ARTICLES

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

On a frigid morning in a Nazi prisoner of war camp during World War II, two hundred Jewish American soldiers had their future rewritten by five simple words.

In the final months of the war, Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds and twelve hundred soldiers of the 106th Infantry Division had been captured during the Battle of the Bulge. They were imprisoned at Stalag IX A in Ziegenhain, Germany. On January 27, 1945, the Nazi commander ordered Edmonds, the senior noncommissioned officer, to identify the Jewish soldiers in the formation.

The commander believed that about two hundred Jewish American soldiers were present. Edmonds knew what that meant. Jews separated from Allied prisoners were often sent to slave labor camps or executed.

Standing rigidly in the cold with his men, Edmonds faced the Nazi officer. The officer pressed a Luger pistol to his forehead and demanded that the Jewish soldiers step forward.

Edmonds calmly replied with five resolute words.

“We are all Jews here.”

Those words saved the lives of two hundred soldiers. Today, the descendants of those men number more than twenty thousand people.

On March 2, my husband Paul and I witnessed President Donald J. Trump award Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds the Medal of Honor posthumously in the White House East Room. Pentagon police transported guests on three buses for two Medal of Honor events. The first ceremony took place at the White House.

Reverend Chris Edmonds, the son of Roddie Edmonds and our longtime friend, invited us to attend this historic moment with his family and a small group of guests. That day, three noncommissioned officers were honored for extraordinary valor.

The evening before the ceremony, the families and invited guests gathered at the designated hotel. Military hosts welcomed everyone with a reception that included live jazz music and a generous buffet. Conversations with Pentagon personnel added to the sense of anticipation for the following day.

On the morning of March 2, security checks began at the hotel and continued at the White House. A military chamber orchestra greeted guests with ceremonial music as uniformed escorts guided us into the East Room.

Each guest received a program embossed with the seal of the United States. Inside was the official citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has posthumously awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Roderick W. Edmonds, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

When the families of the honorees entered the room, everyone rose to their feet. Military escorts led them slowly down the center aisle to seats in the front row. Tears filled my eyes as the significance of the moment settled over the room.

President Trump had spent time privately with each family before the ceremony began. When the orchestra played Hail to the Chief and the president walked down the aisle toward the podium, the room fell silent. Army Chief Chaplain William Green Jr. delivered a moving invocation and benediction.

I have known Chris Edmonds since 2014, when he began advocating for his father to receive the Medal of Honor. His journey to uncover his father’s story began years after his father’s death. In 2015, Israel’s Yad Vashem recognized Roddie Edmonds as Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust. In 2019, Chris and Douglas Century published the book No Surrender, which recounts those extraordinary events.

Several members of the president’s cabinet attended the ceremony, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. Senior military leaders, generals, and enlisted service members were also present.

After the ceremony, guests were welcomed into another room in the White House for a reception. Long banquet tables were set with elegant arrangements of roses and generous servings of food. The atmosphere reflected both celebration and reverence.

Chris later shared that while investigating his father’s past, he sensed what he describes as a clear call from the Lord Jesus. He believes God led him to uncover the truth about his father’s courage.

The following day another motorcade escorted guests to Conmy Hall at Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall in Arlington for the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony.

The program displayed the names of the three honorees:

• Master Sergeant Roderick W. Edmonds of World War II
• Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis of Operation Enduring Freedom
• Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson of the Vietnam War

The ceremony included remarks from senior leaders, the presentation of photographs and citations, the unveiling of the Hall of Heroes plaque, and the playing of the Army Song.

As the families spoke, the audience alternated between laughter and tears. Hearing Chris recount his father’s actions reminded everyone that courage often begins with a single decision.

On the night before the roll call in the prison camp, Edmonds instructed his men to stand together the next morning when the Nazis demanded that Jewish soldiers step forward.

Chris often reminds audiences that his father’s faith shaped that decision. As he explains in his speeches, the men stood united on behalf of their Jewish brothers.

Over the years Chris and his wife Regina have formed lasting friendships with some of the Jewish soldiers and their families. One of the most significant moments in Chris’s journey came in March 2013 when he met Sergeant Lester J. Tanner of New York City. Tanner’s father had been one of the soldiers saved in that camp.

After hearing the story, Tanner told Chris, “Your father deserves the Medal of Honor.”

Chris believes God’s providence guided that encounter.

Today he hopes to establish a nonprofit organization that will preserve his father’s legacy and inspire future generations to demonstrate courage and moral clarity. He also hopes that a feature film and additional books will bring this story to a wider audience.

Chris encourages people to join what he calls Roddie’s Regiment by doing what is right for God and humanity regardless of the risk or the cost.

The courage of Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds reminds us that moral conviction can change history. Five simple words spoken in a prison camp saved two hundred lives and shaped generations to come.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for American and Israeli troops confronting threats from the Islamic regime.
• Pray for families whose loved ones have sacrificed their lives in service.
• Pray with gratitude for Medal of Honor families whose courage inspires future generations.
• Pray for wisdom and safety for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

A digital war is being waged against Israel. Iran, Hamas, and other hostile actors employ cyber espionage, phishing schemes, malware, and attacks on infrastructure as part of their campaign to undermine and delegitimize the Jewish state.

Social media has become both a battlefield and a tool in this struggle. While it can spread misinformation quickly, it can also serve as a powerful platform for truth. The challenge is separating fact from falsehood. In response, the Israel Antiquities Authority has launched an innovative project that uses the digital world to reveal undeniable evidence of Israel’s ancient roots.

Last September, the Israel Antiquities Authority introduced the Israel National Archaeological Database, a free online resource available to scholars, students, journalists, and the general public. The database opens a vast window into the past.

Visitors are welcomed with an invitation to “jump into the past with one click.” It is the largest archaeological database of its kind in the world. The scope of the collection is remarkable. It contains nearly 3.9 million records, almost one million artifacts, more than 1.2 million images, and over 15,000 three dimensional models of sites and discoveries. Approximately 2,000 researchers maintain and expand the database.

Beyond its academic value, this digital treasure trove provides an important tool for anyone seeking to counter misinformation about Israel. The database allows users to quickly locate photographs, descriptions, and documentation that demonstrate the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. In an era when false claims circulate rapidly online, verifiable archaeological evidence offers a powerful response.

Free public access makes the database especially valuable. For years, Palestinian groups have removed artifacts from archaeological sites in attempts to erase or distort Jewish history. In some cases, international institutions have even adopted narratives that diminish Jewish ties to sacred locations. At the urging of the Palestinian Authority, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization renamed the Temple Mount and the Western Wall using only Arabic terminology.

In addition, hundreds of truckloads of soil containing ancient artifacts were removed from beneath the Temple Mount without proper archaeological supervision. Such actions threaten the preservation of priceless historical evidence. The Israel National Archaeological Database, along with enhanced protections for archaeological sites, helps safeguard the historical record and ensures that discoveries are properly documented.

Archaeology provides physical evidence of Israel’s ancient past. Each artifact uncovered from the soil tells a story about the people who lived there thousands of years ago. These discoveries confirm that the land of Israel has been the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people for millennia.

Since Israel’s rebirth as a modern state in 1948, archaeological research has expanded dramatically. New discoveries are made almost every year. By studying and sharing these findings, individuals can help counter misinformation and provide reliable historical context in a world often clouded by anti-Israel narratives.

Alby Malka, head of the Technologies Division at the Israel Antiquities Authority, explains the rigorous standards behind the process. “By Israeli law, every archaeological find that is uncovered must be reported, documented, and deposited in the National Archives.” Each item is carefully cataloged, labeled, photographed, and preserved. The result is a vast collection of ancient scrolls, coins, pottery, jewelry, and architectural remains that illuminate Israel’s past.

Malka describes the database as “a tool of paramount importance for scientific research, for preserving the country’s heritage, and for deepening public knowledge.” The project represents a major step forward that places Israel at the forefront of global archaeological research.

Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, emphasizes the broader significance of the effort. “This database reflects the great wealth of archaeological research carried out here, since this land has been a crossroads of human history.” He adds that the authority views itself as the guardian of the heritage of every culture and faith that has lived in the region. Preserving that legacy is both a moral responsibility and a legal mandate.

Many of the artifacts in the database provide direct testimony to the ancient Jewish presence in the land. Sometimes discoveries occur in unexpected ways. Children walking along a trail may find a two-thousand-year-old coin engraved with a menorah. At other times, construction projects reveal remarkable finds.

One such discovery occurred in 2009 near the Sea of Galilee. During construction work on Migdal Beach, workers uncovered the remains of a synagogue from the Second Temple period. Archaeologists called to the site discovered a carved limestone block with a beautifully engraved menorah. The artifact, now known as the Magdala Stone, is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in modern Israel. Scholars believe the artist who carved the menorah may have personally seen the golden menorah that once stood in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, Magdala has become one of the most visited archaeological and spiritual sites in the region.

Another remarkable discovery emerged in Jerusalem in 2004. Workers repairing a street uncovered an opening that revealed an ancient stone roadway beneath the modern city. Excavations revealed the Pilgrim Road, a first century street built of massive limestone slabs. The road stretches approximately 1,760 feet and measures about twenty-six feet wide. It connects the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount.

After more than a decade of careful excavation and preservation, the Pilgrim Road opened to visitors in early 2026. In ancient times, Jewish pilgrims walked this road three times each year during the biblical festivals of Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles. As they ascended toward the Temple, they sang the Psalms of Ascents found in Psalms 120 through 134. Today, visitors walking this path experience a tangible connection with the faith and history that shaped the land.

Archaeology continues to uncover the physical record of Israel’s past. Each discovery strengthens our understanding of the ancient world and confirms the deep historical roots of the Jewish people in their homeland.

The Israel National Archaeological Database now makes these discoveries accessible to anyone with an internet connection. In a digital age filled with misinformation, this remarkable resource provides a powerful reminder that history is not merely written in books. In Israel, it is literally written in stone.

Our CBN Israel team invites you to join us in prayer during this important season.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the success of the new archaeological database as it informs the world about Israel’s historical record.
• Pray that journalists and media outlets will seek and report accurate information.
• Pray for protection of archaeological sites from theft and destruction.
• Pray for volunteers and researchers who participate in archaeological excavations throughout Israel.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Purim, the beloved Feast of Esther, begins at sundown on March 2 and ends at sunset on March 3. Each year Jewish communities around the world celebrate the courage of Queen Esther and her kinsman Mordechai, who rescued their people from annihilation in ancient Persia. The Book of Esther recounts how Haman, a power-hungry royal official under King Ahasuerus, plotted genocide against the Jews. In the end, Haman was hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordechai.

Through the bravery of Esther and the steadfast faith of the Jewish people, the plot was overturned. What was meant for destruction became deliverance.

Nearly 2,500 years later, the land once known as Persia is again central to the Jewish story. Modern Iran stands in painful contrast to the Persia of Esther’s day. King Ahasuerus ultimately acted to protect the Jewish community after hearing Esther’s plea. Today, however, the Islamic Regime resembles a coalition of Hamans. Since 1979, its leaders have repeatedly declared their aim to destroy Israel while brutally suppressing their own freedom loving citizens.

As Purim approaches, the parallel is impossible to ignore.

American and international negotiators may pursue peace with good intentions, yet the Islamic Regime has demonstrated a long pattern of deception. Agreements on paper do not necessarily reflect intentions in practice. Russian dissident and Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov once warned, “A country which does not respect the rights of its own citizens will not respect the rights of its neighbors.” His words remain sobering when applied to Iran’s leadership.

The Ayatollahs, supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary, have crushed dissent for decades. Reports of mass arrests, executions, and violent crackdowns have mounted. Tehran’s main cemetery, Behesht e Zahra, has reportedly struggled with capacity as unrest continues. Civilian suffering remains severe, while state-controlled media seeks to minimize or conceal the scope of repression.

Within Iran, all minorities outside the regime’s power structure face vulnerability. Christians, non-practicing Muslims, and Jews live under constant pressure. For years the regime has attempted to portray itself as tolerant toward Iranian Jews, often using them as symbolic evidence of moderation. Yet coercion tells a different story. Jewish leaders are pressured to attend pro regime rallies or issue carefully worded public statements. Official rhetoric claims a distinction between opposition to Jews and opposition to Zionists, but inflammatory sermons and state messaging frequently blur that line.

Before the 1979 revolution, more than 100,000 Jews lived in Iran, forming one of the oldest Jewish communities in the Middle East. After the Islamist takeover, most fled. Today estimates suggest between 9,000 and 15,000 Jews remain, navigating discrimination, surveillance, and periodic arrests.

In March 2025, before the twelve-day war and the subsequent waves of protest, a video showed Iranian Jews celebrating Purim at the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Hamadan, traditionally associated with ancient Shushan. Iran’s Chief Rabbi, Yehuda Gerami, read the Megillah as families danced and sang. The mausoleum has long served as a pilgrimage site for Jews and Christians. Yet its status has been downgraded, protective signage removed, and threats of vandalism and destruction have surfaced. Preservation of this sacred site has become increasingly fragile under Islamic rule.

After last year’s conflict, more than thirty Jewish individuals were reportedly arrested on accusations of espionage, and rabbis and cantors were interrogated. At some Friday prayers, imams appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have publicly called for the destruction of Jews, labeling them enemies of Islam and humanity.

Despite these dangers, Purim 2026 will still be observed. Iranian civilians of many backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, continue to protest tyranny. Many are risking their lives for freedom, echoing Esther’s resolve.

In Israel, Purim will be celebrated with joy, costumes, hamantaschen, and public readings of Esther’s story. Some celebrations may take place in protected spaces or even bomb shelters, yet the spirit of the holiday remains resilient. Celebration itself becomes an act of defiance and hope.

Christians in Iran also face immense pressure, yet the church continues to grow. Independent researchers estimate that between 800,000 and 3 million believers now live in Iran, a dramatic increase over the past decade. Christianity is often described as the fastest growing faith in the country, despite persecution.

One voice representing this modern struggle is Marziyeh Amirizadeh, an Iranian born Christian who was arrested in 2009 for her faith and sentenced to death by hanging. After witnessing the execution of friends and enduring nine months in Tehran’s Evin prison, she was miraculously released and later became a United States citizen. She now leads NewPersia.org and advocates for both Iranian freedom and Jewish safety.

Marziyeh affirms that most Iranians do not share their regime’s hatred of Israel. Partnering with Israeli activist Jonathan Feldstein, she co-founded Root and Branch Israel, a movement dedicated to building unity between Jews and Christians. As Purim approaches, she prays for a future in which Persians and Jews rejoice together in freedom, celebrating the fall of tyranny and the rise of peace and friendship.

The story of Esther continues to speak across centuries. Mordechai’s challenge to his niece remains relevant: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther’s courageous response echoes even louder: “If I perish, I perish.”

Purim is not only a remembrance of ancient deliverance. It is a call to moral clarity and courageous action in our own time.

As we approach this sacred holiday, let us renew our commitment to pray for Israel and for the people of Iran. What is God asking each of us to do for such a time as this?

Our CBN Israel team invites you to join us in prayer as Purim approaches.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for wisdom for the United States and Israel in addressing the Islamic Regime.
• Pray that believers will discern how they are called to respond for such a time as this.
• Pray for the safety and courage of Jewish and Christian Iranians.
• Pray that the joy of Purim will strengthen Jewish hearts even in times of danger.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.