Dona Gracia Serrano
Sephardim Hope Newsletter
Obadiah 1:20 "...the exiles from Yerushalayim in S'farad, will repossess the cities in the Negev."
September 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 5
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Days of Awe 2

La ?Shanah Tova for a New Year of Rosh Hashanah! Blessings to you and yours as we get ready for the Days of Awe, the High Holy Days on the Jewish Calendar. These are beautiful and significant days of the Feasts of the Lord and they are to be kept by all for generations to come.

This is the time of reflection and TeShuva of the calling of the Shofar for repentance. The three sounds are so significant, Tekiah, which means ?blast? to cause the worshiper to pay attention, shevarim, that means ?broken? of three short notes showing our broken state and need of HaShem, Teruah, or ?alarm? numbering at least nine rapid short blasts and finally, ?tekiah ha-g?dolah? a long note which is the last trump! There is much beauty and solemnity, in addition to the eating of apples and honey to celebrate a sweet new year for everyone.

Yom Kippur follows as the Day of Atonement and the Highest and Holiest Day of all. We spend the day going to shul (congregation) and wait on our great G- d of all mercy and comfort.

We will share more, as we get ready for the building of our Sukka(covering) to remind us of the 40 years in the wilderness of dwelling in tents and G-d?s mighty provision! This is a very joyful time of celebration and ?refreshing? at the end of our humbling ourselves before our great Adonai.

SHI at NTHI 1
August 20th was spent with many friends of Israel at the Berkeley Banquet partnering with C.U.F.I. (Christians United for Israel organization) and our great partner Rosemary Schindler of Schindler?s Ark. We had many special guests of over 300 fabulous people who were faithful to come from many miles around! Bless you for blessing Israel!

We were in the grand ?His Lordships' Restaurant? by the water with a spectacular view! I was privileged to sing much of the new music for the just released CD, ?Waiting for Return? in a lovely 15th century costume for the occasion! This was a memorable night of Honoring Israel. Thank you to all who attended and to our great speaker, Avi Lipkin who kept us spellbound and informed as always!
Rosemary Linda Gracia
The end of August found SHI at the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus conference near Orlando Fla.

This was an exciting time of interacting with various groups of Christians loyal to Israel and Jews reaching out to their Christian supporters of Torah. We find it refreshing to find people who are not ?critical? and SHI continues our quest of building a Judeo-Christian bridge through SHI to those who are called to stand as the ? People of the Book?. We know that difficult times are ahead and the rising Islamic Jihadists will not look differently to either Christians or Jews as enemies to their beliefs. This is now a reality.

We were happy to find many dear friends at the conference, including Linda Olmert - who spoke about "For Such A Time As This", member of the Board of Directors of Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum, Israel (with Rosemary Schindler and I, above right ), Avi Lipkin (great speaker on the extreme Islamist agenda), John Daly(also a great speaker on rising Anti-Semitism), Ron Cantrell (Shalom Shalom), and many others. Rosemary Schindler partnered with SHI for this great trip event!
Gracia & Josh Reinstein
We were pleased to see members of the Israeli Knesset, Josh Reinstein, Director of the Caucus, Dr. Yuri Shtern and of course Rabbi Benny Elon, plus others in attendance.

Here I am with Josh Reinstein of the Christian Allies Caucus to the Israeli Knesset.
Gracia & John Daly
Here I am with John Daly, who spoke on The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism at the conference. He knows from first hand experience from Neo-Nazism in this country.
Gracia & Gen Erem
It was a pleasure to see our good friend, General Shimon Erem again at the conference. His wisdom and strength to Israel is so appreciated. This is the time when the dividing lines are getting more clear as to who will stand with Israel and who will stand back.

As for SHI, the Anusim stand ready to return (this is what our teaching center is about) and reach out to others who will stand with us in Israel?s strengthening. May HaShem?s will be done and truly he will ?bless those who bless Israel?. Ezekiel 36 and 37 will surely be upon us and we must be ready in these uncertain and sobering times.

The time for Teshuva(repentance) approaches as Rosh HaShanah draws near.
Negev Tour Flyer
We thank you for your faithful support of SHI as we near the time of returning to Israel in November. It is not too late to get your complete funds in for the trip by contacting us or World Express Travel! We will be planning the next trip sometime the beginning of March, when we hope to go to Spain and Italy, G- d willing.

All information and sign up can be done on the website! We have our secure certificate working now, so you can safely make transactions or buy books, CD?s, etc.

This Israel tour of November 8-20 will be a ?history making? event as we join in the Bus 19 Memorial at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. We hope to take them a good donation from the USA! Of course, we will be in city of Be?er Sheva for the Grand Opening of the Dona Gracia Anusim Center on the 19th! (See below).

The Grand Opening with the Mayor will be at the Center (details to those attending only for security purposes), plus a mini concert at the Hotel where the tour will be staying overnight. We are so excited about this new door and hope you will join us or help in support of this effort! We need everyone that loves Israel to feel they can be a part of this great Torah endeavor!
CD cover Waiting For Return
Please join us in celebration of the release of the new CD ?Waiting for Return? !!! The release date coincided with the "Night To Honor Israel" in Berkeley on August 20, 2006! Dona Gracia Serrano lead the music at this event and debuted this new CD.
The production of this CD is a great tribute to the Anusim of Israel and has the most exciting music yet!! You can order this new music CD on our website! The cost is just $15, plus $3 shipping.
Rambam Towers
The preparations continue as the Grand Opening is quickly approaching. We are looking forward to this event and much has to be organized and planned ahead for the continuing vision in Be?er Sheva. The building is beautiful and the City of Be?er Sheva a growing and vibrant place! Invitations will soon be out with the details to those who will accompany SHI on the coming tour for this purpose! We have many friends, including the Mayor who will be joining us!

The Center will operate as a B&B of sorts, especially geared to the Anusim and the supporters of this vision. Hebrew classes will be offered to our guests as will information on the aliyah process. You will be able to come and stay for short periods of time for a reasonable cost (the center includes many amenities we hope to make available, including a gym and a pool). Please contact us in this regard if you are planning to go to Israel! We are formulating the guidelines now.

The Negev awaits you as it is blossoming as the rose!
Young Jose Serrano
We are asking for your help in the next project of the book that will soon be completed and go to press called ?Anusim Awake?, the story of my family and living the Anusim(forced ones) history in the making, according to Obadiah 20. We have another great opportunity to consider for a film in the spring that we will give more details as things develop! We will really need your support for the fund raising of such a project!

Write to us, email or call our Administrator, Drake Fenn (408-422-5498) for more information. As we begin the High Holy Days, ?Shana tovah, tikateivu!? meaning, May your name be inscribed for a good year.?

Awakening The Sephardim To The Negev!

Sephardim Hope International is a benevolent international non-profit organization to bring the message of the Sephardic Anusim Jews (the descendents of the forcibly converted ones) from Spain to the awareness of the Jews, the Christian Church and the world. This is a prophetic message of hope and part of the story of Biblical Zionism.

Sephardim Hope International is also a support to the nation of Israel working in partnership with other organizations bringing aid and comfort to Jerusalem and the Jewish people.

Sephardim Hope International is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 charitable organization formed for the above purpose. Donate tax-free to help support Sephardim Hope International in this endeavor of education, benevolence and helping the Anusim to make Aliyah to Israel.

To donate by regular mail please use the address at the bottom of this newsletter. You may also donate securely on-line by clicking here. Or you may call (408) 422-5498 and ask for Drake Fenn to donate by phone.

We look forward to hearing from many of you. Remember that you can respond to our newsletter or email directly with questions.

Loving Shalom,
Dona Gracia Serrano Fenn
Sephardim Hope International

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