Britannia Radio

Helen Freedman, Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, 1751 Second Ave., New York, NY 10128; afsi@rcn.com; 212-828-2424;www.afsi.org; 917-886-0729 (cell); August 27, 2011

WALKING BEHIND THE ‘PILLARS OF FIRE’ WITH GLENN BECK

By Helen Freedman

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 21/22

The inspirational gatherings that were part of the Glenn Beck mission to Israel occurred against a very grim backdrop. It was ironic that the subject of ‘Restoring Courage’, the theme of Glenn Beck’s mission in Israel, was so starkly presented by the events that unfolded as I arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon, August 18.

A series of terror attacks on buses and private cars had just occurred on the road from Be’er Sheva to Eilat that left many Israeli civilians and soldiers dead and wounded. Israel“retaliated,” followed by Kassam rockets and Grads falling all over Israel’s south. My friends in the trailers in the Gush Katif refugee camp in Nitzan were forced to take cover in the huge sewer pipes that the government had given them for their safe rooms.

Moshe Saperstein, having been expelled from his beautiful home in Neve Dekalim, Gush Katif, Israel, said he refused to die like a rat in a sewer and he would not take shelter in the “sewervilla.” The red alert was sounded in Sderot, Nitzan, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ofakim, and so many other Negev communities.

Again, the Israeli government “retaliated.” It also apologized to the Egyptians for shooting back at terrorists dressed in Egyptian soldier uniforms. As of this writing, the Egyptians are violating the peace agreement with Israel as they proceed with the demilitarization of the Sinai, bringing forces and weapons into the area, possibly preparing to march on Israel. What will Israel’s response be if that happens? Will Israel’s leaders have the courage to protect Israel’s citizens?

Glenn Beck would answer these questions by urging Israel’s leaders not to fear world condemnation – to use the shields of courage and truth to banish fear – and not follow the path to surrender. He would encourage Israel to follow G-d’s ‘Pillars of Fire’ to which he referred in his powerful address at the Davidson Center outside the southern wall of the Old City in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon, August 24.

Following the glorious kick-off event in Caesarea on Sunday night, August 21, with the theme of the ‘Courage to Love,’ the Glenn Beck express stopped on Monday night, August 22, at the Old Train Station, built in the 1890’s in Jerusalem. The theme this night was the ‘Courage to Remember’.

Beck explained that the site was chosen – first because it was big enough to hold the crowd, but also because of the association with the trains of the Holocaust. This was the night to have the courage to remember that nightmarish time in Jewish history when Hitler’s Nazi regime systematically worked at exterminating Jewish life in Europe.This was the night to confront the past and refuse to be silent – to vow to construct a better world in memory of those murdered.

John Voight, who had joined us on Sunday night, was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd. He spoke of the new type of holocaust, where terror is used for political ends. Beck confirmed this by declaring, “If you stare evil in the eye, it backs down; it is a coward!” Beck declared, “This will be the generation that will say “Never Again” to the repeated holocausts against the Jews.

We then saw a touching film tracing the return, after seventy years, of Holocaust survivor Kleiner Rudy Wolff to his boyhood home of Norden, Germany, from where he was deported and where his parents had been murdered by the Nazis. A commemoration dinner was arranged by the townspeople of Norden to welcome Rudy. At the ceremony he repeated over and over again that all the killing was only because the victims were Jewish.

We learned that after the war, Rudy, at age 15, went to Palestine. He arrived penniless and without any family or support system. The story has a very happy ending as Rudy married at age 21 and became a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather to 16 children. At the conclusion of the film, the entire family came on stage, including Rudy’s granddaughter, Michelle, who was the filmmaker. Rudy had made peace with his past. That he had the courage to do so is remarkable.

Tuesday night, August 23, the fortunate invitees to the Glenn Beck dinner at the BibleLands Museum gathered to enjoy the glorious setting and another extraordinary evening. The museum was at its best. Docents were available to provide insights into the ancient treasures. Dinner tables were set up in the beautiful garden. The mood was festive. Friends, old and new, were greeted warmly. We were there in support of Israel – of Jerusalem – and, as suggested by MK Danny Danon – in support of the annexation of Judea and Samaria.

This proposal brought loud cheers from the crowd, as did Glenn Beck’s declaration that “Israel is not the problem in the Middle East; it is the solution!”

By 3 P.M. on Wednesday afternoon, August 24, the crowds began arriving at the Davidson Center, adjacent to the southern wall of the Old City. Again, the setting was perfect. The stones were golden in the warm afternoon sun and radiated with the spirit of love, friendship, peace, harmony and courage around which these gatherings had been forged.

Wonderful music was provided by the Jerusalem choir, orchestra, and renowned cantor, Dudu Fisher. Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem, held an ancient beautiful bell and declared, “Our past is our destiny in Jerusalem, and we will not be derailed from our vision.”

Glenn Beck then appeared, dramatically walking towards the stage, and proudly declared that this was the throne of the Lord, where G-d spoke to Abraham and where Solomon built the Temple. He confirmed Jerusalem’s importance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Beautiful ‘Restoring Courage’ medals were awarded to honor Faith, Hope, and Charity. Leah and Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, mayor of Itamar, received the medal for ‘Faith’, as the horrible details of the Fogel family massacre were retold. The ‘Hope’ award was given to the Jewish and Arab co-owners of the Maxim Restaurant in Haifa that was attacked by a suicide bomber on Oct. 4, 2003, killing 21 and injuring 51.

t was re-opened two months later. Rami Levi was given the ‘Charity’ award for his generosity in providing the distribution of free food from his chain of supermarkets. We know how quickly he came to the aid of the surviving members of the Fogel family.

Glenn Beck took the stage and electrified the audience with stirring words of courage. The crowd roared in agreement when Beck declared, “There is more courage in one IDF soldier than all the bureaucrats at the U.N.” He denounced that world organization for abusing the meaning of the term, “human rights.”

Beck spoke about the mounting threats and the evil that is growing. As for the ongoing condemnations of Israel, Beck believes the diplomats know the truth, but it doesn’t matter because they are cowards.

With rapt attention, the audience heard Beck assert that “Israel is here because G-d keeps his covenant…Fear is the pathway to surrender…Truth and courage will overcome…If we follow Him, G-d will lead us.”

Beck charged everyone with the Responsibility to alter the course of history by being willing to speak the truth. When the “human rights” organizations exercise their double standard, we must declare,

“Not in My Name!!” He called for truth seekers to link arms with him – to stand with courage – and to walk behind G-d’s ‘Pillars of Fire’ – to choose life – with no more lies.

The dynamic gathering was closed by Beck asking us to remember – and to teach these lessons to our children – and to obey G-d’s word. When we are asked, “Where were you when the world was on the edge again, when the West, Israel and the Jews were blamed again, we can say that “We stood with Israel.”

And so the ‘Restoring Courage’ events came to an end. Those who were privileged to be there with Glenn Beck will always remember and treasure this exceptional experience. For me it was an affirmation that it is the leadership that must restore its courage.

The problem does not lie with the people, who turn out in masses in search of truth and honesty.

It is our leaders who betray us. From the local Jewish organizational level, to many of our clergy, to the Israeli government that has conceded too much to the enemy, to the Obama administration that would have Israel cut itself in pieces to appease terrorist organizations, to the United (Arab) Nations, to the media and the academics who revise and distort history, the honest, courageous people have to deal with weakness, deception, and evil.

It is therefore with a grateful heart that I heard Glenn Beck’s message of Courage to Love, to Remember, to speak the Truth, to bear Responsibility and to trust in G-d’s covenant with the Jewish people.

To those who have difficulty accepting the fact that a Christian would care so deeply about Israel that he would create and finance such an amazing four day series of events in support of Israel,

I can only recommend researching the facts oneself and not relying on the false media to relay accurate information. Go to www.glennbeck.com and read the reports on the website. Subscribe to GBTV. Once you read and hear Beck’s words for yourself, I believe you will join me in thanking him for his extraordinary and courageous support of Israel.

Helen Freedman is Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, www.afsi.org