Press

Yad Vashem - Christian Leaders Repent for Holocaust

2012-02-22T04:10:00.000+02:00

Christian Leaders Repent for Holocaust

ICEJ hosts repentance ceremonies at Yad Vashem

CBN News, Jerusalem, 20 January 2012

JERUSALEM, Israel -- A delegation of high-ranking German and Austrian Christian leaders are in Jerusalem this week for events marking the 70th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, where Nazi leaders decided on the "Final Solution" for the extermination of European Jewry.

Seventy prominent pastors and ministry leaders -- representing some 30 Protestant and Evangelical movements of Germany and Austria, including Lutherans, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Baptists, Methodists, Mennonites, Pietists, and Adventists ministry leaders -- are attending the two-day gathering hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
"They made a public declaration that they want to stand up in their churches with their German communities to make a difference in the future, and make sure that future generations will do everything to prevent another Holocaust to take place," ICEJ Executive Director Juergen Buehler told CBN News.
"So we as Christians have a historic responsibility, and we need to own up to it and we need to say that we don't want to repeat [the Holocaust] ever again," added Susanna Kokkonen, director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem.

The two-day gathering in Jerusalem culminated on Friday with a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem’s Warsaw Ghetto Square and observances in the Hall of Remembrance to honor the Jewish victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Delegates from 32 major Christian denominations and ministries in Germany and Austria, representing millions of followers, laid wreaths at today’s event.

“The Christian nation of Germany some two generations ago gives us an example of the evil which can flow when a people turn their back on a God of goodness Who loves all humankind,” said Rev. Ingolf Ellßel, Chairman of the Pentecostal European Fellowship. “To remember this causes a deep shaking in our hearts.”

“Wannsee was one of the darkest days in the history of the German people,” added Gottfried Bühler, National Director of ICEJ-Germany and the initiator of the event. “Seventy years after, we bow down in deep sorrow. And we also promise to keep this remembrance alive. That is why many of us brought our children along, so the next generation can witness these ceremonies. Yet remembrance alone is not enough; it must go hand-in-hand with responsible deeds of goodness.”

The ICEJ then handed over a $60,000 check to Yad Vashem for its Holocaust studies and education center, to sponsor special seminars for Christian leaders to train them in teaching the universal lessons of the Holocaust.

Expressing gratitude for the support which the Jewish people receive today from millions of Christians worldwide, Dan Diker, Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress issued a call for “vigilance in the face of the next genocidal plot against the collective Jew – the state of Israel.”

During their two days in Jerusalem to mark 70 years since Wannsee, the delegation of German and Austrian Christians also paid a visit to the Knesset, meet with Israel’s Chief Rabbi (Ashkenazi) Yona Metzger, hold special prayer services at the Western Wall and the King of Kings Prayer Tower, and attended a memorial concert organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in partnership with the Helping Hand Coalition at Mishkenot Sha´ananim featuring performances by the noted German Christian Music Academy of Stuttgart. The series of events ended on Friday evening with a reception at the global headquarters of the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.

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Gedenken und Begegnen - Veranstaltungen in Berlin und München Januar 2012

2012-01-20T05:33:00.000+02:00

Gedenken und Begegnen - Veranstaltungen in Berlin und München Januar 2012

Aus Anlass des 70. Jahrestages der Wannsee-Konferenz kamen vom 19.-22.01.2012 auf Einladung der Initiative 27. Januar e.V. Gäste aus Israel, Deutschland und weiteren Ländern in Berlin zusammen, um bei zwei Veranstaltungen und weiteren Begegnungen gemeinsam des Holocaust zu gedenken, die Überlebenden des Holocaust zu würdigen und zur Unterstützung für bedürftige Holocaust-Überlebende in Israel aufzurufen.

Am 29.01.2012 fand in München die Gedenkveranstaltung der Initiative 27. Januar e.V. zum diesjährigen Holocaust-Gedenktag statt, bei der ebenfalls das Gedenken an die Wannsee-Konferenz und die deutsch-israelischen Beziehungen im Mittelpunkt standen.

Berichte, Fotos und Video-Mitschnitte von den Veranstaltungen finden Sie auf der folgenden Seite (zum Video-Kanal gelangen Sie auch direkt über den YouTube-Button rechts oben). Wir freuen uns über Ihr Interesse und bedanken uns bei allen Teilnehmenden und Mitwirkenden der Gedenk- und Begegnungsveranstaltungen sehr herzlich!

Gedenken und Begegnen - Veranstaltungen in Berlin und München Januar 2012

Die deutsch-israelischen Beziehungen 70 Jahre nach der Wannsee-Konferenz

München, 29. Januar 2012

Zum diesjährigen Holocaust-Gedenktag hat die Initiative 27. Januar e.V. am 29.01.2012 zu einer Gedenkveranstaltung in den Max-Joseph-Saal der Residenz in München eingeladen. Schriftliche Grußworte kamen vom Bayerischen Ministerpräsidenten Horst Seehofer, vom katholischen Erzbischof Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kardinal Marx und vom evangelischen Landesbischof Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Ehrengast und Hauptredner der Gedenkveranstaltung war der Generalkonsul des Staates Israel in München, Tibor Shalev-Schlosser.

Fotos: Julian Wagner

Foto-Gallerie München 29. Januar 2012

http://www.juwamedia.de/holocaustgedenktag2012/

Rede Harald Eckert München 29. Januar 2012

(folgt in Kürze)

Presseberichte zu der Gedenkveranstaltung am 29. Januar 2012

http://www.kath.net/detail.php?id=35043

http://www.medrum.de/content/raub-der-menschlichkeit

http://www.israelnetz.com/themen/kultur/artikel-kultur/datum/2012/01/27/holocaust-gedenkveranstaltung-in-muenchen/

Gedenken und Begegnen - 70. Jahrestag der Wannsee-Konferenz

Berlin, 20. und 21. Januar 2012

Aus Anlass des 70. Jahrestages der sogenannten Wannsee-Konferenz, bei der am 20. Januar 1942 hochrangige Vertreter des NS-Regimes die Ermordung der Juden in Europa planten, trafen sich vom 19.-22. Januar in Berlin Gäste aus Israel, Deutschland und weiteren Ländern, um gemeinsam des Holocaust zu gedenken, die Überlebenden des Holocaust zu würdigen und zur Unterstützung für bedürftige Holocaust-Überlebende in Israel aufzurufen. Auf Einladung der Initiative 27. Januar e.V. waren Repräsentanten von Verbänden der Holocaust-Überlebenden in Israel nach Berlin gekommen. Bei der Gedenkveranstaltung am 20.01.2012 mit 400 Teilnehmenden in der Französischen Friedrichstadtkirche sprachen u.a. die frühere Bundestagspräsidentin Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, der Gesandte der israelischen Botschaft in Deutschland Emmanuel Nahshon und die Knesset-Abgeordnete Lia Shemtov.

Foto: Initiative 27. Januar e.V.

Beim "Abend der Freundschaft und Begegnung - zu Ehren von Holocaust-Überlebenden 70 Jahre nach der Wannsee-Konferenz" in einem Berliner Hotel gab es am 21.01.2012 vor mehr als 300 Gästen unter anderem Ansprachen der Holocaust-Überlebenden aus der israelischen Delegation und die Vorstellung eines Kooperationsprojektes von Organisationen, die bedürftige Holocaust-Überlebende in Israel unterstützen. Bereits am Vormittag des 20. Januar waren die Vertreter der Holocaust-Überlebenden in Israel auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden der Deutsch-Israelischen Parlamentariergruppe, Jerzy Montag, imBundestag zu Gast, am 22. Januar besuchten sie die Gedenkstätte Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz.

Fotos: Initiative 27. Januar e.V.

Foto-Gallerie Berlin 20. und 21. Januar 2012

http://www.initiative27januar.org/index.php/gal2012-01-20

Videos von der Gedenkveranstaltung am 20. Januar 2012

http://www.youtube.com/user/Initiative27Januar

http://www.idea.de/ (ideaFernsehen, Sendung vom 26.01.2012, Beitrag im Video von 01:04 - 03:10)

http://www.babel-tv.de/sendungen/index.php (Babel TV, Sendung vom 29.01.12, Beitrag im Video von 12:55 - 36:35)

Presseberichte zu der Gedenkveranstaltung am 20. Januar 2012

http://www.idea.de/nachrichten/detailartikel/artikel/holocaust-als-sich-die-pforten-der-hoelle-oeffneten-1.html

http://www.israelnetz.com/themen/nachrichten/artikel-nachrichten/datum/2012/01/20/die-pforten-der-hoelle-waren-offen/

http://haolam.de/index.php?site=artikeldetail&id=7770

http://www.juedische.at/TCgi/_v2/TCgi.cgi?target=home&Param_Kat=3&Param_RB=4&Param_Red=14613

http://www.hagalil.com/archiv/2012/01/23/wannsee-konferenz/

http://www.israelnetz.com/themen/aussenpolitik/artikel-aussenpolitik/datum/2012/01/23/netanjahu-erinnert-an-wannseekonferenz/

http://www.christundwelt.de/themen/detail/artikel/judenmission-impossible/

http://www.refdag.nl/nieuws/buitenland/wannseeconferentie_herdacht_in_franse_dom_in_berlijn_1_617234

Presseberichte zum Abend der Freundschaft und Begegnung am 21. Januar 2012

http://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/article/view/id/12150

http://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/article/view/id/12128

International commemoration in Berlin

2012-01-20T05:24:00.000+02:00

70 years since the Wannsee Conference 20 January 1942

In December 1941, SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, head of the Nazi’s Reich Security Main Office, summoned 15 Nazi leaders to a secret meeting at a villa in Wannsee outside Berlin. The meetings was held on 20th January 1942. Heydrich’s objective: to agree a program for the implementation of Hitler’s vision of the "final solution", the mass extermination of the 11 million Jews living in German-occupied Europe.

The mass execution of Jews in Europe had started much earlier. The Gestapo’s Einsatzgruppen had already carried out mass executions in Ukraine (such as Babi Yar, where on September 29–30, 1941, 33,771 Jews were killed in a single operation), Poland and elsewhere. Adolf Eichmann was already experimenting with gassing techniques.

But at Wannsee, something very significant happened. At Wannsee, as Prof. Gert Weisskirchen put it, the “floodgates of hell” were opened. For the first time, all the various Nazi organisations and ministries were agreed and committed to a program of genocide to extinguish the entire Jewish race within three years, through the strategic use of mass gassings and cremations.

The Nazi’s very nearly succeeded in their plan. In the following three years, more than 6 million Jews were killed on European soil, many of them gassed and cremated at Auschwitz and other concentration camps.

Now, 70 years later, many questions remain. How could this have happened? Why did the Church not prevent this happening? Could it happen again? What are we to make of the growing anti-Semitism in Europe and abroad? What role should Christians in Europe play to make sure history does not repeat itself?

Harald Eckert and Christians for Israel Germany were initiators of a series of high-level events in Berlin which were focussed on understanding and dealing with such questions.

On Friday 19th January 2012, at the Französische Friedrichstadtkirche in the heart of Berlin, Jewish and Christian leaders as well as representatives of German and Israeli governments met for a 2 hour ceremony, together with a group of fifteen holocaust survivors from Israel.

- According to well-known historian and former politician Prof. Dr. Gert Weisskirchen, at Wannsee the gates of hell were opened. Although the mass slaughter of Jews started much earlier, Wannsee was so significant because it opened those floodgates. This was only possible because in the preceding years too few Germans had been prepared to guard the gates. We may not allow this to happen again. Today, Iran and its allies are threatening to annihilate Israel again. There are three requirements if we are to avoid a new holocaust: knowledge, feeling and the courage to act. We need to not only understand the past, we need to feel it deeply. There are many signs that the powers of hell are again gathering strength, We must act now to stop the floodgates of hell opening again.

- Bastiaan Belder, member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the EP delegation to the Israeli Knesset, noted that Iran is the newest and most powerful threat to the existence of the state of Israel and the Jewish nation. Europe must do all in its power to prevent this from happening. The survival of the Jewish people and the creation of the modern state of israel is a modern miracle, proof of God’s faithfulness. Europe has a duty because of the past to watch over and protect the Jewish people.

- Ms Lea Shemtov, Knesset member, acknowledged the fact that many holocaust survivors in Israel are living in abject poverty. More needs to be done to help and recognize them. It is terribly important hat Christians and Jews work together to protect our common values. What is happening to israel affects all nations. We need to work together for the blessing of all nations. The Israeli government is appreciative of the support of so many Christians.

- Ms. Gita Koifman representing the holocaust survivors in israel expressed her deep appreciation for the organizers of this event. As a child of 2 years. The youngest of a large family, her mother was murdered and her grandmother beaten to death. The memories remain, we will take them to the grave. But we did not die as a nation. We started a new life, a new community out of the ashes. A community that cares for the poor and weak. Together with those who support us we are strong.

Harald Eckert, Chairman of Christians for Israel Germany (Israel an der Seite Israels) and the European Coalition for Israel (ECI), and the leader of Initative 27 January, spoke passionately of the need to make sure that Wannsee never happens again. Italian author and Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi once said: "It happened once, therefore it can happen again". Today, this statement takes on new meaning. Only 70 years after the Shoah, the existence of the Jewish nation is again under threat. Are we really committed to make sure that history does not repeat itself? There are three dangers we need to face up to:

1. The danger of forgetting. We Germans must pass on the memory of what happened here. That is why Christians for Israel Germany takes regular groups of young people to Israel – to meet with holocaust survivors in Israel, ad to learn about the history of German/Jewish relations. So too in many other countries there is a great need for education about the holocaust.
2. The danger of changing the truth. The impression is created in the secular media that the treatment of the Palestinians by Israel equivalent is to Nazi treatment of the Jews, that is of course a lie. Similarly holocaust denial, which has a following not only in Iran and fundamentalist Islam, but also in the West.
3. The danger of it happening again. We are seeing a rise of militant anti-Semitism, in the form of the Iranian regime and its allies such as Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Hizbollah. Also in Europe there is growing pressure to give inI to these demands.

What can we do? The key is strategic networking. Christians of all denominations, nationalities and backgrounds with a love for the Jewish people must build alliances, partnerships and friendships across borders. I see this happening at two levels:

- Building stronger bonds between Israel and the nations.
- International Christian cooperation.

Andrew Tucker
Executive director Christians for Israel International

Schoa-Überlebende besuchen Gedenkveranstaltung zum 70. Jahrestag der Wannsee-Konferenz

2012-01-20T04:21:00.000+02:00

Jüdishe Allgemeine, 27 Januar 2012

Aufeinander zugehenSchoa-Überlebende besuchen Gedenkveranstaltung zum 70. Jahrestag der Wannsee-Konferenz

26.01.2012 – von Benjamin Moscovici

Abraham Sharnopoldky, Sergey Sushon, Lia Shertov, Gita Koifman und Alexander Berman (v.l.) beim »Abend der Freundschaft und Begegnung«

© Mike Minehan

Für Sergey Sushon ist es ein besonderes Wochenende. »Ein alter Traum wird wahr.« Als Jude, als Verfolgter, einmal als freier Mann in Berlin, dem Zentrum der Vernichtung stehen und in freundliche Gesichter sehen zu können. Noch heute, gesteht er, könne er die Dimension des Verbrechens, das vor 70 Jahren am Großen Wannsee beschlossen wurde, nicht richtig begreifen.

Er sagt, es sei schwierig, Vertrauen zu fassen, Vertrauen in Gerechtigkeit und das Gute im Menschen: »Wir danken allen für ihre Unterstützung. Doch wichtiger als alles Geld ist das Gefühl, Freunde zu haben. Wir brauchen Freunde, denn wir haben viele Feinde«, sagt der Schoa-Über-lebende.

MOTTO Anlässlich des 70. Jahrestages der Wannsee-Konferenz hatte die »Initiative 27. Januar« am Wochenende zu einer Reihe Gedenkveranstaltungen in Berlin eingeladen. Bereits am Freitag hatte der Verein eine Gedenkfeier in der Französischen Friedrichstadtkirche abgehalten. Alle Veranstaltungen einte das Motto: »Gedenken und Begegnen – 70. Jahrestag der Wannsee-Konferenz«. Die Jüdische Gemeinde zu Berlin war Kooperationspartner.

Am »Abend der Freundschaft und Begegnung« in einem Berliner City-Hotel nahmen am vergangenen Samstag nicht nur Vertreter verschiedener christlicher und jüdischer Organisationen, sondern auch mehrere Holocaustüberlebende und die Knesset-Abgeordnete Lia Shemtov (Israel Beitenu) teil. Die Veranstaltung diente nicht allein der stärkeren Vernetzung politischer und religiöser Gruppen, die sich an der Seite Israels sehen, sondern auch, um auf die teils prekäre Situation der Überlebenden in Israel hinzuweisen.

In Israel leben heute noch rund 200.000 Holocaust-Überlebende. Viele von ihnen seien verarmt und einsam. Bereits in zehn Jahren gäbe es diese Zeitzeugen kaum noch, betonte Shemtov. Deshalb sei es wichtig, ihre Erinnerungen weiterzugeben. Dies waren die zentralen Punkte der Veranstaltung: Gedenken, der Versuch zum Zeugen der Zeitzeugen zu werden, wie es der ehemalige Bundespräsident Horst Köhler einmal formulierte und die Opfer zu unterstützen. »Das Gedenken wahren, den Gefahren wehren«, lautet dann auch das Motto der »Initiative 27. Januar«.

ORGANISATIONEN Von deutscher Seite waren die Organisationen Israel-Connect, Christen an der Seite Israels und die European Coalition for Israel beteiligt, die sich, vor allem in Brüssel, mit Lobbyarbeit gegen Antisemitismus und Antizionismus engagieren. Von israelischer Seite waren die Organisationen Amcha und Helping Hand Coalition vertreten.

Auch Gita Koifmann war an diesem Abend zu Gast: Überlebt hat die ältere Dame, weil ihre Eltern sich für sie opferten. Doch damit wird sie bis heute nicht fertig. Kein Tag vergeht, keine Mahlzeit nimmt sie zu sich, ohne an ihre Familie zu denken, an die »Schuld der Überlebenden«. Gita Koifmann ist sich sicher, dass die Toten nie in Vergessenheit geraten werden, so wie auch sie nie vergessen kann. »Aber das Leben geht weiter«, seufzt sie. »Die Welt braucht dieses Gespräch, um ihre Wunden zu heilen – auch wenn es nie einfach sein wird.« Seit Jahren besucht die Israelin Deutschland regelmäßig. Sie kommt gerne, doch hier zu leben, das kann sie sich nicht vorstellen. »Ich weiß nicht, ob es Angst ist, aber mein Herz schnürt sich zusammen, wenn ich nach Deutschland komme.«

70-летие конференции в Ванзее было отмечено одновременно в Берлине и Иерусалиме

2012-01-20T01:19:00.000+02:00

70-летие конференции в Ванзее было отмечено одновременно в Берлине и Иерусалиме.

В Иерусалиме и в Берлине с 19 по 22 января прошли мероприятия, связанные с 70-летием кон ференции в Ванзее. 70 лет тому назад на вилле Ванзее (Wannsee) под Берлином прошло сове щание нацистских чиновников, на котором был подписан протокол о том, что необходимо интенсифицировать убийство 11 миллионов евреев Европы. Оба эти мероприятия, и в Иеруса лиме, и Берлине, были инициированы ассоциацией евангелистов-христиан, возглавляемой Харольдом Экертом («Ассоциация 27 января»), а также коалицией «Рука помощи Израилю», возглавляемой Анджеем Гасиоровским. 20 января, в день 70-летия подписания протоколов совещания в Ванзее, делегация Израиля, которую возглавила депутат Кнессета Лея Шемтов, была принята в Бундестаге, где ее привет ствовали члены Бундестага, а также европейского парла мента. Депутат Ёжи Монтаг, возглав ляющий в Бундестаге группу Дружбы с Израилем, в своем выступлении сказал, что сегодня в Германии вызревают семена нового Холоко ста, угрожающего Израилю и евреям во всем мире. Он добавил, что Германия осознает свою ответственность за безопасность Израиля и сделает всё, чтобы Холокост не повторился. От имени переживших Холокост репатриантов (Движение «Хазит хаКавод») мы передали письмо канцлеру Германии Ангеле Мерке, в котором попросили увеличить финансовую поддержку, которую оказывает Германия Израилю, в частности, увеличить финансирование, которое направлено на решение жилищной проблемы переживших Холокост репатриантов.

20 января в музее на вилле Ванзее прошла государственная церемония, посвященная 70-летию конференции в Ванзее, на которой выступил президент Германии и от правительства Израиля министр Йоси Пелед (Менделевич), который ребенком был спасен от уничтожения нацистами ( мать его погибла концлагере).Одновременно мероприятия, посвященные 70-летию Ванзейской конференции, прошли в Иерусалиме- в музее Яд Вашем (20 января) и в центре Аденауэра (19 января). Для участия в этих мероприятиях в Израиль из Германии и Австрии прибыло около 300 евангелистов-христиан, а также еврейские общественные деяте ли из разных стран мира. 20 января наша делегация была приглашена на встречу с христиа нами-евангелистами во французском соборе Берлина, в которой приняли участие около 800 человек. Когда выступившая на этом собрании депутат Кнессета Лея Шемтов представила собравшимся членов израильской делегации, переживших Холокост - Сергея .Шушона, Д.Саги, А.Шарнопольского, А.Бермана и Г.Койфман, все участники собрания встали, чтобы приветствовать израильтян, переживших Холокост. Этот момент стал эмоциональной кульминацией этого собрания.

21 января наша делегация встретилась с еврейской общиной Берлина. От имени нашей делега ции я передал в дар еврейской общине Берлина изданную Союзом ученых –репатриантов Израиля в 2009 году книгу«Эвакуация. Воспоминания о детстве, опаленном огнем Холокос та. СССР. 1941-1945». Еврейская община Берлина с большой теплотой встретила выступле ния членов нашей делегации- депутата Кнессета Леи Шемтов и д-ра Сергея Шушона. Наша делегация вернулась домой в Израиль с твердым убеждением, что в Германии у Израиля есть надежные друзья.Осенью 1999 года я впервые наблюдал многотысячную демонстрацию хрис тиан-евангелистов, которые из разичных стран приехали в Иерусалим, чтобы поддержать нашу страну. Мне тогда было стыдно за Израиль, потому что никто не приветствовал эту демонстрацию на улицах города. Депутат Кнессета Юрий Штерн в те годы взял на себя инициативу и начал налаживать контакты с евангелистами-христианами, поддерживающими Израиль. Та поддержка, которую государство Израиль получает сегодня со стороны христи ан-евангелистов и те отношения, которые сегодня складываются между организациями евангелистов-христиан из различных странах мира и общественными организациями пострадавших во время Холокоста граждан Израиля говорит о том, что усилия Юрия Штерна не пропали даром и дают сегодня очень важные для нашей страны результаты.

Александр Берман

председатель правления Движения
«За достойное будущее» («Хазит хаКавод»)

Рядом друзья

2012-01-19T15:45:00.000+02:00

Association of Disabled Veterans of Fight Against Nazizm

Jerusalem, 20th Jan 2012

Рядомдрузья

Глава крупнейшей благотворительнойорганизации евангельских христиан "Рука помощи Израилю" Анджей Гоншаровский пригласил делегациюСоюза воинов и партизан – инвалидов войны с нацистами на представительную конференцию руководства и членовэтого объединения в Иерусалим. В просторном особняке Немецкого культурногоцентра в Израиле, который расположен в историческом месте у ветряков МельницМонтефиори, собрались десятки представителей филиалов организаций из Германии,Бельгии, Голландии и других стран.

Встреча проводилась наканунемеждународного Дня памяти жертв Катастрофы, приуроченного Генеральной Ассамблеей ООН годовщине освобождения нацистскогоконцлагеря Освенцим советскими войсками. Кроме того, по инициативе А.Гоншаровского готовится и реализуется вИзраиле, США, РФ и других странах проект "70-летия Ванзейскойконференции".

В пригороде Берлина 70 лет тому назадсостоялось по замыслу бесноватого фюрера окончательное "решение еврейскоговопроса". Беспощадный геноцид привел к гибели шести миллионов сынов идочерей еврейского народа.

В аудиториуме культурного центравыступали с речами, воспоминаниями видные деятели прогрессивной религиозной исветской общественности. Собравшихся приветствовали президент Союза инвалидоввойны Роман Ягель, бригадный генерал в отставке и член ЦК Союза председатель Тель-Авивского окружного комитетаЗавелий Клейнер.

В своем обращении к собравшимся Р.Ягельна немецком языке рассказал о деятельности Союза инвалидов войны, а потомбуквально штрих-пунктирно говорил о своем боевом пути в Советской, Польской иИзраильской армиях.

По представлению организаторов приема ихсподвижникам за заслуги в благотворительной деятельности, за поддержкуобщественных организаций Израиля, за успехи в борьбе с антиизраилизмом и антисемитизмомР.Ягель вручил памятные юбилейные медали, посвященные Победе над нацистскимврагом, а также изданный недавно юбилейный альбом "Победа и Память".Прием был завершен камерным концертом талантливых исполнителей зарубежья.

МошеШпицбург,

пресс-секретарьСоюза инвалидов войны

Special Reception and Concert at the Konrad Adenhauer Conference Center

2012-01-19T04:40:00.000+02:00

WorldNews, Jerusalem 19 January 2011

Special Reception and Concert at the Konrad Adenhauer Conference Center, Mishkenot Shaananim in Jerusalem, with German Christian leaders and local Holocaust survivors organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in partnership with Helping Hands Coalition.

On Thursday 19 January 2012, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was hosting a high-ranking delegation of German and Austrian Christian pastors and ministry leaders for a series of events marking the 70th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, the infamous meeting of Nazi officials which decided upon the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question".

The delegation of Seventy prominent pastors and ministry leaders -- representing some 30 Protestant and Evangelical movements of Germany and Austria, including Lutherans, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Baptists, Methodists, Mennonites, Pietists, and Adventists ministry leaders meet with the Holocaust survivors representatives attending a memorial concert at Mishkenot Sha´Ananim featuring performances by the noted German Christian Music Academy of Stuttgart.

Dr. Andre Gasiorowski, President of the Helping Hand Coalition introduced to the distinguished guests leaders of the organizations representing 120,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel - Association of Wounded Jewish Soldiers who Fought Nazis, Hazit Hakavot, and Amutat Zikaron. General Roman Jagiel awarded representatives of the Christian group by the Israeli medal of honor issued by the Israeli Ministry of Defense for fighting worldwide Anti-Semitism.
Outstanding concert was performed by Vesna Buehler, and the special ensamble from the Christian Music and Art Academy of Stuttgart.

The dignitaries include:

Jürgen Bühler, Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
Andre Gasiorowski, President of the Helping Hand Coalition
General Roman Jagiel - President of the Association of Wounded Jewish Soldiers who Fought Nazis
Rev. Ingolf Ellßel, Chairman of the Pentecostal European Fellowship
Rev. Siegfried Tomaszewski, European Director of Christ for all Nations
Rev. Gerry Klein, Director of the Bible College at Bad Gandersheim
Claus Philippin, President of International Christian Chamber of Commerce - Germany
Hannelore Illgen, representative of the Federation of Pentecostal Churches in Germany
Karl-Heinz Geppert, Director of the Aki Liebenzell Communities
Martin Baron, prominent Christian Businessman and Author
Karl Klanner, National Director of ICEJ - Austria
Gottfried Bühler, Executive Director of ICEJ - Germany
Dietmar Kern, Board Member of Initiative 27 January, Christians for Israel - Germany
Friedemann Meussling, Director of the Christian Music and Art Academy of Stuttgart

Delivery of goods in Maale Adumim

2012-01-05T20:31:00.000+02:00

(English translation)

The EvangelicalChristians for the Holocaust Survivors and the Elderly Seniors

During the holidayseason of Chanukah, senior citizens and Holocaust Survivors from Ma’ale Adumimreceived a tremendous donation of over 9,000 convenience briefs for the elderly.

As a light of hope to the Holocaust survivors, the ChristianEvangelistic organization, Helping Hand Coalition, continues to cooperate withMa’ale Adumim during the up-coming holiday of Chanukah and donates thousands ofabsorbent products for the elderly, refugees and Holocaust survivors. This week a meeting took place between the executive membersof the Helping Hand Coalition, accompanied by Knesset member Lia Shemtov(Israel Beytenu), Deputy Mayor Boris Grossman and the management staff of the “Amal”Nursing Hospital, which received the donation.

At this exciting meeting, Helping Hand CoalitionChairman Andre Gasiorowski stated that a great and special bond has beencreated between the organization and the city of Ma’ale Adumim, and that thereare constant reviews of how to grant further donations. This donation was a part of cooperation between Helping Hand Coalition with organizations such as NMV Transport Holland and World Jewish Relief Organization as a sponsor.

“We have an obligation to help those whose hands havenot been reached yet, and the season of Chanukah has a great opportunity tospread the light to the Holocaust Survivors and the Elderly”.

Grossman, who is in daily contact with one of HelpingHand’s project managers Rita Tager, mentioned that only a few months ago dozensof kilograms of soup were donated by the Helping Hand Coalition.

“A fascinating donating ‘triangle’ organization hasbeen created between them, including a very social Knesset member who contributesto society. This current donation will be distributed to a hostel, ‘Yad Sarah’and to Ultra-Orthodox Jewish organization - ‘Habad’. The Helping HandCoalition has already donated a container with thousands of adult conveniencebriefs, bed coverings and other hygiene products for the elderly. Usually, itis not customary to speak about these topics, though these products areextremely expensive for the consumers and most of these poor sick elders have ahard time purchasing these products; therefore it is important to raise thistopic. “

Knesset Member Lia Shemtov stated during her visit tothe city that Evangelical Christians are “True Friends” of the State of Israel.She adds that their many operations were acknowledged, cherished and gainedrecognition at a conference, which took place at the Israeli Knesset just a fewweeks ago.

“Because there are so many social purposes and goals, eachone of the hundreds of organizations in Israel chose to specify and target anumber of cities. I have no doubts that the Helping Hand Coalition willcontinue to find donors from abroad who will be willing to help and donate toMa’ale Adumim”.

The management team of “Amal” sees this generous jesterby Knesset member Shemtov and the Helping Hand as a primary social action.

“This is our first cooperation with them, and we see itas a pipeline towards working with other welfare organizations” says SimaYefet, Hospital Director, and says its not only about the worth of this hugedonation, it’s the thought and consideration of these sickand nursing elders who are in need. “The highest of interests in mind were thesick and elderly, and this is noteworthy,” concluded Sima Yefet.

Delivering goods to Maale Adumim

2011-12-27T20:44:00.000+02:00

(English translation)

This week, Knesset member Lia Shemtov came to visit the“Amal Jerusalem” nursing hospital. Accompanying her were representatives fromthe non-profit organization, “Helping Hand Coalition” who donated 10,000disposable convenience briefs for adults.

On Tuesday morningKnesset member Lia Shemtov, Welfare committee member and supporter of HolocaustSurvivors, paid a visit to the “AmalJerusalem” nursing hospital, accompanied by representatives of the Helping Hand Coalition, who brought 10,000 disposableadult absorbent briefs to Amal Ma’ale Adumim.

The Helping Hand Coalition’s activitiesfocus on helping Holocaust survivors, single mothers and individuals andfamilies in need. Disposable diapersare considered one of the most expensive products for a consumer, thereforethis large donation is extremely helpful. Such goods were delivered to Israel by NMV Transport Holland and donated by the World Jewish Relief Organization.

The purpose of themeeting held Tuesday morning, was to give the Helping Hand Coalition the opportunity to present themselves and theirdonation to “Amal Adumim,” and forthe hospital’s administrational office to have an opportunity to thank theHelping Hand for its generosity.

Deputy Mayor BorisGrossman, who played a role in connecting the Helping Hand Coalition to the “Amal Adumim”, attended this meeting aswell.

A few months ago,we published an article on the HelpingHand Coalition’s kind warm heart and contribution to the community, as theydelivered 1,200 bags of dry soup. Deputy Mayor Grossman handed the goods over fordistribution to the city’s Elderly Seniors Club. This time the Coalition sent anenormous amount of diapers (19 pallets).

Grossman tells us,at first he turned to the Welfare Department in order to receive names of theelderly seniors and people in nursing homes who are in need of incontinence briefs.He added, “Because of the generous and extremely large donation, I thought thebest and most suitable place to donate these disposable briefs would be the geriatrichospital”.

The director of Amal hospital Sima and the head nurse ofthe hospital Rinat both said the donation is very helpful, and everyday theyuse about 300 disposable briefs. At times, citizens in need of disposable diapersapproach them, and receive help in this area from the hospital.

“There have beenincidences, for example, on the weekends, while the pharmacies are closed,while the residents of nursing homes find themselves without any disposablediapers, or diabetics without any insulin, they come to us and we help ofcourse”. Sima and Rinat also say, “There are other families in need who comeand ask for help with supplying disposable briefs, so with this generousdonation we are able to bless others as well.”

Rinat tells us, “Afew hours before the meeting on Tuesday, an individual came to ask for disposablediapers for his mother.” Rinat found interest in the particular man. She askedhim what he does for a living. The man replied he used to take care of a patientwith muscular dystrophy, and that currently he is unemployed. After hearingthis man’s story, Rinat offered him a position as a nurse at the hospital. “Heleft with diapers and a job,” she said with a smile. All the people present inthe room were very moved by this story.

Grossman sharedabout his work with Klita and Aliyaat the meeting and shared the numbers of the new immigrants who live in Ma’aleAdumim. He also stated that the new Ethiopian Absorption comes down to 440families. The Helping Hand Coalition memberswere impressed with these large numbers and announced that in the near futurethey will assist Grossman by providing new and warm winter jackets for those newimmigrants. Grossman thanked Knesset Member, Lia Shemtov and the Helping Hand Coalition members, fortheir cooperation, for all their support and for always reaching out a HelpingHand.

The meeting waswarmhearted and very pleasant. They discussed many topics, as they enjoyed fellowshiparound refreshments and the Holiday season’s donuts, of course.

Written by: DalitMor

Knesset Conference Honors International Evangelical supporters for Holocaust Survivors

2011-11-22T00:04:00.000+02:00

WordPress, Jerusalem 22 November 2011

There was a big, important conference held at the Israeli Knesset on the 22nd of November 2011. It honored and recognized the strengthening friendship between the international Evangelical Christian coalition and the State of Israel, in partnership to support Holocaust Survivors and other population groups in need, in Israel.Honorable Knesset members, Ministers and deputy Ministers, distinguished guests and the Evangelical Christian representatives of 50 organizations from more than 50 countries attended this conference in their honor at the Knesset, the seat of the Government of Israel. This conference came together through the combined efforts and cooperation between the Helping Hand Coalition and the Knesset, spearheaded by the Honorable Knesset member, Lea Shemtov. Following are some of the details of this momentous occasion from this observer’s point of view.

We ascended to the Knesset compound in Jerusalem, on a warm, sunny day for this time of year and were guided through the corridors to the Knesset Art Gallery for a reception where light refreshments were served. There was a special art display of Claudia Dewald photography that featured portraits depicting Holocaust survivors there in the lobby. We mingled and conversed with the various conference attendees from around the world. It was a powerful portrait, this coalition of the many, who came together from so many places, to demonstrate their continued support of Holocaust survivors and to be honored for their contributions.After about an hour of refreshments and engaging conversation, we were escorted through the corridors and ushered into the Knesset auditorium where the conference convened. Here’s what took place that day.

The conference opened with a moving video presentation produced by Ted Pearce, 'Forgotten People' powerful music of which was followed by the welcome and opening remarks by the conference MC Mikhail Dzhaginov. What followed were presentations, remarks and reflections about the tragedy of the Holocaust and their support (as representatives of the Israeli government) of Holocaust survivors in particular, by a number of distinguished and honorable Knesset members. Among them were: Minister of Tourism Stas Miesezhnikov, Minister of Absorption Sofa Landver, Lea Nass Deputy Minister of Senior Citizens by the Prime Minister Office, and Honorable Knesset member and conference co-sponsor Lea Shemtov.Between each speaker, the conference attendees were treated to a diverse and talented lineup of singing and dance groups. They sang thematic songs like the moving, “Tell me why” a song of 'The Chosen Ones' that asked the question about why the tragedy and atrocities of the Holocaust were allowed to happen. The dance group of TOS Ministries performed a very moving creation entitled, “Shma Yisrael (Hear O Israel)”.

The International Evangelical Coalition conference participants were introduced to the forum by Dr. Andre Gasiorowski, President of the Helping Hand Coalition and the conference producer. A list of some of the speakers and a synopsis of their remarks are as follows:

Dr. Jurgen Buchler, President of the International Christian Embassy (ICEJ) – spoke on the ICEJ’s ongoing initiatives for Holocaust survivors in Israel
Harald Eckert, President of the Christians for Israel Germany – spoke on the upcoming Wannsee Conference 70 Years Commemoration (January 20, 2012);
Pastor Jobst Bittner, President of the TOS Ministry – spoke on “Breaking the Silence”;
Pastor George Annadorai, President of the Asia Pacific Coalition for Israel raised 3 thoughts: 1. We want to tell your story to my people. To accomplish this mission we are cooperating with Yad Vashem to establish a chapter in Singapore; 2. We want to teach our children, through our church programs--that the State of Israel is our friend. We want to teach them that they are not tourist when they visit Israel---but friends; 3. Friendship---that we will always have a friendly port of call in Singapore. The the plight of the St. Louis in 1939 of not having a safe haven from persecution will never be repeated.
Rev. Jeff Sheldon, President of ICARE – spoke on the strengthening of the friendship and relationship between the Christian coalition and Israel. He described a recent event at the Rose bowl that celebrated around the theme of, "Israel’s Praise for America-- America embraces Israel”;
Leszek Lazowski, President of the International Humanitarian Network delivered summarizing remarks.

Awards granted by the Knesset to participating organizations were presented by Honorable Knesset Member Lea Shemtov and Helping Hand Coalition President Dr. Andre Gasiorowski.

After the awards ceremony we had a short intermission; after which we were escorted upstairs to the Knesset chamber for a joint session between Knesset members and conference participates. The Honorable Knesset Speaker, Ruben Rivlin, welcomed and acknowledged the International Evangelical Coalition conference participates on behalf of the Knesset and the government of Israel. Several Knesset members spoke from the podium and afterwards, a motion was passed by the Knesset that acknowledged and verified the bound of friendship and cooperation between the state of Israel and the International Evangelical Coalition in regard to the cooperation and support for Holocaust Survivors in general and in Israel in particular.

It was a great conference and a great work. When it was all said and done, night had descended on Jerusalem. Truly it was a conference worth attending and a conference that should forever be remembered.

I am honored to have been there.

Avner BEN
Daily Israel

_________________________________________________________

PROGRAM

Address by Israeli Officials

Lea Shemtov, Knesset Lobby for Strengthening Ties with Evangelical Christians

Stas Miesezhnikov, Minister of Tourism

Sofa Landver, Minister of Absorption

Lea Nass, Prime Minister’s Office, Deputy Minister of Pensioner Affairs

Address by Evangelical Christian Supporters

Dr. Andre Gasiorowski, President of the Helping Hand Coalition (Israel)

Dr. Jurgen Buehler, President of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (Israel)

Harald Eckert, President of the Christians for Israel (Germany)

Pastor Jobst Bittner, President of TOS Dienste International (Germany)

Dr. Pastor George Annadorai, President of the Asia Pacific Friends of Israel (Singapore)

Rev. Jeff Shelton, President of the Israel Care And Relief Efforts (USA)

Leszek David Lazowski, President of the International Humanitarian Network (Poland)

Knesset Awards to Evangelical Christian Supporters

Helping Hand Coalition . Christen an der Seite Israels . International Christian Embassy Jerusalem . Asia Pacific Friends for Israel . Christenen voor Israël . Christians for Israel International . Christian Friends of Israel . Countess Esther de Pommery Foundation . Ebenezer Hilsfonds Deutschland . European Coalition for Israel . Evangelische Marienschwestern . Global Aid Network (GAiN) . God's Grace . Hope and Future Mission RY . NMV Transport . Israel Care and Relief Efforts . March of Remembrance . Nechama . Ner Yaakov Esra LeSordim . Sächsische Israelfreunde . Scandinavian Humanitarian Centre . Shvei Zion . Stichting Desert Rose . TOS Ministries . Trinity Broadcast Network . World Christian Consule

Joint session of Knesset Members with Conference delegates at the Knesset Chamber

Greetings delegates of the Conference by Reuven "Rubi" Rivlin, the Speaker of the Knesset

Public Motion for the official Knesset agenda on subject of CEREMONY in honor of the Evangelical Christian supporters of Israel

PARTICIPATION

Israeli officials

Israeli Knesset . Prime Minister Office . Ministry of Senior Citizens . Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Ministry of Information and Diaspora . Ministry of Social Affairs . Ministry of Absorption . Ministry of Finance . Israeli Defense Forces

Holocaust Survivors Organizations

Amcha . Association of Concentration Camps and Ghetto Survivors . Association of Wounded Soldiers and Partisans who Fought the Nazis . Association for Planning and Development of Services for the Aged in Israel . Centre of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel . Claims Conference . Eshel - Joint . Front of Respect . Israeli Association of Refugee Victims the Disaster . Veterans Union of World War II - Fighters Against Nazism . Yad VaShem

International delegates from 50 countries representing 50 ministries and organizations with worldwide activities

Anne Frank Exhibition Jerusalem . Arbeitskreis Israel (AKI) . Asia Pacific Friends for Israel . Back to Jerusalem . Christen an der Seite Israels . Christenen voor Israël . Christian Friends of Israel . Christians for Israel International . Countess Esther de Pommery Foundation . Cry for Life . Daily Israel . Ebenezer Hilsfonds Deutschland . European Coalition for Israel (ECI) . Evangelische Marienschwesternschaft . Global Aid Network (GAiN) . God's Grace . Helping Hand Coalition . Initiative 27. Januar . International Christian . Embassy Jerusalem . International Humanitarian Network . Israel Care And Relief Efforts . Israel Goodwill Ambassador Academy . Jerusalem House of Prayer . Jerusalem Institute of Justice . Jerusalemgemeinde Berlin . Julius-Schniewind-Haus . March of Remembrance . Nechama . Ner Yaakov Esra LeSordim . Raise the Praise . Sächsische Israelfreunde . Scandinavian Humanitarian Center . Shalom Network . Shvei Zion . Stichting Desert Rose . TOS Dienste International . Voice of Judah . World Christian Consul

Australia Austria Belgium Bielorussia Bulgaria Canada China Columbia Croatia Cyprus Czech Rep. Estonia Finland France Gabon Germany Ghana Holland Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Malta Mexico New Zealand Nigeria Norway Papua N.Guinea Philippines Poland Portugal Russia Singapore South Africa Sweden Switzerland Tahiti Uganda UK Ukraine USA

Artists: Ted Pearce (USA) . The Chosen Ones . Be'er Sheba . Son, Wind & Reign . Claudia Dewald MC: Michail Dzhaginov (Israeli TV host and presenter) TV Networks: Media Network Intelligence . Israeli Ch.1, Israeli Ch.9, Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) . EVS Media . Daily Israel . Jerusalem Vistas

_________________________________________________________

New Year with single soldiers in Haifa (1)

2011-10-25T23:49:00.009+02:00

Maale Adumim Magazine, 25 October 2011

A Toast and gift giving to the 'Lone Soldiers' at the Haifa home forSoldiers - Bet Hahayal (English translation)

Initiated by thePresident of the Carmel College, former Carmel Mayor - Dr. Akram Hason togetherwith his Polish friend Dr. Andre Gasiorowski - President of the 'Helping HandCoalition', and Israeli President’s Military Secretary - Brigadier GeneralHasson Hasson.

On the Eve Of Rosh Hashanah (The Israeli New Year) aspecial ceremony took place at the Haifa Bet Hahayal (Home for the Soldiers).This ceremony took place in the honor of all the 'Lone Soldiers' who came toIsrael to serve in the IDF.

The President of the Carmel College and former Mayor –Dr. Akram Hasson, initiated the ceremony, together with his friend from Poland - Dr. Andre Gasiorowski – President of the 'Helping Hand Coalition'. Theirpurpose and goal was to grant all the Lone Soldiers the feeling of warmth andlove. They wanted them to know that they have a family who cares for them inIsrael, and that their sacrifice and their service to the IDF is very muchappreciated.

Dr. Gasiorowski, a businessman from Poland, who in hisyouth, served and contributed to Israel’s security and the IDF, came to Israelwith family. Themanager of Bet Hahayal in Haifa - Ilan Shaked, granted him a gift of gratitude,for his initiation and donation.

The Israeli President’s Military Secretary BrigadierGeneral Hasson Hasson, attended as well. He greeted and thanked the soldiers onbehalf of the President, for their contribution and service to the IDF.Brigadier General Hasson spoke mainly about the IDF’s value and its deepspecial connection with many communities in the world. He also spoke of thesituation around today, and what is happening.

He greeted and blessed the soldiers personally on behalfof the President, as he requested.

The manager of Bet Hahayal Ilan Shaked spoke about thecooperation of 'Friends of the IDF' organization, and the Druz Organization. He shared a brief review on the BetHahayal activities and on the wonderful service of these soldier’s.

Nezmi Halvi form Daliat El Carmel, the father of Druzsoldier - Magdi Halvi, who has now been missing for over 5 years, also attendedthis event. Nezmi, who volunteers daily at the Bet Hahayal, worked very hard tomake these connections and received many compliments form Dr. Akram for hiscontribution, and for still standing strong and helping these soldiers, duringthis hard time for him and his family as their son is still missing.

The assistant physician Dr. Yitzhak Roizman, whoaccompanied Dr. Akram Hason, together with the management team of the DruzOrganization, spoke about the donation given by the Organization and theCollege, to the Israeli society. He as well thanked the soldiers and wishedthem much success on their journey and a Happy New Year.

The soldiers thanked Dr. Akram Hason and Dr. AndreGasiorowski and the 'Helping Hand Coalition', who donated gifts the for the holidays to the soldiers, and fundedthis special event. One of the soldiers gave a very touching thank you speechto the donors and organizers of this event.

At the end of the evening Manager Ilan Shaked sent athank you letter to Dr. Akram Hason which said: “I would like to thank you foryour actions towards the Lone Soldiers, and for the success of this event. Iwish to thank everyone who had a part of this event and was involved, throughyou, and of course I would like to thank Dr. Andre Gasiorowski for hisassistance. I think this event was very well summarized by the soldiers’speech, as he spoke and said what this even meant to him and how it made himand the rest of the soldiers feel.

The presence of the Presidents Military Secretary addedand contributed a lot to this event, in my opinion, and the presidentialpresence really moved me very much emotionally. I bless you and thank you forthis very successful evening. I am sure that we shall do many more great thingsin Bet Hahayal for the sake of these soldiers. Well done! With gratitude”.

Pictures:

Top right: Haifa Bet Hahayal President – Ilan Shaked (in thecenter), granting a thank you gift to donor Dr. Andre Gasiorowski, from Poland– President of the Helping Hand Coalition. To the left, President of CarmelCollege – Dr. Akram Hasson. Top Left: Military Secretary - Brigadier General Hasson Hasson,greets the Soldiers on behalf of the President Shimon Peres. Middle left: The father of missing soldier – Magdi Halvi, Nezmi Halvi(second to the left) who is in between Brigadier General Hasson Hasson and Dr.Akram Hasson, then President Of Helping Hand – Dr. Andre Gasiorowski, and themanager of Bet Hahayal – Ilan Shaked. Second Middleleft: The soldiers, with the gifts they received from Dr. AndreGasiorowski, who came from Poland with his family, and from Dr. Akram. Middle right: The president of Carmel College – Dr. Akram Hasson,greets the soldiers and thanks the donor from Poland. Bottom left: The Lone Soldiers who came to Israel from abroad, at afestive dinner on Rosh Hashanah (The Israeli New Year), at Bet Hahayal. Bottom right: A group photo of the soldiers with the Military SecretaryBrigadier General Hasson Hasson, and the president of the Carmel College – Dr.Akram Hasson.

New Year with single soldiers in Haifa (2)

2011-10-25T00:13:00.000+02:00

(English translation)

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), a specialceremony took place at the Bet Hahayal – a home for all the “Lone soldiers” whoserve in the IDF and are foreigners.

The initiator, DrAkram Hason -president of the Carmel College, and the former Carmel Mayortogether with his friend Dr. Andre Gasiorowski – president of the Helping HandCoalition,all wanted to give the soldiers a feeling that they have a warm loving familyin Israel, and that their sacrifice and service at the IDF is appreciated.

The President’s MilitarySecretary Brigadier General Hason Hason, greeted and thanked the soldiers fortheir service on behalf of the President, and spoke of the values of the IDF,and of the special connection it has with many communities around the world. Healso spoke about the situation present around, and all that is happening.

He greeted thesoldiers personally on behalf of the President, who asked him to do so.

The Bet Hahayalmanager spoke about the cooperation with the Druz Organization, and gave abrief review regarding these soldier’s activities and service.

The father of Druzmissing soldier Megadi Halavi, who worked hard on building this relationshipand connection, received many compliments from Akram Hason, for his contributionto the soldiers and for standing strong till this day.

Dr.Yitzhak Roizman the attending physician, who accompanied Dr. Hason, along withmembers of the organization’s management, spoke of the organizaion’s and College’scontribution to the society in Israel. He thanked the soldiers, wished them aHappy New Year, and much success on their journey. The soldiers thanked Dr.Akram and Dr. Andre, who donated and contributed gifts to the soldiers and whoattended this special evening.

Dr.Andre attended this evening with his father, who is from Poland, and with hisson who served the IDF and contributed to Israel’s security.

Controversial Bill on Israeli foundations

2011-09-01T17:00:00.000+03:00

TheInterdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzlya

SammyOffer School of Communications

Fundamentals of Social andPolitical Thought

Paper #1: Controversial Bill

by Luke Gasiorowski

Background: Theexisting law in Israel and the proposed amendment

The “Law of Non-Profit Associations” (Hok HaAmutot) was created to organize the establishment and actionsof an AMUTA (non-profit organization). According to Israeli, an AMUTA isdefined as

“Two people or morewho wish to unite (associate) for a legal objective that is not intended forprofit distribution between the members, may establish an AMUTA; the AMUTA will be established upon itsregistration in the “AMUTA registration” (PinkasHa-Amutot from the Hok HaAmutot.

The law states that such an AMUTA must maintain itsfinancial accounts in a clear way that will allow the authorities to verify itsoperations. The financial activities inan AMUTA must be credible and legitimate toward the AMUTA’s goal (35 (alef)LeChok HaAmutot). Such an AMUTA will be required to account for its financialincome and earnings through an annual report (36 (alef)).

Until recently there have been nolaws or regulations to limit the donations or the income of an AMUTA. As longas the donation is legal, the AMUTA is free to receive funds in order tosupport its purposes and cause.

Recently, an amendment was suggested. The original amendment (suggested by Knesset Member Akonis) was to limitthe donations that political AMUTAs receive in Israel from foreign governments.He suggests that they would receive no more than 20,000 NIS per year. Shortlyafter, a suggestion (by Knesset Member Kirshenbaum) was made to impose 45%taxes on donations to AMUTAs.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuasked to moderate the amendment and to combine both initiatives that weresuggested. As a result, the final amendment is to divide the Israeli AMUTAs intothree categories:

AMUTAs that are absolutelyprohibited from receiving donations- these are the AMUTAsthat boycott against the State of Israel and its laws, and that identify withassociations against the State of Israel. Examples of such AMUTAs include“Adalla”, “Yesh Gvul” and “Profile Chadash”.
AMUTAs that are permitted toreceive donations without any limitations or restrictions- These are political AMUTAs that receive funds from the Israeli government.These AMUTAs will be able to continue receiving unlimited donations fromforeign countries. Such AMUTAs include “Mada” and the Hebrew University.
AMUTAs that will be required to go through a hearing at the FinancialKnesset Committee- Until they are voted by the KnessetCommittee, AMUTAs will be imposed a 45% tax on every donation. This categoryincludes “Shalom Achshav”, “BeZelem” and “Rofiim Lezchuyot HaAdam”.

A total ban on donations from foreign governmentswill apply to AMUTAs that deny the existence of Israel, incite racism, supportarmed struggles against the State of Israel, initiate prosecution of theelected Israeli officials and IDF soldiers in international courts, and whosupport boycotts against the State of Israel.

1. The law from two democratic countries otherthan Israel

It should be noted that what is known as an AMUTAin Israel has many international and cultural interpretations: Non-governmentorganization (NGO) and Nonprofit organization (NPO), which within them holdseveral categories (public charities, private foundations, private operatingfoundation, etc.). Each country has its own definitions and its own terminologyfor what is known as an AMUTA in Israel.

The United States of America - does not impose any tax fordonations to nonprofit organizations. The State divides the nonprofitorganizations into three primary categories:

1. Public Charities: organizations that are “not a private foundation”. They receive asubstantial portion of their revenue from the general public or from thegovernment. Donations can be tax deductible to the individual (up to 50% of hisincome) and to the corporate donor (up to 10% of its income). Examples of suchorganizations include churches, benevolence organizations, animal welfareagencies, educational organizations and etc.

2. Private Foundations: often referred to as non-operating foundations as they typically do nothave active programs. Revenue comes from a relatively small number of donors,even small donors. These organizations are usually thought of as non-profitthat support the work of public charities through grants. Donations to privatefoundations can be tax deductible to the individual donor (up to 30% of hisincome). An example of such an organization is a family foundation.

3. Private Operating Foundations: often maintainactive programs similar to public charities. These organizations are oftenhybrids. Most of the earnings must go to the conduct of programs. Donations aredeductible, similarly to a public charity.

All three types of these nonprofit organizationsmust apply to the IRS for recognition in order to obtain a 501(c)(3) status.Without such a status, federal tax exemption will not be allowed.

Germany – Any foundation isallowed to be created for public or private purposes as long as it keeps withthe concept of the German common law. A German foundation can either becharitable or serving private interest. No tax is imposed on donations tofoundations. In practice, at least €50,000 is considered necessary to start afoundation. Charitable foundations benefit from tax shelter and can at the sametime be engaged in commercial activities, if so only the commercially activepart of the entity is taxed. A family foundation (serving private interest) istaxed like any other legal entity. Foundations are supervised by localauthorities within each state (Bundesland), due to the fact that eachBundesland has exclusive legislative power over the laws governing foundation.Any foundation can be shut down if it pursues anti-constitutional goals. Germanlaw allows a tax sheltered charitable foundation to distribute up to one thirdof its profit to the founder and to his family. This benefit is subject totaxation. There are about 15,000 foundations in Germany. 85% of these arecharitable foundations. Foundations are the main providers of privatescholarships (Stipendien) to German students.

1. Comparisonof the four aspects

1. Discussthe findings

Upon observingand evaluating the laws and regulations in Israel, the United States andGermany, many similarities and difference can be found. There is no doubt thatthe reason for the dissimilarities is the cultural diversity between the peopleof these three nations, as well as their histories and current policies.

Israel, who has always tried tomaintain itself as a strong democracy in the Middle East, for internal reasonsas well as to prove itself to the International community, has stronglybelieved in pluralism and in the practice of freedom of speech and expression.To prove this, Israel allows Gay Pride protests and parades – whenhomosexuality is in fact act that in its essence defies basic religious laws inthe TANACH, which is the book that holds the core beliefs of the nation’s identity.Pro-Palestinian protests by Israeli-Arabs are allowed in Israel; protests byparents from a certain group (Jewish religious) who oppose the governmentalsystem of education for children are also allowed among many other examples.Israel has been very tolerant towards protests and public stances from thesegroups.

There are many otherextreme organizations in Israel who have been allowed to operate and who havemade it an objective to condemn the State of Israel in front of the eyes of theworld and to persecute IDF soldiers and IDF officers, while slandering or violatingtheir reputations. These foundations, who often call themselves “human rightsorganizations” receive funding from countries and sources that are anonymous, whosefull intention is to damage and change the public political discourse in Israelfrom within.

The amendment’s purpose isto limit the interference in the Israeli discourse by prohibiting support toIsraeli foundations. The foundations that identify themselves with the leftistand the radical leftist wings in the Israeli government that receive donationsfrom foreign countries will be prevented from jeopardizing image of the Stateof Israel. Among these foundations, “Tzelem”, “Yesh Gvul”, “HaVead Neged Inuiim”and “Shovrim Shtika” would be directly affected by the amendment.

Academic References
“Chok HaAmutot”, TISHAM – 1980
Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code

For Shame - Never again?

2008-11-29T03:54:00.005+02:00

by Larry Derfner

It is hard to believe there are Holocaust survivors living in poverty in Israel, but they are.

Leopold Rosen's apartment in Holon doesn't look like that of a poor man, but this is mainly because his caregiver, who is paid for out of Rosen's old-age and Holocaust survivor's benefits, keeps the place sparkling and tidy. At 85, he walks around the apartment trailing tubes from his oxygen tent, which he stays hooked up to 17 hours a day. He's got TB from hiding from the Nazis in the Polish forest, a withered hand from a Nazi bullet, plus epilepsy, asthma and a pacemaker. Wheezing and fighting off frightening coughing spasms, he says with dry humor, "The only thing that still works is my brain."

He's not a man to be taken lightly, saying that he and others on the run killed a Jewish collaborator in the forest, and warning that he will do the same to anybody who tries to take away his TV set, which he thinks could happen because he is refusing, for the first time ever, to pay the annual public broadcasting fee.

A widower with two grown sons - "They can't help me," he says - Rosen lives on his NIS 2,100 Israeli old-age pension plus about NIS 700 a month in German reparations money. A painter before retirement, he blames the Israeli government over the generations for his economic predicament, which he describes frankly. "I don't have enough money for food," he says, but adds that this is not such a problem because he's used to hunger from his years in the forest where he "ate from the ground." He pays his bills because that's his first priority. It's hard to believe there are Holocaust survivors living in poverty in Israel, but there are. These are survivors in their 70s and 80s who eat lunch at soup kitchens and get their clothes from charity, or who have to choose between buying groceries for a decent meal and buying their medications, or who don't have the money for a hearing aid, or glasses, or dentures. There are about 70,000 of them in this country. One in four Holocaust survivors here lives this sort of life. It's hard to believe that people know about it, especially people in power, and that it goes on anyway. But it does. ROSEN'S REAL problem, he says, is paying for his medicines.

"I take 28 medicines a day," he says. Some of the government-subsidized brands that he can afford are "water" that do him no good, he says, so he has to buy the expensive, unsubsidized brands if he can't finagle a doctor into giving them to him for free.

"When I can't afford the medicine, I'll cut down on my inhalation treatment. Instead of four times a day like I'm supposed to, I'll do it three times a day." The consequence are humiliating. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I have an asthma attack, I pee in my pants." He starts to cry. "One day I'll cut my throat."

Theoretically, Rosen has a Holon municipal social worker assigned to him, but, as social workers have hundreds or even thousands of cases each to handle, Rosen has had only one home visit during his old age.

"My teeth hurt," he says, taking out his dentures and saying he can't afford to fix or replace them. He's got eyeglasses only because a German woman who read about his plight sent him money to buy a pair. The Keren (Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel), which pays part of his caregiver's salary, had to turn him down for a grant for the glasses, because it doesn't have nearly enough money to meet all the basic needs of financially-strapped survivors.

Noting that his old-age pension comes out of taxes he himself paid during his working years, and that his reparations money comes from Germany, Rosen raises his good right hand and says bitterly, "With one hand I worked over 50 years, and what do I get from the government?"

Referring to all the Holocaust survivors who came to Israel in the years after World War II, he says with outraged pride, "We helped build this country!"

THE FIGURE 70,000 impoverished Holocaust survivors in Israel is a conservative estimate, the one used by the Keren. Of these, some 20,000 are Europeans; the remaining 50,000 immigrated from the former Soviet Union (FSU) since 1990.

In general, the Europeans suffered much worse under the Nazis. The great majority (although not all) of the survivors from the FSU escaped Hitler's invasion, or were relocated by their government toward Siberia, where they were safe from the Germans but had to endure extreme cold and hunger.

"They weren't in concentration camps, they don't have numbers on their arms, so are they Holocaust survivors? Well, they were on the run from the Nazis. They suffered terribly. Many of those from Ukraine were in Nazi camps and witnessed members of their family being murdered. So yes, they are Holocaust survivors," says Dr. Natan Kellermann, a top official of the organization Amcha, which provides social and therapeutic services to about 9,500 survivors, and which, like the Keren, would have many more clients if it had the money to help them.

Compared to European survivors, however, those from the FSU tend to be considerably poorer - partly because they basically started over from zero in this country at an advanced age, partly because they usually do not get the regular German reparation payments or monthly Israeli survivor's pension that many of the European survivors get. With few exceptions, the only compensation FSU survivors of the Holocaust ever got was a one-time payment from Germany, typically of 5,000 DM, which would be about NIS 14,000 today.

Among Holocaust survivors who can be found eating in soup kitchens and wearing charity-store clothes, the overwhelming majority, probably over 90%, are from the FSU.

In a study two years ago by Jenny Brodsky, an expert on aging at JDC-Brookdale, and Hebrew University demographer Sergio Della Pergola, it was found that 35% of Holocaust survivors in Israel require economic aid, such as free blankets or heaters, to get through the winter cold; 25% have to choose between spending money on food or on other basic needs like medicines and utilities; 16% can't afford regular phone calls and visits to their children living in this country; and 13% suffer "food insecurity," meaning they can't afford to eat nutritiously on a dependable basis.

The economic pressure on poor Holocaust survivors is made worse by their unusually high health care expenses. Most everyone understands that Holocaust survivors suffer psychological trauma, and that it never completely goes away. What may be less widely known is that they also tend to suffer much more than normal from physical illness. This is especially true of those who lived some of their childhood or adolescence under Nazi persecution. And as the years have passed, of course, these "child survivors" have become a steadily larger part of the Holocaust survivor population. Today they are a majority or close to it.

"These people were malnourished during their youth, so now they have an extremely high incidence of osteoporosis [weakening of the bones], which means hip replacements and such. They have much more than their share of cancer, high blood pressure, tooth and gum diseases, and blindness," says Dubby Arbel, general manager of the Keren.

IN RIVKA Hilsenrat's Ramat Gan apartment, the cellophane tape is still on the bedroom windows from the 1991 Gulf War. (The Scuds fell not far away.) The paint in the old-fashioned apartment is chipped, the surface of the kitchen cabinet is peeling, the air conditioner is a relic. At the age of "80-plus," Hilsenrat, who lost much of her family to the Nazis in Ukraine, and who went blind five years ago, lives alone in a deteriorating tenement.

Between her NIS 2,000 a month from Germany, her NIS 1,100 old-age pension, her caregiver from the government and the Keren, her children who come cook for her on Fridays, and the volunteers who drop in from time to time, Hilsenrat, who's been in Israel since 1950, can just keep her head above water. She's always in overdraft, but has enough to pay her bills and buy her medicines. As for food, she says: "How much can I eat?"

She's a kindly-faced lady, all bundled up, eager to please and almost desperately happy to have visitors to talk to. She starts crying, though, when she remembers Ukraine.

"I lost half of my family, my three brothers, everyone went. My father died in the street, I sold my dress for half a loaf of bread so we could stay alive."

She seems to see an unbroken line between the griefs of her past and her troubles of today. "How can I pay the electricity, the telephone, the gas? My children can't help, my son had open heart surgery, my daughter has scoliosis. I can't afford to buy a present for my grandchildren. My husband died three years ago, he didn't have a pension. This is an old house, there's always something breaking, I have to pay for somebody to fix it. I have a social worker but she doesn't come, they give me a basket of food for Pessah, that's it. I don't sleep well, I don't walk well, I have high blood pressure. I have to take a taxi to the Kupat Holim, it costs so much."

Hilsenrat is not homeless, she's not hungry, she can afford the basics. She survives.

"My life is very hard," she weeps. "No one believes me."

I ASK MK Colette Avital, considered the survivors' leading advocate in politics, how the people in power, the people in control of the nation's purse strings, can allow Holocaust survivors in this country to be poor.

"The answers I've gotten are that we've done more than our own share, that we ended up paying the survivors more than we got from Germany because the survivors lived longer than was expected. The finance ministers say, 'Where will we get the money?'" Avital explains over the telephone. "Maybe they're afraid of setting some sort of precedence. I've even heard people argue that Israel should not have to be [financially responsible to the survivors] for those crimes."

The only compensation to survivors that comes out of the Israeli government's pocket is the monthly pension, typically NIS 1,040, that goes to some 50,000 survivors. These are the ones who suffered the worst under the Nazis and who arrived in Israel by 1953, the year the reparations agreement with Germany took effect. The Israeli government also gives Amcha, which provides social clubs, psychological therapy and home visits to 9,500 survivors, 2% of its budget. To the budget of the Keren, which provides home nursing care, emergency grants and emergency dispatch alarms to 30,000 survivors, the government contributes nearly 10% - up from 2% a few years ago. The bulk of Amcha's and the Keren's funds come from the New York-based Claims Conference, which administers unclaimed Jewish-owned property in Germany.

"I found out only recently," continues Avital, "that the Israeli government continues to get money from Germany - $200 million a year. After you subtract from that the money the [Israeli] government gives to Holocaust survivors, there's still a lot of money left over."

She goes on to say that Israel, in effect, taxes the German reparations payments of Holocaust survivors who enter state-owned old-age homes by taking 8% of their reparations toward the nursing home's fee. Noting that the reparations agreement with Germany declares these payments non-taxable, Avital says the government "argues that it's not a tax, but the fact is that the government is deducting money from payments that are supposed to go entirely to Holocaust survivors."

Furthermore, she says a survivor cannot get more than roughly NIS 3,600 a month in combined Israeli old-age pension and German reparations. (The latter usually runs NIS 1,000 to NIS 2,000 a month.) "The government deducts anything over about NIS 3,600 a month," she explains, "so God forbid you don't end up with more than that."

IT SHOULD be noted that out of the 260,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel - again, using the Keren's low estimate - only about 50,000 receive German reparations, based on the same criteria as those of the Israeli-funded survivor's pension.

Comparing Israel with other countries on how generous or ungenerous they are to their resident Holocaust survivors isn't a simple matter. There is no objective answer. There are economic variables: how rich the country is, how many Holocaust survivors live there, what sort of aid the country gives its elderly citizens in general. But there is also the moral question: Does the Jewish state have a greater responsibility for the welfare of its Holocaust survivors than other countries, or doesn't it? The governments of Germany, France and Austria give more financial aid to resident Holocaust survivors than the Israeli government does, but those countries were culpable for the Holocaust. On the other hand, notes Avital, Israel is the only state that gets Holocaust reparations money from another state.

In general, Western Europe is where Holocaust survivors fare best financially - if not for the survivor's benefits, then for the benefits that go to all elderly citizens in those prosperous social democracies, says Natan Kellerman of Amcha.

He adds that there is a legitimate argument, even if he disagrees with it, against the Israeli government favoring Holocaust survivors over other poor, elderly citizens: "First, the government [already] gives them more [the NIS 1,040 monthly state pension received by about one in five survivors]. Second, in a Jewish state, should a poor, aged Ethiopian immigrant or Moroccan immigrant receive less assistance than a Holocaust survivor?"

Yet Ze'ev Factor, chairman of the Keren and himself a survivor of the Lodz ghetto, Auschwitz and Buchenwald, argues that to a substantial degree, the State of Israel grew out of the Holocaust, whose living human legacy was the survivors. Not only did the Holocaust play a crucial role in the UN's recognition of the state, but in the early years of nation-building, "Israel built roads, hospitals and an army with the help of German reparations money," he points out.

As for the argument that the poverty of Holocaust survivors should not take precedent over the poverty of other aged Israelis, Factor replies: "The survivors' quota of suffering was more than filled up a long time ago. You cannot allow them to be hungry again. You cannot allow a Holocaust survivor to be cut off from the world again because he can't afford a hearing aid."