Supporting new immigrants in Israel is not just nice, it’s prophetic

Can I tell you a story? It’s a little long so please be patient because it’s also inspiring. 

I had a recent interview where the host wanted to talk about all the kinds of projects that the Genesis 123 Foundation funds. That’s the nonprofit I established in 2017 with a unique and important mission. Yes, we have funded a wide range of projects to be a tangible blessing to Israelis of all backgrounds, and more: projects for at risk youth, soldiers, widows and orphans, persecuted Christians, unborn babies, and more. Our Israel Emergency Campaign has been robust and widely impactful. But to be honest, as much as it’s important to fund projects that are tangible and meaningful, our programs are meant to be relational. 

Another area that’s been important and that we have funded from the outset is to support new immigrants. It’s not just tangible, meaningful, and relational, it’s also prophetic. The ingathering of the exiles is not just a bumper sticker, it’s taking place before our eyes. I am part of that. 

In July I held a community briefing in Nashville, sharing personal updates from Israel and talking about why I do what I do building bridges between Jews and Christians. But anytime I speak, I always prioritize Q&A. That’s the most important: not to tell people what I think is important (and it is), but to answer questions about what they think is important. 

One woman asked about being an immigrant, she herself an immigrant. Though it’s been more than 22 years, in many ways I often feel as if I am just off the boat. 

Thinking back, I still remember many challenges and traumas, but these are far outweighed by the blessings. Over the years, my children have thanked us for making the move. I also have the privilege of living out prophecy in many ways: seeing my children and grandchildren playing in the streets, in Hebrew, and as I grow older myself not as an observer but as a poster child. 

Last Thursday I drove my daughter back to her apartment. They had borrowed our car and I took her home. When we arrived, I saw something that triggered some of the challenges, but allowed me to step in to help new immigrants as the veteran immigrant.

It was 10:30 pm. We arrived at her building to see a big black van blocking the parking lot. As we approached the van pulled out. Taking up a full parking spot were more than a dozen suitcases and duffle bags, two car seats, two strollers, and more. A family of five, new immigrants from New York, had literally just arrived. They had landed four hours earlier, and now in an apartment they had never seen: their new home. Their first home in Israel. 

Of their three beautiful little girls, one was happy and excited to be in their new home. One was shell shocked and probably too young to remember any of it. The third was over tired and having a meltdown. Kids do that. It’s normal. I empathized and remembered our arrival August 4, 2004 with five children. 

I helped move in their luggage as my daughter heated up the meal she had made for them. When new immigrants arrive, it’s not just a change in residence. The community steps up to help them. 

I asked them to be in touch if I could help. Did they need groceries or anything else? Initially, I just thought I was being nice, doing the right thing to help a family of new immigrants as others had helped us. As it was Thursday, with Shabbat beginning Friday night, the one thing that they asked for was cleaning supplies so they could start off with their first shabbat in their first home in Israel – amid folding tables, borrowed mattresses and plastic chairs and unpacked luggage – clean. 

I realized that my instinct to help was right, but that I shouldn’t just do this as a private enterprise. I made an executive decision that the Genesis 123 Foundation would provide the new family what they needed: their first broom, mop, bucket, dustpan, floor and window cleaner, cleaning rags, and more. I also bought some treats for the kids because it’s true that a parent is only as happy as his/her least happy child. I wanted all the donors to the Genesis 123 Foundation to have a share in the smooth – and clean – absorption of this one family. 

The next morning, I went out and bought them everything they needed. 455 shekels worth. It’s a token amount. But when I told them that it was a donation from the Genesis 123 Foundation, from Christians who love and support Israel all over the world, they were touched and grateful. As I said at the outset, the objective is to be relational. They know our Christian friends and donors all over the world helped make this possible. When they clean the house for Shabbat every week, or when they clean up a spill, each of our donors will have a share in that. 

This continued support allows the Genesis 123 Foundation to continue to do small, meaningful, spontaneous, and relational things like this, along with the wide range of other Genesis 123 funded projects. I don’t typically write an article like this with an agenda other than to share information, But in this case, I do want to appeal to you to join us so we can continue to do things just like this. If you’re not in Israel, please come visit to see – and participate – for yourself. 

By the time the new family arrived, meals were being prepared for a week, help was offered with their kids starting new schools in Hebrew, furniture was borrowed, and more. The front door to their apartment was decorated with signs from their new neighbors welcoming them. We lent a hand as well. 

My kids thank us for making the decision to move to Israel when they were young. My daughter added a thought to this that it allowed them to be in Israel without having to deal with such things as new immigrants. My son in law brought the plastic chairs they needed. Always curious about our decision to come to Israel (and bring his future wife when she was 11), for the first time he got to witness the immediate experiences of a family that made the same decision. 

I suspect that for most of my kids, after 22 years, they don’t remember most of the challenges. There were plenty. Today, they’re just living the life in Israel, raising their own children. Even with all the challenges we still have, they thank us. 

As I left on Thursday night, I counseled the parents and gave them a blessing that in 20 years when their children are grown up, all the bumps and stresses of these first days and weeks will be a distant memory, and their kids will thank them for making the decision as well.