Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. —Isaiah 40:1

Dear Friend,

Yesterday was one of the most emotional, challenging, meaningful, and important days of my life…and it was all because of you.

Because of all that we have done together to bless, help, encourage, and comfort the families of those who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, I was asked to come here to New York City for the annual Israel Day Event. 

The highlight of this year’s celebration was the parade with hostages who have been released and family members…and I was asked to walk with them at the front of the line.

I was able to spend some time with Keith Seigel and his family. When Keith and his wife Aviva were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, their children and grandchildren didn’t know if they would ever see them again. Aviva was released after a few weeks in captivity, but Keith remained a prisoner for 484 days in the hands of Hamas terrorists.

For more than a year, his family didn’t even know for sure whether he was alive or dead. 

He was finally released in February to great rejoicing. Keith told me to thank you and said to tell you that you saved his life. 

We recorded videos with Aviva who described the awful conditions she and her husband endured that were seen by the world which put enormous pressure on Hamas.

In fact, the hostage videos we released have been viewed more than 50 million times! 

This is so important because Israel is fighting a media and ideological war along with the physical war, and her enemies are spending a fortune to spread lies. 

Right here in New York City, tens of thousands have marched in support of Hamas in the past and will again in the future.

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we have been able to help meet the most urgent needs of the hostage families, as well as those who have been released. 

Your love is truly touching their lives.

As I walked down 5th Avenue with Keith and other former hostages, I was giving thanks to God — not just that these precious people were freed, but that you have touched their lives in so many vital ways. 

But as thankful as I am for all that we have been able to do, there is so much more that needs to be done because the crisis is far from over.

The sad reality is that of the 59 still being held hostage, most of them are young people, and sadly, more than half are dead. 

But in one more act of cruelty, Hamas refuses to reveal exactly who the living are, which leaves the families to face even more uncertainty.

They need help, and they are turning to us for that help because what you have done is known across the whole nation of Israel. 

But we can’t help unless we have the resources, and right now we are facing a serious financial shortfall. 

As I told you recently, our support is down 27% from last year. This is a major issue, and I’m sharing it with you in hopes that you will join hands with us and help us continue to comfort and bless those who are suffering among God’s Chosen People.

Your Friends of Zion Center in Jerusalem has become the place Jewish people go when they have nowhere else to turn for help. It’s like we would dial 9-1-1…they go to F-O-Z.

When I was in Israel a few days ago, I met so many precious people whose lives you have touched. Here in New York City, I’ve met many more. 

You are truly making an impact by meeting the urgent needs of suffering Jewish people…comforting them according to the ancient call and command of God first given to the prophet Isaiah.

But we are facing a heartbreaking reality. The only way we can keep saying YES to all these precious people is if you say YES to us.

I can’t imagine having to turn down a poor Holocaust survivor who needs food…or a refugee family who need somewhere to live…or an injured IDF soldier who needs help with PTSD…or any of the others who are reaching out because of all that we have done together.

Will you do something great for God today to help us meet this urgent need? 

What I’ve seen over the past few weeks in Jerusalem and New York City is a powerful reminder of what God is doing…and a powerful reminder of how vital your help is. 

I am asking you today as my beloved friend and partner to rush the most generous gift you can. We must not fail to answer God’s call in this prophetic crisis moment. We must not fail to stand in defense of Israel, and we must not fail to comfort those who are in such urgent need of help. Please let me hear from you right away.

Your ambassador to Jerusalem,

Dr. Mike Evans

P.S. As I walked down the street with Keith and his family, I gave thanks to God for you because you made it possible for us to help them in their hour of greatest need. You prayed, and you gave, and you truly changed their lives. Your gift today will touch the lives of so many others who desperately need help…and need to know that they are not alone. Will you be God’s hands of love reaching out to them with your gift today? I pray your answer will be YES.