December 2023 Personal Letter

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Greetings from Israel. On October 7, Israel experienced a horrendous surprise attack on our southern border. That morning, I awoke early as usual to go for a hike, but I had an awareness that I should not leave the house. So, I sat on our patio at 6:00 a.m. to spend quiet time with the Lord. At 7:00 a.m., I looked at my phone and saw reports of a massive rocket attack in the south of Israel.

Returning inside, I awakened my husband, noting that something “big” was taking place. When he asked what happened, I mentioned the rockets. He rolled over and replied, “So?” His reaction was not unusual for most Israelis. Rockets are fired near the southern border so often that, sadly, such drama has become normal. I went outside again and prayed for the Israelis in the south. I sensed that something was very different this time, though I didn’t know what it was.

Incomprehensible Events

At 7:15 a.m., I watched a video of white pickup trucks with machine guns moving throughout the southern city of Sderot. Shooting at people in cars and on the streets, the terrorists also went house to house shooting residents. It seemed as if I were watching a movie. I thought, “How could this be happening?” I couldn’t comprehend that this incursion was possible.

Throughout the morning, more reports came about terrorists overrunning Israeli towns near the Gaza fence. Terrified civilians, who were trapped in their homes, sent messages pleading for someone to help them. Many were being shot or killed. Around 9:00 a.m., I saw a social media video of hundreds of young people running and screaming in a field while gunfire came from every direction. I watched, stunned, and a sinking feeling came over me.

We eventually learned that hundreds of Hamas terrorists entered Israel in cars and on motorcycles through openings in the massive fence between Gaza and Israel. Alongside their shooting spree, the terrorists seized several army bases in the region.

I contacted my brother and told him that I hoped there were no kidnappings. Within hours, my brother and others in our faith community received call ups from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to report to the army bases immediately. I continued to pray without ceasing.

Ongoing Tragedy

News stations and social media showed more appalling videos. We saw homes being set ablaze with residents alive inside. Facebook livestreams showed terrorists killing or holding families (including children) hostage in homes. In the late morning, a TV station aired a live call from a mother who was trapped in a safe room with her children. She heard gunfire outside her house, which was being set on fire. She pled with anyone to save her and her family, but no one came.

Heartbreaking reports of the Hamas atrocities against civilians continued for hours. According to Israeli news, the terrorists controlled 21 towns that evening, and fighting continued between Hamas and Israeli forces in 26 areas. It was unfathomable that thousands of terrorists were inside Israel. Little did we civilians know what was really happening.

The unbelievable reports of people murdered and kidnapped increased at an alarming pace. Later that week, we discovered that as many as 2,900 Hamas terrorists entered Israel through dozens of holes they created in the fence. In one day, they murdered over 1,400 people and kidnapped over 200 — including many women, children, and elderly.

In a 48-hour period on October 7–8, we experienced the 1940–1945 Holocaust atrocities, the anxiety of the 1967 Six-Day War, and the shock of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, all wrapped up into one. Tragically, there were no warnings about this attack from the intelligence community or the military.

What Now?

On Sunday, I awoke realizing that Israeli soldiers would eventually have to enter Gaza, but doing so could trigger a war on Israel’s northern border. Since my family lives in the north part of Israel, we could experience days, weeks, or months of bombings, attacks, and other dangers from radical Muslims in our area.

Hamas had planned a successful raid that overwhelmed and confused the IDF and first responders, leaving them unable to help victims in need. This turn of events prompted me to consider how I should prepare to defend my family if similar attacks happened in our area.

Being Prepared

I went out to purchase supplies and prepare the safe room in our house for war. At that point, rockets from Gaza had not reached our community. Still, I was concerned about the possibility of rockets from the north. By Wednesday, however, rockets fired from the south reached our area and beyond. Local schools here were closed, as students switched to online learning. It was like COVID but much more traumatic because it included rockets and terror.

By Monday, stores were out of food, water, and emergency supplies since all families in Israel scrambled to prepare. As I heard more of the hellish nightmare that people experienced in the southern towns — including torture, rape, and murder — I realized that we might have to defend ourselves in our safe room. After attending an emergency meeting in our neighborhood, I considered our assets: Who is armed? Who is a doctor or a medic? How many people live in each home on each street?

On Tuesday morning, I determined to find a way to block our safe room door without having to hold it shut. (Previously, we could close the door, but we couldn’t lock it.) Many people in the south tried to hold off terrorists who sought to break through the safe room door. Some succeeded, but those who couldn’t resist lost their lives. Thus, I found a large, thick log. I asked my 16-year-old son to use a saw and a drill to create a beam to slide over the locked handle. This would prevent anyone from opening the door while the log was in place.

We debated the best way to secure the window and also discussed how we would defend ourselves with knives should the room be breached. Despite growing up in this country and experiencing many challenging situations, this was a difficult conversation for me, though I knew it was essential.

Receiving Encouragement and Strength

During the week after the initial attack, I also helped people in our community — especially mothers with young children whose husbands/fathers were called up to the army. The heartbreak from the south hit very close to home as we learned that a family in our faith community had five extended family members still missing from that awful day. Several days later, they found out that one — a young man — had been murdered outside his home. Hamas took the other four to Gaza as captives. Ohad, one of the four, turned nine years old a few days after they kidnapped him. His family continues to grieve.

Those of our faith community who were called up to the army needed support, and everyone needed encouragement. As a community, several times a week we join in regular times of prayer, worship, and turning to the Word of God. We intercede for our nation — especially for government leaders and decision makers — asking the Lord to give them creative solutions and strategies that are His plans for this situation.

I have been praying throughout this whole awful time. A few days after the war began, the Lord gave me this verse: Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1:12). This assurance encouraged me to pray and declare God’s promises over Israel and the good plan that He has for this nation and for this Land (Jeremiah 29:11). We know there is life-giving power in the Word of God. This is the time to dig deep and not succumb to the enemy’s plan to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). The more we strengthen ourselves in the Lord, the more we can access the hope, comfort, and power that He provides.

Whenever I feel despair creeping in, I remember my foundation that is built on the rock. I have no fear or anxiety because I know that no matter what storm may come, my house will not fall. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock…” (Psalm 18:2).

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —
“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT),

Sarah Liberman

P.S. Your donation to ZLM will not only help us pay our bills but also endure a challenging financial period. Thank you for your kind consideration. ✡

: When it is Safe

Against our best wishes, we had to cancel our fall tour that was scheduled to leave on October 16. We stand in solidarity with Israel during Hamas’s horrendous assault on the Jewish people and their Land! We pray and believe that Yeshua will bring a rapid resolution to the war and will allow us pilgrims to return to Israel soon. Thus, we encourage you to make reservations to join us next spring or fall for the study tour of a lifetime.

While we continue to plan for our Spring Tour, everything remains tentative because the safety of our tour passengers is paramount. We pray fervently that Israel’s doors will open again quickly. Keep in touch with Sandra, our tour manager, about the latest tour updates. You can contact her at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or levitt.com/tours.

A Note from David and Kirsten Hart

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

Along with most of the world, we have watched news of the war in Israel. The depth of horror and evil that we have all witnessed during these weeks is beyond belief.

Sarah, please know that we are constantly in prayer for you, your family, your neighbors, Israeli citizens, and Jewish people across the world. We pray for God’s shalom for everyone.

We cannot fathom the depths of grief that all Israelis are experiencing. Our minds and hearts are constantly fixed on the plight of the Jewish people everywhere. While overwhelmed with sadness, we continue to pray for peace. From our home in Florida, we are praying and commending the Israeli and stateside organizations that ZLM endorses. (See https://bit.ly/3MGcYB4 or scan the QR code on the right.)

LET THERE BE PEACE IN OUR HEARTS

This is the season of light and love. While our hearts are burdened with the war in Israel, we also need to hold on to hope. Trust that we will soon hear of the miracles happening in Israel, and focus on the miracles that occur in our own lives. In these dark days, may the light of Christ give you a depth of peace that surpasses anything you can imagine (Philippians 4:7).

As Yahweh instructed Moses to tell Aaron how to bless the people of Israel, so we speak this blessing over you:

Again Adonai spoke to Moses saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying:
Thus you are to bless Bnei-Yisrael, by saying to them:
‘Adonai bless you and keep you! Adonai make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you!
Adonai turn His face toward you and grant you shalom!’
In this way they are to place My Name over Bnei-Yisrael, and so I will bless them.”
(Numbers 6:22–27, TLV)

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),

David & Kirsten

P.S. While the Our Jewish Roots (OJR) team was filming in Israel for two upcoming teaching series, they faced unexpected expenses because of the outbreak of war. These included unplanned hotel stays, last-minute flights out of Jordan, and more. We would be so grateful if you could help us cover these expenses with a generous financial gift to our ministry. ✡

Our Jewish Roots TV programs in December

We aren’t providing updates on OJR about the war in Israel because our weekly television programs are pre-recorded and scheduled weeks before the airing dates. We do, however, deliver accurate, cutting-edge updates on our social media pages. To stay current on Operation Iron Swords, you can also follow the social media pages of The Israel Defense Forces (IDF.il/en) and The Jerusalem Post (JPost.com). You will find their social media links at the bottom of their home pages.

This month, we bring you several stand-alone programs featuring videos from Joshua and Caleb Colson — the Bearded Bible Brothers. In the television studio, Kirsten and David Hart discuss topics that the Colsons presented on our social media platforms over the past five years. Beyond that, our year-end program highlights teaching that we have presented to you throughout 2023.

Take Watch and Be Ready

In this program, the #BeardedBibleBrothers bring a favorite teaching that, until now, has only been available on social media outlets. We consider the purpose of living a righteous life and warnings for the modern Church.

Our Jewish Roots: The Next Generation (Year-end)

We are thankful for how the Lord has guided our ministry in 2023. David and Kirsten, along with Joshua and Caleb Colson, recap these teaching series: Ezekiel, Sar Shalom, The God of Miracles, She Shall Be Called Woman, Joshua: More than a Conqueror, and Dateline Jerusalem: The Coming Temple. Plus, we provide a peek at the exciting things coming your way in 2024.

The Seven Feasts

David and Kirsten, alongside the #BeardedBibleBrothers, offer insights on the Passover, Shavuot and the Holy Spirit, and the Fall Feasts.

Salvation

Expanding on teaching previously available only on social media, the #BeardedBibleBrothers, along with David and Kirsten, ponder several important questions: Is God angry? Is the Church soft pedaling sin? Who exactly is the Remnant?