REPORT FROM ISRAEL PRO-LIFE -

Jerusalem, February 7, 2001

RATIONAL LIES - OR, HOW TO LOSE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE

In our up-date of September, 2000, we presented an expanded discussion of Rabbinical commentaries, which attempt to rationalize the performing of an abortion on the ground that the child developing in his mother's womb is not considered a human being. It was noted that Jewish law permits therapeutic abortion (i.e., an abortion performed to save the life of the mother) only until the head of the child emerges, at which point the child is considered to be a human being and cannot be aborted, without the latter act being deemed murder. The Rabbinical perspective was presented as an introduction to existing Israeli law dealing with the subject of abortion. These perspectives were contrasted with some examples from the Old and New Testaments, to show how man's views compare with God's views as to whether or not the life of a developing child in the womb is and should be considered a human being.

In certain jurisdictions,such as the United States, a procedure known as "partial birth abortion" is permissible by law. In essence, this procedure allows for the removal of the body of the emerging new born, while leaving only the head still within the mother's body. An incision is then made at the base of the skull and the brains are literally sucked out. In all likelihood, the average person would say that this is "shocking". Yet, this form of last minute abortion has been given judicial approval by the United States Supreme Court in recent months.

But, suppose the situation were reversed and the parents of the child in the process of being born were looking forward to the birth of the child and not to his death. Suppose further that the life of the child is terminated after the head of the child emerges, while the body of the emerging child remains within the mother. Section 313 of the "Cessation of Pregnancy Law" (Penal Law, Chpt. 10, Sec. 8, Paras. 312-321, 5737-1977) , provides:

"313. Whoever knowingly terminates the pregnancy of a woman, whether by medical treatment or by other means, is punishable by five years imprisonment or a fine of ...."

The above provision would not apply in the case of a gynecologist who received the informed consent of the mother prior to terminating the pregnancy. However, in our scenario, such is not the case, as the mother desired that the child would live.

In a case that shocked the nation of Israel about two years ago, a woman was hospitalized in the maternity ward of a hospital in the north of Israel. During the course of her giving birth, the head of the child emerged, but his shoulders remained "stuck" inside his mother's body. The medical team decided to extract the infant by pulling its head, an act which ended in disaster: the head of the child was severed from its body. An account of the incident appeared on September 29, 2000, in one of Israel's leading daily newspapers. According to that article, the head of the infant was sewn back onto its body and the corpse was delivered to the family, who was told that the infant died from complications during the course of child-birth, without explaining the exact reason for the tragedy. The writer of the above article also related that it was asserted by the physicians that they tried to prevent the family from experiencing unnecessary emotional distress and horror.

ERROR MSGThe family later sought to have the physicians punished for knowingly killing the infant. However, a court in Tiberias ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to cause any of those involved in the incident to stand trial for a crime, inasmuch as the infant was not considered a person under the criminal law and therefore one cannot be accused of killing him. The judge in the case ruled, in part: "For the purpose of the pregnancy that is before us, it is sufficient for us to determine that an infant does not become a person, unless his entire body came forth in its fullness from his mother's womb with his heart beating". (emphasis mine) He added: "I am sure that in today's widespread public consciousness, consideration of a case such as the one before us, wherein an infant died after his entire head emerged to the air of the world, that this is a case where death was caused to a person, as distinguished from the death of a fetus." Nevertheless, he went on to recommend that the Legislature re-examine the preferred point of balance at the stage of birth between the interest of certainty in criminal law and the interest of defending a person's life. It was reported that the family of the infant intended to file a civil suit against the hospital and the team of physicians.

In a another reported case, a man murdered his wife, who was in her ninth month of pregnancy, resulting in the death of the child as well. According to one legal analyst, the man could not be tried for double murder, because the child is not considered a person until he fully emerges alive from his mother's womb. Therefore, the man would be subject to criminal liability only for killing his wife.

In both of the above cases, the question of criminal liability was determined by the status of the child - in one instance, in the ninth month of gestation, while in the other, in the process of "being born". In both situations, it was rationalized that the fully developed, unborn child is not yet a person and, therefore, the ones who caused the deaths of these children, whether intentionally or negligently, will not be held criminally responsible in either instance. Through such rational lies that we tell ourselves, we slowly lose our perspective of life.

Violent death has become part of everyday life in this Land, whether from traffic accidents, clashes with our "neighbors" or from simply just sitting down and watching television. Recently, a public execution of an Arab accused of collaborating with Israel was put on display for the entire world to watch . . . and the world remained silent. Our headlines report tragedies of a husband and wife dying in an automobile accident; of soldiers being killed following their release from active duty; of civilians dying from gun-shot wounds while driving home or on their way to work. Yet, there are no headlines and no out-cries regarding children, whose lives are being terminated by abortion at the average rate of 165 per day. Television violence has become more widespread, as well as more vivid, as our consciences have become more and more seared and seek greater stimulation to keep our attention. Declining morality has entered our front doors and has been given prime seating location in our living rooms, while concern for the value of life has exited the back door. And, as always, the first to suffer from declining morality and from increasing lack of concern for the value of human life are those who are the most helpless in our society, those who can neither defend themselves nor speak up for themselves.

"*** The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene...." (Isa. 59:15-16) It is part of human nature to say, "Somebody ought to do something about this." It is part of the divine nature to say, "LORD, send me." (Isa. 6:8) We need to be removed from our comfort zone and make ourselves genuinely available to the will of Him Who "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1:13-14) We are all involved in many things that keep us busy. Oftentimes, we convince ourselves that we are doing things "for the LORD", even though He did not call us to do many of those things. We need to know His will and to act upon it accordingly. -3-

"This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right . . . and do not shed innocent blood in this place." (Jer. 22:3) "*** You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you". (Deut. 19:13) We fervently desire that it would well with us in the Land. As such, we need to be about our Father's business.

At a recent convocation of what was probably the largest, single gathering ever held of Bible-believing attorneys and judges (66 nations represented), one of the recurring themes was: "Every child, born and unborn, protected in law, welcomed in life." We cannot expect that this will be accomplished, if we merely hope that "somebody will do something". We need to help to bring this to pass.

May He grant us the grace to stand in the gap and press on, despite what appears to be loss of ground against an opposing current. One day, this Land will be cleansed. One day, the shedding of innocent blood will cease. May that day be soon. Amen.

REPORTS FROM OUR CPC's

Jerusalem

Since taking over as the counsellor of our main office in Jerusalem, Sharon has experienced her fair share of joys and sorrows, which come with the territory, as can be seen from the following situations.

A divorced mother of 3 children ("A") came to our office with a friend. She was under tremendous pressure from her family to have an abortion, but she was not convinced that this was the right thing to do and needed much emotional support. We were in touch by phone, as well as in person, for many weeks. During that time,"A" went through emotional ups and downs, sometimes just wanting to take what the world calls "the easy way out", before deciding once and for all to continue with her pregnancy. "A" is now in her 22nd week and relates that she is actually enjoying being pregnant. Her attitude has helped her deal with her situation. Pray that both mother and child will have a healthy pregnancy.

Thanks to Nilli's crisis intervention last year, 2 women who had come in for counselling have since delivered healthy babies - a boy and a girl. We were able to help with clothing and preliminary supplies as well. Another client is due to deliver in March. We praise God for every child saved!

One married woman called recently, not wanting to continue her pregnancy because she was told that the chances were good that her baby would be born with a genetic defect. She has no medical verification that this will, in fact, be the case, but only a statistical probability. Please pray that her child would be born healthy and that he would be received as a blessing. Please also pray for a change of mind-set on the part of the mother, that she would not consider any child as being unworthy of life just because he does not meet some worldly standard of acceptability.

ERROR MSGA journalist from a widely-read English language magazine based in Jerusalem was doing an article on abortion in Israel, which included an interview with us. We were able to provide her with information that could help her to write a truthful article on the horrors of our modern-day child sacrifice and the efforts being made to help women to not only choose life for their unborn children, but to also pick up the pieces of their shattered lives if they have already been exploited by the abortion industry. Please pray for the impact the article will have on its readers.

Please pray for the clientele who call. Many are so afraid to be identified that they would rather talk on the phone than come in to the office. One caller even wanted us to send her a pregnancy test in the mail. In addition, the average age of the Jerusalem clients seems to be getting younger and younger. Recently, we received a call from a 15-1/2 year-old in high school girl. She was already 13 weeks pregnant and wanted an abortion. Children in the 6th grade are already getting sex education in the schools with no moral guidance at all to help them make responsible decisions (i.e., that the only "safe sex" is abstention).

Haifa

Orit reported a number of encouraging matters, amongst which are the following:

"A" has a history of cervical cancer, became pregnant to the astonishment of her physicians, but she lost the baby in her fifth month of pregnancy. This was reported in our up-date of June, 2000. Despite what appeared not to be possible, she again became pregnant and is now in her 22nd week. She has been hospitalized since the second week of December and confined to bed in a "high risk" maternity ward. Given her history, the doctors who examined her in December gave her no hope of keeping the child, expecting her to miscarry within a few days of entering the hospital. The Creator of all flesh determined otherwise. Though restricted to a hospital bed, "A" remains optimistic, both for herself and for the little girl in her womb. Even the staff gynecologist is encouraged and told her that if she carries until the 28th week, they can deliver the child, who will have a good chance to develop healthy and normally. The father of the child provides her with encouraging support. Please continue to pray for "A", that she might carry not only to the 28th week, but to the 40th, and that both she and the child will be healthy. I am in regular contact with her.

A 45-year old woman came to us, who had an abortion about 15 years earlier. After counselling, she decided to keep the pregnancy and she notifies us that she gave birth to a little girl. We try to help her with necessities and items for the baby.

A 23-year old , who previously had an abortion, came to us, together with her boyfriend. She received a tract about Be'ad Chaim from a girl-friend and, after reading it, decided to come for counselling. She went through a period of uncertainty, but finally decided to keep the baby.

During the course of our work in Haifa, we are in regular communication with the Department of Child Welfare, as well as with a "safe house", whose goal is to provide a home for young women who decide the keep their pregnancies and to give their children over for adoption or to raise them as single mothers. Please pray for a strengthening of this relationship, that it may result in blessing to all involved.

With the first three days of renewing our radio advertising campaign, we received 7 calls and set up 4 meetings. One woman in her early '20's said that she was going to tell all of her friends about us, so that they can receive the same information and encouragement that was given to her. Please keep these new media efforts in prayer, that they may bear much fruit.

Tiberias

Someone once said, "All new beginnings are hard." Well, Katy has her share of "new beginnings" and we would ask your prayers for all of them. She and Nadav married each other in July, 2001. We are happy to inform you that Katy and Nadav are expecting the birth of their first child together this summer. Please keep them in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery.

In addition, last month, a lease was signed for a new location for the crisis pregnancy center location in Tiberias with new advertising. We are excited to see these new beginnings in this new year and look forward to hearing from Katy how God will be blessing her, her family and her work for His honor and glory.

Kfar Saba

luxury hotels in Frankfurt am MainAnat reports increased activity in the Kfar Saba area and shares with us the following:

A 27-year old ("K") from Kiryat Gat called the office, after receiving our number from her friend, who received one of our tracts from an outreach. She became pregnant by her brother-in-law and was in a panic and hysterical when she first called. But, following an extended conversation, "K" calmed down and was able to see the "other side" of the situation, deciding in the end to keep the pregnancy. I found her a "safe house", where she could stay for the balance of the term of her pregnancy. This met with the approval of "K"'s social worker, as well. However, a few days before she was supposed to enter the "safe-house", her social worker discovered that "K" was on drugs, after which it was then decided that it would be best for her if she received professional care and counselling, which was arranged through the social worker. Please continue to pray for both "K" and the baby, as it is possible that following the birth, the child may need to go through withdrawal.

A married, mother of 3, also from Kiryat Gat, called for counsel after discovering that she was pregnant with their fourth child. She was in a crisis situation and wanted to have an abortion. Her husband remained "neutral" on the matter and left the decision up to her. After several telephone conversations with her, the woman decided to keep the child. Praise the Lord!

A woman from Tel-Aviv ("T") received one of or tracts during an outreach and kept it for three months. She called our office when she thought she might be pregnant. "T" already had four little children, the youngest being a seven-month-old baby girl. Her husband is not well physically and it was discovered that he has a head tumor. When it was confirmed that "T" was pregnant, we continued to talk over the phone, during which time she was encouraged to keep the baby, notwithstanding the difficult family circumstances. It was not easy for her, but she chose life for child. The decision was made after her 6-year old daughter saw our tract and asked her mother: "Mommy, what is this that you want to do to your baby?" An opportunity was also presented, which allowed us to encourage her from the Word of God to chose life. Ishai and I visited with "T" and her family, whose economic conditions left much to be desired. We brought them food, diapers and clothes for their 7-month-old daughter. Words are not able to express our joy in being able to minister to this family in a practical way.

Hoteles y desayuno SandsliThe continuing affects of having an abortion last long after the event itself takes place, as demonstrated by the following incident.

Anat received a call from a woman, who is trying to help a young woman who is pregnant. The caller related that she became pregnant during her youth, but there was no one around who would support her or accompany her during the course of her pregnancy and she had an abortion during her eighth month . No one was there to help her or to explain to her what it was that she was about to do. Years later, the woman married, but her marriage fell apart, because she remained barren from the abortion that she did years earlier. She went on to state that at this point in her life, she is trying to "correct" what she had done, by helping others, particularly those who are pregnant and need assistance. It was through this woman that I was able to make contact with a 26-year old pregnant woman, who resides in a rented apartment and who is in severe financial difficulties. The woman is in her seventh month. I met with the woman in her apartment in Givataim and brought her a large box of food. She is very lonely. The relationship with the father of the child was broken off and her family is not able to help financially because they, too, are in a difficult situation. I continue to be in touch with her and hope to be of help in the future.

Please keep Anat in your prayers. She continues to try to be of assistance to others, while she, herself, is completing the first trimester of pregnancy with her fourth child, with all of its difficulties that accompany such a situation.

Kiryat Yam

Svetlana reports thanksgiving to God that one woman ("B"), who first met with Svetlana eight months ago, gave birth to a boy on January 11th. She came to do a pregnancy test and, when it proved positive, she indicated that she wanted to do an abortion. "B" was very angry during the first counselling session, which was difficult and quite lengthy. She left without saying what she was going to do. Svetlana continued to pray for "B" and decided to call her three weeks later. "B" said she had talked with her husband and they decided to keep the baby! She and the baby are happy and healthy and want Svetlana to visit and keep in touch.

A week ago, Svetlana had a meeting with a 26-year old woman ("O"), who is married and already has a little boy. They are very "new" immigrants, who came to Israel 4 months ago and they still have not found work. "O" is in now in her 12th or 13th week of pregnancy and wants an abortion. She is concerned that they will not have the means to take care of the child after the birth. Please keep this couple in your prayers, that they might not terminate the pregnancy for financial reasons and that they would be able to find work that will be suitable to their skills and which would bring in the funds that they need to provide for the family.

Finally, Svetlana asks prayer for "N", who is 3 months pregnant. Although they have never met her, they have spoken over the phone a number of times. "N" originally wanted an abortion, but now decided that she will not have one. She is married, but is living apart from her husband for the past two years. "N" wants to get a divorce, but does not know the whereabouts of her husband. She has been living with her boyfriend for the past two years and wants to marry him. He is the father of her baby.

Beer Sheva

Ala, who has worked for us faithfully during the past year and a half as a volunteer, was added to our payroll, effective January, 2001. She is earning minimum wage and is working on a limited, part-time basis only. We continue to pray that our circumstances will improve and that we will be able to insure that all of the counsellors are properly compensated, as we believe that a worker is worthy of his hire.

The work of Be'ad Chaim is having an increasing impact in the south, particularly amongst those from the former Soviet Union. While there are stories that could be related concerning her work and the women, including an 18 year-old, who decided to keep their pregnancies, we agreed to Ala's request that our report about Beer Sheva at this time be limited to her prayer, namely: (1) for an actual crisis pregnancy center office; (2) that the recipients of our up-dates and supporters of this ministry be encouraged to pray for the work in Beer Sheva and the south of Israel and (3) that the different congregations in this Land will be open to our work and to our message. May it be His will that our next up-date will report about answered prayer in this regard.

On the Streets

To the delight of all of us, we received funds towards the end of the year, which enabled us to replenish our supply of tracts and other materials, which we distribute on the streets of cities and communities all over the Country, such as: Jerusalem, Afula, Beer Sheva, Hadera, Haifa, Herzliya, Hod HaSharon, Holon, Kfar Saba, Kiryat Yam, Netanya, Poriyya Elite, Raanana, Ramat Gan, Rehovot, Tel-Aviv, Tiberias and areas to the northern borders of Israel, just to mention a few. Ishai, our outreach worker, continues to hand out leaflets to whoever will take them, sometimes being accompanied by faithful volunteers, who are often harassed, not so much because of the material, but because of opposition to our faith.

The materials are distributed in Hebrew, English, Arabic and Russian and reach every segment and every level of society, including students, soldiers, educators and different types of professionals (not enough, though), women who are now pregnant and those who have had abortions in the past. A recent outreach in Jerusalem near a post office resulted in 3 women breaking down in tears because of having aborted their babies.

The outreaches are met with mixed responses. Most of the time they are favorable and encouraging, but sometimes they are intimidating and threatening. Ishai occasionally meets with opposition from municipal inspectors, who, because they are not as familiar with the law as they should be, tell him to "move on", because it is unlawful to distribute tracts, even though a local court has ruled that such distribution is protected as a form of freedom of expression. At other times, Ishai is met by others of "like mind", who encourage him and those with him to continue to "fight the good fight of faith".

Please continue to pray for Ishai and for those who accompany him in helping to open up the eyes of the people of Israel to the realities of abortion and its consequences. He needs extra prayer at this time, as he bears up under the extra pressures that accompany the pregnancy of his wife, Anat.

Specials:

New Advertising

We are thankful for the new opportunities that are being presented to us to renew our radio advertising in the area of Haifa and its environs. The area of advertising will reach listeners from Hadera to the south and as far as Tiberias to the north-east. The ads will include the telephone numbers for our CPC's in Haifa, Kiryat Yam and Tiberias. It has already resulted in many calls and, during the first week of its run, we know of at least 3 women who have decided to keep their pregnancies. Praise the Lord!

Through much grace, we have been able to establish good contacts with a local advertising company in Haifa, which is genuinely supportive of our work. We began to advertise in a local Russian-speaking newspaper, which is published in all of the areas of the north of Israel. This same week, we will begin a trial advertisement through a local, cable television "magazine", which reaches 22 cities in the north. We will have 30 seconds to have our message read, as well as heard, in both Hebrew and Russian (15 seconds each).

As a result of our trial television advertising, we were in touch with cable companies, which advertise throughout the entire Country. In Haifa, Orit was able to explain to local representatives of one company the importance of the work of Be'ad Chaim for the general public. As a result, the company agreed to provide us with free advertising as a service to the community, through a local channel for 4 days a week and possibly more later on. We are in communication with other cable companies to try to get them to allow us to advertise to the rest of the Country, as a community service without charge. Please pray that these new efforts at advertising will bear much lasting fruit that may be to the praise and glory of the God Whom we serve.

In similar fashion, we began looking into the possibility of radio advertising in the Jerusalem area. Most of our clients who come to the Jerusalem office learn about us through newspaper ads and through the literature that is distributed during the weekly outreaches along Jerusalem's major pedestrian walkways. It has long been our desire to place long-running ads in the local magazines read by Israeli youth, as well as in local Hebrew and Russian newspapers. From prior experience in Haifa, we know that advertisements on the radio are very effective, but also very expensive. Right now, the cost for radio advertising in Jerusalem is prohibitive. We are praying for an "in" to this form of media in the center of Israel, which may also open the door for us to reach more high school students and women in the army.

Please also pray that we might receive the necessary funds that we need to use the air waves to reach the communities in and around Jerusalem and, from there, to all other communities here.

ERROR MSGNew Office in Jerusalem

After being in the same location for a decade, it now appears that we will need to find another place for our main office in Jerusalem. If we remain, it will cost us an additional 50% over what we are presently paying for rent. We would rather spend these funds on advertising and tracts and other materials than have to pay the rent increase. Please keep this matter in prayer, as we have already begun looking for the place that has been prepared for us in advance.

Office for Beersheva

As noted in our report concerning Beer Sheva, we need to find a physical location from which Ala can provide counselling to those who call. At present, she does most of her work over the phone and meets clients in different locations. However, this cannot continue much longer and we ask that you join your prayers to ours, that we might find the right place, at the right place, at the right time.

Language Expansion / Working Together

Recently, through the assistance of an attorney friend in Portugal, we were able to obtain a video cassette about abortion in Portugese and viewed it for a Portugese-speaking woman in Haifa, who decided to keep her twins, after originally wanting an abortion. She was so impressed with what she saw, she invited Portugese-speaking friends over to see the video and encouraged them to "chose life".

Special Thanks

A special thank you to those who have sent baby clothes. Some of our clients have nothing at all for their babies and clothing and blankets are a practical blessing, as well as a genuine testimony to them of our love and concern. However, we are still in need of boys' clothing and long-sleeve (winter) clothing of all kinds (except knitted sweaters), as well as long-sleeve undershirts and receiving blankets. If you send packages, please DO NOT write "new clothing" on the customs declaration, as it will result in our having to pay customs duties before they will be released to us.

Vandalism

Our sign in front of our office in Jerusalem continues to be vandalised with black crosses and swastikas. Please pray with us that He Who convicts us of truth and righteousness will also convict these perpetrators of their sins against the Holy One of Israel.

New Web-site

Please continue to pray with us that we might be able to complete the layout for the new website, so that by the time that we send out our next up-date, this site would be up and functioning.

Annual General Meeting

Be'ad Chaim's Annual General Meeting and Conference was held at Yad HaShmona on Friday and Saturday, December 15-16, 2000. From all reports, it was a time of blessing for all, conviction for some and renewed commitment for others. We were joined by a group from Holland, who blessed us in many different ways for express our heartfelt thanks. For those of you who were not able to attend this year, we look forward to seeing you at the conference to be held towards the end of this year.

With blessings and with thanks for your continued prayers and support,

Marvin S. Kramer, National Administrator