“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Dear Partner,
As we approach the special day of August 18, we at Vision for Israel want to pause and reflect upon the life and journey of a remarkable woman whose birthday we are celebrating. Batya embodies unwavering faith, an epitome of enduring love, and a symbol of an unflinching commitment to our community and the land of Israel.
Batya's life is not just a tale of survival, but a testament to thriving in the face of adversity. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Batya grew up amidst the company of her four siblings. Her wonderful parents, although they didn't have much, raised her and her siblings lacking nothing. They cared about the children's well-being and raised them to love others. They also taught them what a privilege it is to host guests.
At a tender age, she experienced the terror of the Six-Day War in 1967, when two of her brothers were serving in the army and her father was drafted into the reserves. Batya's courageous walk home through the sounds of explosions and gunshots paints a vivid picture of the resilience she carries.
Her resilience was put to the test again during the bitter Yom Kippur War in October '73, right before she enlisted in the army herself. Experiencing the loss of her high school friends, she endured the harsh reality of war and pledged her life to a cause greater than herself - serving in the Navy, dealing with the most secret unit in Israel.
When Batya was a girl, she loved to read, and subsequently, her first job was storytelling for children on the national radio station. Batya's commitment to serving her country didn't stop there. The inquisitive mind of the Jerusalemite drove her to study and research interesting topics, aiding her journey through life. Her practical approach to life and love for solving daily challenges were reflected in her endeavors in the publishing industry, and later when she brought the joy of music and song composition to life.
But the most significant change in Batya's life came in the late seventies when she came to faith in Yeshua. Her life took a dramatic turn when she had a miraculous encounter with the Jewish Messiah. This newfound faith led her to meet Barry at a weekly meeting for songwriters and musicians in Jerusalem in the early eighties. The bond they formed would be the cornerstone of what we know today as Vision for Israel.
Vision for Israel was born out of the adversities faced by the people of Israel during the period of the Intifada in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The severe terrorist activities that began with suicide bombers exploding themselves on buses moved Batya and Barry to take action. They desired to bring relief to the severe hardships that existed in Israeli society, leading to the establishment of Vision for Israel in 1994.
Batya's legacy doesn't stop at the establishment of this organization. It thrives in the hearts of those we serve. This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have managed to provide magnetic gift cards to 1,500 families in preparation for Rosh Hashana. This marks a 50% increase from our original goal. In these times of social unrest in Israel, the aid we provide to these families is even more crucial. Your generous contributions allow us to uphold Batya's legacy of resilience, faith, and love.
Click the button below and join us in continuing Batya's legacy of faith and love.
"Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:16
Join us in wishing Batya Yom Huledet Same’ach!
The Vision for Israel Team
