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Empower

Through events we seek to empower diverse voices to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community, recognizing the importance of inclusion and representation.

Taking a Stand for Israel

In response to the tragic events of October 7, we have organized an event titled “Taking a Stand for Israel.” This is a critical time for all communities to unite and express unwavering support for Israel. Since the Holocaust, there has not been a systematic targeting and killing of Jewish civilians as we have witnessed recently. Entire families have been massacred, including men, women, the elderly, and children. The terrorist group HAMAS has carried out acts that align with their Charter, which aims to eliminate not only Jews (referred to as the ‘Saturday people’) but also Christians (the ‘Sunday people’) from the face of the Earth.

Our event seeks to bring people together to stand against such atrocities and to show solidarity with Israel. Join us in raising our voices and taking a firm stand for justice and peace.

Let Them Go - Now!

“Let Them Go Now” was a powerful event where attendees heard the moving testimony of Amos Horn, whose brothers were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.

The gathering highlighted the urgency of uniting in support of Israel and called for the immediate release of all hostages. Amos Horn’s courageous story served as a poignant reminder of the importance of community solidarity and action. The event successfully brought people together, reinforcing the impact of collective effort in making a difference.

Amos Horn

At the forefront of this mission is Amos Horn (42), a Latino youth educator and tour guide originally from Argentina, who lives in Israel. His efforts to free his two kidnapped brothers, Yaniv (45) and Eitan (37), kidnapped on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz added a deeply intimate layer to the cause.

Our event seeks to bring people together to stand against such atrocities and to show solidarity with Israel. Join us in raising our voices and taking a firm stand for justice and peace.

Upheaval

One With Israel hosted a special screening of the film “Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin,” a 2021 American documentary written and directed by Jonathan Gruber.

The film chronicles the life and achievements of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, exploring both his popular and controversial moments. Featuring archival footage and interviews with dozens of individuals, including those who knew Begin personally and scholars who have studied his impact on Israeli society and the greater Middle East, the documentary provides a comprehensive look at Begin’s legacy.

This event highlighted the importance of understanding the historical figures who have shaped Israel’s history and fostered a deeper connection to its past and present.

Irving Roth

Irving Roth, born in Kosice, Czechoslovakia, in 1929, witnessed firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust. After the Nazi invasion in 1938, he faced escalating antisemitism, including being barred from school and seeing his father’s business taken away. In 1941, his family fled to Hungary, but Irving and his brother were eventually captured and forced on a death march to Buchenwald, where they were separated. Irving survived and was liberated by American soldiers in April 1945.

Irving dedicated his life to educating others about the Holocaust and combating antisemitism. He created the Adopt-a-Survivor program to connect Holocaust survivors with students for meaningful exchanges. Recently, Irving spoke to One With Israel, sharing his harrowing experiences and reinforcing the importance of remembering the past to prevent future atrocities. His powerful testimony served as a profound reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of standing against Anti Semitism.

Our event seeks to bring people together to stand against such atrocities and to show solidarity with Israel. Join us in raising our voices and taking a firm stand for justice and peace.

Mr. Shaya Ben Yehuda

One With Israel hosted a remarkable event featuring Shaya Ben Yehuda, the Director of International Relations at Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem.

Shaya has played a pivotal role in educating millions about the Holocaust, ensuring that the memories of the over six million victims are honored and preserved.

Attendees were deeply moved by his vision and commitment to fighting antisemitism, leaving the event with a renewed commitment to the principle of “Never Again.” This gathering was a testament to One With Israel’s dedication to fostering understanding and solidarity in the fight against hatred and Antisemitism.

Charles Kurt

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Charles Kurt, who shared his powerful story of surviving the Holocaust. Charles recounted the harrowing days following the German invasion of Vienna, vividly remembering Hitler’s triumphant arrival and the overwhelming support he received from the Viennese people.

Growing up in Vienna, Charles felt comfortable and proud of his city. However, life changed drastically after the Nazis entered Austria in March 1938. Jews, including his family, faced terror and humiliation. His mother, Wilma, was forced to scrub the streets and later arrested on false charges. Charles endured ridicule at school and had to leave their apartment. The situation worsened on November 9, 1938, during Kristallnacht, when violent attacks targeted Jews, synagogues were burned, and Jewish men, including Charles’s stepfather Ernst, were arrested.

Desperate to escape, Wilma arranged for Charles to join a children’s transport to Belgium. Later, Charles managed to sail to America, joining his mother and stepfather in Houston. After graduating high school, Charles volunteered for the U.S. Armed Forces, proudly serving his adopted country. Post-war, he built a successful career in sales and retired after thirty years with Hamilton Beach. Charles and his wife Sarah have two sons and three grandchildren.

FIDF -
Sgt. Ze'ev Baryadin

One With Israel recently an event featuring representatives from Friends of the IDF (FIDF), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, along with two active duty IDF soldiers. The event began with Scott Kammerman, Texas Director of FIDF in Houston, who explained the comprehensive aid provided by FIDF to support each soldier’s welfare and long-term well-being. Kammerman’s presentation highlighted the organization’s mission: “Their job is to look after Israel. Ours is to look after them.”

Following Kammerman, Sgt. Ze’ev Bar Yadin, 20, from Texas, addressed the attendees. Sgt. Yadin, who made aliyah at age 15 and joined the IDF as a Lone Soldier at 18, shared his personal experiences. He spoke about the crucial social and financial support FIDF provides to soldiers without immediate family in Israel. Ze’ev is currently serving as a sniper in Orev Golani.

Next, Captain Dor (last name withheld per IDF security protocol), 27, an Israeli, spoke about his journey and experiences as an IDF jet pilot. Captain Dor, currently serving as an Israeli Air Force fighter pilot, provided insight into the challenges and rewards of his role. The event successfully highlighted the vital support FIDF offers to IDF soldiers and their families.

Dr. Susanna Kokkonen

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Dr. Susanna Kokkonen, an expert in Holocaust studies and a global speaker on topics such as genocide, antisemitism, and Israel. Dr. Kokkonen, originally from Finland, has lectured in various parliaments, including those in Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the European Parliament. She holds a Ph.D. in Holocaust Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has a diverse professional background, including roles as Israel Lobbying Director at the European Parliament and Cultural Attaché at the Finnish Embassy in Tel Aviv.

At the event, Dr. Kokkonen shared her extensive knowledge and experiences, touching on her work with the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, where she organized numerous seminars and tours to educate and inspire Christian leaders worldwide. Her efforts have significantly contributed to fostering reconciliation and understanding between different communities.

 

 

Prof. Mordechai Kedar

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an expert with a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University who served for 25 years in IDF military intelligence. Dr. Kedar specializes in Syria, Arab political discourse, Arab mass media, Islamic groups, and Israeli Arabs. He is also an expert on the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups, and he lectures in the Department of Arabic at Bar-Ilan University.

During the event, Dr. Kedar, a Research Fellow at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, shared his extensive knowledge on Middle Eastern affairs. He discussed his research on the Hafez al-Assad administration in Syria and provided insights into current geopolitical dynamics.

Dr. Kedar, who is also the Vice President of NEWSRAEL – Pro-Israeli Dynamic Feed and a board member of the Professors’ Circle for Political and Economic Resilience, presented his views on the Palestinian Emirates plan as a potential solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His expertise and perspectives offered attendees a deep understanding of the complexities and possible resolutions to the ongoing conflict. The event was highly informative and contributed to the broader discourse on peace and stability in the region.

Sondra Baras

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Sondra Oster Baras, a prominent advocate for the communities of Judea and Samaria. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sondra was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home and educated at Jewish schools. She studied Bible at the Jerusalem College for Women and earned her B.A. and J.D. from Columbia University. In 1984, she moved to Israel and continued her legal career, later becoming an active member of a governing board in Samaria.

Sondra founded CFOIC Heartland in 1998, an organization connecting Christians with the Biblical heartland of Israel. As director of the Israel office until her retirement in 2023, she led efforts to raise funds and encourage tourism to these communities. In September 2023, she became International President of CFOIC Heartland.

Sondra shared her journey and advocacy work, providing deep insights into the settlement movement and the importance of Judea and Samaria. The event highlighted her dedication to fostering connections between Christians and the people of Biblical Israel.

Zoly Zamir

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Zoly Zamir, who shared his remarkable life story. Born in Bucharest, Romania, Zoly’s education was abruptly cut short in 1937 when he was expelled from school for being Jewish. Amid rising antisemitism, he found work at the Grand Hotel Lafayette, where he forged crucial connections.

As the Iron Guard’s terror against Jews intensified, Zoly used his contacts to join the Youth Aliyah movement and escape to Palestine in 1941. There, he became a diamond polisher and eventually started his own business. He married Shoshana Kempinski in 1944, and their daughter Yelena was born two years later.

Zoly joined the Haganah and fought valiantly in Israel’s War of Independence, serving as a staff sergeant. After the war, he worked at the King David Hotel and later moved to the United States, where he held various jobs before retiring in Houston. Zoly’s story of resilience and survival left a lasting impression on the attendees, highlighting the enduring spirit of those who built the State of Israel

Assaf Boker

One With Israel hosted an event featuring Assaf Boker, founder of Boker Tours. Established in 2017, Boker Tours was born from Assaf’s passion for travel and his desire to share the beauty of Israel with others. Assaf, a lifelong traveler and son of a career diplomat, served as a commander in a combat intelligence unit in the IDF, primarily in the Gaza envelope region.

After his military service, Assaf traveled extensively across North and South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. He returned to Israel to study at the Hebrew University, earning a double major in Political Science and International Relations.

Upon graduation, Assaf became a licensed tour guide, realizing the importance of understanding each client’s unique needs. This vision led him to create Boker Tours, a company dedicated to offering personalized and meaningful travel experiences in Israel.

During the event, Assaf shared his journey and the philosophy behind Boker Tours, emphasizing the importance of building friendships with clients to create unforgettable Israel experiences.

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