David Parsons, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
April 8, 2004

JERUSALEM -- When Passover week observances began on Monday evening, thousands of Israeli families plagued by poverty were able to properly celebrate the traditional seder meal, thanks to the generosity of Christians worldwide.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem served as one of the main conduits for this timely Christian support, providing over 2,200 Israeli families with Passover matza, wine, grape juice and basic food supplies, either through a Knesset-sponsored distribution project or the Embassy’s own contacts across the land.

The nation’s economy has been battered by the constant threat of terror and the ranks of those falling below the poverty line are increasing daily.

One Israeli newspaper described the situation as quite troubling this Pessach, with over one million Israelis belonging to families that were unable to afford all the symbolic elements needed for a customary seder. Many are newly poor and some were ashamed to even open the door when a basket of food was delivered to their doorstep, the paper reported.

But Christians joined Jews in responding to the need, resulting in many grateful family gatherings when the weeklong festivities commenced after sunset on Monday.

The ICEJ, like other ministries and charitable organizations in the land, makes a special effort each year to pass out Passover baskets to underprivileged families. But this year was unique, both because of the growing need as well as the special appeal issued by the Knesset for Christian assistance.

Several weeks ago, the new Knesset Christian Allies’ Caucus asked a core group of Christian Zionist ministries to join in the parliament’s annual distribution of Pessach baskets. As a result, the Knesset was able to triple the number of families it helps to over 6,000, according to caucus co-chairman Yair Peretz, an MK from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party.

"I am blessed to be part of the first joint charitable project between Christians and Jews to come out of the Christian Allies’ Caucus," said Peretz. "We have been successful in helping many Israeli families and God willing today marks the beginning of a partnership that will do a great deal of good in the world."

Besides the ICEJ, other ministries participating in the Knesset’s Passover appeal were Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem.

Each basket from the Knesset included a letter telling the recipients that it was provided by Christians who "consider it a privilege to stand with the nation of Israel and the Jewish people."

Besides this joint effort, the ICEJ supplied food baskets to another one thousand families based on prior commitments made to social workers, charities and institutions throughout the land. This included gift baskets to many elderly couples, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants, victims of terror, the physically and mentally handicapped, soldiers without family in the land, and many others.

Community seders were also sponsored in several poor neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

Altogether, it amounted to around 10,000 Israelis assisted this Passover by Christians giving via the Christian Embassy.

"We were really pleased with the tremendous response from Christians to our appeals this Passover," said Yudit Setz, director of the ICEJ’s Social Assistance Program, which oversees the food distributions.

"It was also a privilege, for instance, for our staff to sit down for a traditional seder with 150 Ethiopian Jewish immigrants just the other night here in Jerusalem. We told them that the entire meal had been provided by Christians and they were clearly warmed by this gift of love," said Setz.

"The social workers were also very thankful," added Cheryl Crenshaw of the SAP staff. "They face very limited budgets for Pessach assistance and it was only because of our help that these Jewish immigrants were able to truly celebrate this important facet of their biblical heritage."

David Parsons is the editor of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) News Service.