Arazim School, in Jerusalem, is a special place for kids. It educates 76 boys from first grade up to sixth grade with special needs. 

Over the years, we’ve supported the school's home economics class. But now, due to Covid, the school can't hold these classes anymore. The school has decided to change the work outline in the science course, to adapt to the shifting demands of the pandemic.
So we pivoted with them—to support the science programme instead. 

 The children there follow a programme that focuses on science, independent research, and experiential learning—while immersed in the types of technology that will be relevant to them in their future careers.

 At Vision for Israel, we responded by donating science kits, which included 3 microscopes, 3 quality binoculars, an electric globe—as well as 2 research kits that will be used for science classes at the school so that children can experiment, explore, discover, and experience the world around them up close.

 Thank you for your support, and for making this investment in the youth of Jerusalem possible.

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

Arazim School, in Jerusalem, is a special place for kids. Vision for Israel recently donated science equipment to support the science programme.

It has been 30 wonderful and challenging years of leading Vision for Israel.

The Iron Swords War came upon us by complete surprise, and the enemy succeeded in penetrating Israel by harming innocent civilians — a cruel and brutal massacre like no other. However, in this war story, we are encouraged by all of our amazing heroes.

We all know that you cannot defeat the enemy without courage and heroes. We have heard heroic stories of men and women who have laid down their lives to fight, protect, and save the lives of many. There are many stories of heroism, and we want to recognize and honour a few special heroes we know. 

Our heroes are the staff members at VFI, who readily extended help and assistance wherever they could throughout this war. It was a beautiful phenomenon, not only among our staff but also among the people of Israel, unifying together to help one another. This is also what it was like for Israel after the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.

One special hero I want to honour is my husband and co-founder of VFI, Barry. He is such a hard worker and goes to every placement of the safety shelters. He travels throughout the nation of Israel, to areas of conflict, right on the borderlines, and endures all kinds of weather conditions and rocket fire to ensure these shelters are placed to protect the people of Israel!

And now VFI wants to take a moment to honour another wonderful hero — YOU! When the war began, we saw a wave of financial donations flowing in from you and many others. Before we even had a chance to ask, you generously gave to VFI, so we could help the people here in this time of crisis. In faith, we were donating large amounts of aid that we hadn't raised yet. And by faith, you generously gave, and we witnessed God do amazing miracles of providing for His people through your enormous support.

In December 2023, we had to approve a budget for 2024. As I spoke with the CPA and accounting department, I explained that in light of the war, we wanted to help as much as possible. So, I presented a budget that was three times the amount of the budget of the previous year. Today, three months later, the distribution of donations is already fourfold!

At the beginning of March, we planned to purchase gift cards for Passover and we had an increase in the number of families in need. Then we received a request to help an additional 200 evacuee families. During the conversation with the applicant, we had to decide if we would increase the budget or not. Even though we hadn’t raised the funds for it yet, we had peace from the Lord to commit to helping all of these families for Passover.

Just one hour later I received a text from a local donor asking, "Do you have a special project to help evacuees from the south?" I said, "Of course, we are preparing for Passover right now!" They said, "We have a large donation for the evacuees, and we will transfer the donation to you immediately." 

Before we even asked anyone, God already put it on the hearts of His people to provide financially for this need! What a wonderful thing to see the hand of God working through the body of Yeshua to take care of His people!

This is the beauty that is in you, dear friends. Today, three months into the year, our outgoing donations have already increased wonderfully, so that we can be a blessing to this nation and tangibly show them the love of God.

We are so grateful for you dear friends and heroes!


Love,
Batya

A War is won with heroes. VFI honours the heroes within our staff and the heroes from around the world who have generously supported Israel during this war. 

Heroes in Israel & Around the World | Blog | Vision for Israel

“And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua” 

Dear friends,

Amid war, peace is one of the hardest things to find. On 07 October 2023, the nation of Israel was shaken to the core and lost all peace, when the enemy invaded from Gaza and massacred our citizens. The evil enemy made it their goal to murder babies, children, the elderly, women, and all the citizens who were sleeping in their beds early on a Shabbat morning. This Shabbat was also a holiday — Simchat Torah. It is normally a day of rejoicing, yet instead, the enemy swept in and made it one of the worst days in the history of this nation. These wicked people murdered, butchered, decapitated bodies and limbs, burned babies in ovens, and stole from houses. 1,144 people in Israel were murdered, most of them civilians, and 243 were taken as hostages. And thousands more were injured. We, the citizens, have become the main targets in the enemy's war against us. 

Pain, suffering, and heavy grief were laid on the shoulders of our people that day. So, in the midst of all of this, how in the world do we find peace? How can we find hope and faith in such chaos and evil? The only place we can find true and deep peace is in Yeshua. He is the only one who can help guard our hearts and our minds by giving us a peace that surpasses all understanding. In the book of John, Yeshua says:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27

All of these horrible things bring me (Batya) to a place of searching for justice, especially in the areas of social and personal security for the citizens living in the "promised" land. Today, Israelis are looking for promises in the scriptures about the long-awaited days of peace for our people. From the day the state of Israel was established in 1948, we have been at war for our existence and have had battles against terrorism almost daily. Yet, we still believed in signing peace agreements with the Arab countries around us and thought we had entered a new era of ‘peace’. But instead, we find the small state of Israel once again being attacked by enemies around us.

Since the war began, the Israeli people have been bombarded with daily updates and news about what is happening to their beloved people and our land. All of this horrible news has stolen our peace. Many are disturbed by their thoughts, horrific images they have seen, overwhelming fear, worry about hostages and loved ones, and many other heartbreaking aspects of this tragedy. 

Our lives here in Israel have been turned upside down, and we don’t know when this war will end. We all feel the pain, grief, and bereavement. And we ask, ‘Why are we doomed to go through another Holocaust?’ ‘How do we keep our minds at peace during war?’ ‘How do we maintain a balance between the harsh reality and a healthy inner peace for our soul?’ 

One of the ways for us to fight fear and worry is by accepting the word of God and His promises to us. 

“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 

Behold, your God will come with vengeance, 

He will come and save you.” — Isaiah 35:4

The best thing we can do is to read the scriptures, pray, and fix our eyes on the Lord. God intended for us to have a relationship with Him. When we focus on His word our eyes are fixed on Him and not on ourselves. The word of God can redirect our thoughts towards the Lord, instead of being focused on the world and ourselves or overwhelmed by this horrific war.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. 

Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. Again I will build you, 

Again you will take up your tambourines as ornaments, 

and go out to dances of merrymakers." - Jeremiah 31:1-3

With enemies on all of Israel’s borders and others rising all around the world, Israel needs hope now more than ever.As believers, the only true way to overcome hopelessness is to stand firm in Yeshua. He is our hope and light no matter what we go through. The prophecies in the Bible remind us that the Messiah will redeem and save us. And it is only with the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in us, that we can stand firm in this truth during the war.

God’s promises are eternal and unchanging. Three thousand years ago, God promised this land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it still belongs to the Lord and His chosen people. And yet, this promise is being challenged by the enemy and many others believing lies about God and His covenant with Israel. 

Before the war, there was such a great divide among the people here in Israel. There were terrible demonstrations about legal reform that led to the unstable security situations on the borders of our nation. However, since 7th October, there has been a strong unity and a great change in the hearts of the people. We can see the people of Israel supporting one another, comforting one another, and crying together. So many social initiatives, open hearts, giving to those who need help, and speaking about unity to bring peace to one another as the war rages on. 

The enemy came to destroy us, but the Lord will restore, rebuild, and revive us! Pray with us that the people of Israel will find peace and hope amid war having the assurance of His salvation and everlasting love.

“But Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever.” 

On 7th October 2023, when the enemy invaded from Gaza and massacred our citizens, Israel lost all peace. So, how do you find peace and hope in this war?

God’s Peace & Hope Amid War | Blog | Vision for Israel


“On 22 Tishrei (7th October), I fled for my life in light of the horrifying and gruesome massacre perpetrated by the murderous organisation Hamas on the dear residents of the Gaza Envelope and sadly I was injured...”  

This is Shalom’s story, one filled with great suffering, and yet he chooses to let thankfulness overflow in his heart in the midst of it all. 

We have known Shalom and his wife, Bruria, since 2015. We provided them with eyeglasses, and have stayed in touch throughout the years. 

In 2004, Shalom was injured in a rocket attack and his life has never been the same. Both Shalom and his wife have mental and physical disabilities and are supported by the government and Social Security. Shalom takes anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication, along with weekly treatments at the Sderot Resilience Centre and monthly check-ups at the Sderot Mental Health Centre.

And if that was not enough to battle with daily, on 7th October Shalom and Bruria were also impacted by the massacre. The terrorists were in their neighbourhood that day, and this is what Shalom remembers...

“On the holy Sabbath, 07/10/23 at 06:27 in the morning, a red alert was activated in the city... Sderot, where I reside. Heavy barrages of rockets landed continuously. In my neighbourhood, despicable terrorists started shooting at my building, and at passers-by and killed some of them...

We called the local police station in a panic, but there was no answer. It turns out that terrorists were also there and murdered police officers. So, my wife, Bruria, and I locked ourselves in the Mamad (safety room) for about 10 hours until the IDF arrived.

We are now staying at a hotel by the Dead Sea... We receive close mental support. These are hard days, and we can't sleep at night. I rarely leave the room, to avoid meeting people in the elevator. It's thinking endlessly about my friends who were murdered and how it happened that they were murdered.

Dear Mrs. Segal, know that it is only thanks to your blessed help as always, you give us, thank God, the strength and the desire to get the most out of life despite all the difficulties.“

Shalom and Bruria have been evacuated from their home since 10 October 2023, and are staying at a hotel by the Dead Sea, which the government provides. Shalom and his wife were evacuated under intense pressure, massive rocket fire, and terrorists still hiding in their city. As they were leaving their home, Shalom’s laptop fell and broke. They also couldn’t equip themselves properly before leaving their home.

VFI is providing Shalom with a new laptop to replace the one that was broken when he fled for his life. Recently, Shalom also discovered that the water heater in his home was damaged and needed to be replaced. He asked us if we would be able to help him, and we are pleased to help provide the finances for a new water heater and solar panels.

Shalom wrote us a beautiful, heartfelt thank you letter when he heard the great news:

“To the dear, loving, and compassionate "mother" and the founder of Vision for Israel - the honourable and amazing lady Segal Batya... A big thank you for the huge help in paying for both the solar heater and the computer.

You give a person like me, who waves his hands in a silent, desperate plea, one of the occupants of the last car on the last train, which has long since left the platform and feels lonely and forlorn, crying out in a voice that no one can hear anymore... You are like the first ray of light from the darkness, appearing in her house as the redeeming angel, and hears and responds to help in every request of the guest.

Today I sleep in my room at a hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea and dream dreams of peace and quiet despite the difficulties that stand in my way. They have become softer and more pleasant, and by the grace of the great God, I have the desire and courage to get the most from life because of your warm attitude Batya, and your special employees.“

Shalom came to visit us at the Millennium Centre to receive the aid that we provided him. Following his visit, Shalom wrote us another beautiful thank-you letter:

Unfortunately for all of us, this war, whose end is not yet in sight, continues to hurt many. This situation emphasises the enormous need for the continued existence of your organisation. And your giving is so simple and natural, and it is done in a dignified and noble manner so that it relieves me of even the unpleasantness of being needy.

Since I fled in panic, shortly after the massacre was perpetrated by the criminals, when I had to be displaced from the family nest urgently and hastily, my laptop broke, I received a new computer from you, on which I am now pouring out my words for you. How can I cherish you and repay you as you deserve? And if this gesture is not enough, the organisation also bears the cost of repairing the solar heater and the malfunctioning solar panels.

It's been four months that we, all of us, have been in panic, in turmoil, in darkness. Many of us are in mourning over the murder of loved ones and acquaintances. For four months now we have been subject to nerve-wracking and nail-biting anticipation for the return of the hostages. However, there are also soft and good rays of sunshine, warm and illuminating, shining through the thick black clouds and signalling hope. You, dear ones, are not rays of light - you are a beam of light, with all its colours and shades. For years in general and today - even more so - I have seen and felt it.“

Even though Shalom and Bruria have suffered much, they choose to let thankfulness fill their hearts and overflow onto many around them. We are grateful to know them and to be able to serve them in their time of need. 

Join us in continuing to support many other Israelis displaced from their homes, as this war continues on.

Shalom’s story is one of immense suffering from terror attacks, and from the war. Yet, in the midst of it all, he chooses to overflow with thankfulness to VFI.

Abundant Gratefulness Amid Suffering | Vision for Israel

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Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

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