Tiferet Yeshua regularly hosts special holiday events for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors in the greater Tel Aviv area. Three times a year—at Passover, the Feast of Trumpets and Hanukkah—our very own Moti Cohen rolls up his sleeves and cooks almost 100 bountiful meals, including specialty Russian dishes, for these precious people who always show up with smiles and enthusiasm. In addition to the amazing food, we organize a concert of holiday songs and share a short message from the Word.
This year, Hanukkah fell on New Year’s Eve – the most important secular holiday celebrated in Russia which focuses on family and light. For the second year in a row it was my privilege to share a short encouraging message about the light of the world, Messiah Yeshua.
The creation of light is the first recorded words of God, and Yeshua testified that He is the Light of the world. During this time of year when the days are shorter and when “spiritual” darkness is increasing in the world, it can be easy to focus on the presence of darkness around us. Light, however, has a unique power: darkness can never overcome light, but even a small amount of light pushes back the darkness.
We are called to shine our lights before others (Matt. 5:16), and if Yeshua is the Light of the world, then we are to be like Him: humble servants of all. These Holocaust survivors holiday events are an amazing opportunity for us to do just that. Our team of volunteers spreads through the hall serving our important guests and taking time to chat with them, to give them attention and get to know them better. It was clear to us all that God’s love and light were in the room.
Seeing the smiling faces of people who lived through some of the darkest times in Jewish history, hearing their words of gratitude as they held our hands, and noticing the twinkle in their eyes as they received our love was a tangible demonstration of the power of God’s love and light to transform and give life. These Holocaust survivors are living examples that with God’s grace people can overcome great suffering and sorrow and live a life of faith and hope. Please join us in prayer for all the precious survivors who are receiving the witness of the Light of the world, Yeshua, and that they would open their hearts to Him!
When you support Tiferet Yeshua, you are helping us shine the light of God’s love to precious Holocaust Survivors here in Israel!
