Presse

In the Hotel Drei Könige, Hall "Belle Epoque", the Jerusalem Prayer Switzerland Association, with the support of Israel Works Switzerland, invited to the first Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Switzerland. The memorable event was attended by exactly 100 people: Leaders from various sectors of society such as the church, politics, business, social institutions, industry, aid organisations, culture and education.

Mrs Annette Walder, President of the Association, organised the event together with her team, Timotheus Bruderer and Christina Bumbacher Berli. Mrs. Walder emphasized the miraculous foundation of Israel on May 14, 1948 with reference to a talk by David Ben Gurion, where God is called the Rock of Israel (2 Sam. 23;3). Today Israel is a unique country, a world leader in science and innovation - and often a provocation for the world: whoever deals with Israel must also deal with the God of the Bible. "Do we really take a stand for Israel? Are we no longer silent?" But increasingly movement is coming into Christian communities - and today is another expression of this. A first Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, which she was able to experience personally, sparked in her the idea of bringing the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast to Switzerland.

The Israeli ambassador to Switzerland, H.E. Jacob Keidar, honoured us with his presence. He spoke a greeting message with the mention that 122 years ago, on the occasion of the first Zionist congress in this place, Theodor Herzl proclaimed the State of Israel: "In Basel I founded the Jewish State". In 50 years at the latest it should be reality, Herzl wrote.

Mr. Regierungsrat (BL), Thomas Weber, also honoured us with his participation. We quote here his personal farewell: "I have been able to take a lot with me today".

The President of the Council of the Basel City Evangelical Reformed Church, Fr. Lukas Kundert, spoke in his words in an impressive, exhortative and poetic way about the centre (the essence: the Jews) which Europe has robbed itself of...and therefore the great importance of praying again and again for Jerusalem and Israel.

Heli Veksler, the wife of Albert Veksler, the organizer of "Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast", had come from Israel. Mrs. Veksler delivered a greeting message from Robert Ilatov, the founder of the JPB. This prayer initiative for the peace of Jerusalem was born on the initiative of the Knesset.

Aaron Lipkin from Samaria, Israel, spoke in his message about the importance of solidarity with Israel and the preservation of Judeo-Christian values, especially the family cell. Lipkin is committed to building bridges between Jews and Christians.

The IWS Director, Fr. Christoph Meister, led us in prayer for Jerusalem and various participants prayed and proclaimed verses from the whole Bible. A chant from Ps. 122 deepened the proclamations of the Bible verses about Jerusalem and salvation for all nations. Afterwards there was an opportunity to pray individually and in groups at the tables.

The rich morning concluded with "déjeuner riche" and very beautiful worship music (Eszter Stoehr and Dave Brander), the national anthems of Israel and Switzerland and the Aaronite blessing in Hebrew by Cantor I. Helman, Israelite Community of Basel.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all participants who came from Switzerland, Israel, Germany, Hungary and Ukraine. Also many thanks to the Hotel Drei Könige for the smooth organization of the breakfast and a big Merci to all helping hands in the background!

The numerous responses to the event are consistently positive, encouraging, praising and make us happy and confident to continue planning for a next JGF. May the vision of prayer for the peace of Jerusalem be strengthened and spread, and may the understanding of God's plan of salvation through and with Israel grow.

We serve a faithful, great God "who calls to lif e from nothing" (Romans 4:17b); to Him belongs the greatest thanks and all glory!

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Photo: Jerusalem Prayer Switzerland

Note from Rev. Christoph Meister:

The Spirit of the Lord worked perceptibly on this courageous occasion, which above all Annette and Christina planned and carried out with tremendous effort. It is an honor for us as IWS to help this beginning to further growth and prosperity with prayer and support.

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