May 2, 2023

Hagee on first Israel visit, 45 years ago: Arrived as a tourist, left as a Zionist

Pastor John Hagee speaking at the 2022 Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Washington Summit. Credit: CUFI/Oren Cohen. by Menachem Wecker (JNS) — As an 8-year-old boy, John Hagee sat at the kitchen table listening on the radio to the formation […]
March 13, 2023

Israel art contest for Christian youth announced

To commemorate Israel’s 75th anniversary, the Genesis 123 Foundation has launched a unique art contest for Christian children to connect with Israel Biblically, through their own eyes. “What Israel Means to Me” provides children ages 5 to 17 the opportunity […]
June 14, 2022

From a Kibbutz to Bryant-Denny to serving the worldwide Jewish community

by Richard Friedman  Truth, as the old saying goes, is stranger than fiction. So… did you hear about the Israeli kibbutz girl who barely knew English who wound up as one of the halftime dancers during an Alabama football game […]
September 14, 2021

Unique Alabama couple makes big impact for Israel, the Jewish community

by Richard Friedman They share a life, they share a family, and they share a passion for Israel and the Jewish people. With one intriguing asterisk. She’s a Christian working for a Jewish organization and he’s a Jew working for […]
September 12, 2021

Yalla: Ryan Pannone ready to move the Squadron forward

Ryan Pannone holds the Israel State Cup in 2019 If you are at a Birmingham Squadron game in the coming months and happen to hear Coach Ryan Pannone finish up a huddle with “Yalla” — you haven’t been transported to […]
April 9, 2021

Independence and Hope: From Dr. King’s Montgomery church to the Israeli Embassy

Wanda Howard Battle of Montgomery recorded the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah” on the bimah at Temple Beth Or. She was accompanied by violinist Clare Weil, a Temple Beth Or member who serves as president of the Montgomery County Board […]
March 23, 2021

ESPN Host/Basketball Star Gold-Onwude Reflects on Israel Experiences

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Source: Instagram. by Howard Blas (JNS) — When Rosalyn Gold-Onwude was a college student at Stanford University, she participated on Birthright Israel. Several years later, she went on her second trip — […]
July 30, 2020

Talented Twins Become Ambassadors For Israel

Keila (left) and Kendra Lawrence in Jerusalem in December, 2019. by Richard Friedman Two sisters — twins, in fact. Two young African-American women determined to make a difference. Two women committed to the same objective: Helping people, especially elected officials […]
May 31, 2020

Why Americans Love Playing Pro Basketball in Israel

Hoops star Amar’e Stoudemire plays professionally in Israel, an alternative to the NBA for many Americans over the years. Photo courtesy Hapoel Jerusalem by Clemente Lisi NEW YORK (Religion Unplugged) — Drew Kennedy still remembers when he arrived in Israel […]
March 11, 2020

From Uganda to America to AIPAC: One Christian’s Israel Journey

by Jahan Berns (Israel InSight) — I read the Bible for the very first time as a teenager attending a Christian all-girls boarding school, in Uganda. After reading the entire Bible in three days, I was sure of two things: […]
January 16, 2020

Florida legislator proud of state’s support of Israel

by Jason Fischer (JNS) — My first visit to Israel was incredible. It was a privilege to visit America’s closest ally in the Middle East as part of a delegation of state legislators from around the country. It was amazing […]