Tel Aviv: Songs and Prayers Bring Comfort

In November we hosted a commemoration ceremony at our Moishe Rosen Center, 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.

Ephraim was invited by a friend he had met in South America during our Massah program (a discipleship backpacking adventure/outreach where believers cross paths with many other Israeli travelers just out of the army). They had kept in contact back in Israel.

Ephraim was raised in a traditional religious home and attended a traditional religious school. While he believed in God, he did not feel a connection with Him. But God was about to change that!

Not long after attending our commemoration event, Ephraim had a supernatural experience with God that raised even more questions. But now, rather than arguing about his questions, Ephraim was seeking answers. He attended our Florentin church prayer meetings and worship services and even came to a home group meeting.

During our home group, someone asked prayer for a loved one having a hard time in the current situation in Israel. Ephraim stood up and said, “God can for sure do that! He has given me so much joy, He actually does that!” We asked him if he would like to pray for that person to feel close to God, and he responded, “I don’t think I am worthy, but I will try . . .” and he prayed for the request, in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name!

Since then, Ephraim continues to be very curious and excited, and is asking everybody to tell him their testimony. He is still figuring out his newfound faith in Jesus, and is growing and learning. He comes over to the Rosen Center every day to hang out with us, is meeting with a congregation member, and is also in touch with Eli. Please pray for Ephraim.

Memorial service at the Moishe Rosen Center in Tel Aviv. (Eli Birnbaum pictured far left)

When we planned our November commemoration event, we prayed that God would meet us in our sorrow, heal our hearts, and reveal Himself and His comfort to those who don’t know Him yet. We saw that prayer answered, and we know that God was not only answering our prayers, but He was, and is, answering prayers of friends like you. Thank you, and please continue praying for us here in Israel. We know that God doesn’t want us to go through suffering on our own; He truly is our refuge in times of trouble.

Names are changed to protect privacy.

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