ENHANCE - 3rd Quarter 2023

3 rd Quarter 2023 • No 216
Christian Friends of Israel
United Kingdom
Who is like your people Israel?
2 Samuel 7:23
INSIDE: EDITORIAL – Psalms in sequence • Sassoon codex • HEBREW WORD FOCUS – Av • Charity feature • Big Church Festival report
Isaiah 62 global prayer initiative • Hidden treasures • Aramean Christians • University antisemitism report • RESOURCES

Editorial
Christian Friends of Israel
United Kingdom
About us
CFI UK seeks to bless Israel through
practical and moral support, and serve
the Church in teaching about God’s
purposes for Israel and the Hebrew
heritage of our faith.
CFI UK also produce a monthly prayer
letter, a weekly audio Middle East report
and distribute Haverim teaching.
Please contact us for full details of
projects in Israel and 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.
Encouraging understanding in the
Church of Israel in context of the
Bible, history and today.
Challenging prejudice against Israel
and antisemitism alongside the Jewish
community in the UK.
Assisting cross-culturally in Israel
with charitable projects - medical,
educational and social.
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 that when
God’s faithfulness to Israel is included
and understood by the wider Church, it
truly is ‘faith enhancing.’
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
Front cover photo:
Olive Trees at Gethsemane
Jacob Vince
Psalms in sequence
Passover
113 –118
According to Jesus, the
third part of the Bible
begins with and is
named after the Psalms
(see Luke 24:44).
As the Psalms were collected,
they were formed into five books,
replicating the five books of Moses.
The first two books of Psalms
are attributed to David, although
important Psalms in the later
books also bear his name. Unlike
the headings of passages inserted
in most Bibles – some useful,
others downright misleading – the
headings for individual Psalms are
part of the text itself and should be
read as such.
As the name for the third part of
the Bible, Psalms includes poetical
and proverbial texts, it concludes
with the historical books of Esther,
Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and the
summary book Chronicles, which
interestingly reproduces sections
from the Psalms as well as other
books in Bible. Repetitions in
Scripture are an important means of
emphasising particular truths.
As the Scriptures unfold there are
often summaries, with Chronicles
the supreme summary of the
first three parts of the Bible (Law,
Prophets, Psalms) commencing with
Adam in creation and concluding
with Israel going up to Jerusalem
after exile. Similarly, John’s
gospel is a summary of the whole
Bible (Law, Prophets Psalms, and
Apostles) commencing with Jesus’
existence “in the beginning” (John
1:1) and concluding with his second
coming, twice repeating the phrase,
“until I return” (John 21:21-23).
Within the Psalms, all five books
end with psalms of praise, the final
one, Book Five, ending with five
psalms of praise to God, 146-150,
Psalm 150 being the supreme psalm
of praise, with hardly sufficient
instruments by its close.
Law
119
Ascent
120 –134
So, they are clearly set out in a
particular order. Indeed, within
the apostles’ teaching there is an
indication that the arrangement
of the Psalms into a particular
sequence was known at that time,
seen in one of Paul’s references,
“As it is written in the second Psalm”
(Acts 13:33). We may infer from
this that there was certainly a first
Psalm and given the nature of what
is today known as the first Psalm,
it is difficult to identify a better
candidate with which to begin them.
Reading through the Psalms in
order, and focusing on their use
in a Jewish feast, we find those
read at the service of Passover
numbered Psalms 113-118. Next
in sequence is Psalm 119, which
apart from being the longest, is set
out acrostically with its twenty-two
stanzas representing the twentytwo
Hebrew letters of the alphabet,
aleph to tav (or A-Z).
A similar memory technique is
used in Psalm 145 with its twentytwo
stanzas. An indication of its
memorability is seen in the Book
of Daniel where Nebuchadnezzar
quotes from it as he recognizes the
living God of heaven and earth (see
Daniel 4:34 quoting Psalm 145:13).
However, the important aspect
of Psalm 119 is its entire focus
on the word of God, hence every
letter arranged to form twentytwo
dividers. Prominent are
synonyms for the ‘word,’ such as
‘law’, ‘statutes’, ‘precepts’, ‘decrees’,
found within virtually every
sentence of the poem. After Psalm
119 come the Psalms of Ascent,
titled as such within the text and
numbered Psalms 120-134.
If we look at the sequence of this set
of Psalms, we discover that Psalms
113-118 recall the rescue from Egypt
at Passover, Psalm 119 the law the
Israelites received in the desert after
leaving Egypt and Psalms 120-134
their travelling towards the ascent to
2 ENHANCE • 3 rd Quarter 2023

The Sassoon codex
“I bought the Sassoon Codex for the
Jewish people, not for me” Alfred Moses
The former US ambassador to Romania bought the most expensive book ever sold
and then donated it to a Jewish museum in Tel Aviv.
Rabbinic tradition says that
the Israelites accepted the
law given to Moses (the
Torah) before seeing it. So, it
is fortuitous that Alfred Moses
bought the most expensive book
ever sold at auction – a Hebrew
bible – before he saw it.
“I wasn’t expecting such a sturdy
book,” Alfred said, a little more than
24 hours after he saw the Sassoon
Codex for the first time at Sotheby’s
in New York, where he bought it for
$38.1 million.
“It’s quite readable, which I had not
expected, and can actually be touched
and handled. As precious as it is, being
over 1,000 years old, it’s in remarkably
good physical condition,” he said.
Alfred read from the Ten Commandments
in Deuteronomy in the
manuscript without touching the
pages, “I would have been afraid to do
that,” he said.
All looked good to him in the text
from Deuteronomy. “If there are
mistakes, I’m not knowledgeable
enough to have picked them up,” he
said, laughing – he is fluent in Hebrew
and has a home in Israel.
“I was enormously pleased to be able
to acquire it for ANU (The Musuem
of the Jewish People). I bought the
Sassoon Codex for the Jewish people,
not for me. It will be on display in
Israel,” he added.
The ‘bedrock’ of Jewish civilization
When Alfred read the Ten
Commandments from the manuscript
for the first time in New York, the
experience made an impression on
him because of the book’s history
rather than its religious nature.
“This is the bedrock of our Jewish
civilization. Without the Tanakh, we
would be like the other people of the
world and have disappeared,” he said.
“In a sense, it’s the glue that has kept
us together. Without this, there’d be
nothing.”
“I wanted this to be in a Jewish
museum in Israel. Israel is a Jewish
state. Hundreds of thousands, if not
millions, of Jews from all over the
world go to Israel to visit. They will
see it there and take pride in being
Jewish,” he said.
That narrowed the options down
to the Israel Museum, the National
Library and ANU. “I’m active in ANU.
Alfred Moses with Codex Sassoon.
Credit: courtesy of Sotheby’s
I thought it was right to go to the
Museum of the Jewish people. The
Sassoon Codex should belong to the
Jewish people,” he said.
Since the manuscript was written
either in Syria or Tiberias, the book is
headed to Israel for “a homecoming,”
according to Alfred. “It will be in the
ancestral home of the Jewish people.”
He hopes that Jews who see the
manuscript will think: “We are part of
a meaningful people that have been
striving for millennia to understand
the world in which we live, and to live
by standards of humanity, standards
of doing what is right,” he said. “If
it’s also inspiring for them religiously,
that’s an added plus.”
The Codex Sassoon is the oldest nearcomplete
Hebrew Bible. It dates to a
time around the year 900 and sold for
a record price for a book at Sotheby’s
in New York on May 17, 2023.
From an article by MENACHEM WECKER
(June 6, 2023 / JNS) with Kind Permission
Jerusalem: Passover - Law - Ascent.
Here we see a comprehensive
telling of Israel’s story as a
foreshadowing of the Passover at
which Jesus inaugurated a new
covenant paralleling the original
Passover (see Jeremiah 31:31-34),
rescuing from slavery to sin, giving
his disciples commandments and
thereafter journeying to the new
Jerusalem.
Believers in Jesus as Messiah, the
Son of God, find this sequence
foreshadows the rescue,
“for Christ our Passover lamb, has
been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7),
keeping of the law, “for Christ is the
culmination of the Law for those who
believe” (Romans 10:4)
and making the ascent, “We have
a great high priest who has ascended
to heaven, Jesus the Son of God”
(Hebrews 4:14).
3 rd Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 3

Hebrew Word Focus
I
am truly grateful to be the daughter of a
loving Dad, but I know not to take that gift
for granted. As a foster parent, I have seen
first-hand the damaged outcomes complicated
father relationships can bring: neglect, rejection,
prison, abuse, addiction, and abandonment.
I have witnessed a painful contrast between the
life experience of many and the biblical intention
for fatherhood. Positive, loving fatherhood is an
expression of the relationship God desires to have with
us. Child and adult alike, all have an innate desire to
be in right relationship with their own Dad.
The Enemy of our souls wages war on family and
fatherhood. His purpose is to fracture and distort
our view of God. In secular academia whole
documentaries and sociological studies have been
made in recent years about the detrimental effect on all
generations of society when fathers are absent, abusive
or neglectful.
The Hebrew word for father ב ‏”‏Av‏“אָ‏ – is
the more formal version of the famous
“Abba” which is a term of
endearment like “Daddy”. Abraham’s
meaning “Father of Many
אַ‏ בְ‏ רָ‏ ם Nations”, and his original name
‘Abram’ meaning “Exalted Father”, are
both from this root word.
אַ‏ ‏ָּבָ‏ א word
אַ‏ בְ‏ רָ‏ הָ‏ ם name
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
Since Bible times, a person’s identity is directly
tied to belonging to their father. The “av” provides
protection, provision, a home, a family, and an
inheritance. Before last names became the cultural
norm, you were labelled as a son of your father – Isaac,
son of Abraham; Jacob, son of Isaac. This is a picture of
how God wants our identity to be completely rooted in
him: “Yet you, Lord, are our Av. We are the clay, you are
the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).
Our Dads are supposed to reflect the father heart of
God – a tangible taste of God’s love, strength, security,
provision, protection, instruction, discipline, and
tenderness. The model is set when we realise that we
are no longer bound by our past but welcomed into
God’s family:
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son…
that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are
his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the
Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a
slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has
made you also an heir (Galatians 4:4-7).
4 ENHANCE • 3 rd Quarter 2023
The Father
heart of God
I will not leave
you as orphans
אָ‏ ב
Av
If your earthly dad is or was less than ideal, are you
simply doomed to be left as ‘damaged goods’, unable
to properly relate to God? Certainly not! God is “A
father to the fatherless” (see Psalm 68:5), and in an early
psalm of David, he speaks of Father God accepting
those rejected or hurt by their parents: “You (Lord) have
been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my
Saviour. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord
will receive me” (Psalm 27:9-10).
Perhaps God chose this powerful ‘fatherhood’
metaphor exactly because he knew that our human
family relationships would be so complicated by
sin. He meets us in our place of pain and offers the
solution. He offers himself to us as Father. The
message of ‘Av’ is that there is healing and wholeness
available to all. Jesus connects us to his Father so that
we might be made whole – emotionally and spiritually
– when we open our hearts to him. God also loves to
restore human relationships! (See Malachi 4:6).
During training to become foster parents there is great
emphasis placed on providing children with a ‘felt
sense of safety’ in order to build trust.
Trust is a critical component in a healthy,
secure attachment. If a child can learn
the essential life skill of forming a secure
attachment to a safe adult, then there is so
much hope for them.
This is exactly what God wants for us too. He wants
us to realise how safe and secure we are in his care.
He is so trustworthy! He says, “I will be a Father
[Av] to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says
the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18). Jesus knew
exactly who he was in relation to his Father, and we
can know too,
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… On that
day you will realise that I am in my Av, and you are in me,
and I am in you… The one who loves me will be loved by my
Av, and I too will love them and show myself to them… My
Av will love them, and we will come to them and make our
home with them. (John 14:18-23)
Every human heart longs for a strong, healthy, loving,
respectful relationship with a loving father – and
it is such ‘Good News’ that this is freely available
through Jesus making it possible for us to be in right
relationship with the Father! “Just as a father [av] has
compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on
those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).
MELISSA’S NEW VIDEO COURSE FOR BEGINNERS IS LAUNCHING
SUMMER 2023! If you are interested in learning Biblical or Modern
Hebrew, please contact Melissa for more details at:
www.explorehebrew.co.uk

Charity Feature
Community at its best:
United Hatzalah of Israel
Lifesaving in three minutes or less
United Hatzalah of Israel
is an emergency medical
response organisation
which bridges the gap between
the time an emergency call is
made and when an ambulance
arrives.
Its innovative model relies on the
local community to deliver its service.
When an emergency call is made in
Israel, the five nearest trained and
certified United Hatzalah volunteer
medics are alerted to respond,
allowing the organisation to achieve
an average response time of three
minutes or less across the country.
When permanent brain damage
starts from lack of oxygen in just four
minutes, this speed of response makes
a huge difference in ensuring positive
patient outcomes.
Israel is a diverse country and United
Hatzalah of Israel is a true reflection
of that. Its shared society Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT) training
programme draws citizens from
across diverse communities into an
integrated volunteer team to serve the
people of Israel together. Volunteer
medics come from a wide variety of
backgrounds – Jewish and non-Jewish,
religious and secular, Israeli and
non-Israeli. Its approach empowers
communities, promotes dialogue and
crucially, fosters unity, cooperation
and trust across the local population.
United Hatzalah of Israel’s service
is available to anyone who needs it
regardless of ethnicity, nationality,
religion, financial position and medical
insurance status. United Hatzalah of
Israel ensures equal access to quality
emergency healthcare for all people in
Israel at any time.
While emergency medical response
is at its heart, United Hatzalah also
delivers a number of complementary
services through bespoke training of
subgroups within its volunteer medic
core.
In 2016, the organisation developed
its Psychotrauma and Crisis Response
Unit to provide emotional stabilization
at the scene of an emergency (and
beyond). Responders support both
direct victims of a medical emergency
and bystanders to enable them to
cope emotionally with a situation in
realtime.
The unit includes specially trained
dogs to soothe patients and
encourage them to open up and is a
crucial part of treatment delivered
both at the scene of a terror attack
in Israel and by our international aid
delegations who travel overseas at
times of emergency. Most recently
international delegations supported
communities in Puerto Rico following
Hurricane Fiona, Florida following
Hurricane Ian and Ukraine since the
start of the ongoing conflict with
Russia.
United Hatzalah of Israel also offers a
Care with Dignity programme, called
Ten Kavod, which matches local
volunteer medical personnel with
Holocaust survivors and at-risk elderly
to combine social and medicinal
aspects of care. Volunteer medics
delivering this service recognise
the signs of dementia, injury and
malnutrition as well as being familiar
with the various medical, financial,
and social services available to those
in this important societal group.
The work of United Hatzalah of
Israel continues to evolve and is only
possible thanks to the exceptional
generosity of its donors. To learn
more, donate a piece of medical
equipment or find out how else to
support our work visit:
www.israelrescue.org/uk,
email pippa@israelrescue.org
or call 020 3823 4650.
3 rd Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 5

Event Report
Big Church Festival May 2023
Bringing a Fresh Understanding
as worship to the God of Israel
Beverley and Chantal help
enquirers on the stall
Dennis O’Sullivan serving an
early customer
By Beverley Dwyer
The CFI UK Resources Stall was well laid out and set
up in a very good location where there was a steady
flow of visitors. There was a good selection of CFI
UK resources and free literature on offer and as we
were the only Israel-focused ministry in the EXPO,
several enquirers were genuinely curious. It was quite
encouraging to see that many of these enquirers were
young people with an interest in Israel and a desire
to learn more. I was able to engage in conversation
with a few people, signing some up to our mailing list
and giving away free literature to many. There were
some purchases of resources and the most popular
books seemed to be ‘A Fresh Understanding of Israel’,
‘The Jewish Wedding and the Bride of Christ’ and ‘A
Short History of the Holy Land’. The Rose Publishing
pamphlets were also very popular.
The weather was beautiful, perfect for the many festival
goers. I did manage to walk around the grounds
and take in the ‘sights’ and ‘sounds’ of this wellattended
festival. The music was loud and varied, not
to mention the numerous food stalls. I particularly
enjoyed a very ethnic ‘jerk chicken’ wrap while sitting
at a table with a group of young people who were
determined to take in all that this festival had to offer.
After a nice break for lunch, I returned to the CFI UK
Resources Stall and had a few more interactions with
visitors. There was a consistent stream of people
throughout the day and I’m sure that many were either
challenged to learn more about God’s plan for Israel or
encouraged to continue in their support.
All in all, a day well spent!
Find out the other events CFI UK will be attending in 2023
on the back cover.
6 ENHANCE • 3 rd Quarter 2023

Jacob Vince discussing the
importance of Israel with students
UCB Radio stage
Faith Enhancing
By Chantal Paskins
What I experienced, was seeing the thousands of
people, young and old, different hair colours and
dress codes, all there with great enthusiasm to
worship and praise God, especially the high number
of young adults and teens present. There were also
people from some other parts of Europe, which was
amazing. This uplifted me so much, because I felt
the hope of people, coming together to worship
God as one.
There were a wide range of charities represented,
a variety of food stalls from different countries all
around the world, a mini fairground, a choir that
sang beautiful praise, and music playing from various
stages where people were singing and worshipping.
I had great conversations with young people coming
to our CFI UK Resources Stall who were interested to
hear about Israel, and to know about our connection
with both Israel and the Jewish community.
Many signed up to receive our recently refreshed
quarterly magazine ENHANCE and some took items
of our free literature. As the conversations continued,
it was really encouraging to know that Christians
are keen to know more and become aware of the
importance of Israel and the role of the Church
towards Israel. Some said that they were travelling
to Israel this year and not afraid to go, despite all the
perceived conflict there – that’s encouraging!
It was a positive experience for me because I am
learning at the same time. Listening to Jacob having
conversations with people and sensing the heart
he has for Israel as well as for the Church is always
encouraging. I can see that people are fascinated by
what he knows when he shares his love for the truth
of God’s word and Jesus as our Jewish Messiah. I
hope to have that sort of confidence one day too.
3 rd Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 7

Prayer Support
Julia Soakell
Don’t be silent
Isaiah 62 prayer initiative
When the Isaiah 62 worldwide prayer initiative was launched, encouraging
Christians to pray for Israel over a period of 21 days, CFI UK wanted to harness
our supporters’ enthusiasm to pray for the land and people of Israel.
The Church may not generally be
familiar with Isaiah chapter 62 but
many of us know we are called to
be watchmen who remind God of
his word.
We were able to facilitate three one-hour
prayer sessions online, one in each week of
the prayer initiative. CFI supporters were
delighted to take up the invitation to pray
together and each session saw a real sense of
the Lord’s presence and leading for us all.
After learning of the millions who joined
in praying, it was important to remember
that when the initiative was prompted by
the Lord, no one could have envisaged that
by May 2023, Israel would be facing several
crises - civil unrest with huge demonstrations
against government plans for judicial reforms,
escalation in violence toward Israelis from
young Palestinians, plus Iran continuing its
aggression, leaving Israel facing a possible
multi-front attack.
Surely our times are in God’s hands and
he neither slumbers nor sleeps.
We give thanks for God’s perfect timing and
the fulfilment of his promises to Israel; also,
for our faithful praying supporters, who
we can rally to pray in these strategic times.
Following this initiative, I was moved by the
phrase ‘not silent’ reiterated in various ways
through the twelve verses of Isaiah chapter 62.
So, do join us in praying for continued
upholding of Israel and the Jewish people
by the Church throughout the nations, as
Israel face daunting opposition and hatred,
despite a few nations showing friendship and
deciding to move their embassies to Jerusalem
or improving ties with Israel economically
and even spiritually. We are delighted to
learn of an answer to prayer that CFI national
offices are being established in more countries,
including Nigeria, Mexico and Togo.
Continue in prayer with us...
Pray for each Israel-supporting ministry with a heart for prayer like
CFI, that they are never silent, day or night, persisting to uphold
Israel, (see Psalm 122:6), and the Jewish people as the Bible does.
Asking the Lord to encourage influencers to speak out about the
negative media reporting about Israel and antisemitism in the
United Nations.
Appealing for those who joined the Isaiah 62 prayer initiative to
read afresh the Scriptures relating to Israel and God’s plans and
promises for her.
Praying for resilience in prayer (see Matthew 26:41), an increase in
faith and faithfulness for the churches from now on, and the Lord’s
protection for these prayerful saints.
Asking the Lord how we should pray given that silence is not an
option. Elie Wiesel said after the Holocaust, “silence encourages
justice to be stolen, hope to fail and salvations to be deterred, and
so much more.”
Requesting spiritual restoration to sweep the nations and mighty
waves of repentance to bring attention back to God’s will and
purposes.
Appealing for those in leadership to oppose the placing of Israel’s
enemies in significant positions of influence. Pray for courage and
opportunity for those who can speak out in these circles and ask
the Lord to prevent the UN from giving Iran any greater influence
Pray for the world media coverage of events in the Middle East, for
integrity and balance as the opposite incites hate, violence, conflict
and affects national security.
Reminding God of his promises to regather Israel, (see Ezekiel 36:
22-32) and then to fill her with his Holy Spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26).
Pray for each person, family and community as the Lord establishes
them in homes, education, work, and traditions.
As a ministry, we want to continue to harness the power of prayer
to the living God.
You can receive details on these initiatives by subscribing to our
‘Events’ emails or write to: julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk, for information
about prayer encouragement.
8 ENHANCE • 3 rd Quarter 2023

Feature
Hidden Treasures
Fine threads –
Bethsaida excavation
In the eighth century a devoted Christian and intrepid
explorer named Willibald travelled to the Holy Land.
Toward the end of his life, he dictated an account of
his visit to an English nun, Huneberc. Significantly, this is
the only record in existence of a pilgrimage in the eighth
century, and the only written record of what was seen at
certain sites.
To travel at that time was an extremely dangerous activity,
contending with opposition from the Saracens, inhospitable
terrain, uncomfortable means of travel, and sickness by plague, all
of which he encountered.
As the story unfolds, it is clear that both Willibald and the one
recording his story clearly know and love the Lord.
Huneberc writes,
“God’s grace prompted me to describe the scenes where the
marvels of the Incarnate Word were enacted, for Willibald visited
and saw these places with his own eyes and trod with his feet in
the footsteps of him who was born into this world, suffered and
rose again for our sake. Of all these places Willibald has given us a
faithful description.”
Then, using her own words,
“For this reason, it did not seem right to allow these things to
pass into oblivion, nor to be silent about the things God has
shown to his servant in these our days. Relying also on the grace
of God, I present to you this narrative, traced in letters of ink and
dedicated to the glory of God, the giver of all good.”
Willibald recalls his travels around the Galilee region, after
having visited a church in the village called Nazareth. Huneberc
continues,
“After commending themselves to the Lord there, they set out
on foot and came to the town of Cana, where our Lord changed
water into wine.”
Moving on,
“They made for the town called Tiberias. It stands at the edge
of the sea on which our Lord walked dry-shod and where Peter
sank when walking on the waters towards him. Many churches
and synagogues of the Jews are built there, and great honour is
The synagogue at Magdala. Photo: Jacob Vince
Excavators at work at El-Araj
Photo: Zachary Wong
paid to our Lord. Thence they set off round the lake and went to
the village of Magdalene and came to the village of Capernaum,
where our Lord raised to life the ruler’s daughter.”
Those who have toured Israel since 2006 may have had the
opportunity to visit the synagogue at Magdala, recently uncovered
with its floor virtually unscathed, which was featured on the front
cover of In Touch 185.
From there,
“They went to Bethsaida, the native place of Peter and Andrew. A
church now occupies the site where their home once stood. They
passed the night there, and on the following morning set off for
Chorazin.”
Not only is Huneberc’s text the only extant record of a pilgrimage
in the 8 th century, it contains within it the only mention of a
church at Bethsaida, and this church had not been seen since.
The established opinion was that it did not exist, and the writer
was mistaken as to whether, or alternatively, where it might have
been located.
The inscription references a donor, “Constantine, the servant of Christ,” and
continues with a petition for intercession by St. Peter, “chief and commander
of the heavenly apostles.” Photo: Zachary Wong
For six seasons, there have been excavations of a site close by
Galilee, following extensive prior research by Dr Stephen Notley,
that had the potential to fit the criteria for biblical Bethsaida,
later expanded under the Romans and also named Julius. In the
excavations they have uncovered a roman bath, indicating that the
Galilee, close by, has a level consistent with the time-period of the
Gospels. However, in the more recent seasons, a Byzantine church
has been discovered with mosaic floor and the remnants of a Greek
inscription indicative of the church, known as the Church of the
Apostles, consistent with the record of the English nun Huneberc.
How remarkable that the only record of such a visit and the church,
made over 1,200 years ago, could now be confirmed through
archeology in the present time. These hidden treasurers continue
to corroborate the historicity of the Bible and must give pause for
thought as to what else is contained therein. Not only this, but
it shows again by what fine threads the story of the Bible and its
outworking in history are held.
Intriguingly, the place name in Arabic is El Araj, ‘the lame man’ and
Dr Steve Notley presents a convincing argument for this name
arising from a mix-up between Bethsaida in Galilee and the pool
of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where indeed a miracle of a lame man
walking happened, as recorded in the Gospels.
3 rd Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 9

News Feature
A silent tragedy:
Elimination of Aramean Christians
from the Middle East
By Shadi Khalloul, Op-ed contributor
Israel recognised ‘Aramaic-Syriac Christian’ as an official
identity in September 2014. To this day, no Arab or
Muslim state has ever done so. Arameans are a distinct
religious and ethnic group, and they are the indigenous
people of the ancient Fertile Crescent, the land of Aram
as it was mentioned in the Bible.
This land had one of the greatest civilisations throughout the
centuries. Aramaic was a language spoken by Jesus, centuries
before Arabic dominated the Middle East.
Arameans living in the region call themselves messianic — in
Aramaic “Mshihoye (Mecshiha)”, and in Arabic “Masihi,” which is
derived from the word Messiah. Today, all of them pray in Aramaic
Syriac, the sacred language of their Maronite and other Syriac
churches. Many speak it daily, but they were forced to switch to
Arabic since all their lands were occupied by Arab forces in the 7th
century Islamic conquest.
Today, the community lives in an ongoing state of persecution
by different occupiers like the Ottoman Turks, modern Arab and
Islamic regimes, and the Palestinian Authority.
There are almost 180,000 Christians in Israel, making up 2 percent
of the population. Aramaic Christians comprise 15,000 and Syriac
Aramaic Maronites are the majority of those. They live mainly in
the north, in the Galilee region, Haifa, Gush Halav, and in the Kfar
Baram community.
Aramaic Christianity has suffered and is still suffering from
genocidal policies in the Middle East. Aramaic Syriac Christian
Maronites in Lebanon were massacred in 1860, and from 1915-1918
suffered from an organised famine policy (called ‘Kafno’ in Aramaic)
by the Ottoman Turks. At the same time, Aramean Syriac Christian
Orthodox and Armenians were facing genocide in northern Syria
and in the south of Turkey. This began in the early Islamic period
and has continued until today in different locations and phases.
Massacres took place in the 1970s and 1980s by Palestinian and
other Arab Islamic Jihadists fighting Christians in their Lebanese
land. So far, sixty-one Christian towns in Lebanon have been
uprooted. Israel was the only country to prevent them from being
annihilated. Many people hoped to establish peace and security
between the two countries at the end of the war. Unfortunately,
this long-term vision between the two nations has been rejected by
the Muslim factions in the region.
The oppressors never admitted their atrocities and the oppressed
Aramaic people feared exposing the evil and demanding recognition
from Arab Islamic autocratic regimes — not a fear we experience
under democratic Israel.
The Israeli Christian Aramaic Association (ICAA) NGO are leading
efforts in Israel to research and educate Israelis and the nations
about their Aramean people and language. They host thousands
of American and European students in cooperation with the Philos
Project and Passages tours. They also run summer camps for
young Aramean Christians. This is the most they can do with
their modest budget.
Young Aramean Christians summer camp. Photo: Shadi Kalloul
In response to demands of the Aramaic Christian Maronite people,
Lebanon was created under the French Mandate with the aim of
building a nation where they and other persecuted Christians in the
Middle East could find refuge. Today, Lebanon has been kidnapped
by extremist Islamic Shiite organisations acting as Iranian proxies,
terrorising all Lebanese with their illegal arms, laying their hands
on Christian lands in Mount Lebanon, threatening Christians not
to align with Aramaic revival movements, bankrupting the state
so that Christians will migrate to other countries and preventing
millions of Christian Maronites from returning to their lands. Any
Lebanese Christian who dares to work on reviving their forefathers’
Aramaic language becomes a suspect in their eyes and is accused of
being a collaborator with Israel. One must wonder, when did this
language become a threat?
There are signs that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are
becoming more liberal, especially when it comes to understanding
the importance of the contribution of Aramaic Christian Maronites
to the long-term stability of Lebanon.
Meanwhile, native Christians and Christian Aramaic communities
in particular value being citizens of Israel. They enjoy freedom
of movement, and other democratic values and rights like other
communities. If you ask the 180,000 native Christians in Israel if
they prefer to be controlled by Israel or any Arab regime, they will
answer “Israel.” This may be a surprise for many, but not for those
living there.
Of course, the Christian minority in Israel still lacks many of its
needs. They would like more integration within Israel and continue
to demand a Christian curriculum in the ministry of education for
Church schools like those that Druze, Muslims, and Jews enjoy. It
is a big mistake to keep Christian schools under the Islamic Arab
curriculum. Without this change, Christians are disconnected from
their origins, faith, history, and the Aramaic language that was a
vital part of their forefather’s identity.
Shadi Khalloul is founder of the Israeli Christian Aramaic NGO.
With kind permission of The Christian Post publication CP VOICES -
Engaging views and analysis from outside contributors on the issues
affecting society and faith today. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect
the views of The Christian Post. Opinions expressed are solely those of the
author. CP VOICES | WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023
10 ENHANCE • 3 rd Quarter 2023

UK Profile
University antisemitism report
UK parliamentary report exposes antisemitism on campus, urges using IHRA
By Georgia L. Gilholy (June 26, 2023 / JNS with kind permission)
The British Parliament task force on antisemitism in
higher education released a comprehensive report last
month which provides extensive personal testimonies of
Jewish students and staff at universities across the UK.
Drawing upon a year of research, the 44-page report includes
interviews at 50 colleges and universities. It recommends higher
education institutions embrace the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in order to
foster trust with Jewish students, faculty and staff members.
It also identifies a need for higher educational institutions to better
accommodate reasonable adjustments for religious students,
faculty, and staff, and to review their procedures through which
complaints are handled.
“The majority of Jewish students and staff have a positive time at
university, encountering or witnessing very little antisemitism,”
according to the report. “However, when antisemitism does occur,
the impact each incident has on the small community of Jewish
students and staff should not be underestimated.”
The report also noted that antisemitism often goes unreported,
as what it calls “microaggressions ... demonstrate how prejudice
is normalised without anyone recognising its impact.” Among the
examples the report cites are friends telling one Jewish student
to settle a bill “because they could afford it,” and another Jewish
student being told at a party, “You’re too pretty to be Jewish.”
A postgraduate researcher reported that a colleague refused to
collaborate, or even to respond to communications, upon learning
of the researcher’s Israeli roots.
The report recommends that “Education about antisemitism should
be embedded within wider equality, diversity and inclusion training
structures and all anti-racism training, at all levels of the university.”
Former Labour MP Lord John Mann, the UK government’s
independent adviser on antisemitism, established the task force
that produced the report. He said it is “a vital piece of research that
will help both guide universities and support Jewish students and
staff on campus.”
Lord Mann went on to say the report demonstrates that institutions
can allow free speech and protect Jewish students against
antisemitism if they have “clear definitions, good systems and
have included Jewish students and staff in creating a safe space on
campus”. He added that it doesn’t name the schools that came up
short, but “I will be keeping a close eye on which universities choose
to improve their systems.”
Aurele Tobelem, president of the King’s College London Israel
Society, a student group, said that online antisemitic harassment
“merits far more attention than is given to it in the parliamentary
report.”
“People often feel far more empowered spewing hatred towards
Jewish students from the comfort of their mobile phones,” the firstyear
student said. “When I was ‘outed’ as a supporter of Zionism
to members of a large student group chat, I was faced with vile and
humiliating antisemitic vitriol.”
Tobelem agreed with the report’s recommendation about adopting
the IHRA working definition. It is “the only one currently in use,
which holds others accountable for actions which, disguised as
criticism of the State of Israel, perpetuate psychological or physical
harm upon Jewish students,” he said.
“It is vital that non-Jewish allies
call out antisemitism, and show
others how to combat it.”
Lord John Mann, the UK government’s
independent adviser on antisemitism
Gavriel Solomons, a final year University of
Hertfordshire student, said that the report is
“highly encouraging.” But said the report could
do a better job explaining how adopting and using
the IHRA working definition can coexist with
supporting free speech.
The vice chair of the National Jewish Assembly’s
youth wing (NJA), Solomons also questioned the degree to which
the Union of Jewish Students (UJS)—which helped identify Jewish
student participants for the report research—truly represents the
9,000 or so Jewish students in the UK and Ireland.
“Only a small minority directly engage with UJS or vote in its
elections,” he said.
Arieh Miller, UJS chief executive, said that the
union proudly supports Jewish students across the
country, including more than 6,000, in 75 Jewish
societies, with whom it has engaged directly.
“Any Jewish student can run for election or submit
a motion, and our team will be on hand to assist
those who wish to engage in UJS,” he said.
Solomons also questioned the wisdom of the report not naming
schools that are failing Jewish students. That “might be seen as
practical, to give them an opportunity to save face by quickly
changing their practices,” but “it might be better in the long term
for it to be made clear which universities are letting Jewish students
down,” he said.
Rojin-Sena Cantay, a University of Exeter history student, said that
the report reveals that universities must foster safe environments
for Jewish students to study and “exist as Jews,” beyond just
providing better for their religious needs. “The issue in many cases
is not accommodating Jewish students in kosher environments, but
rather about creating a safe environment for them to study as Jews
on campuses,” she said.
3 rd Quarter 2023 • ENHANCE 11

Resources www.cfi.org.uk/shop.php
For resources call: 01323 410 810
Postal savings on multiple items
LISTENING TO THE JEWISH JESUS – PAUL LUCKRAFT
Listening to the Jewish Jesus explores the Hebraic nature of the teaching of Jesus and shows how a 1st
Century Rabbi spoke to other Jews of the time and in particular to his disciples. Jesus used Hebraic idioms,
expressions commonly used in one language but which make less sense in another. Someone outside the
culture can easily be confused. A better grasp of such Hebraisms improves our understanding of what Jesus is
saying to us. This book is a companion for those wanting to unpack the depths of their meanings.
B539 // 285 pages // £14.00 (incl. UK p&p)
EVERLASTING - GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO ISRAEL – STUART CUNLIFFE
We owe a tremendous debt to the Jews. The Bible patriarchs were Jews. The Bible prophets were Jews. Jesus
is a Jew. The Jews wrote down the Scriptures. All the knowledge of God that we have has come to us, directly
or indirectly, through the Jews. Do we have a debt that still needs to be repaid? This book, as it traces the
Jews’ past, present, and future, provides valuable insights into the Christian faith. One thing stands out in this
remarkable story: the amazing faithfulness of God.
B538 // 92 pages // £10.50 (incl. UK p&p)
HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE – (Glossy fold-out pamphlet) ROSE PUBLISHING
10 key facts everyone should know about the Bible: From God’s command to Moses to write on tablets;
The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the reliability of the Hebrew Scriptures; The earliest hand-made copies of the
Bible; Jerome`s Latin translation: The Vulgate; The Masoretes, Jewish scribes and their system to ensure
accuracy; Who wrote the Bible; When was it written; Where was it written; How can we know it is reliable;
Covers the history of the Bible: 1500 BC to AD 1455 - from Moses to Gutenberg’s printing press.
BT132 // 6 Panel double-sided // £5.00 (incl. UK p&p)
NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – (Glossy fold-out pamphlet) ROSE PUBLISHING
The Holy Spirit has many names in the Bible and each name will help you understand more about the power
and work of God in your life. Studying the names will help give you a full, well-rounded idea of who the Holy
Spirit is and how he operates. Just a few of the names include: Breath of the Almighty; Power of the Highest;
Spirit of Judgment; Spirit of Life; Spirit of Christ, Lord and many more. Other articles include: The Trinity, the
Spirit and Prayer, the Fruit of the Spirit, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
BT133 // 6 Panel double-sided // £5.00 (incl. UK p&p)
UK Events CFI UK will exhibit at the following live events in 2023
Fochabers Village
Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, IV32 7PQ
26-30 July & 1-5 August 2023
Kent Event Centre, Maidstone, Kent
CRE Midlands 8 – 9 November 2023
Cranmore Park, Solihull
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