Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
The Bibas Family, in happier times
The DCM at the Embassy, Yael Holan has asked if we would like to “adopt” a family of hostages to raise awareness of their plight.
They are the Bibas family.
Kfir, Ariel and Shiri Bibas, and presumably their father Yarden were all kidnapped from Nir Oz, an Israeli kibbutz that was devastated when it came under attack by Hamas militants on October 7. The attackers murdered more than a quarter of the community and seized scores of others, as they fired at people’s homes, looted and destroyed what they could.
The armed wing of Hamas has claimed, without providing evidence, that Kfir, his 4-year-old brother, Ariel, and their mother, Shiri, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said they had been killed in earlier Israeli bombing.
Kfir was nine months old when he was abducted, he will turn one on January 18.
We are proposing to hold a special meeting for them on Thursday, January 18.
Hao Room, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
Leon Malmed
Wednesday 21 February @ 6:30pm
Leon Malmed was born in France in 1937, and is a survivor of the Holocaust, in which his parents were killed at Auschwitz. Leon moved to the USA in the 1960s, where he lives today. After 60 years of total silence about his childhood and experience during World War II, Leon decided to write and publish his memoir “We Survived… At Last, I Speak”. Leon is visiting Christchurch and graciously offered tell his story while he is in town, to talk about his life and answer questions.
Because of heightened security alerts because of October 7, here are the protocols for admission:
1. You must be a paid up member.
2. You must RSVP to NZFOI by email to contact@nzfoi.org by Tuesday 10pm.
3. If you are a paid-up member then we will advise you of the venue by return email.
4. On Wednesday evening, your membership and identification will be checked at the entrance to the venue.
These terms will be strictly adhered to: Exceptions will not be accepted.
If you are unsure of your membership status contact our treasurer jaclarke@orcon.net.nz.
Standing together to stand with Israel
We will be joined by Bryce Turner, National Director of CFI.
Bryce led a team to Israel after October 7 to
- Show support to beleaguered Israelis
- Help out wherever they could as they took tradespersons along
- Record and bring back survivors’ stories.
Bryce has been a sought-after public speaker since his return.
ABOUT C4I
Christians for Israel (C4I) is a non-denominational movement. We believe that God is still faithful to all His covenants with, and promises to the nation of Israel.
LATER IN THE MEETING
We will be discussing:
- Latest developments in Israel.
- Anti-Semitism in New Zealand.
- The Refugee Issue and the roles of UNRWA and UNHCR.
- More ideas about what you can do to support Israel.
There’s also a chance to return and find more books from our library.
We’re meeting at the Hao Rm, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
Please bring a plate of finger food: No seafood or pork products, thanks.
Dr Sheree Trotter
Indigenous Peoples and the Middle East Conflict
Today, one hears that the Palestinians are an indigenous people that is having their homeland stolen from them by the white settler colonialists, the Jews. Is this true?
The events of October 7 have divided New Zealanders. The connection to indigenous rights has created fault lines for our Maori community.
On Thursday, we are delighted to welcome Dr Sheree Trotter to talk to us about the establishment of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and her views on how the Middle East Conflict has impacted her Maori Community.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Sheree Trotter is a researcher, writer, and co-director of the Indigenous Coalition For Israel. She also co-founded the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Shadows of Shoah). Sheree is Māori (Te Arawa) and earned her PhD in History at the University of Auckland.
We are gathering at 11.30am behind the Verdict Cafe for prayer, briefing and singing.
Our theme song is
OH DAUGHTERS OF ZION
We will have song sheets available.
At 12 noon we will raise the flags and walk to opposite the Plaza, where we will sing, pray, and declare we are with the Nation of ISRAEL.
Come and stand with us.
Hi Folks
Are you shocked by the killing of innocent civilians? Are you feeling conflicted as to who is “in the right” in the Israeli-Gaza conflict? Why as a Christian should you care about a dispute on the other side of the world? Are you puzzling over what a Christian response should be? If any of these questions resonate with you, then this event is for you.
Hope Presbyterian in Amyes Rd Hornby, has invited us to join a discussion panel at their evening service, this Sunday at 7pm.
The topic is: What should be the Christian attitude toward Israel and Gaza?
They have already had two sermons over the last two weeks on the history of Israel for background, and the sermons can be found here (click the image):
You’re invited to take part in this fascinating discussion. The Q&A session is going to be informative and rewarding. Even more so, if you have thought about it already so bring some questions with you.
See you there!
CHRISTCHURCH: We’re organizing a group to go and see Golda Meir at the Wigram Silky Otter Theatre at 5pm on Satuday. See you there! Just turn up and buy your ticket. 5pm is the beginning of the session time, so you might like to turn up a little earlier.
