian" bridge efforts.
Friday, Ere'ev Shabbat, was spent with our
dear friend Galia and her family---a Sephardi family from
Peru. Galia and I went to the
Shook and bought veggies and things for dinner at her
house. Her mom was there and her nephew visited
from Elat that evening.. We enjoyed a wonderful
dinner and fellowship warmth.
Sunday Jan. 15 I boarded a bus to
Tiberias. This is a very busy day, as many soldiers are returning to
their posts and must use public transportation.
I met several young people, as the bus
station was packed. One young man who has a
computer business in the Galilee with his brother,
offered to help us with the project in Beersheva.
when we set up the computers for DSL, etc.
He wanted a CD and help for his sister who is alone in the
country and in the army. I gave him the Jerusalem
Support Center information, as SHI with others, helps in the support
of the 'Lone Soldier Program" for soldiers without families in the
country. The Jerusalem Center amuta (non profit)
is also the present 'vehicle" that SHI uses
presently in the benevolence toward Olim returning for giving
purposes to Israelis in need.
I
arrived at the beautiful Dona Gracia Hotel and Museum at
3 Haprahim Street. I told them
'Dona Gracia" had arrived after 500 years! There
I met the curator, Tzvi Schaick who was very
helpful and kind. (Contact Tzrika@amsalem.com at www.donagracia.com) This is a very unique
'hotel/museum" that is set up to tell the story of Dona
Gracia, a famous 'Marrano, Converso" woman who
'defied kings" in her help, assistance and support of the Jews
during the Inquisition of Spain in the
1500's. She is my namesake!
Tzvie gave me much information on the
history of Dona Gracia and helped me take pictures in a period
costume in the hotel! His assistant, a
wonderful Russian Jewish lady, was extremely helpful and
kind!
The hotel is divided into four sections for Dona Gracia's
steps from Turkey, Spain, Venice and Israel – specifically Tiberias,
where she tried to establish a Jewish center when Jews were not
permitted in Jerusalem.
Tuesday, January 17,I met for an interview with
Ernie Moore from
BarnabusPress.com. The Moores
just moved to Jerusalem. Ernie is a writer and
does interviews for a radio program that is pro-Israel in the
states. He and his wife Wanda were very
supportive. Ernie also wants to work towards the
Anusim's eventual return.
That same evening, Galia and I met with Yossi Bra--- and the
Municipal Director of BeerSheva, Ishay. Ishay is
the Director for an Amuta in Beer Sheva and also works with the
Municipality. He gave SHI a DVD on
the 'New Dreams in Be'er-Sheva
and a pin for the city. He
invited SHI to return with a group and to be greeted by the Mayor of
Be'er Sheva! The municipality has also pledged to
help in free Hebrew classes for the center!
The last day in Jerusalem was spent going to the Old City
and praying at the Kotel. I
spent my last hours being encouraged by our Armenian friends, who
are also 'in the middle of Arabs and Jews"---quite a difficult
atmosphere in the mist of continued tension in
Israel.
The Armenian's have a unique situation and their own
'calendar' and so on the 13th of January they celebrated
New Year's. On this my last day, the 18th
, they celebrated 'Christmas" by going to
the old city of Bethlehem. This, they told me is
quite a task, as there are three checkpoints that must be crossed to
enter---including checking the vehicle, inside, underside and
persons. I bless them for their tenacity and
kindness.
I
am thankful for all that God is doing and his divine grace (as my
name Grace is Hin in Hebrew--- divine favor) that he is leading SHI
in.
We
ask for your prayers and support as SHI stands as an 'Esther"
project along with other Anusim leaders in this movement of God's
restoration of Israel. Unless we can get
the help that is needed for the Jews, 'if we perish, we
perish". Yet our help comes from 'the Lord who
made heaven and earth". Together we can stand on
the prophetic word of Adonai through Obadiah 20,21 ----'saviours
(saved ones) shall come up on Mount
Zion, and the Kingdom shall be the Lords"!
We
await God's miracle of provision for the new Center in the Negev a
the
Rambam Towers and the eventual Aliyah of
the Sephardim Anusim! Join us
in this end-time effort that will change the history of the world in
Eretz Israel!
Please do write to Sephardim Hope International.
You can reach us by e-mail and the information for giving is
included in this newsletter. There are
opportunities for 'memberships" and investments in the Kingdom of
God in the Negev of Israel!
Loving
Shalom,
Dona
Gracia Serrano Fenn
