Hugs in Haifa
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Founded in 200 AD, it sits on Israel’s northern Mediterranean coast. The city is Israel’s third largest with a population of 265, 700 according to the 2004 census stats. It is also Israel’s primary port. With its mix of Arab and Jewish population, it has long had a reputation as a model of co-existence. In an effort to destroy that cohesiveness, terrorists have often targeted it for attacks…some of them among the most devastating of the current intifada. Suicide bombing attacks at the Matza Restaurant (co-owned by a Jewish and Arab family for years); at the Maxim Restaurant; and on a city bus killed dozens (among them multiple members of the same families) and left hundreds more wounded. The attack on the city bus killed several children…among them a 14-year-old Christian girl who was an American citizen. As our man-power and resources increases there are many needs and opportunities here.
Our initial effort has been the donation of an inflatable bounce castle to the city. When I contacted the Director of the Neve Yosef Community Center, one of several community centers there, he was overjoyed to say the least. He relayed how they were just beginning to implement another program for the children in his area which encompasses both Jewish and Arab children. He said that he had just been thinking about what they would need when suddenly my phone call came. Then he added, “This donation is like Heaven had opened up and poured on my head my wish!” PRAISE THE LORD that He used us to show Himself faithful to this community in such a timely fashion. May He continue to do likewise in even GREATER ways!
The Neve Yosef Community Center
