ENHANCE - 1st Quarter 2023

1 st Quarter 2023 • No 214 

Christian Friends of Israel 

United Kingdom 

I will put my salvation in Zion, 

for Israel my glory 

Isaiah 46:13 

INSIDE: EDITORIAL – Revelation - write it down • HEBREW WORD FOCUS – Immanuel • Emunah • Bringing light to survivors 

One Life can make a difference • Israel Lebanon border agreement • Israel’s new government • Tours • RESOURCES

Christian Friends of Israel 

United Kingdom 

Editorial 

Jacob Vince 

Revelation – 

write it down 

About us 

CFI UK seeks to bless Israel by 

means of practical and moral 

support, and to serve the Church in 

teaching about God’s purposes for 

Israel and the Hebraic heritage of 

our faith. 

CFI UK also produces a monthly 

prayer letter, a weekly audio Middle 

East Report and distributes the 

Haverim teaching CDs. 

Please contact us for full details 

of projects in Israel and also the 

teaching resources available. 

As an educational charity, we carry 

a variety of resources relevant to 

our purpose. We do not necessarily 

endorse every view expressed by 

our guest writers or authors. 

ENHANCE Magazine 

Published by: 

CFI Charitable Trust 

PO Box 2687 

Eastbourne 

BN22 7LZ 

Tel: 01323 410 810 

Email: info@cfi.org.uk 

www.cfi.org.uk 

Registered Charity 

No. 1101899 

Registered Office c/o 

Caladine, Chantry House 

22 Upperton Road 

Eastbourne, BN21 1BF 

Company No: 04984515 

VAT Registration No: GB678780275 

facebook.com/cfiuk 

twitter.com/cfi_uk 

youtube.com/cfiuk 

@christianfriendsofisrael_uk 

Front cover photo: 

Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem 

‘Write on a scroll what you see 

and send it to the seven churches: 

to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, 

Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and 

Laodicea.’ (Revelation 1:11) 

In the centuries since 

Jesus’ first coming, which 

includes the current 

century, we have had the 

privilege and responsibility 

of receiving the entire written 

word of God. 

Of all the books in the Apostles’ 

teaching, Revelation has by far the 

highest number of instructions to 

‘write it down’ – twelve in fact. It 

might be that the one who saw the 

visions was so taken up by them 

that he kept forgetting to write 

things down, but even if this is 

the case, it was important to the 

messenger that what was seen was 

written down, preserved for some 

2000 years until now. From this we 

can deduce that it was relevant not 

only to the Church at the time, but the 

Church throughout history, and not 

simply a book about the end times. 

Although individual letters were 

written to specific churches, the 

writer was instructed to send 

all the letters to all the churches. 

Indeed, in his introduction the 

writer addresses the Revelation to 

all seven churches. 

John, to the seven churches in the 

province of Asia: Grace and peace 

to you from him who is, and who 

was, and who is to come, and from 

the seven spirits before his throne, 

and from Jesus Christ, who is the 

faithful witness, the firstborn from 

the dead, and the ruler of the kings 

of the earth. (Revelation 1:4-5) 

As John is once again instructed to 

write, there were aspects of what 

he wrote for that time and others 

for the future. 

‘Write, therefore, what you have seen, 

what is now and what will take place 

later.’ (Revelation 1:19) 

Nonetheless, it was to be read by 

all seven churches at the time and 

recorded for every generation 

since, including ours. 

Interestingly, alongside the 

instructions to write, there is one 

instance of an instruction not to 

write, so that part was not intended 

to find its way into Scripture. 

And when the seven thunders 

spoke, I was about to write; but 

I heard a voice from heaven say, 

‘Seal up what the seven thunders 

have said and do not write it 

down.’ (Revelation 10:4) 

We should not speculate about this, 

otherwise we disobey the message. 

Like Jesus in his parables, all seven 

letters end with, ‘He who has an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit says to the 

churches’ (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 

3:6, 13, 22). So, if we see ourselves 

as part of the Church, Christ’s 

body, whether or not we meet in 

a formal setting, which appears to 

become the normative position in 

the Bible (see Hebrews 10:22-25), the 

letters are written for us all. 

Turning to the letters themselves, 

it appears that throughout history 

there have been concurrent 

instances of all seven churches, 

rather than a sequence. Today 

there are examples of many 

concurrent features of these seven 

churches. In some churches there 

is hard work and perseverance, 

affliction and poverty – yet 

richness, those who remain true to 

God’s name with others tolerant of 

false teaching. In other churches 

repentance is needed, and let’s not 

think this is just for ‘them,’ it might 

be for ‘us’ – remember Daniel 

repenting on behalf of Israel. 

There are also persecuted churches 

in many countries of the world 

alongside those, perhaps largely 

western, that have lost their first 

love and become lukewarm. 

So how are we to respond to the 

instructions given? 

2 ENHANCE • 1 ST Quarter 2023

Rather than looking on from an 

external judgmental position, 

perhaps we might consider 

what the churches, which must 

include ours, are to do. Contrary 

to judgement, there is the 

desire from the messenger for 

improvement, correction and even 

encouragement. 

“Do the things you did at first” 

(Revelation 2:5), “Do not be 

afraid of what you are about to 

suffer” (Revelation 2:10), “Repent 

therefore!” (Revelation 2:16) 

“Hold on to what you have until 

I come” (Revelation 2:25) “Wake 

up! Strengthen what remains” 

(Revelation 3:2) “Remember, 

therefore, what you have seen 

and heard; obey it and repent” 

(Revelation 3:3), “Hold on to what 

you have” (Revelation 3:11), 

“I counsel you to buy from me gold 

refined in the fire … and white clothes 

to wear … and salve to put on your 

eyes” (Revelation 3:18). 

We must be careful not to 

speculate endlessly, but rather 

accumulate, because the reward 

for doing so by faith is great. We 

must take seriously what is written 

for us and all generations of the 

Church, as it was written to help 

us all to overcome and promises a 

wonderful reward. 

Then the angel said to me, ‘Write 

this: Blessed are those who are 

invited to the wedding supper 

of the Lamb!’ And he added, 

‘These are the true words of God.’ 

(Revelation 19:9) 

Then emphasising the trustworthiness 

and truth of these 

written words, 

He said, ‘Write this down, for 

these words are trustworthy and 

true.’ (Revelation 21:5) 

Photo: St John’s Monastery Patmos 

Encouraging the church towards a fuller understanding of Israel 

in context – biblically, historically and currently 

Challenging antisemitism and prejudice against Israel alongside 

the Jewish community in the UK 

Assisting cross-cultural humanitarian and other worthwhile 

projects in Israel 

From In Touch to Enhance 

For some time now, CFI have been undertaking a refresh 

of our materials, with more still to do. From this process 

came our three stands of ‘encouraging understanding’, 

‘challenging prejudice’ and ‘assisting community’. 

With this in mind, we have looked for an alternative name for 

IN TOUCH, a name used for many other publications, such as 

Conservative Party flyers or parish magazines. 

We wanted to find a name that is simple and says something 

of our objective. So, we have chosen ENHANCE as the new 

name for our quarterly magazine from 2023. 

What’s in a name? 

ENHANCE means to increase, or further improve the quality, 

value, or extent of, in our instance Christian friendship of 

Israel. It also emphasises well that when God’s faithfulness 

to Israel is included and understood by the wider Church and 

Christians, it truly is ‘faith enhancing.’ The name change has 

been made with this in mind. 

We also think it will help having a less common name for our 

magazine when attending various festivals and exhibitions, 

to encourage open enquirers to join CFI and benefit from the 

articles each quarter. 

We know change is difficult and takes time to get used to, but 

we will continue to produce, we trust, informative and faithenhancing 

articles and studies on the subject so dear to our 

hearts and God’s heart. 

We greatly appreciate all your support. Thank you! 

(Previous editions of In Touch are always available online to 

download) 

1 ST Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 3

Hebrew Word Focus 

Melissa Briggs MA 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

Melissa is an experienced Hebrew 

teacher with a desire to make the 

rich language of the Scriptures 

accessible to Christians. 

Visit: www.explorehebrew.co.uk 

God is 

with us 

עִ‏ ‏ָּמָ‏ נּואֵ‏ ל 

Immanuel 

Prepositions are a daily topic of 

conversation for me. As a language 

teacher I am constantly explaining their 

usefulness and significance. Sometimes the 

smallest words in a sentence can make the 

biggest impact. What a difference that God is 

“for me”, rather than “against me”! 

One such small, but mighty word in the Scriptures is 

“with” or ם ‏–עִ‏ ‘im in Hebrew. This tiny preposition 

gets joined together with a few other words to form 

the beautiful title of the Messiah עִ‏ ‏ָּמָ‏ נּואֵ‏ ל – “Immanuel”, 

which explains the Lord’s relation in proximity to us. 

He is alongside us – not far from us. He dwells right 

among us. (Another word denoting accompaniment, 

also meaning “with”, is ת ‏–אֵ‏ ‘et, which is a closely 

related synonym of ‘im.) 

From the moment that mankind’s 

fellowship with God broke in Genesis 3, 

a divine rescue mission was launched to 

restore the relationship – culminating in 

the birth and ministry of the long-awaited 

Immanuel. The same God that walked 

with Adam and Eve in the ‘cool of the 

day’, continues to seek restoration and 

nearness. God saw that we could never 

make it back to him on our own, so he 

came to us. When Jesus took on human form, he truly 

became “God with us.” He entered our humanity to 

make it possible for us to return to the Father. 

“She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give 

him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from 

their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had 

said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and 

give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” 

(which means, “God with us”)” (Matthew 1:21-23, 

quoting Isaiah 9:7). 

When a wise mentor gave the address at our wedding, 

the main passage he spoke from came from Mark’s 

gospel account, “He appointed twelve that they might be 

with him…” (Mark 3:14). His point was to emphasise 

Jesus’ desire for fellowship with his followers, and to 

encourage each of us to prioritise being with the Lord. 

God’s presence gives us shalom, comfort, and 

encouragement. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do 

not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you 

and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right 

hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

“The Lord of hosts is with us… Selah.” (Psalm 46:7) 

How different would our days be if we stopped to 

remember the reality that God is with us wherever we 

Jesus said, surely 

I am with you 

always, to the very 

end of the age 

go. He is with us as we step into the difficult family 

situation, the office, the classroom, the hospital, the 

shop, the quiet house or the noisy train. His presence 

makes all the difference. “Have I not commanded 

you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not 

be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you 

wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). What if our spiritual 

eyes were opened to a heightened awareness of God’s 

presence, like Elisha? “And Elisha prayed, “Open his 

eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the 

servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses 

and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). 

At key moments in the dramatic life story of 

Joseph, exactly when Joseph’s situation seems most 

despairing, we read “the Lord was with him” (see 

Genesis 39). The Almighty walked alongside him. 

The Lord helped Joseph, not necessarily out of his 

difficult circumstances (at least not as 

quickly as Joseph surely would have 

preferred), but rather in them. God was 

near Joseph in slavery. God was near 

Joseph in prison. When Joseph’s father, 

Jacob, intensely wrestled a stranger 

in the darkness of the night, that was 

precisely the moment that Jacob found 

himself with God (see Genesis 32). As 

war and judgment approaches Judah 

in Jeremiah’s day, God’s message is: ‘“They will fight 

against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you 

and will rescue you,” declares the Lord’ (Jeremiah 1:19). 

Pages and pages could be filled with examples from 

the Bible of God’s presence being with someone in 

the midst of challenges and adversities (as well as 

in peaceful moments), because as Jesus said, “… 

surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” 

(Matthew 28:20). It’s our awareness that needs to 

be reset onto him. He is already near. Those who 

have submitted their lives to God are “hidden with 

the Messiah in God” (see Colossians 3:3). God is not 

disinterested, cold or far-off. He is the answer to 

our loneliness, our brokenness, our longing, and our 

desire to belong. 

The point of God coming to be with us is to dwell in 

fellowship together, enjoying and glorifying him – not 

just then, or now, but forevermore. “And I heard a loud 

voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is 

now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They 

will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be 

their God” (Revelation 21:3). 

If you are interested in learning the Hebrew language through online tuition please contact 

Melissa for more details at: hebrew.explore@gmail.com or at: www.explorehebrew.co.uk 


Charity Feature 

Caring for Israel’s 

most vulnerable 

children 

By Ruth Guggenheim 

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief 

and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the 

helper of the fatherless” (Psalm 10:14). 

neighbours, who had reported the ugly scenes to the Welfare 

Authorities, told of the screams and sufferings they had 

witnessed. 

Sara remained silent. The youngest and most innocent could 

not express what she saw and heard or explain the scars 

she bore on her arms and legs. Her siblings had more to say 

about the horrors that took place, including sexual abuse. 

Additionally, the children were not properly clothed or fed and 

never attended school or made friends. 

Emunah started by helping refugees 

In 1949 a group of British Jewish women heard about children 

without families who had been brought to Israel from the 

Holocaust. These children were refugees with no place to 

live. What started as an emergency plan to build several small 

housing units to serve as a children’s home in Afula, Israel, grew 

to become one of Israel’s leading social service and humanitarian 

aid organisations. The vision of these compassionate women has 

endured, grown and developed 

over the decades, providing an 

opportunity for the orphaned, 

abandoned and/or abused 

child to heal and look toward 

a brighter future. Emunah has 

sheltered, offered hope and 

healing to tens-of-thousands of 

Israel’s most disadvantaged and 

at-risk children and families. 

The Hebrew word ‘Emunah’ 

means faith, loyalty and 

faithfulness. 

Emunah Residential Children’s Homes 

For over 80 years, Emunah has 

been faithful to their calling 

by providing residential care for children who, for various reasons, 

are not able to live with their families. Emunah is a Jewish charity 

providing life-changing services to help break the cycles of distress, 

abuse and poverty in the Holy Land. They desire to enable all 

children in Israel to look to a brighter, healthier future, in which they 

are able to build their own rewarding and stable lives and families. 

Today Emunah cares for over 1,000 Israeli children in five 

residential homes. The children who come to Emunah have been 

through the most tragic circumstances. These children have been 

seriously neglected and abused. Emunah residents include children 

with stories like Sara’s: 

The horrors that had befallen Sara and her siblings were the 

most shocking tales ever heard at one of Emunah’s crisis 

centres. In a word, their parents were brutal. All four children 

bore evident signs of physical abuse and torture. The children’s 

Emunah Family Crisis Counseling and Therapy Centre 

Sara and her siblings were placed in an Emunah Crisis Center and 

Shelter where they had a safe place to sleep and a loving staff to care 

for them. Emunah also met basic needs like food and clothing, and 

provided extensive therapy and counselling which has helped them 

heal. The most promising sign is that Sara has learned to smile! 

It is an extreme move for Israeli social services to remove a child 

from their family. Emunah provides a safe, nurturing environment 

for these traumatised children, which cares for their whole person 

as a ‘home-away-from-home’. 

Emunah runs over 160 programmes in over 73 cities throughout 

Israel, meeting the needs of Israel’s most disadvantaged, at-risk 

children, and equipping them for a healthier future. Over 10,000 

children and families are served daily through Emunah. From crisis 

counselling centres to substance abuse interventions, to day-care 

programmes for needy families, to meals delivered for Holocaust 

Survivors, and much more – Emunah sees the needs in Israel and 

meets them. 

Emunah is so thankful for the care, support, and prayers of our 

Christian friends. We invite you to learn more about what we 

do for the children and families in the Holy Land. Follow us 

at “Emunah Angels of Israel” on Facebook, and sign-up for our 

“Turning Faith Into Action” eblast; our weekly ‘5 Minutes of Faith’ 

Bible study and; our ‘Prayer Points’ updates for Christians by 

visiting: www.emunahangels.org 

Bio: Ruth Guggenheim is the Director of Interfaith Relations for World Emunah Israel. She made 

Aliyah in 2016 and now lives in Jerusalem. For more information contact: ruth@worldemunah.org. 


Special Report 

The number of living survivors of the Holocaust 

is decreasing fast. At the same time, Holocaust 

deniers remain adamant about their version of the 

truth, and antisemitism is rising to higher levels than in the 

1930s, when the Nazi’s propaganda machine pushed their 

version of the truth. 

Hanukkah and Christmas overlapped in 

2022, which seemed to accentuate the 

great need, even craving, for ‘light’ in our 

dark world. One way we can be ‘light’ (see 

Matthew 5:14), as a ministry and individual 

believers, is to stand with Jewish communities 

around the UK and reiterate the need to remember the 

Holocaust in meaningful ways, showing a heart for learning 

about the Nazi persecution and ensuing horrors in the 

concentration and deportation camps of Europe. 

As part of CFI Jerusalem’s ‘Forsake Them Not’ project, 

Olga and Tanya continue 

to sacrificially love and 

support ageing Holocaust 

survivors around Israel. They 

endeavour to make at least 

400 visits each year, even 

during Covid, but know 

the need is great and hope 

two more staff members 

will join the team in 2023. 

They can then increase 

the love and support, 

listening and reading psalms 

to these often-lonely residents in the land. 

Olga tells us that each survivor’s story is unique, and with 

prayerful support each visit can bring greater friendship and a 

measure of healing. January 27 th marks 

the anniversary of the liberation of 

Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi 

death camp, and was designated as 

Holocaust Memorial Day in 1999. It is 

marked by the Association of Survivors 

in Israel, with Olga and Tanya being 

invited to participate. 

Olga was invited to join a special 

online event for CFI UK this January, 

hosted by Julia and David Soakell, in 

which she could share her heart for 

the work of CFI Jerusalem with the decreasing 

number of survivors, enabling prayers to be 

offered up about the future of that work. A CFI 

supporter who found out just a few years ago 

that his mother was rescued in WW2 as part of 

the Kindertransport was also invited to share 

his unique perspective on memories of his late 

mother and the impact it had on his life. 

Sir Nicholas Winton, a young stockbroker, 

rescued 669 children from Czechoslovakia, 

bringing them to the UK by train, and sparing 

them from the horrors of the Holocaust. Those train journeys 

became known as the Kindertransport. Testimonies of the 

children and grandchildren of survivors will need to provide 

the narrative of Holocaust Memorial Day in the years to come, 

preserving the message for future generations. 

Those passionate about Holocaust remembrance are 

blessed to receive input from educational institutes like Yad 

Vashem. But one essential point for us, as we discuss and 

commemorate the Shoah, is to remember how these people 

lived and not just how they died. They had friends and 

families, careers and purpose. They had aspirations and hope 

for a future until it was torn from them. 

The heart cry of those who survived, is for those of us who 

visit to remind people back home not to forget them, but to 

always remember that it really happened. A mark of wisdom 

for civilization is that it learns from history. 

6 ENHANCE • 1 ST Quarter 2023 

@christianfriendsofisrael_uk

“Human suffering anywhere concerns 

men and women everywhere.” 

Eli Wiesel 

Each of us who hears the 

testimony of a survivor becomes 

a witness and has the opportunity to pass 

on that story. In our visits to CFI Jerusalem, David and I 

have been privileged, and touched forever, by spending time 

with Olga and the team in the homes of 

Holocaust survivors from many countries. 

Those memories burn bright and help us 

pursue our desire that the Holocaust be 

remembered primarily on this day, despite 

it also being used to highlight subsequent 

genocides. The Shoah stands alone as 

the worst and defining episode of the 

twentieth century, which undoubtedly 

changed the course of history. 

Jacob was heavily involved in organising 

the HMD event in Eastbourne, to feature 

Dorit Oliver-Wolff BEM sharing her unique 

story of survival, which is recorded in her book ‘From Yellow 

Star to Pop star’, and Natalie Cumming, author of the book 

‘The Fiddle’, telling the story of her aunt who played violin in 

the orchestra at Auschwitz and testified at the subsequent 

Nuremberg trials. Taking place in the Shackleton Auditorium 

of the Congress Theatre, the event’s programme features ‘the 

fiddle’ which was restored at the BBC repair shop, a choral 

recital, poetry readings and an act of remembrance. 

Several CFI Links took part in planning events around the UK, 

including Moira Dare-Edwards from Brentwood who has been 

responsible for school-related and civic events for over 20 

years. This year Dorit is the special guest there too, sharing 

her story again. 

Church Link Barbara Horsley, from New Life Church, 

Billingham, organised a fitting event around the theme of 

‘Helen’s Story’. Helen was a Holocaust survivor friend of 

David and Julia Soakell, who would speak at the event. An 

exhibition of ‘Helen’s Story’ was made from the testimonies 

given to David in 2004, as well as mementos and paperwork 

including an affidavit of the camps where she was held. They 

came from Helen’s granddaughter, Steph, who is open chat 

with those present at these services about her early life with 

Helen and the subsequent impact on her life. 

Other Regional and Church Links also planned 

commemorations including church-based events in Stoke 

(Jennifer Nevill) and Salisbury (Pam Wyles), as well as 

educational opportunities in Hawick’s libraries and nearby 

churches arranged by Philip Aitchison. 



youtube.com/cfiuk 


Prayer Support 

One life can make a difference 

Julia Soakell 

Through the many festivals celebrated in the 

Bible we see that ordinary men and women do 

extraordinary things for God and for his kingdom. 

Through the festival of Hanukkah (Dedication), we see 

the courage and fortitude of the Maccabee family to 

stand up for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and 

rededicate the temple. 

In the story of Esther, celebrated at Purim, 

the extraordinary comes from a difficult and 

complex situation with an orphaned Jewess, 

hidden within the palace of the Persian king. 

She was in the right place in God’s timing – 

and so we often hear people quote the phrase, 

‘for such a time as this’. Surely, all of us have 

a unique call on our lives, whether it’s to serve 

in church or to serve our families, to be the Bible 

others read. 

In the Holocaust the theme of ordinary people 

continues in startling ways, when ordinary everyday people 

did extraordinary things. Rescuers are often seen to be 

almost superhuman, demonstrating amazing bravery 

and skill. This wasn’t always the case. Some just found 

themselves in a position where they could provide a safe 

hiding place, food, or do something else within the remit of 

their roles in their work or family situation. 

Each of us is an ordinary person in the hands of an 

extraordinary God. Our reading of the Bible or keeping 

abreast of the situation in Israel may help us to pray for 

extraordinary breakthroughs or hold timely conversations 

that bring clearer insight. In these days of political 

correctness and ‘wokism’, we need God’s wisdom 

and discernment in all we do and say. Prayer is 

key, as we ask to be led by the Holy Spirit. 

How can you help? Could you do the 

extraordinary for the Lord within the ministry 

of CFI UK in praying for us? Could you pray 

for Jacob Vince, our Chief Executive, as he has 

opportunities to speak in many venues, that he 

would have God’s anointing to speak a word in 

season? Would you like to help your prayer group gain a 

greater understanding of biblical Israel, or become a CFI Link 

in a fellowship or prayer group? Holding on to the things of 

God and led by his Holy Spirit, together we can all make a 

difference. Why not pray about this and contact Julia Soakell 

by email at: julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk 

8 ENHANCE • 1 ST Quarter 2023 

THE FIDDLE – NATALIE CUMMING 

A true story tracing a precious violin across landscapes devastated by war and terror, to safety and restoration in 21 st 

century Britain. From Abraham and his family fleeing the Bolsheviks, whose skill on the violin earns them food and 

lodgings, to Rosa his daughter, arrested by the Nazis on Kristellnacht 1938. The violin then passes to Rosa’s brother 

Israel, a celebrated musician, who joins ENSA during the war, entertaining the troops. Finally, the violin comes to his 

daughter Natalie, who has written her family’s extraordinary story, lest the world should ever forget global events 

against which the journey of this beautiful instrument is told. 

B527 // 259 pages // £12.00 (incl. UK p&p) 

FROM YELLOW STAR TO POP STAR – DORIT OLIVER-WOLFF BEM 

An Inspirational Story of Survival and Success. “It is not that I want to remember, it is simply that I cannot forget.” 

The Holocaust is only part of Dorit’s amazing story. After the war, stateless and without papers, she joins a touring 

dance troupe in order to be permitted to travel. She studies by day, then sings and dances in seedy clubs by night until 

a talent scout spots her, which is when her story really begins. Tense, moving and inspirational, Dorit’s remarkable 

story takes the reader through fear and horror, to freedom and joy and shows how the bravery and fortitude of one 

little Jewish girl helped her survive and become a star. 

B526 // 287 pages // £12.00 (incl. UK p&p) 

A DETAIL OF HISTORY – AREK HERSH MBE 

The harrowing true story of a boy who survived the Nazi Holocaust 

Born in Sieradz in Poland in 1928, Arek was the fourth of five children. His family were Orthodox Jews. 

How do you survive when all your family have been taken from you and killed? How do you continue to live, when 

everything around you is designed to ensure certain death? Arek Hersh tells his story simply and honestly, a moving 

account of a little boy who made his own luck and survived. He takes us into the tragic world imposed on him that 

robbed him of his childhood. The depth of tragedy, strength of courage and power of survival will move you and inspire 

you. Contrary to assertions that the Holocaust years were a mere `detail of history`, Arek Hersh gives us a glimpse into 

the greatest catastrophe that man has ever inflicted on fellow man.. 

B511 // 163 pages // £9.00 (incl. UK p&p)

Report 

Israel and Lebanon 

maritime border 

agreement 

By Jacob Vince 

During the closing days of the previous 

Bennett-Lapid Israeli government, an 

agreement was reached with Israel’s 

northern neighbour Lebanon. Whilst the detail 

of the agreement was criticised by many, it does 

break the deadlock over territorial claims to a 

gas field clearly in Israel’s waters and ready for 

commissioning. 

However, in the process Israel relinquished their 

rights to an additional gas field in the contested 

maritime border area with Lebanon, whilst retaining 

some control through an international agreement. 

Supporters of the deal highlight that this is a historic 

agreement, the first formal understanding ever 

reached between Israel and Lebanon. It is hoped the 

agreement brings new regional strategic stability, 

allowing Lebanon to build its own gas platform, 

adjacent to the Israeli one on the other side of the 

border. Once Lebanon can begin their own gas 

production, they will be less reliant on Iran for their 

Rosh Hanikra - The north-west border post 

energy needs. The deal coincides with Energean 

testing the Karish platform, which will soon be 

operational. Hezbollah had previously threatened to 

attack if Israel began pumping gas before a deal was 

struck. 

Critics of the deal, led by the then leader of the 

Opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu, claim that Israel has 

sold out to Hezbollah threats and was overly generous 

in giving up their competing claim for the Kara gas 

field, that overlaps the contested area and runs into 

Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone. 

From Israel’s security perspective, the most important 

component was the three miles closest to the 

coastline, referred to as the “line of buoys.” This was 

unilaterally marked by Israel after their withdrawal 

from the security zone in 2000. It marked the point to 

which the Israeli navy operated unilaterally. It also 

ensures that no part of Israel’s coastline can be directly 

seen / targeted from Lebanon. 

In outline there are five aspects to the agreement:- 

1. The ‘line of buoys’ will serve as the status quo, and there 

will be no demands to adjust the line unless another 

agreement is reached in future between the sides. 

2. After the buoys, the maritime line will be based on the 

Lebanese position of Line 23, placing all of the contested 

gas field of Kana within the Lebanese Exclusive 

Economic Zone. 

3. Israel will receive compensation for lost revenue from 

the Kana reservoir with cooperation from the French 

corporation Total Energies. 

4. Israel will also have an agreement with the company 

that Lebanon cannot develop the site without Israeli 

approval. 

5. In addition to the text of the agreement, Israel will 

receive a guarantor’s letter from the US President which 

will commit the US to preserving Israel’s security and 

economic rights in the event that Hezbollah decide to 

challenge the agreement in the future. 

Whilst there will be legitimate debate as to the benefits 

and detriments of the agreement, it is nonetheless 

significant as the first agreement reached with 

Lebanon since Israel’s re-establishment. Previous 

agreements with adjoining neighbours include the 

Israel-Egypt Camp David Agreement reached under 

Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and the one 

reached with Jordan. 

They all illustrate Israel’s willingness to negotiate and 

make concessions for peace. For some this might be 

seen as a weakness, but perhaps there are echoes of 

the Abraham-Abimelech 

treaty at Beersheba (see 

Genesis 21:22-33), which 

Isaac later reinstates as 

the Isaac-Abimelech 

treaty (see Genesis 26:17- 

32). Having reopened 

wells, naming them as 

before, Isaac then dug 

two fresh wells which 

were disputed, before 

digging an undisputed 

well which he named 

Rehoboth, saying, “Now 

the Lord has given us 

room and we will flourish 

in the land” (Genesis 

26:22). The outcome 

in both instances was 

prosperity following a 

call to the Lord. May 

Israel have such an 

outcome this time. 


Feature 

Robin Lane 

A controversial start for Israel’s 

new government 

The results of Israel’s 

November election were 

hailed as a victory for 

Benjamin Netanyahu, whose 

right-wing bloc secured 64 of 

the 120 Knesset seats. 

But a surprise in the results was 

the failure of two left-wing parties, 

Meretz and Balad, to cross the 

electoral threshold and secure 

any seats when they would have 

won six seats if they had merged 

with other left-wing parties. Thus, 

Netanyahu with President Herzog and the new government cabinet 

failures among the opposition 

seem to have handed victory to 

Netanyahu’s bloc. 

Since the election there has 

been a long and tortuous period 

of negotiations between the 

victorious coalition parties, with 

their leaders vying for important 

ministerial positions. Leaders 

of the two Religious Zionism 

parties have been particularly 

demanding, making Netanyahu’s 

life very difficult. Itamar Ben-Gvir 

was most prominent and caused 

concern internationally, as well as 

in Israel. Particularly controversial 

is the proposal to add a Supreme 

Court override clause to current 

laws, removing the court’s ability 

to ‘strike down’ any new laws 

agreed by the Knesset. 

Ben-Gvir demanded a veto in the 

Knesset Constitution, Law and 

Justice Committee – something 

opposed by Netanyahu’s Likud 

Party. He also sought oversight 

of the police regarding criminal 

prosecutions and policy on 

investigations. Additionally, 

he wanted to revise the rules of 

engagement for both the IDF 

and the police, as well as giving 

soldiers and police officers 

immunity for action taken during 

terrorist attacks. 

Concerns include him being 

considered too radical in his 

youth to join the IDF, and a 2007 

conviction on charges of racist 

incitement against Arabs and 

support for Kach, which Israelis 

view as a Jewish terrorist group. 

He has since distanced himself 

from Kach, claiming to have 

changed his views. 

In contrast to Itamar Ben-Gvir, 

Aryeh Deri is a veteran politician 

and considered to be reliable as 

Netanyahu’s right-hand man. 

Yet even he requires a change in 

Israel’s laws to be able to hold 

ministerial office. Earlier in his 

career he was convicted of bribery 

and forced to leave politics for 

several years. Then in January 

2022 he was convicted of tax fraud 

and given a suspended sentence 

which would normally prevent 

him from serving as a minister. 

Consequently, the second half of 

December 2022 saw a whole series 

of manoeuvres in the Knesset to 

pass four new laws before the 

governing coalition was sworn in! 

Strong opposition delayed those 

laws and caused Netanyahu’s 

attempts to finalise the coalition 

to run late, right up to the legal 

deadlines. Negotiations with 

Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party 

were still in progress just one hour 

before the first deadline. 

So Netanyahu made the crucial 

phone call to President Isaac 

Herzog, announcing success in 

forming a coalition, with just 20 

minutes to spare. 

Even then, most of the formal 

agreements between the coalition 

parties had not been finalised, and 

they all needed to be published 24 

hours before the new government 

was sworn in. That finally took 

place on 29 th December, four days 

before the final deadline on 2 nd 

January, and it set to work on 

Sunday 1 st January 2023. 

The coalition’s legislative priorities 

are the regulation of settlements 

in Judea and Samaria (so that 

they can operate like other Israeli 

communities), moving civil 

administration from inside the 

defence ministry, and advancing 

issues of judicial reform to redress 

what they consider to be a current 

imbalance of power. 


Tours & Events 

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BOOK ON: 

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FLIGHT INFORMATION 

Return flight costs will be quoted at time of booking at the lowest price from Heathrow / Tel Aviv. 

Airport transfers are included for the main group arrivals only, on whichever flight the majority of the passengers are booked. Early booking is 

advised. Flights subject to availability at time of booking. 

6 th June 2023 London Heathrow / Tel Aviv LY316 15:15 / 22:00 

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14 th June 2023 Tel Aviv / London Heathrow LY317 17:20 / 20:45 (extension return) 

Brochure and booking forms available on request 

BOOKING 

NOW OPEN 

CFI UK PRAYER 

CONFERENCE 

Tuesday 21 st – Thursday 23 rd March 

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting. 

Let all the people say “Amen”, 

Praise the Lord. (Psalm 106:48) 

Book today to guarantee your place 

Registration closes on Friday 24 th February 2023 

Contact Beverley on: 01323410810 or email info@cfi.org.uk 

Join us for our 2023 

Prayer Conference, hosted by 

David and Julia Soakell 

The residential conference programme will be 

sent nearer the time. Reception opens from 

3pm on the first afternoon Tuesday 21 st and the 

conference continues through to a concluding 

lunchtime meal following the last session on 

Thursday 23 rd . 

Netanyahu is also expected to 

work hard to expand the Abraham 

Accords, particularly with Saudi 

Arabia, and to discourage the 

Americans from reaching a new 

agreement with Iran over nuclear 

weapons. However, extreme 

controversy arose on Tuesday 3rd 

January when Itamar Ben-Gvir 

visited the Temple Mount despite 

threats by Hamas that it would 

respond forcefully to such an 

action by the new minister. 

The visit drew widespread 

international condemnation, 

with one US official accusing 

Ben-Gvir of trying to sow chaos. 

It prompted the United Arab 

Emirates and China to request an 

emergency meeting of the United 

Nations Security Council. For his 

part, Ben-Gvir spoke out against 

what he claims is racism against 

Jews at the Temple Mount, with 

the prohibition against them 

praying there. 

Israel’s new government has 

produced a highly controversial 

start to the new year. We can 

expect much more controversy in 

the coming months. 


Resources www.cfi.org.uk/shop.php 

For resources call: 01323 410 810 

Postal savings on multiple items 

RED SEA SPIES – The True Story of Mossad’s Fake Diving Resort – RAFFI BERG 

Secret missions, brazen deceptions and thrilling, clandestine operations - Red Sea Spies has it all. But it has something 

more important too - a genuine human mission that made a difference. 

In the early 1980s on a remote part of the Sudanese coast, a new luxury resort opened for business. Yet little did 

holidaymakers know that the staff were undercover agents of Mossad, the Israeli secret service. Offering water sports 

during the day and carrying out covert, highly risky operations by night, the agents evacuated thousands of Ethiopian 

Jews, who had already made a perilous trek of hundreds of miles on foot. Writing in collaboration with the secret agents 

involved in the mission, BBC Presenter Raffi Berg tells the complete, gripping tale in full for the first time. 

B536 // 324 Pages // £13.00 (incl. UK p&p) 

EQUIP – Your Personal Journey to the Kingdom – PETER TSUKAHIRA 

“And he gave some as apostles, and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers, for 

the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:28) 

Take up the challenge of discipleship! This book is a series of 52 short teachings meant to equip men and women as 

disciples of God`s kingdom in our day. The teachings may be read one by one, or as a series of weekly studies for a single 

year. Each teaching is accomapnied by several questions for reflection or discussion and a point of prayer. 


JEWISH CHRISTIANS IN THE NETHERLANDS DURING THE HOLOCAUST – KELVIN CROMBIE 

At least 140,000 Jewish people lived in the Netherlands at the time of the Nazi-German invasion on 10 May 1940. By 

1945 up to 104,000 of these people had been murdered in the Holocaust. Most of these were Dutch nationals, but there 

were also many Jewish Christians who were associated with many of the denominations at that time. 

This book looks at the impact the Nazi anti-Jewish legislation had upon the Jews through seven phases leading up to the 

‘final solution’. It’s purpose is to highlight that Jewish believers in Jesus also suffered and died in the Holocaust. 


ASPIRATION, INSPIRATION, PERSPIRATION – SHLOMO MAITAL & RAFI NAVE 

How Technion Faculty and Graduates fuse creativity with technology to change the world. 

More than 100,000 Technion graduates over the years and thousands of faculty members, past and present, have 

changed the world through effective creativity. This book tells the stories of 100 of them, and their innovations, in their 

own words. We focus here on technology-intensive and science-based innovation. Many of the innovations described 

are in use in our daily lives, often without the beneficiaries being aware of their Technion origin. 


UK Events CFI UK plan to exhibit at the following live events in 2023 

Minehead 10 –14 April 2023 

UNITED 23 

26-30 July & 1-5 August 2023 

Kent Event Centre, Maidstone, Kent 

CRE Midlands 8 – 9 November 2023 

Cranmore Park, Solihull 

Contact: CFI Communications, PO Box 2687, Eastbourne, BN22 7LZ 

Tel: 01323 410810 Email: info@cfi.org.uk Web: www.cfi.org.uk 

@christianfriendsofisrael_uk 



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ENHANCE - 1st Quarter 2023

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