"My name is Yael Eckstein-Farkas, and, as you might have guessed, I'm the daughter of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship's founder and president. I live in Israel with my family and have been involved in The Fellowship's work for about a year now. " - Yael-Eckstein Farkas
Below is an excerpt from Yael's Corner, a monthly e-letter written by Yael featured at www.ifcj.org
An Outpouring of Christian Support for Israel - By Yael- Eckstein Farkas
Every holiday celebrated in Israel is special. In my home of Jerusalem all the people come alive at these holy and wondrous times, to thank God and give praise for the miraculous deeds that He has performed both in our days and the days of Old. Sukkot is the holiday when the Jews celebrate the miracles that God performed for the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt in biblical times.
During Sukkot outside of every home in Israel you see a little wooden hut set up, with branches hanging over the top, which becomes a makeshift home for the entire holiday, which is celebrated for seven days. The hut, called a sukkah, commemorates the stupendous miracle of the cloud of glory that God sent to protect the Jews in the desert. This cloud that went with the Jews from the time they left Egypt until Moses died kept peace and security within the Jews traveling camp and blocked out the many threats faced in the desert.
Although today Sukkot is a holiday that is celebrated only by Jews, in the days of the Temple a sacrifice would be brought every day of the holiday in honor of all the nations of the world. Every person took part in the celebrations that would occur. Because the Holy Temple is no longer standing, this custom no longer occurs. But nearly thirty years ago Christians from all over the world decided that they would find their own way to Israel during Sukkot to show support for Israel and march in solidarity with God’s people.
This year around 7000 Christians from over 100 nations attended, which made it the largest annual tourism event in Israel. They came simply to tell Israel that they are our friends. All of the people who flew in from far off countries are mindful of where they came from and the passport that they hold, yet no matter where they settle and call their home, they know that Israel is God's home and they came to recognize this. Not only did this march boost the economy, it boosted us Israeli’s spirits as well.
When I went outside on this sunny Thursday morning to take my daughter for a walk, the main street by my house whose six lanes are normally packed with cars was closed down to vehicles. I asked one of the officers what was happening and he explained to me that the street would be used for a parade that would include Christians from all over the world.
Just hearing him say that in such a matter of a fact way gave me chills. For 25 years, it has been my father’s dream that every Jew and Israeli would know that Christians are our friends – and now, an Israeli policeman finds it normal that an enormous Christian solidarity march will take place in Jerusalem! I felt so proud that it was my father who first broke this stigma and was the pioneer in building this bridge of understanding between Christians and Jews, which has extended beyond the work of The Fellowship and into the everyday lives of millions of people.
As the march first began I saw Jerusalem’s many residents trickle out of their homes to see what was going on. People stopped in amazement as they saw a sight that they probably never saw in their lives. As far the eye could see was a crowd of Christians waving different colored flags representing all the nations of the world. The Jerusalemites were shedding tears of joy as the participants in the march banged drums, blew trumpets, and danced with all of their heart to show the people of Israel that, like us, they celebrate our homeland, and give us encouragement to continue to fight our holy battle for God's promised land.
When the marchers walked by they shouted out words of comfort like “shalom” and “we love you” and gave the thumbs up. But what was so unique, in my eyes, was the recognition among the Israelis that these Christians really are our friends. Seeing the different Christians from all different nations march the streets of Jerusalem did something that no sermon or editorial can accomplish – it showed absolute sincerity of Christian support for Israel.
We all realized that these participants bought expensive plane tickets not just from the U.S., but from far away countries like Malaysia, China, Singapore, Brazil, and India, solely to walk these streets and show their solidarity with Israel. Most of those standing on the sidelines of this march probably did not imagine that they had anything in common with Christians from Singapore or Malysia. But the march made them realize that Jews and Christians from all over the world are connected through God's Bible and the promises He gave. We Israelis are used to hearing people on radio, television, and in newspapers questioning our right to defend ourselves, and even our right to exist as a nation. This show of Christian support reminded us that there are better days ahead.
The hope and comfort that the solidarity march brought to the people of Israel is very similar to that which the Fellowship brings to Israelis and Jewish people around the world. When I visit people in their homes who have come home to Israel thanks to The Fellowship’s On Wings of Eagles program, or others who have received funding for lifesaving medical devices, or food for their children, or job training, I see that these gifts bring more than just immediate relief in a crisis – they give people the feeling that they aren’t alone. When Jews in Israel see the “donated with love by Christians in America, The Fellowship” sign hanging at the entrance to nearly every welfare program in Israel, they know we are not fighting our battle for survival alone – we have support from thousands of people in every country, people brought together by The Fellowship. It reminds us that even if some international governments and media don't support us, we have the greatest support from ordinary citizens of nearly every country.
Christian friends of Israel, the strength you give us cannot be expressed in words. A friend is someone who is by your side through the good times and bad, and that is what you have proven to be. On behalf of all Israelis, thank you!
With blessings from Jerusalem, Yael Eckstein
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