The motto for the meeting was of course "Israel 60 years celebrations". We considered all the miracles of God, which made the founding of Israel especially despite the Independence war happen. New talents of our church delighted us next to the dancers and singers of the Israeli religious community, which have a lot of artists. With a lot of sympathy were there some personal conversations about private fates. A lot of our Jewish guests told me and other staff members how much they enjoy those meetings.

Enthusiastic conversations at the meeting afternoon

England and Germany have a special mission, to serve other Nations in Fatherhood. That and our special history with Jews is connecting us to Israel. During our visit we met Ian and Muriel with whom we have been friends for years. Israel is on their heart and for some time Muriel is leading a women prayer group with the focus on Israel. We met some women, who will come with Muriel to the women meeting in October.

"Tell me about Israel", celebration to the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the state of Israel 08. May 2008

A very special occasion was the celebration at the“Yom HaAtzma’ut”, the Israeli Independence day, who David Ben Gurion at the 5. Iyar 5708 according to the Jewish calendar rather at the 14.5.1948 announced, a few hours before the British mandate over Erez Israel expirated. This year the 5rd Iyar fell on the 8th of May. Very impressive were the words of Küf Kaufmann, the chairman of the Israeli religious community. He spoke about his relationship with the state of Israel and the Germans to the Jews in Germany. Some Israeli Music Students sang and played with a string quartet among other songs "Hatikwa", the Israeli national anthem and "Yerushalayim schel Zahav". For us it was very personal to talk about the story of our daughter Judith with her Israeli husband Ron. Ron is the grandson of Bella Katz,was born and grew up in Leipzig. They met in 2002 in Leipzig as Bella was with a group of erstwhile "Jews from Leipzig" from Israel came  to show her grandson her homeland. For Judith and Ron it was love at first sight and a real romance started. Today they are married, have a son Jehonathan and live in Israel. 

The evening at the adult education center was for us so special, because we met some important people from the municipality of Leipzig, who have a heart for Israel and Jews. Among other things they are responsible for the Jewish week they lead the German-Israeli society and so on. We want to work together with people who do well for Israel and Jews.

Israeli students with the chairman of the German-Israeli society

Marias Participation at the "fathers meeting" of Messianic, Arabic and German leaders, Wüstenrot 25.-29.2.2008

It was a very special privilege to be with Eva Piehler at this meeting. The new "human" of Jews and Christians from the Nations became visible. Despite the hate and the pain in Israel, the love of God is declared and lived. We went through strong processes of reconciliation and forgiveness with each other as children of one father. "Victim roles" could be taken off and in a unity we could pray together and for each other. 

 I started to love and revalue Arabic sisters and brothers. A deep impression I got by the hearing of life stories of certain messianic brothers and sisters - especially how they found Yeshua and how they immigrated to Israel. The Hotel in Wüstenrot is run by Christians and is a perfect place for such kind of meeting.