Last Day of Chanukah!

Here is a Fun Tune From Neil Diamond for Chanukah~Enjoy!

History of Chanukah

Eric Stakelbeck Presented This "History" in 2013~The Truth Never Grows Old~Still Amazing...

Chanukah Someyach~Greetings from Israel to All

In Israel we are celebrating the Eight Days of Chanukah. Each day as the sun sets people fill their Chanukiot with oil. As they light the wicks or candles, the say the blessings of Chanukah and sing "Maoz Tzur". Then everyone feasts on yummy potato latkes and sweet sufganiot (jelly-filled donuts). 

Almost everyone knows the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days~the reason for Chanukah! For those who are not sure, here is a short, fun, info video done by Mayim Bialik. You may remember her from The Big Bang Theory, or from Blossom, two TV series from some years ago. As a point of interest, the name Mayim means "water" in Hebrew.

Happy Chanukah to All Our Friends!

Prime Minister Netanyahu's 2016 Holiday Greetings

Introducing "Joy Bear"

The Season of LIGHT

We at Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision and Still Small Voice send to YOU our dear frends worldwide our very best wishes for Christmas, Chanukah and all through 2017.

As you watch the message below, you may notice that our new "Rescue" pup and mascot is making an appearance. His name was Joya. Someone told us that it meant "Searcher" in Arabic.

Now that he has settled in, we have discovered that his favourite activities are sleeping next to the wood stove and getting hugs. As a result, the grandchildren have renamed him "Joy Bear". 

Join us in the video below, as Meridel gives personal greetings to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a reception held at the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. She was able to mention that the lovely life size oil painting portraits of the presidents and prime ministers which hang in the entrance way to the cabinet room, were painted by renowned Canadian artist, Joy Caros Rawlings of Vancouver, BC, Canada and are a gift to the country. PM Netanyahu's response to  Meridel was the warm Israeli expression, "Kol Ha Kavod"~meaning in English "Congratulations"!

These are days of unprecedented attacks on Israel by the United Nations. They continue to castigate Israel with their lopsided resolutions with not even a single  mention of of the Russian backed genocide of women and children in Aleppo by Assad's regime propped up by Iran.  The Bible says, "Woe unto those who call good evil and evil good."  The Prime Minister clearly refers to this in his Christmas Message, at the end of the video. Please pray for him. Thanks.

We Know that the LIGHT Will Always Triumph Over Darkness.

In HIS love,

Jay and Meridel and Team

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Attends the ICEJ in Jerusalem

Urgent Prayer Request!

Dear Friends and Partners

I, Meridel Rawlings am writing on behalf of Jay. 

Five days ago he was admitted to the cardiac unit in Jerusalem’s  Share Tzedek  Hospital. (Gates of  Righteousness) He is under supervision and intensive testing to discern the cause of his rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and fluid in his lungs. He is taking medication to slow his heart. 

Tomorrow he will  under go a “shock” to the heart. The Doctors will stop it and start it again, hoping to regulate the heart beat. We need your prayers at this critical time~my sons and I thank You and we know You are there for us.

Jay and I hate having to ask for financial help. We find it very humbling, and in a perfect world we could just keep working and say nothing about expenses. But that is not the case. Stress is part of the load here, and financials are very close to the top of the list. If there is any way you could send a donation to help us keep  Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision going at this very critical time, we would be most grateful. (Directions for giving are at the end of this message.)

2016 was an action packed year and there is reason to be a little weary. Upon return to Israel we have experienced one hit after the other on so many levels. It feels like an onslaught, but now, with Jay taken out of commission, we know we are under direct attack. We are being inundated with regulations and hidden fees. The office is currently squeezed into the living room of our home. At this time we have had to cancel everything, but  try to carry on as best we can under the circumstances. We are being tried and tested.

 

Pray with us for Jay’s complete recovery Please. Pray also that he will allow himself to rest and heal when he returns home from the hospital. We Need Him in order to carry on with the Kingdom work.

 

Thank You All for remembering Israel in your prayers. We sense that things are changing for the better. Remember this is “a land the LORD our God cares for~always”...Deuteronomy 11:11-12

This comes with love from our home to yours...

Every blessing at this Hanukah and Christmas time,

Meridel Rawlings, sons and team

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The Chanukah Song

Chanukah is A Time of Celebration~Here is a Fun Tune From Neil Diamond~Enjoy!

Chanukah Fun! Time For Latkes

A Happy Latke Recipe for Chanukah from the Macabeats!

Thanksgiving and Chanukah

Join Jay and Meridel in a Double Celebration With Friends and Family

Eight Days of Chanukah~A Story and A Song...

A Phone Call on Christmas Eve Led to the Recording Studio...

Chanukah and Christmas in the Holy Land

Chanukah Candles

This year Israel was celebrating Chanukah and Christmas back to back. Throughout the country Menorahs were being lit each night for eight nights and children played dreidel while the adults noshed on sufganiyot and latkes. It is common for the Menorah and candles to be placed outside the house. Glass boxes are used to protect the delicate flames from the weather

Israel is a very diverse country~her citizens come from all over the world. In no other place can you stand in a street or shopping center and hear hundreds of languages and dialects being spoken by people who hail from the Middle-East, to China, Russia, the Americas, Europe and even Lapland. The  entire world is well represented in Israels' citizens.

Birth Place of  the Christ Child

At the beginning of the week, David traveled to Bethlehem, to visit the Church of the Nativity. Two musicians from Italy were also in Bethlehem to serenade the coming of the birth of Christ. The grotto was cleared and the two musicians sang their song to the tune of Brahms Lullaby . At this time of year, it was a rare privilege to stand alone, in front of the silver star beneath the altar, in the Grotto of the Nativity. With the soulful sounds of the young woman from Italy filling the grotto, it was a beautiful, meaningful experience.

At the same time, just outside the Church of the Nativity, in Manger Square, there was a "Rock to Bethlehem Celebration" much to the joy of the young crowd. Meanwhile, in Mevasesret Zion, a group of youngsters from the  Orot Ha Bama and Limelight dance studios performed in the Har El Mall. They entertained shoppers with Israeli dances, and of course something modern as well! The celebrations will carry on over the weekend throughout the country as our diverse citizenry is joined by millions of tourists from around the world.

From all of us at Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision, we wish you, our very dear friends, a most Blessed Christmas Season and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Kudos to the Governor of Arizona

I read this letter on Mesopotamia West. I am reprinting it for you to read. All around the Politically Correct world we are being denied the right to openly celebrate our Holidays and Holy Days. We are being forced to take the "Christ" out of Christmas, and the Menorah out of Hannukah because it may be "offensive to some cultures". I reject this completely. Christmas has always been the celebration of the Birth of Christ--End of Story. We must stand up and refuse to allow our history and Judeo-Christian faith to be erased. Merry Christmas to Governor Jan Brewer and all or our friends everywhere. Here is the Governors letter:

 

Dear Friends,
An Executive Order that I issued last year encourages the celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah and prohibits any censorship of these religious holidays.

As you may know, in the past, state and local officials in Arizona (and elsewhere) have attempted to strip both Christmas and Hanukkah of their meaning, including establishment of policies forbidding state employees from placing religious items of celebration at their desks, re-naming of Christmas trees as “holiday” trees, and renaming of Menorahs as “candlesticks.”

Under my administration, I will call things what they are...a Christmas Tree and a Menorah...and will gladly allow both Christmas and Hanukkah to be celebrated at the State Capitol. I encourage my colleagues and fellow elected officials to do the same.

Finally, during this Christmas season, make a difference in our community by volunteering your time or making a donation to a worthy cause. An organization that I support, Hope & A Future, is making a difference this Christmas by providing gifts and clothing to foster children. I encourage you to learn more about Hope & A Future and make a difference in our community through this charity or another charity of your choice.

Merry Christmas! 
May God bless you, your home, and all of Arizona,
Sincerely, Jan Brewer Governor

Amen Governor!

A New Spin on the Chanukah Story!

This is a cute and easy to understand version of the Chanukah story. This time of year in Israel Dreidels are everywhere, and yes, people do play the game. Enjoy!

Chanukah Music~The Maccabeats

Here is an upbeat song for Chanukah. These young kids can sing!

Chanukah with Neil Diamond

Now that the fire in Haifa is under control we can get back to Chanukah! We will be posting some interesting details about the "Festival of Lights" but for now, enjoy this fun song by Neil Diamond and find out who is Jewish--you may be surprised!