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| Isaiah 49:8-9 |
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| Here is what ADONAI says: "At the time when I choose, I will answer you; on the day of salvation, I will help you. I have preserved you, and I have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land and distribute again its ruined inheritances to their owners, to say to the prisoners, 'Come out!' to those in darkness, 'Show yourselves!' They will feed along the paths, and all the high hills will be their pastures.
 Links
Exodus 23:10-11
"For six years, you are to sow your land with seed and gather in its harvest. But the seventh year, you are to let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people can eat; and what they leave, the wild animals in the countryside can eat. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove."
Many have noticed a quietness in the Jordan Valley in recent days. Rather than preparation for something ominous the owners are simply following Torah.
Be'er Sheva, Israel
Shoshana Agajani & Dona Gracia in Be'er Sheva
Drake & John Daly Shopping at the Home Center in Be'er Sheva
Drake at work at the SHI Center
Click on the CD cover to purchase from our SecureWeb Store
Thanks to Scott and Teresa Johnson (volunteers for 5 years of service to Israel through the Jerusalem Support Center and the ICEJ for the Tabernacle Feasts) who came to help us do some TLC work at the center. We continue to reach out to both Christians and Jews and other good people who love God and Torah from different cultures. We enjoyed a rest after the labor with the Johnsons at the "Aroma" a large café type of "Starbucks" enjoyed by many Israelis in Be'er Sheva!.
'Aliyah from North America will be unprecedented'
A specially chartered El-Al flight carrying 220 new immigrants from North America landed in Tel Aviv yesterday morning, and the group was greeted by some 800 Israelis, including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in a festive ceremony at the airport. According to former Israeli ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon, the numbers of Anglo immigrants to Israel will continue to grow significantly over coming years. "We're at the start of an era during which immigration from North America will reach unprecedented proportions," he said. Over 2,200 Jewish immigrants from North America and the United Kingdom are expected to land in Israel this summer alone. Over the past five years, the number of olim - Jewish immigrants returning to their homeland - from the United States and Canada has increased by some 80 percent.
Pray For The
Peace of Jerusalem
Dona Gracia & Friend at the Dona Gracia Hotel in Tiberias
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Sephardim Hope News ...And the regathered shall inherit the Negev. Obadiah 1:20 
March 2007 |
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Greetings!
With Tisha B'av approaching our prayers continue to be with Israel.
In the words of a friend of ours, John Daly, director of Freinds in Deed, Inc. from Israel:
Wars and rumors of wars. This is a fact that Israel has dealt with since her inception some sixty years ago. We are now in a period called the Three Weeks ending this Tuesday, July 24 which on the Hebrew calendar is the 9th of Av. On this date we remember all of the bad things that have happened to our people, on that same date. Such as both temples having been destroyed, the first crusade starting out (1096), the Jews being expelled from England (1290), France (1306), Spain (1492), start of hostilities of WWI (1914) and much more. Yes, all on the same day...
When it comes to the possibility of war here in Israel we are always aware of the potential but continue our lives trying to live as normally as possible. Yes, once again, there are stories that this summer there will be
yet another war...
I am burdened for those that pass on such sad materials regarding imminent war in Israel. You see, there is another event in our history that took place during this period, the return of the spies from the Land. Their faith was not strong enough to go and take what the Most High had promised them...
As for the Arabs not preparing for next year's crops, they aren't in on a secret, they are not planning anything ominous, they are simply following the will of the Jewish landowners, and they in turn doing what their Father commanded of them in Exodus 23:10-11 Leviticus 25:1-7 Deuteronomy 31:10-13
SHI is sponsoring John at a venue in CA on August 4th and we invite you to come hear him! Please contact us if you are in the area of the South Bay (about 30 minutes south of San Jose, about 1 hour from San Francisco) on August 4th.
You can reach Drake, our Administrator at his contact info at the bottom of this letter for directions to the venue.
Here I am with Olivia my grand-daughter at the 4th of July fireworks celebration. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the U.S.A. |
Be'er Sheva, Israel in June
Sephardim Hope enjoyed a wonderful working trip to Israel in June. We appreciated all the hospitality, good friends and loving connections and help at the Sephardim Hope International center in Be'er Sheva! We are still looking for a good Hebrew speaking couple to help us with the "bed and breakfast" part of the center! We thank the people who help us now to keep it safe and help pay the bills on our behalf!
The condo is at The Rambam Towers in the middle of Be'er Sheva, three high rise buildings in beautiful modern architecture. The Rambam is elegant and a pool is being built onto the building with a planned "dead sea spa" for the residents. This is to be completed by this winter/fall.
The rates to stay over at the condo (3 bedrooms) would be reasonable(about $40 with breakfast per night) and an opportunity to get acquainted with the city of Be'er Sheva.. You can take the great train ride straight from the Tel Aviv airport to Be'er Sheva and also to visit Jerusalem!
The Sephardim Hope International Center in Be'er Sheva received some more TLC and set up. We were thankful for the good friends that helped us to shop at the Home Center at the "Big"---great shopping center mall in Be'er Sheva! Thanks John Daly! ("Friends in Deed, Inc.)
You can reach Drake, our Administrator on his contact phone at the bottom of this letter with questions or if you would like to schedule Sephardim Hope to come and share or give a concert! We commemorated the 6th Day War when we returned with my singing, "Jerusalem of Gold" that is on the "Waiting for Return" CD here in CA. Make sure you order a copy soon if you do not have our music as yet on our secure webstore!
- Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! |
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Jerusalem's 40th Anniversary 
We spent a quiet day in Jerusalem on June 7th, visiting friends and praying at the Wall and remembering Israel's victory of the 1967 Six Day War. This was a quiet day in the Old City as we drove around this ancient blessed ground of God. The actual celebrations of the 40th Anniversary of the liberation were celebrated earlier on May 16th in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem was finally united again after nineteen long years of partition. It became a united city under "Jewish" hands after more than 1900 years! Rabbi Shlomo Goren, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, blew a shofar at the Western Wall that day of June 7th and declared (in his own words) that the "Messianic times had arrived". Yet Jerusalem remains a "burdensome stone" and a "cup of trembling" among the nations, as foretold by prophet Zachariah. May we never let go of G-d's promise land or "forget Jerusalem".
While in Jerusalem we enjoyed a lovely visit again with our dear Matilda Sarano (distant relatives of the Serrano family that went to Italy after Spain) Cohen and her husband Aharon. She is the top expert in the Ladino language of Spain and a prolific writer and poet! Aharon has an organization for this purpose of Ladino studies.
- Psalm 126
"Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the Negev (south). They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." |
Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem
SHI and those who love Israel continue to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. We pray for the safety of the nation of Israel, as rockets continue to crash in the small town of Sderot(just North of Gaza), hitting buildings, vehicles, landscape and the economy. Israelis are once again faced with "expected confrontation" this summer or perhaps in the fall, according to the word on the street. Civil war and lawlessness continues among the inhabitants of Gaza and the re-implementing of Hezbollah forces in Lebanon continue to linger. Please pray for the future of Israel and the IDF young soldiers and Israelis who are continually in the face of danger.
This is in part why the B'nai Anusim desire their return; to stand by our brothers and sisters, even in the hard times. We are not just looking at Israel with "rose-colored glasses". It is a difficult situation, very expensive to live there and Israelis are "one of a kind", for sure---very warm and "sabra" at the same time!! Yet this is our "homeland" and the lost Sephardic brothers of Spain are the most loyal of supporters. We have had to endure a rich 500 year old history of opposition and still the "beacon of Israel" calls us.
- Matt 5:3-9 |
Dona Gracia Hotel in Tiberias
What a great time we had riding the bus to Tiberias where we always meet interesting people. Here is our new friend, Tzafinat who is in special forces of the IDF. We continue to pray for all of their protection in these turbulent times. We also met our new friend and new Sephardic Anusim olim, Alon Wagner from Florida who just made Aliyah after only three weeks! May G-d bless him and his family.
SHI was so pleased to stay with our friends at the Dona Gracia Hotel/Museum in Tiberias! We enjoyed the singing at the piano and the good hospitality with Curator Tsvi Shiack and the hotel staff of this boutique style museum hotel. We hope to return in late November and do a live music concert for our friends at the piano/lobby!
The cd "Waiting for Return" has a picture of this beautiful reconstructed place(Dona Gracia Hotel/museum) to represent the 1500's journeys of Dona Gracia Nassi as a heroine to the Jews escaping the talons of the Spanish Inquisition dangers to Venice, Turkey to finally helping to rebuild Tiberias(Galilee area) as a potential future home for the Jews!
- Matt 5:3-9 | |
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Thank You!
Thank for all the good support (your financial help is SO important to pay some of the loans on the center and taxes each month!) and prayers by our good new and old friends. This is such a great task to draw all the Ruths and Naomis together!! We need much help to accomplish our part! Please remember SHI in your giving and please continue writing and emailing us!! More "Anusim" are reaching out and asking questions, giving us information for the future Aliyah gatherings!!.
Isaiah 49:8-9 says Here is what ADONAI says: "At the time when I choose, I will answer you; on the day of salvation, I will help you. I have preserved you, and I have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land and distribute again its ruined inheritances to their owners, to say to the prisoners, 'Come out!' to those in darkness, 'Show yourselves!' They will feed along the paths, and all the high hills will be their pastures.
May the Psalm 126 also comfort our hearts as scripture says, "Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the Negev (south). They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Hashem willing, we will head for Mexico this fall after the Feasts. We hope to interview and retrieve some of the amazing history of the 200 member family clan of the Serranos and who came from Spain to Mexico in the late 1980's. The clan settled in Teul, Zacatecas, Mexico, until my grandfather Pantaleon and Felicitas moved to Guadalajara with their six children. My father who just passed away last Shavout was born after their move.
Please contact us ASAP if you would like to join us on our target trip planned for November 26th to June 6th. We are planning a stop in Spain for a couple of days of touring Madrid and Toledo and then spending some time in interaction in Israel.
We are hoping more Anusim will awaken and go with us to present a group in Israel. We will visit and stay in the city of Be'er Sheva (Negev center/condo or Paradise Hotel if enough people are with us), Jerusalem and Tiberias at the Dona Gracia Hotel/Museum. This is ESPECIALLY for those supporters and future Aliyah Anusim who want to see the land in a special way. We hope to physically share the vision and introduce you to some especially interested people in Israel in this project.
We will plan to be at the lighting of the Menorah for the first night of Hanukkah on December 5th in Jerusalem! Please write us, email or call Drake with your interest (408-422-5498, CA) as the price will depend on how many people are able to go. The present price offer is $3500 for air, hotel and sites for both Israel and Spain with a $250 deposit.
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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.
May Ha Shem continue to bless you and your families in this great year! Please do contact our administrator Drake (my awesome husband and webmaster) at Drake@SephardimHope.org for speaking and music engagements.
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Loving Shalom,
Dona Gracia Serrano Fenn
Sephardim Hope International
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