You gotta love this guy...

Beit Immanuel Newsletter JUNE 2012

Helping the Helpless

Our work among the poor and needy of the city continues. We recently received donations from Sweden and Finland making it possible to help even more families.

These families are the poorest of the poor in the city where Municipal Officials are so overwhelmed with the need they are turning to us for help.

If you would like to help a family in need here in Israel please let us know. We can assure you that the people receiving this assistance for food and basic needs are truly unable to assist themselves.

You can

Send us an email

Go directly to

our website.

Oy, the Kids are out of school....
already?!

Nobody loves summer time more than kids. This week they all celebrated the end of the school year with class parties and school presentations.

I can't always say the same for the parents! Summer is always a challenging time for Israel families where both parents work full-time jobs and there is no one to look after the kids.

Thank God for the many excellent Children's Camps organized by the Messianic Community here in Israel. Many of our four children's life long friends were made at these camps over the years.

It is always a joy for us to help a needy family send a child to a summer camp for a week or even just a few days. You might consider helping too....

:: +972-(0)3-6821459

Greetings!

We received so many responses to last months letter about the Messianic Youth in Israel we thought you'd appreciate Dima's story.

Is God Kidding?

In just a few weeks Dima and his friend Boaz will complete an animated movie production entitled "God is Kidding." They started around October 2011 interviewing Israeli children ages 4-10 asking them about their perception of God. Using various methods of animation they bring these children to life for us and let their stories be told. You can follow their blog and even see some of the design tests for the movie here God is Kidding. The film is expected to come out around July/August as part of Dima's graduation project for Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem.

And by the way, these children are not kidding! Dima wants to help us think about the Master Creator in a fresh (kids can be fresh!) and inspirational way. We are getting a modern version of Matthew 21, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" "Yes," replied Yeshua, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you will receive praise'." I can't wait to hear.

In the News

Dima now 24 has been making art for quite some time. When we first met Dima was one of a select few street artists making a mark on the Tel-Aviv art scene. Well actually more that a mark. Together with a few highly skilled young artists they sprayed huge murals around dark city alleys, empty parking lots and abandoned buildings. Before long the creativity of these young artists caught the attention of the established Israeli art scene and began selling their works at galleries. The Jerusalem Post even published an article about these young street artists JPost Article (with some contribution from yours truly).

Dread no more

It was during these years that Dima came to faith in the Messiah at Beit Immanuel. We will never forget the thick dreadlocks and shabby clothes that were as much a part of Dima as his broad winning smile and gentle spirit. He did eventually cut the dreads though the smile and spirit still beam as ever. The clothes stayed too.

In 2010 Dima spent a year with us as a student at Beit Immanuel School of Arts before deciding to apply to the Bezalel Institute. Characteristic of his endless amounts of energy, Dima got involved in many new interests. He joined a trip on the German Jewish youth exchange Yad B'yad and eventually become one of the leaders. He got involved in helping Holocaust survivors running errands for them and sharing friendship and comfort. He started working with youth in the Congregation. Dima and Sarah Wedding

All the while we were all intrigued and inspired by the art works and loving spirit in the dreadlocked Dima on his unicycle and odd hats. None more than a beautiful young student named Sarah. Soon their relationship blossomed into a dream-like love affair culminating in a unique (Dima doesn't do "regular") and intimate wedding on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Let them know you care

I know that they would very much appreciate your prayers for the following. After graduation Sarah and Dima are overseeing the 2012 Yad B'yad trip together with Dana another youth leader. They are also now preparing themselves to join our staff as youth leaders for the congregation. Sarah hopes to get her nursing license this summer so that she can begin work in a local hospital. This summer they will be looking for an apartment near Beit Immanuel.

What a privilege to serve this fine young couple. I know that they would love to hear from you. You can reach Dima and Sarah at Dima and Sarah's email

If you would like to make a contribution to help support Dima and Sarah you can through our Congregation here Support