ARTICLES

Helping to Restore a Broken Community

Kibbutz life is a vital part of Israel’s foundation. These farming villagers became the building blocks of a new nation as it welcomed thousands of immigrants who had barely survived the Holocaust and World War II.

But on October 7, 2023, that existence came under threat when Hamas terrorists attacked Southern Israel. On Kibbutz Nirim, a tight-knit community near the Gaza border, five civilians and three soldiers were killed, and five others were kidnapped. Many houses and buildings sustained severe damage, forcing families to find other places to live.

Since then, CBN Israel has spent time with residents who were displaced from their homes by the tragedy—listening to their stories and learning about their needs. And now, thanks to the caring gifts of donors, CBN Israel is helping this community of 400 people rebuild.

“We received an amazing gift from CBN Israel, and we are constructing a new dining room,” said Dafna Ben Ami, Nirim’s community relations director. “We are going to have a beautiful place to gather together for the holidays and the Sabbath.”

“The dining room is the heart and soul of the kibbutz,” explained Adele Raemer, a Nirim resident. “This will literally be the hub of the kibbutz.”

Support from generous donors also helped build new safe rooms, plus a grocery store that will serve the wider region. 

Members of Kibbutz Nirim are looking forward to returning to their homes and becoming a community once again—a crucial element of their healing process.

“Community builds resilience. So, we invest in the community and are doing things that are for the betterment of the community,” Adele told us. “Without community you don’t have a kibbutz.”

Your gifts to CBN Israel can make a way for Israelis who have suffered so much to move back to their homes with a sense of security and support. Thank you! 

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Hidden in the Caves: Qumran and the Treasure of the Word

By Stephen Faircloth

Tucked into the rugged cliffs on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, the ruins of Qumran overlook a landscape that seems barren and forgotten. But beneath its dusty surface, this region once held one of the most extraordinary archaeological treasures in biblical history: the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Discovered by Bedouin shepherds in 1947, the first scrolls were found in a cave near Qumran, launching a discovery that would eventually yield fragments from over 1,000 ancient manuscripts in eleven nearby caves. These scrolls included portions of nearly every book of the Old Testament, every one except Esther, as well as other ancient Jewish writings that shed light on faith and life in the time of Jesus.

The Qumran community, widely believed to have been a sect called the Essenes, lived intentionally and communally in this dry, remote place. Their lives centered on Scripture, purity, discipline, and spiritual devotion. They carefully copied sacred texts in a scriptorium, gathered daily in a long dining hall, and ritually immersed themselves in specially constructed mikva’ot (ritual baths). Even in the wilderness, they were determined to preserve the Word of God and live according to it.

What makes Qumran so compelling isn’t just the incredible preservation of the scrolls, but the example of a people who valued God’s Word above all else. They understood that the Scriptures were not just texts, they were life, identity, and covenant. And so, in the harshest of environments, they chose to live faithfully and preserve truth for future generations.

Centuries later, their devotion still bears fruit. The scrolls discovered in these desert caves have deepened our confidence in the reliability of the Old Testament and opened a window into the spiritual world of first-century Judaism—the same world into which Jesus was born.

As we reflect on Qumran, we’re reminded that God often hides His greatest treasures in unexpected places. He honors those who hunger for His Word, even in the wilderness. The Essenes may never have imagined that their quiet labor would bless millions, but their faithfulness was not in vain.

Are you treasuring God’s Word in your own life? Are there “desert places” where He is calling you to be faithful, even when the fruit is not yet visible?

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians round the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

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Weekly Devotional: At the Crossroads: Positioned for Purpose

Have you ever paused to consider why God moved Abraham from the bustling cities of Mesopotamia to the relatively undeveloped land of Canaan? Or why the prophet Samuel always returned to Ramah to judge Israel? Or why Paul remained in the pagan city of Ephesus for more than two years during his missionary journeys?

There’s a common thread woven through these stories—geography. All of these places were positioned at strategic crossroads of the ancient world.

Canaan, for example, wasn’t just a piece of land; it was the land bridge connecting Africa and Asia, situated between the superpowers of Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was the physical and cultural intersection of nations, commerce, and influence. To live there was to live where the world passed by.

Samuel’s hometown of Ramah was another strategic location—set at the junction of key trade and travel routes through the hill country of Israel. By basing himself there, he remained accessible to the people. Israel could hear the Word of the Lord at the center of their daily movements.

Paul chose Ephesus, a major city in the Roman Empire and home to the famous Temple of Artemis. Positioned along critical trade routes, it welcomed merchants, travelers, and worshipers from across the empire. Instead of avoiding the cultural noise of a pagan city, Paul met it head-on—with truth, boldness, and the gospel of Jesus.

These were not random places. God’s positioning of His people was deliberate. He placed them at physical and cultural intersections—crossroads—so their lives could influence as many others as possible. Their mission was not only to obey Him, but to reflect His glory in full view of the world.

That calling hasn’t changed. God still places His people at crossroads today—places of influence, connection, tension, and opportunity.

Maybe your crossroads is a busy workplace, a diverse neighborhood, a university campus, or an online community. Wherever He has placed you, your presence has purpose.

You are not where you are by accident. The question is—will you live obediently at your crossroads? Will you be faithful where the world intersects with your life, shining His light and declaring His kingship?

PRAYER

Father, open my eyes to the places where You’ve positioned me. Help me not to shrink back from influence, but to live boldly and obediently, reflecting You in the crossroads of my life. Amen.

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The Divine Diversity of Israel Through Operations Moses, Joshua, and Solomon   

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has faced accusations about conducting a genocide against Gaza’s Palestinian Arabs. This apartheid accusation, which has been around for decades, includes a favorite lie: that the Jewish population is all white and oppressive. Whether you’re traveling to Israel or viewing online photos, let your eyes tell you the truth about Israel’s diverse citizenry.

A case in point is that upwards of 170,000 Ethiopian-Israelis can be found among Israel’s current population. This inspiring Ethiopian statistic reflects a singular fact: Israel is the only nation in the world that has transported black Africans to freedom instead of to slavery. Allow that fact to sink in—and pass it on, if you will.

In 1973, Israel’s Chief Sephardi Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ruled that Ethiopian Jews were, according to Jewish law, “Sons of Israel” (Bnei Israel). Facing religious persecution and oppression at home, these Africans began the perilous 2,000-mile trek to Israel in relatively small numbers—numbers that ballooned in the early 1980s with Israeli-initiated airlifts undertaken in response to the thousands of Jews dying along the way. What factors drove them to first undertake their dangerous walks through hostile territories?

Similar to all Jews, in the global diaspora Ethiopians held Judaism in their hearts. Their Judaism harkened back to their belief that the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon resulted in a son, their ancestor Menelek I. Their tradition says that King Solomon gave Menelek a Torah scroll instructing him to teach Ethiopians about biblical Judaism. You may be inclined to dismiss the story, but facts on the ground in Ethiopia prove the ancient Jewish practices in their culture called Beta (House of) Israel.

Encyclopedia Britannica affirms their Jewish Torah culture in Ethiopia. With a Bible and prayer book written in Geʿez—an ancient Semitic language of Ethiopia—they observed the Sabbath, circumcision, synagogues with priests (kohanim) of the villages, offered animal sacrifices, and kept some of the major Jewish festivals. They followed Jewish dietary laws as best they could despite generations of Ethiopian poverty and famine in that nation.

Danielle Mor, a vice president at the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), explains that Ethiopian Jews were among the most ancient Jews in exile. “They are actually believed to be from the tribe of Dan, exiled by the Babylonians.” She further observes that, living in Ethiopia’s northern rural, mountainous region, they were “cut off from the rest of the Jewish world [and] followed more ancient, biblical traditions, not the traditions of the last 2,500 years.”

Fighting famines and persecution in Ethiopia under dictator Mengistu Hail Mariam—and longing for their homeland, Israel—the Ethiopian Jews first headed north to neighboring Sudan. It was not an easy journey. Suffering from starvation, dehydration, and violence meant Ethiopians died by the thousands. Yet the group maintained its cultural determination to reach their ancestral homeland. Thousands of Ethiopians walked into Sudan. They were then housed in strained, sometimes violent conditions in refugee camps.

Israel, learning of the vast number of deaths, decided to get involved. In 1984-1985, the Ethiopian Jews’ dangerous foot journey was transformed into Israeli flights. Via Operation Moses—the first of three clandestine military undertakings—Israeli pilots airlifted an estimated 7,000 Ethiopian Jews from Sudanese refugee camps to Israel. But leaks and political pressure forced Sudan to end the lifesaving airlift prematurely, leaving many people stranded.

In 1985, the U.S. launched Operation Joshua to evacuate the Ethiopian Jews remaining and bring them to safety in Israel. Three countries cooperated in the complex covert logistics: Israel’s Mossad, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and Sudanese State Security. However, this enterprise, too, came to a halt when leaks about Operation Moses became public knowledge and Sudan was pressured by Arab countries to stop.

Operation Solomon, the third masterful operation, was carried out on May 24-25, 1991. Launched to airlift Jews threatened by an escalating civil war in Ethiopia, this remarkable 36-hour enterprise is considered one of the most extraordinary rescue efforts in modern history.

Thirty aircraft were utilized for Operation Solomon, including the Israeli Air Force C-130 Hercules. Seats were removed to maximize passenger capacity and plastic sheeting was laid down for improved hygiene and disease prevention. One El Al 747 airlift set a world record: 1,122 passengers—and the miracle of two babies born during the flight.

During Operation Solomon, doctors and paramedics were on hand for malnourished Ethiopians, providing water and food. A summation from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that the operation’s execution was flawless: planes took 14,087 Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Israel in one weekend. Once, 25 planes were in the air simultaneously, including planes chartered from Ethiopia’s state airline.

So, when you hear cries of “apartheid in Israel,” or “genocide,” or “lack of diversity”—that’s nothing but propaganda! Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics recorded that between 1980 and 1992, Israel repatriated upwards of 44,766 Jewish Ethiopians. History books, websites, social media, and videos are replete with diverse facts and stories of Israel’s decision to airlift black Ethiopian refugees to their homeland.

In fact, Israel is alone in its dedicated, complex efforts to rescue Africans instead of enslaving them. The United States and Great Britain, for example, cannot make such claims, since their horrific slave trade lasted for several hundred years. Mercifully, both countries long ago abandoned the deadly slave trade, yet true freedom remained ahead in slow legal and activist advocacy for equality.

The Ethiopian Jews’ transition into Israel was indeed complicated and challenging for both Israelis and Ethiopians. As an example, the first years of integrating Ethiopians—who had lived in huts with no electricity—into contemporary Israeli society meant teaching them how to turn on a stove and perform other tasks required for living in a modern culture. Israelis had to make their own adjustments regarding the culture of Ethiopians. Israel, though, has made frequent transitions—receiving people making Aliyah from nations such as India, China, Mexico, and South America—each bringing their own unique cultures.

In frequent trips to Israel, I have met and talked with many wonderful, exceptional Ethiopian citizens. Among them was Shlomo Molla, former deputy speaker of Israel’s Parliament Knesset, who in 1984 arrived in Israel barefooted. Today, Ethiopians serve in the Israel Defense Forces and attend Israel’s Ono College, which champions multiculturalism and where they earn degrees for prestigious positions as attorneys and in the tech sector.

Israel’s enemies have no regard for Psalm 34:13— Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. I encourage you to put these facts in your truth-telling toolbox and pass it on as one way to oppose lies by expressing your support for Israel.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week: 

  • Pray for those blinded by hate to open their eyes to truths about Israel’s diversity.
  • Pray for lingering challenges for Ethiopians to gain added influential roles in Israel.
  • Pray for Ethiopian families grieving for deceased family members among the IDF.
  • Pray for all Ethiopian family members still in Ethiopia who await their Aliyah.

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.

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Bomb Shelter Restoration

The world watched nervously as news stories showed Iran’s missile attacks on Israel. But the town of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, was on the frontlines.

An Iranian rocket hit the area, destroying hundreds of homes. Thankfully, one apartment building with 18 families was spared. However, when they all rushed to the bomb shelter, they discovered that it was in disrepair. There was a foul odor and the staircase was broken, with no railing, making it unusable for the older people to go downstairs into the shelter.

With the danger of missile attacks still looming, these families urgently needed to find safety.

Thanks to the generosity of caring friends like you, CBN Israel was able to partner with Tenufa baKehila, or “Building Hope.” This organization is on a mission to repair shelters across the Holy Land.

Building Hope’s director, Gabi Nachmani, had his team work quickly to fix the damage, including installing a safe railing. He said, “Hopefully, by the end of the day today, it’s all going to be painted and clear. The stench is going to be out, and people can come and stay here.”

Gabi added, “It was so easy to work with CBN. … We have the same biblical mission—to strengthen Israel, and make sure that the Jewish people are thriving.”

And the daughter of an elderly resident said gratefully, “It will be a lot safer for my mother to get to the bomb shelter. She can hold on to the railing. Even getting out of the shelter was hard for her without this railing. Thank you so much for helping!”

Her mother was also thrilled by the new safety features, saying, “This is so touching—thank you! I would kiss your hands for doing this work!”

Your gifts to CBN Israel can do so much, as many still suffer from the effects of war and terror. You can provide nutritious meals, housing, trauma counseling, financial aid, and more.

Please help us make a difference at this crucial time!

GIVE TODAY

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Chorazin: A Warning in the Ruins

By Stephen Faircloth

Perched in the hills just north of Capernaum, the ruins of Chorazin overlook the Sea of Galilee. Though this ancient village is mentioned only briefly in the Gospels, it holds a sobering place in the story of Jesus.

Jesus once pronounced a severe rebuke over Chorazin, along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, because despite witnessing His mighty works, the people refused to repent (Matthew 11:21-24; Luke 10:13-16). It is a reminder that spiritual privilege does not guarantee spiritual transformation. The land between these villages formed the heart of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, where miracles and teachings unfolded almost daily. Yet familiarity bred indifference.

Unlike Capernaum and Bethsaida, Chorazin sat back from the shoreline. While it was removed from the fishing trade of the lake, it was renowned for producing exceptional wheat—a detail preserved in ancient rabbinic writings. Archaeological discoveries confirm that Chorazin was a vibrant Jewish community, beginning in the first century A.D.

Most of the ruins visitors see today date to later centuries. The basalt synagogue at the village center, possibly constructed by the third century, reflects the classic Galilean synagogue style seen in places like Capernaum. Worshippers would ascend a broad southern staircase, facing Jerusalem, to enter the hall. Inside, benches formed a U-shape around the room. Carved basalt stones, though difficult to shape, were decorated with symbolic motifs.

Among the most striking finds is a basalt chair called the “Seat of Moses.” According to tradition, this was where teachers of the Law would sit to instruct the people (see Matthew 23:1-2). The chair bears an Aramaic inscription honoring the benefactor who donated it and praying that he would have a share among the righteous. Beneath the later synagogue floor, archaeologists have uncovered signs of an earlier public building—perhaps the synagogue where Jesus Himself taught.

In homes nearby, excavators have found ritual baths, stone vessels, and other artifacts that reveal a community concerned with purity and devotion. And yet, Chorazin still fell under Jesus’ judgment. The people saw, heard, and experienced much, but their hearts remained unchanged.

Chorazin warns us that it is possible to be surrounded by spiritual opportunity and still drift into complacency. It challenges us to consider: Are we responding to what God has shown us, or merely observing it from a safe distance?

Where has God been at work in your life? Have you grown familiar with His blessings without letting them transform you? What would it look like to respond with repentance and renewed faith today?

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians round the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

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Weekly Devotional: When Living Water Flows

Have you ever watched a dry landscape come alive when water begins to flow? In the middle of a barren desert, a single spring can transform everything it touches. What was once cracked and lifeless suddenly bursts into green, lush growth. Water doesn’t just improve the land—it changes its very nature.

During the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus stood before the crowds and declared, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 NKJV).

This vivid image would have resonated deeply with His listeners. They understood that wherever living water moved, it turned dead places into oases. Jesus was describing what happens when a person truly believes in Him and abides in Him. A heart connected to Christ becomes a wellspring of life and blessing to the world around it.

Today, we need to ask ourselves: What does our spiritual landscape look like? Are we channels of life-giving water, or are we blending in with the dryness around us? Does our presence refresh and renew others, or leave them unchanged?

Jesus made it clear: authentic faith is never stagnant. When we trust and obey Him, the result is unmistakable—living water flows from our lives into a thirsty world. That water is His Spirit working through us, producing love, joy, hope, and truth that cannot help but spread.

It’s easy to blame the culture, politics, or entertainment industry for the moral and spiritual drought around us. But Jesus suggests we first look inward. If we are connected to Him, then transformation should begin with us. The evidence of our faith is that the places around us begin to look different—like desert soil touched by rain.

Water brings life. It always has, and it always will. When His living water flows through us, it revives what is withered and gives hope where there was none.

So take a moment to consider: Is the river flowing from you? Is it saturating your family, your workplace, your community with the life of Jesus?

PRAYER

Father, let Your living water flow through me. Fill me so completely with Your Spirit that my words and actions refresh and restore those around me. May my life bring life to others, for Your glory. Amen.

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Faith in Action: How American Christians Can Stand with Israel Today

By Dani Naveh, President & CEO, Israel Bonds

A few weeks ago, as I was in New York, Facetiming with my three children in Israel—our family routine whenever sirens go off alerting people to rush to nearby bomb shelters—our worst fear came true. An Iranian missile struck our family home. Through the phone, my wife and I heard an explosion too loud to be in the distance. Our children, though shaken, survived, but as they left the shelter, they witnessed our house and yard engulfed in flames.

It is during these challenging times that I am reminded that true friendship is not merely spoken, it is demonstrated. Soon after I made my way to Israel to be with my children, I received meaningful messages from my friends at CBN—phone calls and emails of support. My family’s home was in ashes, but our spirits were intact.

The bond between Christians and Jews, forged through spiritual kinship, is more vital today than ever before. Israel is facing a battle on multiple fronts, but in our darkest hours following the horrific day of October 7, we have also seen the brightest lights—many of them coming from our Christian brothers and sisters across the United States.

As the President and CEO of Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand this outpouring of support not only in words and prayers, but in meaningful action. Since the attacks of October 7, individuals and institutions have invested over $5 billion globally in Israel through Israel bonds. And a growing share of these investments has come from Christian supporters who understand that supporting Israel economically is one of the most concrete ways to stand with the Jewish people, and secure Israel’s future.

On May 10, 1951, in New York’s Madison Square Garden, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion launched this extraordinary initiative with a simple but powerful idea: allow friends of Israel, wherever they may live, to invest in her future. Seventy-four years later, Israel Bonds continues to offer that same opportunity—not just to invest in a bond, but to invest in a nation, a people, and a promise. Since that historic day, Israel Bonds has generated over $54 billion in sales from around the world.

For many Christians, this commitment to Israel stems from deeply held beliefs. As Psalm 122:6 commands, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’” But prayer must be accompanied by action. In the Book of Ruth, we find a moving declaration of loyalty from Ruth, a non-Jewish Moabite woman, recently widowed, to her mother-in-law Naomi: “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” That enduring message of solidarity has echoed across generations and faith traditions. Today, it resonates once again.

I write not only as the leader of a financial institution but also as someone who has lived through decades of Israeli history. I served in government as an Israeli cabinet minister during years when peace felt within reach and during times when war knocked on every door.

In recent months, I’ve traveled across the United States, meeting with Christian pastors, lay leaders, business executives, and families. Many have asked me: What can we do for Israel right now? My answer is always the same—continue to pray, continue to speak truth, and when you are able, invest in Israel’s future. Buying an Israel bond is not only a smart financial decision—it is a deeply spiritual one. It is a tangible declaration that you stand with Israel not only in words, but in deeds.

Israel Bonds is not a charitable contribution. It is a smart financial investment, backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel. But more than that, it is a moral investment—one that allows individuals to stand on the side of life, democracy, and shared values. As talks of ceasefires and peace unfold, the fight for Israel’s future continues, supported by communities around the world.

Let us walk this path together, in covenant and in courage. Join us. Invest in Israel. Not for politics. Not for headlines. But for hope, for peace, and for a future rooted in shared faith.

As Psalm 133:1 says: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” May our unity be not only in spirit, but in action.

Dani Naveh is President and CEO of the Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds. Since 2021, Mr. Naveh has steered the organization to record-breaking sales. Under Mr. Naveh’s leadership, Israel Bonds has brought in unprecedented support, raising over $5 billion in investments since October 7, 2023. Mr. Naveh previously served in various governmental roles including as Israel’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Minister of Health and Cabinet Secretary. After his tenure in government, Mr. Naveh transitioned to the business sector, leading major financial groups like Clal Insurance and founding ventures in medtech, insurtech, and fintech.

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Bringing Hope to Missile Strike Survivors

In Bat Yam, a coastal city south of Tel Aviv, terror struck an entire neighborhood when an Iranian missile destroyed a residential building. Hundreds of residents were displaced. It was a direct hit which obliterated that building, and damaged nearby buildings for blocks, making them unlivable.

One frightened survivor recalled the horror, saying, “The building was shaking, and I was holding the door shut. And it felt like the door would fly out.”

Since the beginning of the war with Iran, Israel faced relentless missile and drone attacks, leaving communities in a state of upheaval and despair. With so many people left homeless and traumatized, where could they turn for help?

Fortunately, friends like you came to their rescue, through CBN Israel. Thanks to the support of generous donors, a bus arrived in Bat Yam to take the elderly, Holocaust survivors, and those with disabilities to safer places, including temporary shelter in a hotel.

And in the wake of the attacks, their gifts helped to launch a trauma hotline, offering counseling, comfort, and hope to those reeling from loss.

At a time when it seems that so many forces in the world are aligning against Israel, it means a great deal to the Israeli people to know caring partners are standing with them. And your support can convey volumes to those who are hurting.

You can be there for terror victims with hot meals, safe lodging, professional trauma therapy, and encouragement. And you can bring ongoing relief to refugees and new immigrants, single moms, Holocaust survivors, and others in need.

Please consider a special gift to support those in crisis across the Holy Land!

GIVE TODAY

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Magdala: Faith by the Lake

By Stephen Faircloth

Nestled along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, just a few miles north of Tiberias, the ancient settlement of Magdala offers a remarkable window into Jewish life during the time of Jesus. Known by multiple names, Magdala or Migdal Nunaya in Hebrew and Aramaic, and Taricheae in Greek and Latin, this city played a central role in the economy and culture of the region.

Greek sources called it Taricheae, meaning “factories for salting fish,” a reminder that everyday labor and community life were part of God’s provision. The bustling harbor connected smaller villages, including Capernaum, to wider trade networks, illustrating how God often uses ordinary places to accomplish extraordinary purposes. When the Gospels describe Jesus arriving by boat in the region of Gennesar, He likely stepped ashore in Magdala’s thriving port.

Though tradition has long identified Magdala as the hometown of Mary Magdalene, there is no conclusive historical proof of this connection. Still, her life shows how God can redeem any story, and how an encounter with Christ transforms us from the inside out.

Modern excavations have brought Magdala to life in vivid detail. Archaeologists uncovered streets laid out in a precise grid, elegant homes with expertly cut stone, intricate mosaic floors, and fine pottery and glassware—all signs of a prosperous community. Many of these homes contained private ritual baths (mikva’ot), even though the Sea of Galilee was just steps away. This dedication reveals how seriously the people of Magdala took purity and devotion, weaving faith into the fabric of daily life.

Among the most significant discoveries is Magdala’s ancient synagogue—one of the earliest ever found. Though modest in size, it was rich with spiritual meaning. The main hall was ringed with benches, frescoed walls, and mosaic floors. At its center stood a beautifully carved stone, likely supporting the sacred Torah as it was read aloud. The carvings include the seven-branched menorah from the Jerusalem Temple, reminding worshipers that even in Galilee, their faith was anchored in God’s promises and presence.

While the Gospels do not specifically mention Jesus teaching in Magdala, He traveled throughout Galilee, proclaiming the Kingdom and opening the Scriptures in synagogues just like this one. It is entirely possible, perhaps even likely, that He stood in this very space, reading and explaining the Word of God, calling people to repentance, hope, and new life.

Magdala is a powerful reminder that faith is not reserved for holy places alone. It flourishes in workshops, fishing boats, kitchens, and markets, wherever people choose to honor God with their lives. Like the men and women of Magdala, we are called to integrate worship into our work, to pursue purity of heart even in ordinary routines, and to welcome Jesus into every corner of our day.

Are there areas of your life where you have separated faith from daily tasks? What would it look like to invite Jesus into your own “harbor,” your own “workshop,” and live every moment for His glory?

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians round the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

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