“‘I will plant them in their land, and they shall never again be uprooted.’
Amos 9:15
Dear Friends,
On 1st May, Israel marked her 77th Independence Day—a day filled with celebration, remembrance, and renewed hope. Each year, this day calls us to reflect on the miraculous journey of the Jewish people: a journey of restoration, survival, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
Israel’s story is unlike any other. It is a story that begins in the pages of Scripture—when God promised a land to Abraham and his descendants. For centuries, the people of Israel lived in that land, walked its soil, worshipped in its holy places, and built a society rooted in God’s law. But exile came, and with it, nearly two millennia of wandering. The Jewish people were scattered across the earth, living as strangers in foreign lands, often facing persecution, forced conversions, and expulsion. The modern era brought even greater darkness, culminating in the Holocaust—the ultimate act of antisemitism, where six million Jewish lives were cruelly taken.
And yet, against all odds, the Jewish people returned to their land.
In 1948, after centuries of dispersion, the State of Israel was reborn. For the first time in almost 2,000 years, the Jewish people had a home—a place where Hebrew was once again spoken in the streets, where Jewish children could grow up learning the stories of their ancestors, and where the nation could stand in dignity and strength. Israel’s rebirth was nothing short of a miracle. But as we all know, the journey did not end there.
From its very first day, Israel has been under threat. Wars, terror attacks, economic hardship, and political isolation have been constant companions. And yet, through it all, the people of Israel have held on. They’ve rebuilt cities, cultivated the desert, pioneered advancements in science and technology, and opened their arms to immigrants from around the world. Israel remains a refuge for Jews who have nowhere else to go. It is the only true homeland the Jewish people have ever had—or ever will have.
But while the achievements of these 77 years are worth celebrating, there are still many in Israel who live in fear and uncertainty—especially in the northern and southern regions near the borders, where the threat of rocket attacks is a daily reality. In these areas, families must often race for cover with only 15 seconds’ warning. Children are taught how to drop everything and run to a shelter, sometimes in the middle of the night. Elderly residents, some of whom are Holocaust survivors, are left vulnerable and exposed.
That’s why this Independence Day, we are focusing our efforts on protecting the most vulnerable by installing new safety shelters in high-risk areas. These shelters save lives. They are a literal refuge in times of danger—a safe space for families, the elderly, and children when sirens sound and rockets fall.
At Vision for Israel, our mission is to restore both the physical and spiritual health of the people of this land. Over the years, and thanks to your generous support, we’ve already installed more than 420 bomb shelters across Israel. But the need continues to grow. Each shelter costs £10,500 ($14,000), and every new shelter brings another community a little closer to peace of mind.
Will you stand with us today and make a life-saving impact? Your donation to our medical and disaster relief fund will go directly toward installing more of these critical shelters—especially in towns and villages along the Gaza and Lebanon borders, where the threats are increasing.
This Independence Day, as we rejoice in all that God has done for Israel, let us also rise to meet the needs of today. Together, we can be the hands and feet of mercy, bringing protection, hope, and healing to a land that has given so much to the world.
Join us in restoring safety to Israel’s most vulnerable—donate today to our medical and disaster relief fund: https://www.visionforisrael.com/en/donate
With heartfelt gratitude and hope,
Barry & Batya Segal
