Bridges for Peace, which fosters relations between Christians and Jews and supports Israel, held its annual Winnipeg fundraiser on Nov 19, 2024 and raised $55,000 for the purchase of a medicycle for Israel’s Magen David Adom. Such vehicles are able to weave in and out of congested traffic and help save lives. The event, held at The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, was attended by over 150 people.
At the outset of the program, Don James, Interim National Director led the crowd in sing the Canadian national anthem. Victoria James, who is the National development Director of Bridges, led the Israeli anthem.
Don then welcomed everyone by noting that Bridges for Peace stands with Israel. “Israel, you are not alone”, he said. “The best part of my job is interfacing with the Jewish community,” he stated. He also noted that Israel’s success against Hezbollah in the north demonstrates that “The God of Israel is fighting for his people.” Both Don and Victoria, who are spouses, began their support of Bridges for Peace in 2005 through the Adopt an Immigrant program.
Keynote speaker for the event was Rev. Peter Fast, the International CEO of Bridges for Peace, who is based in Jerusalem. Fast was formerly National Director of BFP Canada. He has published two works of historical fiction on Jewish themes (70 AD, A War of the Jews and 164 BC, A War of the Jews) and is currently working on a doctorate in Biblical Studies.
Prior to his address a video was shown of Peter and a team at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in front of the ruins of the devastated kibbutz targeted in the Oct 7 attacks. The video concluded with archived scenes of Bridges for Peace volunteers meeting with members of the Kibbutz years ago, all of whom were murdered in the attacks.
Following this heart-wrenching video, Peter delivered a compelling speech about his experiences living in Israel since Oct 7, 2023.
Peter and his wife, Deanna, have three children, Judah, Naomi and Meira and live in Jerusalem. Fast’s eldest son Judah, age ten, is autistic and Fast spoke about how his three children have gone into bomb shelters. He explained that the only way his eldest son was calmed and stopped screaming in the bomb shelter was “by counting interceptions.” Fast noted that none of his children, including the youngest, age three, have wanted to leave Israel, notwithstanding the war, and Iran’s ballistic missile attack. Fast said his children “know what shakshuka is,” they know more about Purim than Halloween and they know “how to build a sukkah.”
Fast, a natural orator, spoke about driving down to southern Israel only a couple of days after Oct 7, delivering bags of food to Israelis. Fast also spoke about his experience meeting an Israeli, who told him that his best friend lived in Sderot and the friend’s daughter aged 7 years, was raped by a Hamas terrorist. Fast said “we cried together.”
According to Fast, Bridges for Peace provided 272 appliances to Kibbutz Be’eri, and $100,000 was donated towards gift cards, groceries, and clothes and other items.
Fast emphasized that after the Oct 7 attacks, which targeted many of communities where Bridges for Peace already worked to provide food, Bridges for Peace was able to respond quickly with aid since it had established contacts on the ground. More than a year later, it has not stopped to answer the call to support the communities in southern Israel.
Bridges for Peace distributes food every working day from its Jerusalem Assistance Center to provide for Holocaust survivors, displaced families, Christian Arabs, children and the elderly who fall between the cracks.
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Fast spoke of meeting a survivor of the Nova Festival, Michal, an atheist studying in Portugal, who was shot in the stomach and laid under a tank. “She encountered G-d there,” said Fast, noting that Michal was saying the Shemah Yisrael and praying for eight hours. With three bullets in her she didn’t die.” Fast said that as she told him her story they both cried together.
Fast emphasized that Israel is not alone, as millions of Christians around the world have mobilized to help Israel. Bridges for Peace has contributed over $4 million dollars to respond to the crisis after the Oct 7 attacks.
Fast also noted that he travels around the world speaking to Christian and Jewish audiences in a variety of venues.
David Greaves, Executive Director of Jewish National Fund MB and Sask region delivered remarks at the event. He noted that “I love being a Jew” and that his 16 year old son has “started to wear a kippa over the last few months as a way of showing “he is proud of who he is.” Greaves said, “I have never been so proud of him.” Greaves said the Jewish community is grateful to have Christian brothers and sisters who “stand up” and be counted as its friends. Greaves was on a solidarity mission to Israel in May 2024 with other Winnipeggers and there were several members of Bridges for Peace on that solidarity mission.
Rev. John Howson gave a final prayer to end the evening, including a prayer for the Fast family- with the fervent hope that the three children “feel peace” and are not afraid.