Israeli Passover & Helping Those In Need:
During the recent month of April, One Middle East Agency was able to step up and step in to help our community prepare for our yearly Israeli Passover celebration here in the north of Israel. One of the many joys that we have is being able to serve the needy in a time where it is so desperately needed. As war continues to plague the land and our people, we look at moments like this as a beacon of Gods hope and light in a dark world. The Joy we received as we served, fuels us here at OMEA and gives us the strength to carry on with our work.
We were given the opportunity to partner again, with our local city municipality and hand pack and deliver over 100 food packages for the high holiday of Passover. Israeli Passover is one of the largest, if not the biggest holiday here in the state of Israel. It’s a holiday where you see family members reunite for a beautiful Israeli Passover meal. Families travel from all over the country to reunite at their homes and share a meal together. A meal shared with laughter, joy, singing and a whole lot of tradition! If you have seen Fiddler on The Roof, then you understand that last word and its importance to the Jewish culture. Israeli Passover is a tradition out of respect to God and held with the upmost respect to our creator.
Israeli Passover Started At The Beginning
Passover is a holiday based on the Bible from the book of Exodus. And it is a holiday that we look over every year and see the goodness and mercy of the God of Israel, and how He sent the angel of death to “Pass Over” the homes of every Israeli family to protect us, while breaking the bonds of slavery. Helping to finally break the hardened heart of the Pharoah of Egypt (thought to be Rameses) and helping Moses to free the Israelites from over 400 years of bondage. It’s a holiday that we as Israelis, reflect and take the time to say thank you to God for delivering us from slavery and on the way to the promised land of Israel, the true homeland of our people.
How Israeli Passover Looks In The Midst of War
Unfortunately, Israeli Passover looks different this year for the entire country. As of October 7th, 2023, Israel has never been the same. And since then, every day we are fighting for our lives and fighting to stay alive in our promised land. Because of the act of evil, committed by the hands of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, many families will have Passover this year without their loved ones by their side. With over 1,200 Israelis dead, 135,000 displaced and having no home, and still over 100 Israeli men, women and children still taken hostage inside Gaza. Much joy will cease to exist in many homes during Passover this year. We ask that as we enter this Passover holiday of 2024, that you pray for us as a country. Pray for our leaders to have wisdom and to lead our country, our soldiers to be safe and for this war to end and hostages be returned home, alive and in one piece.
The True Israeli Passover & Closing Thoughts
As for all of the families that we had a chance to serve this Passover. We are beyond thankful for their love and joy as we knocked on their doors, handing out packages of hope and love. Our biggest hope is that these families and all our country will come to know Yeshua. And how He is the ultimate Passover, paying the ultimate price for our sins and bringing us into relationship with the lord for eternity.
Until the next time we meet again, Shalom from Israel, Happy Passover and may the Lord keep you always in His hands.
