We have enjoyed this past weekend with the onset of Passover and the observance of Easter, starting with the solemness of Good Friday.
Passover and Easter are intimately connected, whether the world knows it or not.
The Israelites put the blood on their doorframes in Egypt to preserve the lives of their first born—the final plague on Egypt to release the Israelites from captivity and enslavement so they can migrate to the promised land. The Exodus story. Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover and it was on that Sabbath that he was crucified. His head wounded and his arms outstretched with nails, the blood stains on the cross emulate the position of the lamb’s blood on the doors that night the Angel of Death passed over Egypt.
The flawless lamb was sacrificed so the First born would be spared death, as the angel of death passed over the land of Egypt. The sinless lamb of God, Jesus, was sacrificed so that all humanity would have the opportunity to be spared death, death from the sinful nature we are all born with, that separates us from God. Jesus’ act on the cross provides the reconciliation for us to be restored to God.
So, we celebrate life! On Resurrection Sunday morning we celebrate that the tomb was empty and death could not hold our Savior. He overcame death and as such, paid the price for us all. Passover celebrates the spared lives of the first born. Overcoming the death that passed over Egypt 1200 or so years before.
Passover and Easter do not always overlap on our modern calendars, but they do this year! And spring always brings us a renewed sense of celebration of life as nature comes alive again and trees fan out and flowers bloom. So why not also celebrate children!
The Jerusalem Connection is dedicated to supporting the efforts to preserve the lives of children, and specifically in our mission to aid Israel and the Jewish people, we provide resources to Be’ad Chaim, an organization in Israel dedicated to helping women in crisis find hope and help to keep their babies when they experience an unplanned pregnancy. Working with the community, and spreading their message via social media, word of mouth, and even billboards, Be’ad Chaim offers tangible help to women who are confused, scared, and often alone or shunned by their partners or family. Offering counseling and material help, as well as prayer, “Be’ad Chaim” assists moms during their entire journey, including after the baby is born.
Sandy Shoshanna leads this effort in Israel. She is a close friend of our late founders, Jim and Pat Hutchens. I met Sandi during one of my own trips to Israel over a decade ago. My heart nearly bursts with joy when I see their monthly newsletters and various Facebook posts of women and beautiful babies who are celebrating life because of the assistance of Be’ad Chaim’s efforts.
I invite YOU to be part of those efforts. You can be part of the blessing that women and children in Israel take part in through the work of Be’ad Chaim.
Consider a recurring or one time donation designated to Operation Life, and your contribution will go directly to Be’ad Chaim to continue the efforts to encourage the choice of life, and dissuade the choice of abortion, and showing women, one at a time, that hope and life are within their grasps—G-d is there to comfort you.
Shavua Tov, have a great week.