Israel 2024 - Week Six

Thurs, Dec. 12th - English Tea Shop & Lovely Walk in Jerusalem

Fri, Dec. 13 - Cooking Show with Koen & Shabbat Dinner

We returned from the cruise and took a walk to get our land legs back.

We needed to get some food as we were out of the apartment for 5 days on the cruise.

We love to shop for fresh food at the Shuk!

One of the shop owners was so happy to meet Joanna. She gave her a little gift!

Joanna and Michelle went back to the shuk to meet Koen and Sarah to prepare for Koen's cooking show.

Koen us shopping for ingredients.

Koen introduced Michelle and Joanna to new vendors at the shuk...

...and a great new coffee spot for us!

Wow! Another Mexican hot spot called "Quesadillas Ascencio"!

Koen began to prepare a special Focaccia and Yemenite stuffed onion dish. (He also told us that he has never seen a Yemenite eat this dish).

Koen began cutting the onions...

...while Adri, Michelle and Joanna began Shabbat preparation.

Beautiful and delicious stuffed onions!

...and look at this Focaccia bread!

Salad with Mustard Balsamic dressing

Our guests Koen, Joeky, Sarah, and Eric were so happy to celebrate Shabbat together.

The most delicious Shabbat meal

Onions stuffed with ground beef, onions, peppers, fresh herbs, and special spices

Focaccia with tomatoes, garlic, and fresh rosemary.

Parsley, pomegranate and feta cheese salad

Yummy sautéed asparagus from the shuk

Lighting the Shabbat candles

Thank you, Lord, for your Shabbat!

Sharing the seeded fluffy challah

Bringing God's light and separating this time from the rest of the week

We honor you, Lord

You are the bread of life!

It is so special to share this time with guests.

Michelle and Grace shared a concert after the meal.

Raoul shared a personal message with the group.

Michelle touched their hands and hearts.

The concert helped them to understand what we do here in Israel.

Experiencing what the Holocaust survivors feel

Experiencing what the Holocaust survivors feel

Raoul supervising the cooking show

Joanna and Joeky getting acquainted

What a blessed Shabbat!

Sarah is a selfie expert

Sun, Dec. 15 - Netanya Concerts

We started our day at Greenstein's elderly home in Netanya. Roi, the manager, created a poster to advertise our concert to the residents, and they were gathered together in anticipation.

We were so impressed at how Roi created his own poster!

Michelle began the concert by reaching out to touch the residents, to bring life into them.

You can see Roi in the background, covering his mouth and taking videos. He was shocked at how his residents were responding to the love they were being shown.

It was a small, humble audience gathered mostly in wheelchairs.

This man had his daughter with him.

Michelle reached out with the joy of the Lord!

Grace's touch and sweet smile brought life to the elderly!

Roi filmed the entire time.

Michelle made sure to personally touch love every resident with God's love.

Roi said he was shocked to see the transformation in his residents.

Roi said this was a new level of happiness for his residents.

The workers helped by clapping and being a great encouragement to the people.

Workers danced with a few residents and Karen Faith was in the mix!

We rushed to our 2nd concert in Netanya. Here is Michelle with the manager, Carmel.

In this humble home, the residents came from around the world. They are all in wheelchairs. A few are over 100 years old!

Carmel was so impressed with the transformation of her residents, she wanted to give some of them a chance to share their gratitude with us.

This gentlemen was so touched, he kissed Michelle's hand repeatedly and would not let go!

his man was telling Michelle how special she is!

Michelle and Grace are bringing God's love to the forgotten people.

This 105 year old man heard Michelle and Grace singing in Ladino and began to converse for the first time - and in his native tongue!

Carmel was so excited to see her residents come alive!

The music touched their hearts

Carmel said that one woman has not ever spoken one word. Then, suddenly, for the first time ever, she began to sing along to the music in Russian! The music went straight to her heart. It made Carmel cry.

Lots of hand kisses and sincere gratitude

Carmel was so happy and wanted to know more about us.

The management had not seen these residents ever respond like this before.

Carmel said this is so good, it is "once in a lifetime" for them.

Reaching out in love...

Praying God's blessings over the people

We have never seen a family like yours before!

This "house mother" of the residents was so grateful to us.

Off to a quick lunch close by as we have another appointment very soon!

Our driver, Vischy, only speaks Russian. But music, food and massage are universal languages!

Surprise! Just before we ran off, Israeli friends that Michelle met in Cabo came by the restaurant! Michelle and Grace sang 'Jerusalem of Gold' for them and for our waiters!

Fresh, hot, baked loves of bread

Tuna nicoise salad

So great, we need 2 of them

Bulgur lentil salad

Mon, Dec. 16 - Netanya Massua Museum Visit

We were off to the Massua Institute, a Holocaust education center. Michelle and Grace gave a concert for the Management of the Institute. This wall is purposely left unfinished as the story of the Jewish people is still unfinished.

The 6 stones on the ground are for the 6 million Jews brutally murdered in the Holocaust of WWII. The shadows behind them represent the generations to come.

This small area is impressive and has haunting acoustics. There is a small synagogue above here. There is also a stairway to heaven.

Grace and Michelle shared about the song 'Somewhere over the Rainbow ' being written by 2 Jewish men prophetically in 1938 about the Holocaust and the Land of Israel.

'Wow! You have completely opened a new understanding for me about this song!

And Louis Armstrong was adopted and raised by a Jewish family who bought him his first instrument. He spoke Hebrew and Yiddish!

6 stones for the 6 million murdered and the Stairway to Heaven

Precious Grace and Michelle

We toured the museum, spotting everything from WWII being repeated in our world today!

Viktor Frankel quoted from his famous Holocaust memoir. The Jews died with the Shema prayer on their lips, "Hear oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."

All the same lies are repeated today, such as 'the Jews control the world, the banks, are responsible for all the bad things you see.'

The Jews are less than human. They are like snakes, rats, dogs, pigs ...

Once again, people are not speaking out for the Jewish people...

Proverbs 24:10-12

Propaganda from WWII is repeating - the evil Jew

Arabs are trained from childhood that all evil comes from the Jews.

To stand with God, you must murder Jews. 'The Protocols of the elders of Zion' book is once again in wide circulation and touted as truth.

Jews are behind it all!

Hitler said 'The Jew is the personification of the devil as the symbol of all evils!"

The Germans screened films (like we see today on you tube) documenting the growing Jewish problem. Every German was required to watch this as an objective lesson on the evil Jew.

Martin Niemoller said: "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

Europe will never know peace until the extermination of the Jewish race.

Goebbels said 'The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it!"

We must kill the Jews as they are the head of the snake!

At the Adolf Eichmann trial, the Attorney General's opening remarks mentioned the 6 million murdered Jews who could not be present that day in the courtroom.

Niemoller's famous quote

Michal Harpaz is the new manager at the Massua Institute. She toured us today.

A full moon in Israel as we headed back to Jerusalem

Mon, Dec. 16 - Joanna's Final Day in Jerusalem

It was Joanna's last day. We called it "Joanna day" and headed out for last minute gifts. She found a perfect painting for her home!

That hat is so cute on you!

Look- cheesecake!

Joanna's trip would be incomplete without a visit to 'Crave' restaurant.

Now, this is a super steak burger!

Joanna opted for the pulled beef bar-b-que sandwich- Great choice!

The double steak burger!

2 orders of crunchy onion rings, please!

We want to sing for you!

The owner rushed in. She is the sister of Yonatan Razel, the famous singer!

Joanna day would be incomplete without coffee and knafe in the Shuk!

Please Lord, bring the hostages home!!!

Joanna day is closing as Vadim arrives to escort her safely to the airport.

We miss you already, Joanna!

Joanna is on board.

Flying through the night

Arriving safely...

Look at the beautiful colors of the trees in Dallas. Joanna is home safe and sound.

Tues, Dec. 17 - HaPalmach Concert for Holocaust Survivors

We began the concert at Hapalmach in Jerusalem with massages and hugs.

Don't forget to massage the organizer, Avia!

A little massage?

Adriana is massaging Tova who came to one of our last concerts and eagerly anticipated this one.

We can speak Spanish together!

Avia began the concert with introductions for the new people.

The concert began with 'Ose Shalom' and the crowd began to clap.

The woman in yellow heard the girls at the Kahn Theatre and wanted to hear them again!

Cutie Raoul taking photos from the side

Feeling God's love and joy!

We are so happy you remembered us and came back again this year!

Singing in Yiddish...

Everyone is excited to see us again

Wow... so many songs we love

"Everyone is talking about how happy they are to see you again!"

It's so wonderful to be with some of our Jerusalem groupies.

Singing along in Yiddish

You sing like Angels!

When you sing, we feel God's love!

Karen Faith loves to sing along. But it's a good thing they didn't give her a microphone!

Michelle touched everyone with God's love.

Pure enjoyment... They forgot the pain for a short time

We should be the warm up act...

Demonstrating the 360 camera

God loves every one of you!

Karen Faith is singing along quietly while she films

My granddaughter remembers you too!

Wow, so many languages!

That was amazing!

I remember these songs from my childhood!

I feel something special with them!

Do you know this song?

Let's sing together!

One more round!

We can all sing together!

We are having too much fun to leave.

Please once more!

It was a meeting of old friends

We loved the evening with Tzippy and Oded!

Tues, Dec. 17 - Dinner with Tzippy and Oded

We were all singing 'Sweet Caroline' together. It was a reminder of Cabo!

'Sweet Caroline, oh, oh, oh...'

We were all singing 'Sweet Caroline' together. It was a reminder of Cabo!

We can call Itzik when we need another taxi.

Sharma called Tzippy to say hello to us all from the ship!

It's a small world!

When we were on the ship, we texted Tzippy. We discovered that we both made friends with Sharma!

Cucumber and tomato salad

Veggies at the dinner with Tzippy

Chicken Palau- a special dish that Tzippy learned from her mother-in-law. We love it!

We were lucky on this cake- it turned out to be Kosher!

Candy drawers for her grandchildren!

We loved the evening with Tzippy and Oded!

Just before we left, Tzippy demonstrated her amazing Induction stove top that cooks with magnets and heats food immediately.

Wed, Dec. 18 - Concert for Cesarea in honor of October 7th

Raoul, Grace and Michelle headed out earlier with Maxim and Slavna to set up for the concert.

We split up to meet and travel to Caesarea with a group of Holocaust Survivors. There would be 300+ people coming from all around the State of Israel for this big event.

Adriana and Karen Faith were blessed to be traveling that morning with Vadim!

There were several large buses also heading to our venue in Caesarea. It was a serious plan of logistics to arrange!

The 360 camera is a man-magnet. Even Vadim wants to know what this is?

Here is Vadim with us, and Raoul set up to take photos from inside this vehicle!

We laughed when we found Raoul stationed for photos in this car!

Just like Fred Flintstone!!! He can hold onto the car and run with it!

Amazing concert team enroute to Caesarea!

Upon arriving, Michelle made friends with the staff who were excited to help with everything she needed!

Maxim and Mark are reviewing logistics.

Adriana is greeting the arriving Holocaust survivors. Many already recognize her!

Taking in the sunshine!

Perfect promotional photo for future concerts!

Maxim in his hilarious hair hat!

Slavna looks like a model! She is stunning.

What a blessed time!

What beautiful ladies!

Hilariously, these guys saw Raoul's camera and just asked Raoul to take their photo, and then disappeared somewhere in the back of the venue.

Michelle made friends with our waiter too!

Maxim is managing all the logistics and execution of this event.

Grace and Luda preparing to perform.

This huge venue is set up for our big event. Although originally set up for October 7th, 2024, one year anniversary to remember the murdered Holocaust survivors and others, the war delayed the event. So now we are turning this event into a celebration of life and holidays.

Image of this venue through the 360 lens

Raoul perched himself way up on the 2nd level to be able to take these amazing photos!

300 Russian survivors are seated in groups of friends from around the State of Israel.

There were many salads and other dishes that comprised the first course. We all thought this was the whole meal, but there was also a choice of salmon and beef to come!

We are a bit hard to see, but we are at the first corner table, seated with Maxim, standing up at the table in his hair hat.

This venue is normally used for weddings.

You can see the tremendous capacity of this room. We were mire than 300 people and we could have fit many more tables.

Everyone was eating and enjoying themselves.

Buses arrived from all over to bring survivors.

This is Luda, from the back, greeting the newcomers.

Slavna and Maxim are a great team!

Slavna is greeting the survivors.

Everyone has been looking forward to this event.

Karen Faith is greeting the survivors.

It was such an enjoyable time.

Raoul took these great photos from very far away.

Everyone was able to sit and enjoy the food before the concert began.

Actually, it felt very much like a wedding celebration.

The groups of survivors were able to meet each other.

One of the survivors loves photography too.

Adriana and Karen Faith

Raoul and David

Mark is in the background running sound

Maxim loves to amuse us with his hair hat.

Getting ready for the concert...

Mark with one of the survivors from Haifa

Mark said a prayer.

This gentleman wanted to share how thankful he feels.

Luda began to sing and play the piano.

Another survivor is sharing her gratitude.

I have something to share also!

Maxim with his beautiful wife, Slavna.

David is a new addition to the team.

Mark is helping.

David translated from English to Russian.

The survivors were filming superstar Michelle as she reached out to touch them.

Dancing with the holocaust survivors

Grace walked through the audience as they sang a capella in French.

Isn't she lovely?

Grace and Michelle greeting survivors.

Loving on the people

The men were wishing they were 50 years younger!

Thank you for loving us!

You make us so happy!

You sing like an angel!

Raoul's editing makes the crowd look many years younger!

Karen Faith filmed Michelle with the 360 as she walked around the audience.

Reaching out in love

Thank you so much!

Watching the audience reaction to Michelle and Grace

We want to remember this day forever!

Who is that woman in the red hat,

Please, can we take a selfie with you?

Serious photography!

And not so serious photography...

I felt the love of God through you!

Wow, Raoul must have taken this photo from up on the 2nd floor!

Everyone wanted photos!

Survivors receiving their gifts

We had an amazing time. Thank you!

Natasha and Slavna giving gifts

We love presents!

We have a men's gift bag too!

Happy Chanukkah!

How kind of you!

These are blessings from God!

We love you all!

Wow, what great gifts!

Yes, God loves each one of you!

Everyone was so excited!

Each of the 300 survivors were given gifts as they left that day!

Don't forget me!

We feel God's love through you!

Overwhelmed with joy today!

There were many new faces also

Thank you so much!

We hope you enjoyed this day!

We all love you very much!

God bless every one of you!

Michelle was in the mix with the 360

Fun with the 360

Michelle is a 360 master

This camera gives us new angles

See Raoul way up in his perch?

Wed, Dec. 18 - Dinner with Moti and Tilly

Waiting on our guests

We made it back in time to meet Tilly and Moti for dinner at Luciana.

Mushroom tortellini in cream sauce

Mushroom risotto

Tilly and Moti arrived!

We told the waiter thst it's Tilly's birthday- and of all surprises, it really is her birthday in just 2 weeks!

Maple pecan chocolate cake

Their daughter Hadassah came to see us too!

They wanted to thank us for loving Israel and hear about our concerts