Experiencing Terror in Jerusalem

by Susan Heagy

You read about it on the news, see a headline or hear about it from someone.  The impact is minimal as it takes place far away from you.

The Survivors talk about it and find the news quite disturbing.  It brings back memories of their childhood in the Holocaust.  They no longer feel safe in their own country- just like before.

“Why do they want to harm us?  Did we not lose enough of our families already?  Why must we fear for our grandchildren’s lives?” 

When you live in Israel the impact is harsh.  You know it could possibly happen closer to you, but still, you do not expect to be there when it goes down. But we were.  Right after an attempted stabbing…

An hour before we had come through the Damascus Gate out of the Old City, taking pictures and sitting on the steps.  We noticed soldiers in different areas, police covering most of the area, prepared for anything.  But it seemed like a calm day and were not concerned.

We made our way to the Garden Tomb.  It was crowded with tourists from buses and we took our time looking around.  When we left we made our way back toward the Damascus Gate with the intention of retracing our steps.

As we approached we noticed many people walking towards us. One woman said, “Don’t go there.  There has just been a shooting.”

About this time I noticed we were the only non-Israelis in the area.  A young Arab woman approached me and we stood together talking about the incident.  It was obvious she was nervous and wanted company.  Our group was not together yet and we waited for everyone to meet up.  She offered to escort us another way to return to Jaffa Gate.

While waiting a vendor shared his phone video showing the person who was shot.  A teenage Arab girl had attacked the squad of IDF soldiers and police attempting to stab them.  She was shot and killed.

Having just arrived at the scene we saw the police were in the process of taping off the area.  Two policemen on horseback began patrolling the line.  The crowd was growing now trying to see what was happening.

Suddenly  I could see someone running away from the gate.  IDF and police were chasing them down from different directions.  They all fell together and a fight ensued to subdue the one tackled.   I could feel the tension in the crowd increase and they began pushing against the police tape.  The two mounted policemen charged the tape to hold them back and the crowd reversed their motion.  Many people began running back towards us.  We moved back a bit with the flow, but stopped short of a full reversal.

Now our group was all together and we began walking with the young Arab woman towards the New Gate of the Old City.  As we walked away she began to speak to me more.  I asked her name and about her family.  She was a new mother and her husband had a shop in the Old City where they lived.

She asked where we were from.  Upon hearing America she began speaking in a different manner.

“You who do not live here don’t understand how the Jewish police try to make sure we are hurt or injured.  They use excessive force and try to kill us. Arabs are treated very badly in Israel.  We need other countries to realize what is happening to us here.”

In between her political words she told how she had a new job, new house and was attending university.  As she told of her opportunities to improve her life she complained about the country she lived in: Israel.

She then asked me where I lived.  I told her Akko.  She got quiet and asked me, “You live here in Israel?”

“Yes,” I answered.

She looked a bit unhappy and said,

“Forget everything I told you.”   She moved quickly ahead, pointed to the direction we should take in the New Gate and walked away.  We all thanked her and I thanked God for the encounter.

It is a difficult culture at times.  The Jewish Israelis endure attacks.  The Arab people living here are deliberately mislead with lies and misinformation.  It is like a time bomb at times.

The rest of the time?  It is a beautiful country of amazing people.  The land is breathtaking, the history is rich and God’s anointing is on His People.  May we all continue to pray for Israel.

“Pray for the shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper.” Psalm 122:6 (Complete Jewish Bible)

 

 

 

 

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They Survived the Holocaust…

 This section features the true experiences of Holocaust Survivors we see and visit today.  This is to fulfill their requests,

“Remember us!  Tell others of our experiences so we are not forgotten!”

~ Evgenia ~

As a child Evgenia and her family were in Ukraine.  They were forced into a ghetto.  She was separated from her family and in an aktion the Nazi soldiers hit her on her head and she was knocked unconscious.  When she woke up she had been thrown on a pile of bodies.  She went and hid under a bridge…

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WHERE in the WORLD is Susan in 2017?!

Follow us on the website www.ahi-il.org

March                 Israel

April                   USA

9-13      PA

14-19     Nashville, TN

21-30     San Antonio, TX

May        1- 8       San Antonio, TX

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18-31    Hbg/York/Lancaster, PA

June       1-6        Hbg/York/Lancaster, PA

7-30      Israel

Jun-Aug              Israel

To have Susan come speak of the Survivors, Israel & introduce her book “Why is Great-Grandma So Sad?”…

Call to set your dates- 717-557-5775, 717-542-8810  or emailsusanh@ahi-il.org    You can call Susan Israel before April 9: +972-54-8100-441

Recent updates?                                                         Check the calendar online www.ahi-il.org

 

“Why is Great-Grandma So Sad? Discovering the Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child”

This book is now available in both English and Russian!

Order on the AHI website: www.ahi-il.org    Donate $10 and designate “book.”

You can also purchase this book in English onAmazon.com  Regular Retail Price $9.99

Good for ages 7 – 97!

Sales support the Holocaust Survivors

 

Volunteer Opportunities with AHI 2017

Volunteer expectations:
• Minimum two weeks, maximum three months (no visa required)
• Longer term of one year (visa required)
• Visit with translators, housing available, assist where needed, errands for AHI and/or Survivors
• Must be able to handle full day of physical work, steps

Current availability:

  • April and May – one to two volunteer openings
  • June and July – two volunteer openings
  • August thru November – two or more Volunteer openings each month, varies depending on dates.

Translators to English for 2017
• Russian, German, Hebrew, French
• No minimum; maximum (preferred) one year (visa required) with possible one year extension.

Volunteer Office Assistant:
• Seeking one year volunteer for office work in Akko.
• One year stay required, possible extension second year.
• Requirements: Internet use, Microsoft Word & Excel spreadsheets.   Cloud software & QuickBooks a plus, not required
• Housing provided plus small stipend; responsible for personal food, transportation and needs; transportation for work related tasks provided

Click HERE to get more information on the items listed above.  You can email hope@ahi-il.org or call:

USA 717-557-5775     Israel +972-54-8100-441

AHI application required for all positions.

Opportunities are also available for teams!  Come to Israel and assist Holocaust Survivors together!

 

AHI Contact Information

To contact us, you can reach anyone in AHI:  hope@ahi-il.org   

Use the subject line to indicate whom or what department you would like to reach.

 

 

USA
Contributions & E-Giving: 

AHI, P.O. Box 760183, San Antonio, TX 78245
717-557-5775

Donations:

For donations, checks should be written to:
“Abundant Hope International”
or safely donate online with

E-giving at www.ahi-il.org/donate/

Adopt a Survivor:

adopt@ahi-il.org  or call 717-592-0859

Prayer Team Coordinator

ahiprayer@ahi-il.org or call 210-362-0116

Volunteer at Beit Shalom

volunteer@ahi-il.org or call 717-557-5775

ISRAEL

Administration: 
+972-54-8100-441(ISRAEL)
(FAX)  +972-4-981-0737 (ISRAEL)

Susan Heagy  susanh@ahi-il.org                                 717-542-8810 (US)  +972-54-810-0441 (ISRAEL)

To donate through Israel charity- contact Susan Heagy at the above email and phone.

Beit Shalom
Ha ‘Ela 2, Akko  24530 ISRAEL
(mailing address P.O. Box 23479, Akko 24530)

Reservations: 
beitshalom@ahi-il.org

Or call Susan at +972-54-8100-441 (ISRAEL) or to call in the USA, 1-717-557-5775Enter your description

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