Recent Events at the Christian Desk

In August 2009 Exodus International UK office leadership visited and met with the Deputy Director of the Yad Vashem Archives Ms. Naomi Halperin. Here giving her a donation for collection of survivor testimonies.

Israel Experience, the youth group of the Christian ministry of Eagles Wings spent a study day at Yad Vashem including meeting with a survivor and adopting a tree from among the trees planted in honor of the Righteous among the Nations. Here reading together the story of the Righteous, Mr. Varian Fry.

German Christians through the offices of the ICEJ German branch donated for the International School of Yad Vashem. A seminar for Christian leadership will be taking place in winter 2010 supported by the generous donation. Here pictured from left to right: Rev. Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director ICEJ, Dr. Susanna Kokkonen, Director Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, Dr. Jurgen Buhler, International Director ICEJ, Chairman of the Directorate of Yad Vashem Avner Shalev, Director of the International School for Holocaust Studies Dorit Novak and Shaya Ben-Yehuda, Managing Director, International Relations Division Yad Vashem.

ICEJ Youth from Norway led by Pastor Erik Selle visited Yad Vashem in July 2009. During the visit the group adopted two trees including one planted for a Norwegian Righteous. Here pictured Pastor Selle together with Dr. Kokkonen and members of the group.

Grafted, the youth tour of the ICEJ visited Yad Vashem for a day of study in July 2009. They heard a survivor testimony and adopted two trees planted in honor of the Righteous among the Nations. Here pictured from left to right reading the Righteous stories Bram and Liesl Maas with Dr. Susanna Kokkonen..

Heavy rock band “Sway The Way” from Finland won a trip to Israel in a rock band competition. One of their important visits was at Yad Vashem, hosted by the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem. Here band members standing just outside the Museum entrance accompanied by Dr. Susanna Kokkonen.

Holocaust survivor Luna Kaufman published her biography Luna's Life in May 2009. A joint event was held at the Seton Hall Catholic University to celebrate Luna's book and Yad Vashem's work in Christian communities worldwide. Monsignor Robert Sheeran chaired the event. Holocaust survivor and Board member of the American Society for Yad Vashem Mr. Ed Mosberg spoke followed by remarks by Dr. Susanna Kokkonen, Director of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem. Dr. Kokkonen interviewed Luna Kaufman on her book. Following the event, Luna Kaufman visited Yad Vashem, as pictured with Dr. Kokkonen.

May 11, 2009 visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was a historic event for the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, as it was for everyone. A moving ceremony took place at the Hall of Remembrance.
Photo Gallery

ICEJ National Directors from various countries visited Yad Vashem in May 2009 including a memorial ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance, guidedtour of the Art Musuem and a visit at the International School of Holocaust Studies. The Directors stayed at Yad Vashem for half a day of a varied program organized by The Christian Friends of Yad Vashem.

ICEJ Finland visit led by Director Juha Ketola and his wife Katja and Helvi Mikkonen from the office of the Finnish Branch. A special lecture was organized with the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem.

During Yom HaShoah, the annual Holocaust Day in April 2009, Christian Friends of Yad Vashem hosted guests from abroad and various leaders of various international Christian ministries in Israel. Several of the guests participated in the wreath laying ceremony. Here pictured Executive Director of the ICEJ Malcolm Hedding together with Dr. Susanna Kokkonen laying a wreath for the ICEJ and Christian Friends of Yad Vashem worldwide.

Other guests from abroad (here pictured together) included Earl Cox from Israel Always accompanied by Janet Cain, Marsha Conrad and George Kubglenos from the United States; Raymond and Jean MacLean and James and Gloria Walker representing the First Nations of Canada; Tim Williams from Atlanta, Georgia and Arja Bergman from Finland. Pictured here also Kate Hess from All Nations organization and representatives of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem Coordinator Irit Bercovitz and Dr. Susanna Kokkonen.

Journalist and TV personality Raul DeMolina from Miami visited Yad Vashem in April 2009 with his family and a friend Mr. De Arcos. The visit included a meeting at the International School for Holocaust Studies. Here the guests pictured next to the Donors Wall with Dr. Susanna Kokkonen, Director Christian Friends of Yad Vashem and Mr. Shraga Mekel, Director of Development from the American Society for Yad Vashem.

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