# 30 - Update on Ami

Dear Friends, the following is a report from Pastor David and Leah Ortiz, the Parents of 15 year old Ami Ortiz who suffered severe injuries when from a bomb sent to his home disguised as a Purim Holiday package and exploded upon opening. I met David and Leah last week and was deeply moved by their testimony. A special thanks to those who sent hundreds of "get-well" cards of support and love to Ami and his family. I understand that his Mom reads these everyday to Ami. I know that this has been a tremendous encouragement to Ami and his family.

Shalom and blessings,

Richard and Yardena Frieden
Jerusalem Street Productions

Ami Update May 6, 2008

We checked out of the Schneider Children's hospital, last week after a six-week stay, 8 days in the ICU and the rest on the children's floor. Ami received excellent care from the doctors and nurses in that hospital, but in response to prayer from the four corners of the earth Ami has been healing at a rate that is extraordinary. The plastic surgeon that worked on Ami said that in his 15 years of experience he had never seen such extensive wounds. He said he has at least one hundred pieces of shrapnel in his body from his head to his feet which his body is slowly bringing up under the surface of the skin which will come out by themselves.

Thank God Ami was admitted today into a rehabilitation program in Tel HaShomer hospital. It is the hospital where terror attack victim's are treated, and also soldiers wounded in battle, so they are very experienced with the multiple injuries Ami has.

In the meantime, we had a week hiatus at home. We enjoyed living a more normal life for at least a week, and readjusting to new realities. I, Leah, have learned to change Ami's bandages and so I see improvement everyday and I see areas of skin that were wounded before that are completely back to normal. We have much hope and at the same time need much patience, as that is one very big lesson that we are learning through this ordeal. The Lord is very faithful to give His promises. From the very beginning He assured us that there had been a decision made in Heaven that we might not understand now, but that Ami would be fine and that He would use this for His glory. The working out of it has been painful for everyone especially Ami, and we have found that we have need to stand in faith that His promises will come to pass.

As it is written in, Joshua 21:45, "Not a word failed of any good thing that the Lord had spoken to the House of Israel. All came to pass."

Prayer Points:

- Please pray for complete restoration of the use of Ami's hands and arms.

- Please pray for healing of all burns and scars on his body.

- Please pray for continued emotional and spiritual healing for Ami and for the family.

- Please pray for Ami's siblings that they would all draw closer to the Lord through this experience.

- Please pray for the police investigation and that the one's responsible for this would be brought to justice.

- Leah Ortiz

# 29 - Prayer for Bush's Trip....

From the Jerusalem Prayer Team....

On May 13th, 14th & 15th, President Perez of Israel is hosting a summit in which many of the world leaders have been invited. President Bush will be attending this event. He will not go the Western Wall to pray; he will not go to any of the holy sites, such as Mount Calvary or the Garden of Gethsemane. Under Bush’s new proposed Road Map to Peace plan, these sites will be under the Islamic Rule of Law.

In Israel, Bush will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Olmert and speak to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, which will be a first for Bush. He will honor "close ties over the past six decades" with Israel, said White House press secretary Dana Perino.

Following the event to honor Israel, Bush will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah. And in Egypt, Bush will visit Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Abbas. During these visits, Bush will try to continue to push forward his peace plan, the plan that will force Israel to give up a large percentage of Judea and Samaria, which they call occupied territories, and divide the Holy City of Jerusalem.

I am asking you to let President Bush know that you oppose him organizing a summit to divide Jerusalem on Israel’s 60th Anniversary. He needs to hear from you loudly and clearly immediately.

Send this to all of your friends and ask them to do the same. God’s words say that I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee.

Your Ambassador to Jerusalem,

- Mike Evans

Your Jerusalem World News: www.myjwn.com

Your Save Jerusalem Site: www.savejerusalem.org

# 28 - Prayer for Gilad....

Remember in your prayers Gilad Shalit, Israelʼs soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas in 2006, as well as other Israeli IDF personnel who are in enemyʼs hands.

Shalom, Shalom,

- Carolyn, in Georgia

# 27 - Emergency Notice On Roadmap....

I am writing you from Israel after having an emergency meeting with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom I have known since he was 26 years old. I was horrified to learn that when President Bush comes to Israel for its 60th Anniversary in May, he has made the decision to mobilize Arab nations to come for a summit on the 17th & 18th of May.

The purpose of this summit is to move forward with the Annapolis Road Map, the plan that will force Israel to give up a large percentage of Judea and Samaria, which they call occupied territories, and divide the Holy City of Jerusalem.

It is extremely humiliating to think this would be America’s way of honoring Israel’s 60th year of prophetic rebirth. Even more outrageous, I saw the document confirming that the plan is to have this finalized by November 12, 2008.

I am asking you to vote and let President Bush know that you oppose him organizing a summit to divide Jerusalem on Israel’s 60th Anniversary. He needs to hear from you loudly and clearly immediately.

Send this to all of your friends and ask them to do the same. God’s words say that I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee.

Your Ambassador to Jerusalem,

Mike Evans

Your Jerusalem World News: www.myjwn.com

Your Save Jerusalem Site: www.savejerusalem.org

# 26 - Jewish Refugees Before U.N.

UN Watch Testifies Before UN Human Rights Council on Forgotten Refugees

The history of Palestinian refugees deserves international attention. So does the history of one million Jewish refugees from the Arab-Israel conflict. Yet the United Nations has devoted countless resolutions and debates to only one side of this story, completely ignoring the other. For the first time ever in the UN Human Rights Council, at its recently concluded session, the suffering of Jewish refugees from Arab lands was also placed on the international agenda. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Congress adopted a historic resolution recognizing that all victims of the conflict must be treated equally.

Regina Waldman for UN Watch
Saad Alfaragi for the Arab League

Racism and Historical Truth: Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands

Agenda Item 9: Interactive Dialogue with
Special Rapporteur on Racism Doudou Diène
UN Human Rights Council, 7th Session, March 19, 2008

Delivered by UN Watch delegate Regina Bublil Waldman

Thank you, Mr. President.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for his work against racism, and address two areas of his report.

Dr. Diene, in Addendum 1 you mention Libya’s treatment of ethnic minorities. In Addenda 3 and 4, you envision a multicultural society based on two principles: respect for historical truth and non-discrimination against minorities.

As a victim of Libyan discrimination, I agree: only with historical truth can we build a better future.

Today I wear my traditional ethnic dress to celebrate my heritage, but also to mourn its destruction.

One million Jews lived in the Middle East at the turn of the century. Today, less than five thousand remain.

Their plight has been ignored by the international community.

Their story is my story.

In 1948, there were thirty-six thousand Jews living in Libya. Today, there are none.

During the 1967 war between Israel and her Arab neighbors, mobs took to the streets and shouted, “Edbah el Yehud!” — “Slaughter the Jews!”

They burned my father’s warehouse and came to burn our home.

An honorable Muslim neighbor stopped them, and saved our lives.

The government ordered the expulsion of all Jews from Libya, where my family had lived for hundreds of years. They confiscated our homes and all our assets.

We were given this one-way travel document — never allowed to return.

My family was put on a bus to the airport. The bus driver got out, and tried to burn the bus with us in it. We were rescued from death by two Christian friends.

I come here today bearing no hatred -- only these historical truths:
Jews have been an indigenous people of the Middle East for over 2,500 years.

On the basis of race and religion, Arab regimes subjected Jews to arbitrary arrest, confiscation of property and expulsions. This is fully documented in this report by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries.

The UNHCR has ruled that Jews fleeing from Arab countries were ‘bona fide’ refugees, victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Dr. Diene, your report envisions a future of tolerance and equality. Applying the principles you set forth, we trust you will examine the actions of Libya and other Middle Eastern countries that forced out their Jewish minorities.

Like in South Africa, only the acknowledgment of truth and history will lead to reconciliation.

Thank you, Mr. President.

# 25 - Update On Ami Ortiz

Ami and all of our family thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers. We have felt them and seen the results before our eyes. Everyday our Ami improves dramatically. He can walk and sit in a chair. He sees perfectly with both eyes, and he improves daily, emotionally , physically and spiritually. His wounds are healing so fast that it astounds the nurses and doctors.

I can truly say that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that he will eventually return to normal life. Even though a horrific act was perpetrated, the Lord has been Good, and we are grateful.

Ami has received hundreds of postcards, e-mails and letters from all over the world that have been a real encouragement to him and to us. It has helped him to know that families and people know what happened to him are holding him up before the throne, helping him go through the pain and hardship of recovery.

Ami will God willing move to a rehabilitation facility soon where he will begin intensive physical therapy. Please continue to pray for continued total healing.

- Leah Ortiz, Ami's Mother

# 24 - Messianic Prayer News....

AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER
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BETHLEHEM TOURISM INCREASES BUT LOCAL CHRISTIANS FLEE
SEA OF GALILEE AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR 5 YEARS
ISRAEL'S CHIEF RABBIS RULE ABORTION A GRAVE SIN
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BETHLEHEM TOURISM INCREASES BUT LOCAL CHRISTIANS FLEE

An estimated 35 percent of the city of Bethlehem's 32,000 residents are Christian, a decrease from 92 percent in 1948. The rest are Muslim. Tourism is expected to be higher this year than last in the city of Bethlehem, but the increase won't be enough to slow the exodus of local Arab Christians from the city where Jesus was born, local residents said.

Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarseh, himself a Roman Catholic, said tourism is on the upswing because of the promotion efforts of church officials, the Palestinian Authority and the Bethlehem municipality. "Last month we had about 80,000 tourists coming to the city," Batarseh said.

Seven years of Palestinian political unrest and violence, coupled with Israeli crackdowns on terrorism, left the city's economy in shambles and accelerated the departure of native Christians from the city. Some Western and Israeli sources say that friction between Muslims and Christians is also a major factor in the exodus of the Christian population in Palestinian areas, but Palestinian Christians rarely admit it publicly.

No one has exact details on how many Christians have left, but tens of thousands have fled the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the years, including an estimated one thousand for each of the last seven years of the Palestinian intifadah.

Bethlehem Evangelical Pastor Naim Khoury said 10 families from his church of 200 members have left in the last few years, some vowing never to return. Khoury said he would never be among those to leave Bethlehem. He said he is hoping and praying that Jesus will come to dwell in the hearts and minds of the leaders of the land. "Because there will be no peace outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is my belief. This is my conviction," he said.

Source: CNS News
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SEA OF GALILEE AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR 5 YEARS

Lake Kinneret, better known to most as the Sea of Galilee, or Lake Galilee, has reached its lowest level in five years, Israel's Water Authority has warned. Three consecutive winters of below-average rainfall have resulted in the lake, Israel's primary source of drinking water, dropping to more than 12 feet below its previous "red line. If rains do not fall in coming weeks, it will be the worst four-year period for the lake since the early 1960s.

In response to the mounting drought situation, the Water Authority has launched a public relations campaigned urging Israelis to practice greater water conservation at home. In the long term, Israel plans to build three more desalination plants on its Mediterranean coast which, with the two plants already in operation, will eventually supply the bulk of Israel's drinking water.

Much of the ministry of Jesus occurred on the shores of Lake Galilee. According to Wikipedia, in those days, there was a continuous ribbon development of settlements and villages around the lake, and plenty of trade and ferrying by boat. The Synoptic Gospels of Mark (1:14-20), Matthew (4:18-22), and Luke (5:1-11), describe how Jesus recruited four of His apostles from the shores of Lake Galilee: the fishermen Simon, and his brother Andrew, [as well as] the brothers John and James.

One of Jesus' famous teaching episodes, the Sermon on the Mount, was given on a hill overlooking the lake, whilst many of his miracles were also recorded to occur there, including His walking on water, calming a storm, and His feeding five thousand people in Tabgha. In the time of the Byzantine Empire, the lake's significance in Jesus' life made it a major destination for Christian pilgrims. This led to the growth of a full-fledged tourist industry, complete with package tours and plenty of comfortable inns.

Source: ASSIST Ministries
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ISRAEL'S CHIEF RABBIS RULE ABORTION A GRAVE SIN

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has ruled that abortion is a grave sin and that abortion is delaying the coming of the messiah. Dr. Eli Schussheim, director of the anti-abortion organization Efrat, made a presentation to the Chief Rabbinate in which he presented the figures concerning abortion in Israel. According to the presentation, over 50,000 abortions are performed yearly in Israel, only 20,000 of which are legal.

"The vast majority of abortions are unnecessary and strictly forbidden according to halacha because they are carried out even when the pregnancies do not endanger the mother's health," the rabbis wrote in their decision. The rabbis further believe that abortions are delaying the messiah, based on an expression uttered by the Jewish sages which can be construed that the messiah will not arrive until all children to be born to Jewish mothers are born.

The rabbis based their ruling primarily on Genesis 9:6, which reads: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." The rabbis, in making their ruling based on this text, affirmed the dignity of unborn persons, all of whom are made in the image of God. According to the Mishnah, a record of oral interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures, abortion is only permitted when a woman's life is in danger.

Source: Intercessors for America

# 23 - Passover Greetings....

Presidential Message -- Passover

Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand." -- Exodus 13:3

WASHINGTON, April 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is released by the White House:

I send greetings to those observing Passover.

More than 3,000 years ago, God liberated the Children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt and led them on a journey towards the Promised Land. During the holy days of Passover, Jews around the world celebrate this deliverance from oppression and give thanks to a loving God for His many blessings. Passover is an opportunity for Jewish families and friends to gather to read the Haggadah, share the Seder meal, and remember God's mercy through song and prayer. This eight-day observance brings a message of hope and freedom to the Jewish people.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a joyous Passover.

GEORGE W. BUSH

- Christian Newswire

# 22 - Prayers For Isra'el

Prayer Update from Israel (April 17, 2008)

1. SATURDAY SUNDOWN BEGINS PASSOVER

"YESHUA OUR PASSOVER LAMB HAS BEEN SACRIFICED" (I Corinthians 5:7).

"THEREFORE LET US CELEBRATE THE FEAST, NOT WITH OLD LEAVEN, NOR WITH THE LEAVEN OF MALICE AND WICKEDNESS, BUT WITH THE UNLEAVENED BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH" (I Corinthians 5:8).

Saturday at sundown begins Passover. Jews around the world will sit down to go through a seder or "ordering" of the events associated with Israel's deliverance out of Egypt (Exodus 12, 13, Leviticus 23, Numbers 9 & 28, Deuteronomy 16). This ordering has come into being as a means of incorporating the commands to remember what God did the night He spared the first-born of His people who had placed blood on their doorposts, and then took them out of the House of Bondage in Egypt. this remembrance meal was to be accompanied by the eating of bitter herbs and unleavened bread (Matza). All leaven is to be cleaned out of the house beforehand-then for seven days Hebrews are to eat this unleavened "bread of affliction" (on the night of the Exodus, there was no time to wait for the bread to rise).

There are many, many pictures of Yeshua (Jesus) in this holy celebration. One of the most amazing is a rite which takes place near the beginning of the meal, where three pieces of matza are placed in a single three-chambered cloth. Then the piece in the middle compartment is broken and a piece called Afikomen is wrapped in a cloth and hidden. Much later, near the end of the seder, little children look for this piece-when found they are rewarded with a gift, and the piece is shared with the whole company. "Afikomen" is a Greek word, which literally means "the one who came."

This year is very special, in that the regular weekly Torah Portion which will have been read earlier on the day immediately preceding Passover includes Leviticus 16 and 17, which describe the "Day of Atonement". Thus, that Holy event, commemorated on Yom Kippur in the fall, will actually be in the consciousness of observant Jews who come to celebrate the Passover lamb.

PLEASE PRAY:

*For miraculous revelation in the hearts of Jews at seder tables around the world, regarding the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of that world, whose blood protects us from death, atones for our sin and brings us near to the Father.

*For new revelation in the hearts of Jewish and Gentile believers regarding the slavery from which we have been redeemed, and the mercies of God in the Blood of the Lamb which is our victory.

*Alertness in Believers - readiness to MOVE when God says "Move!" that we will not be bogged down by the desires for conveniences and luxuries signified by waiting for the bread to rise-but that we will be awakened, sharp and with our staffs in our hands!!

*Protection for Jews over Passover. This is a time which satan hates-some of the most heinous acts of violence against Israel have taken place during this celebration.

2. A SPIRIT OF JUSTICE AND AN ADVANCE IN THE BATTLE AT THE GATES.

"In that day the LORD of Armies will become a beautiful crown and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people; a SPIRIT OF JUSTICE FOR HIM WHO SITS IN JUDGMENT, a strength to those who turn back the BATTLE AT THE GATE" (Isaiah 28:5).

Because of court rulings strongly influenced by the ultra-Orthodox, Jews applying for Israeli citizenship who believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world are routinely denied citizenship if their beliefs are discovered. A Jew can be an atheist or deep into "New Age" or other religions and is still considered a Jew. But if he or she is known to confess Yeshua, it becomes a religious rather than racial issue and they are often denied the Right of Return. Recently there has begun an awakening in Israel that there is in fact a large and growing community of Messianic Jews already here-who were either born here or became citizens decades ago, and who cannot be summarily 'kicked out.' This week a Messianic team of lawyers which had been working arduously on this case for two and a half years brought arguments to members of the Supreme Court on behalf of twelve applicants of Jewish descent, all of whom had been denied citizenship based solely on grounds that they belong to the Messianic Jewish community. In a remarkable rendering, all twelve were granted citizenship and the Court ruled that for this category of applicant, "being a Messianic Jew does not prevent one from receiving citizenship in Israel under the Law of Return or the Law of Citizenship."

This is enormous. The enemy has fought fiercely (and the battle is far from over) to keep the Light of Messiah out of the gates of reborn Israel, but he has taken a blow. Deuteronomy 30:1-4 clearly prophecies that it will not be only non-believing descendants of Jacob whom God will return to the Land, but there will be those who have already returned to Him with all their hearts and souls.

PLEASE PRAY:

* That in this "Year of Gates", the Gates of Return of Messianic Jews to their Covenant Land will be opened and that many will enter.

* Blessings of protection and revelation for the Supreme Court judges who made this righteous ruling yesterday.

* A Rear Guard of protection and rest and restoration upon the team of Believing lawyers who persevered in integrity and grace to victory.

* "Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness will abide in the fertile field. And the work of righteousness will be peace and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever" (Isaiah 32:15, 16-17 NASB). "Then I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; after that you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful city" (Isaiah 1:26 NASB). PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE TO BEGIN PERMEATING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF ISRAEL-and for perseverance strength and strategy for those who war for Justice at the Gates of restored Israel.

3. CONTINUE TO STAND WITH AMI ORTIZ

We ask that you continue to stand with us in prayer for Ami Ortiz, the lad who picked up a Purim package delivered to his home a few weeks ago, which turned out to be a bomb. Reports continue to be extremely encouraging. Despite the shrapnel in his eye, which required an operation, he can now see well out of both eyes; after days in which doctors were almost certain at least one limb would have to be amputated, the skin grafts are working well and one leg may not even require a graft. Yesterday he was able to walk about in his room for the first time. Doctors for whom usage of the word "ness" (miracle) was a rarity, have found themselves using it over and over.

Yet there are new challenges along with the marvelous advances. Ami continues to be in great pain. A close friend of the family's, Hannah Weiss reported two days ago, "He is experiencing a lot of pain from muscles that have 'frozen up' from disuse, from healing scabs that are pulling on sensitive skin, and from half-healed wounds (pray against infection, which is currently a danger in some of the deeper injuries). He needs several operations to recover the use of his hands (the blood vessels and nerves are mangled). The medical staff is trying to reduce the sedatives, which sometimes results in more sensitivity to pain and sleepless nights."

The police continue to keep very closed about what they have found. a MAOZ Israel report we read recently is revealing: "All signs of who did this terrorist attack are leading to Yad L'Achim, the anti-Messianic [ultra-Orthodox Jewish] organization which fights all believers in Israel. However, this organization's roots run so deep in the civilian, political and law enforcement arenas of Israel that it will be very difficult to bring them to justice. Their main tool is to make Israelis feel that they are the guardians of Jews and Judaism and anyone who fights them fights the very soul of Israel. In other words, they use guilt to keep all government and civilian agencies at arm's length to allow them to do whatever they wish."

This fear of "rocking the boat" with the "religious" is far-reaching throughout the echelons of civil government in Israel. Sadly, their influence appears to reach even to some Christian groups from outside. One prominent mega-church group which has gained a name for standing with Israel, put on a huge program of "bringing comfort to the Israeli people", yet chose to ignore the suffering family which lived less than four blocks away. Presumably the chance of falling out of favor with government officials by taking a stand with persecuted Messianic Jews was considered too great a risk. On the other hand, Joel Rosenberg at his Epicenter 08 Conference in Jerusalem last week, invited David Ortiz (Ami's father) to the conference (which had a number of Jerusalem dignitaries present), gave him the microphone to speak and afterwards had the other leaders gather to pray for him. David's moving talk may be viewed at the following link: blip.tv/file/815590

PLEASE PRAY:

* Thanksgiving for the progress which this young man is making.

* Grace for Ami, in mind and spirit as well as body. He is in much pain-at times, he tells his parents, he feels he is losing his mind.

* Pray for his continued emotional and spiritual well-being and physical healing. Pray against infection and that the pain will subside.

* For his family as they sit continually at his side. Praise God for the believers who have visited the hospital in droves, brought food, shared their faith and worshipped and prayed in the waiting rooms.

* That the perpetrators of this atrocity will be exposed and brought to justice. That there will not be a cover-up brought on by intimidation.

* That in the midst of this, God's Kingdom will come. It may well be that the exposure to the public of Messianic Judaism which has accompanied this attack in some ways had bearing on the court case which was won on its behalf yesterday.

# 21 - Jewish Reaction To Seders....

Why Jews Should Applaud Christian Passover Seders

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Over 5,000 churches are planning to hold a Passover Seder this coming weekend. To this news, Jews react in two ways. Most of us are happy that our Christian friends are seeking the origins of their faith in Judaism; however some Jews condemn these Christian Seders.

Their criticism springs from three mistakes. First, they argue that Christians have no connection to the Passover Seder and that "The Last Supper" could not have been a Seder because the Seder observance didn't begin until about the year 70AD.

This astounding whopper betrays breathtaking Torah ignorance. The Seder observance began with the night that the Israelites left Egypt 3320 years ago. The book of Exodus clearly describes the Jews celebrating the first Seder night ever. Even Cecil B. DeMille, himself the child of a Jewish mother and a Christian father knew this. In his The Ten Commandments, he clearly depicted that first Seder night in Egypt. This tradition was well known because even Leonardo de Vinci's "Last Supper" clearly portrays a Seder observance. The Seder predates Christianity by eons.

The second mistake made by Jews who feel offended by Christians celebrating their own Seders is that they resuscitate one of the greatest lies in the entire lamentable catalog of anti-Semitic crime, one responsible for the deaths of countless Jews-the blood libel. Second only to the infamous forgery, "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," the blood libel claimed that Jews chose Passover to express their deep-seated anti-Christianism. Horrifying pogroms would follow as murderous mobs became convinced that the Passover ritual was so anti- Christian that it required the blood of a Christian child.

With disturbing indifference to currently improving Jewish-Christian relationships, a Reform rabbi recently alleged in a Seattle Times column: "...the Seder developed in part as an anti-Christian polemic....the anti-Christian roots of the event are unmistakable." Were it not so irresponsible, the rabbi's assertion would be laughable. There are no anti-Christian roots to the Seder, let alone unmistakable ones, and I defy him to find one.

The final mistake made by Jews resentful about church Seders, is to view Christians as somehow stealing, or to use one rabbi's term "co-opting" Judaism for their own purposes. This is almost as if they would insist that only Jews may benefit from Jonas Salk's polio vaccine because it was a Jew who brought it into existence.

The Seder celebrates the Exodus as the blueprint of all redemption. Even the ultimate Messianic redemption, for which Jews wait faithfully, will be modeled upon the redemption of the Israelites from Egypt. To paraphrase ancient Jewish wisdom: there are many Egypts, and in every generation many people are enslaved to all those Egypts. Though it is fundamentally Jewish, the redemption blueprint of the Seder can bring hope to everyone regardless of background.

Christians experiencing their own Seder-based celebrations are not stealing or co-opting anything. They are renewing their own faith by exploring its Jewish roots. In what possible way does this harm Jews? On the contrary, the happy development of ever more churches holding Seders can only help dissolve distrust and foster friendship between the faiths.

I invite my fellow Jews to be more concerned by Jews who aren't celebrating the Seder this year than by Christians who are.

Radio talk show host, Rabbi Daniel Lapin is a bestselling author and nationally known speaker who Newsweek Magazine named one of America's most influential rabbis. He is president of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians.

- Christian Newswire