Tel Aviv: Songs and Prayers Bring Comfort

by Shoshana Birnbaum*

In November we hosted a commemoration ceremony at our Moishe Rosen Centre, marking one month since the October 7 attack. As believers, it is important for us to mourn with hope. We had a reading of a poem in remembrance of the victims and fallen soldiers, local artists played music, and we read a prayer for the hostages and our army. One of the believers sang prayers and psalms. Eli gave a talk in which he shared the hope we have in Jesus, and then we encouraged people to spend silent time in thought and prayer and to light candles. Josh Turnil, who leads our Paris branch, was with us and sang the Kaddish (a traditional Jewish prayer). We closed with everyone singing “Hatikvah” (Israel’s national anthem).

About 80 people attended, around 60 of whom were not believers. Many commented about just how important and meaningful it was for them to stop and have that time. Several said that it was a much-needed emotional release.

One person who attended, Ephraim, stayed after the service to speak with members of our Messianic congregation. He was argumentative, and seemingly uninterested in God.

However, soon after, Ephraim had a supernatural experience with God which prompted many more questions, but no arguments. He returned to our Florentin congregation and prayed to receive Yeshua (Jesus) as his Messiah. This was such an answer to our prayers, and we know that it was an answer to so many other prayers of friends like you. Thank you and may God bless you!

Names are changed to protect privacy.

*Shoshana oversees the special events at our Moishe Rosen Centre and her husband, Eli, directs our work throughout Israel.