Village Founded by Singing Rabbi Burns to Ground

Stand for Israel  |  May 24, 2019

As wildfires threaten many areas of the Holy Land, our hearts were broken to hear of the loss of an entire village. The Times of Israel tells us about how nearly all of the homes in Moshav Mevo Modiim were lost, but that those who call the village home have vowed that they will rebuild:

A community founded by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach has been almost completely destroyed by fire, local authorities said Thursday, as a rash of wildifres ravaged the area.

Mevo Modiim, a community of some 250 people nestled into the Ben Shemen forest east of Tel Aviv, was one of several communities completely evacuated Thursday, as homeowners attempted to get out of the way of the raging flames.

Some 40 of the 50 homes in the town were damaged by the fire, according to the Ynet news site. Firefighters only managed to get the blaze there and in other areas around the forest under control late Thursday, according to reports.

Pictures of the small town showed homes and cars completely destroyed by the fire, which swept through the area aided by stifling temperatures and stiff winds.

Authorities shut Route 443, a main artery connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that runs near the community, as flames licked brush near the highway.

“Most people are just thankful that nobody was hurt,” a local government source told the Haaretz daily. “This is a tough night. The community needs to be rebuilt from scratch…”

Please continue to pray for God’s hand of protection over those in the path of these wildfires, for those who are risking their lives to save the lives of others and learn how you can Stand for Israel in her time of need.