News From The Source

Makor HaTikvah Is Fighting to Stay Open

As many of you know, the last two months have been a very challenging time for us.  On March 5^th, we were served with an Order to Close down our school by the State of Israel.  This came as a result of our mistakenly not filing for a license renewal in the year of 2012 (something we just didn’t know we had to do).  Additionally, our request for State recognition, already a 3-year process, was denied as a result of what we believe are unjustified reasons.  That decision is being appealed.  On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 12 noon, a judge will officially hear the case of both sides and make a ruling as to whether or not he will allow us to finish the school year (which ends in mid-June) and continue to operate as a school which is seeking to get licensed and recognized.  We are cautiously optimistic that the judge will understand the hardship of almost 100 children needing to finish this school year and are believing for a positive outcome.  Your prayers are surely requested!  Many are also going to be fasting on that day.  We know that this is God’s school.  He will protect what He has established and held together for more than 23 years.  Thanks for standing with us!!!

 From Death Threat to Abundant of Life

A Personal Testimony of Victory in Yeshua

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the MHT supporters who have been praying for me during my battle with breast cancer.  Your prayers and letters of encouragement have helped to sustain me during this trying year.  Last month, my visit to the doctor for a check up produced an “ALL CLEAR”.  The relief was so great, I couldn’t hold back the tears.  God is good!

Makor Mailbag—Encouraging Words You Sent

“How lovely to see your children dancing in the street, they should have fun.  Each month you inspire us with all that you are doing at the school.  It makes praying for you all so easy.”  Cath C.

“I enjoyed watching the kids dance… It was really exciting to see that happen in Jerusalem!”  Tamy C.

“What a wonderful newsletter. It was fun to see the kids actively involved in public, and it was fun to see the background shops – I recognized where they were dancing.  Lovely to see the students publicly displaying their worship in Jerusalem’s public square at the beginning of Adar.  I would have joined them had I been there!!”  Grace P.

Letters of Support

”Letting you know we at Eagles Nest Christian Academy are standing in agreement with you for this demonic attack against the school and you as believers to be turned around.  The favor of God changes government regulations, if need be, for me (School); Circumstances have to bow before the divine favor of God in your lives.”

“I prayed and believe for a double portion of blessing upon the whole situation.

Not only will your school come through this, but all expenses, recognition and registration will be approved and a double portion of income will follow from the state and supporters.”  Robert D.

“I pray the blessing of Psalm 91:4 “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be you shield and buckler.  “I will lift you up to our faithful God and Father because He is Faithful.”  David S. Administrator and principal of a Canadian Christian School.

”We are taking up this fight and will get the intercessors to work right away!   God is on your side– remember the little boy with the slingshot who killed the giant!  You have killed your giants before with the Lord’s help and you will win again!  He will go out before you like a Banner!”  Mary Margaret G.

***Other letters have come from as far as Spain, Thailand, Ethiopia and New Zealand 

“You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing”

As Israeli citizens, we are called to remember those brave young men and women who gave up their lives so that this Land could gain her independence once again, after two thousand years of exile.  As believers and followers of Yeshua, we see it as a landmark in which the God of Israel is showing, yet again, His faithfulness to His people and to His promises.   While Memorial Day is marked as a very sad day in which tearful ceremonies and commemorations are held nationwide, it is replaced at sundown by the  happy Independence celebration of the historic people who have been brought back to their land.  This sharp contrast between mourning  to ecstatic joy is noted in the Scriptures (Psalm 30):

“You’ve turned my mourning into dancing, put off my rags and clothed me with gladness.” Hallelujah!

As you can see in the below pictures, the solemn Memorial ceremony, ended on a very optimistic note that brought hope back into our hearts and put smiles on our faces.

No Anger Spoken Here—New Article

Here’s an excerpt from the latest article by our principal, Cookie Schwaeber-Issan:  “Bad habits seem to pass from generation to generation, and lack of patience and a calm spirit is right up there on the top of the list.  How do we as parents and educators correct our children?  Do we emulate the style of our parents who may have easily flown off the handle?  Do we copy the style of a rattled and hassled teacher who felt out of control and was only able to correct while shouting?  Perhaps, we correct in a berating and humiliating way, because that is how it was done to us.  As believing parents and educators, we have a charge given to us by the Lord to ‘Train up a child in the way he should go.’ Prov. 22:6”  For the full article visit: www.makorhatikvah.org.

Makor HaTikvah Greeting Cards

Makor HaTikvah’s greeting cards, made by the children of Makor HaTikvah in their art class, are available for purchase.  If your congregation or bookstore would like to place an order, there are reductions for larger quantities.  Price: Set of 12 cards at $12 / 10€, plus shipping.

You can either pay via our PayPal or send your check to: Makor HaTikvah POBox 2793, Jerusalem.

Special Project Needs To Invest In

Teachers’ Continuing Education

We are grateful to the Ruchama Fund who have donated funds for one middle-school teacher who needed financial help in order to finish his courses. Only an addition of 500 NIS / $120 is needed.

Joseph Reserve FUND

We always have two families who need help in paying their tuition.  Also, there are few students who need private tutoring which the school supplies to them free of charge.  If you would like to donate toward this need, please let us know.

Culture Fund

Help subsidize transportation for school trips /cultural events.

Doors

Two ancient exterior doors (to our balcony) do not properly shut and need to be replaced.

Cost: 6,000 NIS / $1,500 each

TWO Last  Windows

Only two more rotted windows need completion.

Cost: $2400 / 9,600 NIS

Student Chairs

12 new student chairs.

1,200 NIS / $300

A Big Thanks go to the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICEJ) who donated a generous sum that allows us to purchase new playground equipment as well as 9 more laptops for our staff!

Letter From The Principal 

Dear Partners:

These are, indeed, challenging times for our school, but each time that we face hardship in our own spiritual lives, we usually look back and see how God brought us through prior difficult periods. This is no different.  Many of you know that when I came here four years ago, things were very bleak.  Our teachers had not been paid for three months, the needs in the building itself were very great with many things begging to be replaced, the building was not being used to its fullest potential, and there were many other serious issues.  Almost immediately things turned around, and we began to see our prayers answered.  As our finances became more stable, we were able to make many physical changes to the building, all of which were required if we were ever going to be State recognized.  We have never missed a salary in four years, and we have been able to progress in ways which we could’ve only dreamt about.  Now the question I pose is:  Would God do all that only to then allow this school to be closed down?  I’m sure you agree that it would not make any sense.  God literally breathed new life into this school. As I see it, He’s more invested in Makor HaTikvah than ever.  Therefore, we trust what we see – the evidence of what He’s done here, and that gives us faith to believe that He’s not finished with us.  I have received so many prophetic words and scriptures from you, our supporters, which confirm your belief that God will come through for us. Please know just how much those emails have strengthened and encouraged us during this difficult period.  I have no doubt that together we will stand back and watch the salvation of the Lord at work for our precious school.  Thanks for your wonderful and faithful support.

In Yeshua’s Love,

Cookie Schwaeber-Issan

Along with all the Staff

Our Alternative To Sex Education

There is a Godly approach to helping teens understand the subject of “Maturity and Sexuality,” and this sensitive subject was the topic at a recent seminar for our middle-schoolers, most of whom are already teens. Sandy Shoshani, mother of 6 and head of the organization Be’Ad Chaim (“Pro-life”), spoke to the girls while her son, Mati, Project Manager at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, spoke to the boys. Setting the tone for the discussion was Psalm 139 – showing how to respect ourselves and our bodies as God’s marvelous creation. It was also explained how marriage is a covenant of blood (brit) just like every other covenant instituted by God. Giving yourself to someone means literally entering into that covenant with them – the reason why it must only be within the framework of marriage.  Other subjects included:  “My Body is Holy to Me and to the Work of God,” “Modesty and Keeping your Body Holy,” Romans 6:13, and “Boundaries of Love: the limits between friendship and closer relationships.” 

Arbor Day At Makor HaTikvah

Planting trees in Israel is a well-known activity to those living outside the land, and the day specially set aside for that is called Tu B’Shvat.  On this day, it is traditional for schoolchildren to plant trees (although usually in a nearby forest).  Since we are blessed with a small garden, a rarity for a school located in the center of town, we took this opportunity to plant some new trees in our own garden with grades 1-6.  Our middle-school traveled to the Latrun forest to take part in a special tree-planting commemoration at a section of the forest dedicated to the memory of unborn babies which were either aborted or the victims of miscarriage.  There, at the site, the children planted trees along with some of the mothers who have been helped through the Be’Ad Chaim (“pro-life”) believers’ group.  For them, it was very moving and meaningful event. 

Determining Your Destination As A Teen

Why wait until you graduate from high school before you think about what life direction you will take? Calev Myers, founder of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice and father of three of our students, came to MHT to speak about this subject.  He challenged each student as he retold the story of Yoav in II Samuel 5: 6-10, commander of king David’s army, who was determined to arrive at his destination, the fortified city of Jerusalem, in order to conquer the city. In order to do so, he had to climb up a dark, dank water tunnel which was about 9 meters high.  It required courage, patience, decisive thinking and enduring the long and arduous trek alone, not really knowing how long it would take.  Calev likened this experience to the educational journey towards a respected career – staying focused, steadfast and immovable.  What a great message for our young people to hear, some of whom will be starting high school next year!

Makor HaTikvah Wants To Come To Your Area

Would you like your group or congregation to hear about our school?  If so, we would like to come to your area to speak with your group or congregation.  If you are interested in such a visit, please let us know by writing to principal@makorhatikvah.org.  We’d love to share the exciting work of a Messianic Jewish day school right in the heart of Jerusalem.

Brand New Article On Child-Rearing

Calling all parents, grandparents and educators…

We have posted a new article on a subject which will be of interest to you, “Reintroducing children to ‘Good Old-Fashioned Manners.’ ” Take a moment to go to our website www.makorhatikvah.org click on the “Articles” tab and check out the important tips which you will, undoubtedly, want to adopt for the children in your lives.

Words of Thanks

Bible Project: A brief word of thanks to congregations Adonai Roi and Yam Ahavato (from Tel Aviv and Bat Yam), for generously donating us 40 modern version Hebrew bibles.  Now all of our children can read the same version during their bible study time.  We still need 50 more, but are thrilled to receive this generous gift.

After School Study Center: Thanks to a very generous donation by the International Christian Embassy at Jerusalem, we will be launching our after school study center this week where children will receive private after-school tutoring for subjects such as math, English and biology.  We are so grateful for this support which will allow us to help students who would not otherwise be able to afford private tutoring.

Coming Soon

Here are some of the items we hope to offer – Makor HaTikvah greeting cards featuring the art work of our students.  We look forward  to offering these items soon through our website of www.makorhatikvah.org  which proceeds will go towards helping our school.

Makor Mailbag

“How wonderful that as a team you all met together for a seminar on ‘Working as a Team.’ It is always so encouraging that you teach out the Bible and that Chanukah was observed by all the classes.”  Cath T.

”As always, the newsletter is attractive and rich in content. May your semester be overflowing with sweetness and love.”  Theresa  N.

“ Always a joy to see a bit of the “inside” of God raising up the next generation of Messianic children.” Lonnie L.

“So good to hear such a great report /newsletter from you.  Abundant blessings to you and may His presence cover you, your faculty and students!”  Frances B.

“Many thanks for the January  newsletter; such interesting reading and so pleased to hear all your news.  Just wanted to assure you of my prayers for you.  Keep up the good work and greetings to all your wonderful staff and blessings on all the young people!”  Grace P.

Practical Ways To Be Involved

New Window Project:     

We still need to replace 13  old windows in our 200 year old school building. Approximate cost 53,000 NIS / $14,000.   

Rain=Blessing: Every time we have rain in Israel it is a tremendous blessing for us, but here, at Makor HaTikvah, it can become a huge problem since we have a few rotted windows which need replacing. We have received a donation which covered the cost of replacing the most critical ones, but now we have two more windows which require immediate replacement. Cost: $1000.    

Playground Unit:

Helping us purchase a playground unit for our kids to enjoy during recess.

Joseph Reserve Project:

Helping financially challenged families with their monthly tuition.  This fund also provides much needed private tutoring and remedial help for children whose families could not otherwise support academic assistance.

Involve a Friend:

Do you think one of your friends would like to know about our school?  If so, please recommend our monthly newsletter to them.  Spreading the word about our school will help others to know we exist and even partner with us.

High-Tech Wish List:

Desktop Publishing Workstation for our Administrator: Cost $1760.

New Projector for our Middle School: Cost $750.

Note From The Principal

There is no such thing as a perfect school, but one thing we do have is a perfect role model in Yeshua, our Messiah.  Through Him, we are inspired to teach our students with patience, love and the admonition of the Lord, gently correcting them when necessary and making sure that we direct them in the right paths, both academically and spiritually.  It’s not always easy, but then to shape and pattern the life of a child is never simple.  It demands holding ourselves, as their teachers and educators to a higher standard, helping them to always choose the right paths and to seek the better way.  It involves motivating them, encouraging them, building them up and making sure that they know we believe in them.  Our commitment is all encompassing, and we know this is a charge with which we have been entrusted, so it is with all seriousness and determination that we serve the children of the body of Israeli believers in the Jerusalem area.  Your partnership is no less important.  Through your prayers, financial support and encouragement you provide the fuel that keeps us going.  Never underestimate your role, even from a distance,  as you continue to be involved in our school and take an active part in helping us to educate these children and prepare them for life as Israeli believers who will be the salt in this society as they stand out as individuals who were patterned differently – living out their faith daily in all they do.  Thanks again for understanding the significance of our efforts.