Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Monday, November 3, 2008

The power of unconditional love was evidenced firsthand by participants in The Fellowship’s 2008 Journey Home to Israel Tour when they paid a heart-wrenching Monday visit to Migdal Ohr, home to 6,000 Jewish orphans and unwanted, undesirable children from broken homes – a major project funded by IFCJ supporters.

Fellowship partners were warmly greeted and serenaded by smiling uniform-clad elementary-age boys and girls at two entrances to the massive complex (located  one hour’s drive from Tiberius), which includes a synagogue, dormitories, a foster village for children too young to live in dormitories, and a medical center. Charmed visitors responded with hugs, handshakes, kisses and fist-bumps, all captured on hundreds of photographs. In a separate facility for babies and toddlers, Fellowship participants – often overwhelmed with tears – held, hugged and kissed wide-eyed children and helped feed and entertain them.

Migdal Ohr, which means “Tower of Light,” was founded 35 years ago by Rabbi Yitzak Grossman, known in the ‘60s as Israel’s “Disco Rabbi.” He realized the immense need for a home for orphans because of Israel’s restrictive adoption policies. Today, 45 percent of Migdal Ohr’s youth do not have parents.

Migdal Ohr officials thanked Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder/president of IFCJ, for his support and “for what he has done for all of Israel and the world” through generosity of The Fellowship’s faithful partners.

Beneath stain glassed windows in Migdal Ohr’s ornate Orthodox synagogue, Rabbi Eckstein told Fellowship visitors what impresses him about Rabbi Grossman: “To him, everyone has a pure soul … and he has unconditional love that overflows.”

“That’s what God calls us to do,” Rabbi Eckstein reminded.

“Without his institution [Migdal Ohr], the future of Israel would be lost as would the principle of helping the least of these and the ones who are the most vulnerable,” Rabbi Eckstein continued.”You can’t love God and not extend that love to your neighbor and those who are the most vulnerable.”

“You are partners with Rabbi Grossman in helping 2,000 children every day eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here,” a grateful Rabbi Eckstein said in thanking the Fellowship supporters. “You and I are, in many respects, their parents. We want you to feel you have had a part in the love these children are feeling. You are here in absentia from across the ocean to fulfill the commandment to love.”

Stressing that “each of us can make a difference in the world,” Rabbi Eckstein reminded his attentive listeners: “Always realize the power of one person – it only took one Rabbi Grossman to follow the vision that God had put on his heart.”

Following the footsteps of Jesus:  After a picnic-like lunch, the Journey Home Tour visited Caesarea Philippi (Banias), built by Herod’s son, Philip, at one of the sources of the Jordan River. Jesus visited this site with the disciples. The national park includes rushing waters, a picturesque waterfall, and pistachio trees.

Abundant fruit and flowers:  Israel’s sometimes-flat, sometimes-hilly terrain ranges from rock to lush groves for oranges, apples, plums and pears. With Israel being the leading exporter of roses to the U.S., much acreage is devoted to colorful rose bushes in full bloom.

Israel by the numbers: Israel, which can fit into the state of New Jersey, is 350 miles from its northern to southern tip and only 10 miles wide.

Authenticity acknowledged: Rabbi Eckstein heaped praise on Christians, stating, “Christians are for real. They are not just talking the talk, but are walking the walk.”