Page 46 - Balfour100-E

46 Holocaust survivors Partnerships ✡

More than six million Jewish people died in the Holocaust, but many of those

who survived immigrated to the new State of Israel. Nicole Yoder describes

what Christians are doing to help

Helping Holocaust survivors

Centuries of conflict, hurt and aliena-
tion stand between the Church and
the Jewish people. This sad legacy of
institutionalised anti-Semitism was
based on the view that God annulled
his covenant with Israel due to their
rejection of Jesus. Such thinking led the
Church to see themselves as the new
people of God, rendering the Jewish
people as cursed. In the pre-war years,
traditional Christian anti-Semitism
provided fertile soil that eventually al-
lowed Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’ to take
root. To our shame, the Church was
largely silent in the face of this great
evil, abandoning the Jewish people in
their darkest hour.
Many influences have played a role
in the shifting attitudes of the Church
over the centuries. A game-changer oc-
curred during the Reformation when the
Scriptures were made widely available
to the layman. Christians began to read
and teach about a future restoration of
the Jewish people to the Land. Later,
the shattering effect of the Holocaust
followed by new realities on the ground the many Christian groups who come
such as the re-establishment of the ‘Who should benefit to visit and hear their story.
State of Israel in her ancient Homeland, Yudit Setz, the ICEJ Aid Deputy
caused soul searching and a re-evalua- more from acts of Director remarked, “Many survivors
tion of previously held views. are afraid that after they die no one
A fresh excitement began to move kindness than those will believe it ever happened, and that
within various segments of the Church another Holocaust could easily occur.
as believers witnessed this restora- who endured such The genuine love they see expressed
tion and recognised God’s faithfulness through Christians from the nations is
to Israel. As a result, Bible-believing inhumanity?’ a healing balm on their wounded souls
Christians became active supporters and and gives them renewed hope for a
participants in this unfolding drama. the Holocaust, who should benefit more better future.”
In view of the depth of depravity from acts of kindness and comfort than Workers at Bridges for Peace bring
unleashed on the Jewish people during those living today who endured the a personal touch to their giving. Work-
inhumanity of those evil days? ing closely with local social workers
Our endeavours at the International to reach survivors urgently needing
Nicole Yoder is the director of
ICEJ Aid, the compassion work Christian Embassy Jerusalem have fo- assistance, they bless about 300 people
of the International Christian cused on providing an assisted-living with a monthly food basket and warm
Embassy Jerusalem. Since home for 70 Holocaust survivors. Here blankets in winter time, or by provid-
moving to Israel from Oregon they can live out their lives with dignity ing for medical needs and equipment.
in 1992, Nicole has been involved in building and in peace, surrounded by a com- Volunteers visit the homes of survivors
Jewish-Christian relationships. She oversees
project partnerships with Israeli social agen- munity of loving staff and volunteers. in Jerusalem bringing birthday baskets
cies that meet urgent needs throughout the Also, these last witnesses are given a to celebrate their lives.
land in every sector of the society. voice and stage to the world through Daniel Kirchhevel, the programme