Dear Friend,

Throughout Israel, Jews will soon be gathering around
holiday tables to tell the story of our liberation from slavery and the Exodus that brought us to the land we now call home. The ancient rabbis called this season Z’man Cheirteinu, the time of our freedom.

Sadly, for many poor families in Israel, Passover can be a time of stress and despair. It is difficult to enjoy freedom when there is no food on the table.

However, with your help, Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse has the opportunity to bring holiday joy to many throughout Israel through our voucher program for needy families. Each year, Vision for Israel sets aside nearly 100,000 NIS (approx £17,000) to be given at Passover to assist poor families in purchasing matzah bread, kosher-for-Passover wine, and fresh groceries.

Vision for Israel staff and volunteers personally visit each family as we deliver the vouchers. We have witnessed so many hearts open up as gratitude washes over them, especially when we explain that these vouchers to enjoy Passover are gifts from the nations.

But we also observe that those distributing the aid experience an amazing joy and sense of peace, as well. Batya and I have joined many of our volunteers in shedding tears of joy.

The book of Proverbs tells us, “...happy is he who is gracious to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:21b). Now, medical science is catching up to the ancient wisdom God revealed to His people all those centuries ago. Dr. Sara Konrath of the University of Michigan has found that when people give selflessly to others, their blood becomes flooded with the calming hormones oxytocin and progesterone. Other studies have shown that the immune system also becomes greatly strengthened and the parts of the brain corresponding to a sense of peace and serenity light up. The overall effect is that those who give live happier, healthier, and longer lives.

Reading about these new scientific findings cataloging the “joy of giving” reminded me of the spiritual lesson of Israel’s two major bodies of water, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The Sea ofGalilee teems with fish and nourishes the surrounding region, but the Dead Sea lives up to its name and poisons the surrounding soil with harsh minerals and salt. What is shocking is that both bodies of water are fed by the same source. The difference is that the Sea of Galilee releases those waters, whereas the Dead Sea lets go of nothing.

The Rabbis teach that our souls work the same way. Spiritual health comes from the ability to pass on to others the blessings that God has given us. As we prepare to commemorate the Exodus, it strikes me that there is no freedom like the freedom to give – for it is the freedom to give that unlocks so very

many blessings.

“Give, and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over shall be put into your lap. For with the same measure with which you measure, it shall be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

We invite you to join us in a double blessing: Through your financial gifts, we can bring happiness and relief to so many Israeli families who otherwise could not enjoy the Passover

holiday; and we, the givers, will reap the blessings of God – blessings which modern medicine is only now beginning to glimpse.

Blessings from Israel,

Barry and Batya Segal

Co-founders of Vision for Israel

& The Joseph Storehouse