Dear Friends,
As we are in the midst of the summer period, I am happy to share with you our activities and accomplishments over the last few months.
During April-May, the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem held its annual weeklong Christian Leadership Seminar for community leaders throughout the world. Seminar participants had the honor of being joined throughout the week by Reverend Malcolm Hedding, who gave lectures throughout the seminar. Also participating in the seminar were Reverend Mark and Terrie Jenkins, Christian Friends of Yad Vashem Representatives in the U.S., who led spiritual tours throughout Israel. During the seminar, participants were able to partake in Yad Vashem’s events taking place on the Mount of Remembrance for Israel’s Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, including the National Ceremony, the Wreath Laying Ceremony and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Yad Vashem’s new Shoah Heritage Campus and Collections Center. They also heard a concert in memory of Janusz Korczak played by Jerusalem’s Symphony Orchestra at the Jerusalem Theater.
Christian Friends of Yad Vashem hosted a visit of Liberty University Alumni, which included a meaningful tour of the Holocaust History Museum at Yad Vashem concluding with a ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. During the ceremony Dr. Ed Hindson, Dean of the School of Divinity and Distinguished Professor of Religion at Liberty University, and Dr. Randall Price, Distinguished Research Professor, Executive Director Center for Judaic Studies at Liberty University, President of World of Bible Ministries, Inc., author and archaeologist, laid a wreath on behalf of Liberty University in memory of the 6 million Jewish men, women and children of the Holocaust who were murdered by the Nazi regime and their collaborators.
I had the honor of speaking at numerous events and engagements throughout Israel, including the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast and the ICEJ National Directors’ Conference, at which I met some new friends of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem.
In July, as part of its yearly trip to Jerusalem, ICEJ Arise brought a group of its young leaders (age 17-32) to Yad Vashem under the leadership of Jani Salokangas, Director of ICEJ Finland. Prior to their meaningful visit I met with the group and introduced them to Christian Friends of Yad Vashem and explained how they can become involved in our activities and initiatives as well as become ambassadors for the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem in their communities.
To view photos of our recent events and visits, please click HERE
Finally, I, along with my colleagues in the International Relations Division, have been investing countless time and energy into planning our biennial Generation to Generation Mission from Berlin to Jerusalem. This Mission, taking place on June 29-July 6, 2020, will take participants on a journey from destruction to rebirth. I strongly encourage our Christian Friends to join us on this Mission. Guests of the International Mission will be guided by top experts and Yad Vashem scholars and educators, will stay in Berlin and Jerusalem and will gain special VIP access to the people, places and collections we visit.
The events and activities mentioned above are part of our work towards facilitating awareness and understanding of the important work of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem. Through our educational endeavors we can combat antisemitism, xenophobia and racism, thus securing a better world for generations to come. We welcome you to invite us to engage your community with our message wherever you may be located; please contact us using the email address below to book speaking engagements in your communities.
Everything we have been able to accomplish is only possible thanks to our supporters. Now more than ever, we need your support. If you would like to be part of our amazing work, please click HERE to donate today.
For more information, please feel free to contact us via email at christian.friends@yadvashem.org.il
With blessings from Jerusalem,
Sari (Sara) Granitza
