On Oct 25, 2025 Friends of Israel (FOI) Gospel Ministry had a very successful Stand with Israel" event at the Asper Campus attended by some 100 people, during which cheques of $30, 000 each were presented to Magen David Adom, Leket, and Operation Lifeshield.
The event, which was held in the multi-purpose room courtesy of the Rady JCC was emceed by Jared Esser, the Manitoba representative who was convinced to become involved in FOI by Jon Plantz, a devout Christian and a strong supporter of Israel. Both members of our Jewish community and Christian supporters of Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry attended the event, where Myron Schultz and his Klezmer Trio performed to open the evening.
Robert Gottselig, FOI’s Canadian director, who hails from Regina, pointed out that Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry was founded in 1938 on Kristallnacht, to raise funds to help and save Jews during the Holocaust. This was a ten years before the establishment of the Jewish State. As Gottselig indicated Friends of Israel formed a relief committee to raise funds for food, clothing and shelter for Europe’s Jews, and provided passports for Jews who wanted to escape.” He said “We have workers around the wold that stand with the Jewish people and Israel.” He stated that he believes anti-Zionism is antisemitism and “To those who come in Jesus’s name and persecute you, I say sorry,” and also stated, “You can not call yourself a Christian and demonize Israel.”
Following a break for refreshments, a cheque of $30,00 was presented to Sharon Fraiman, the Calgary-based Israeli-born director for western Canada of Canadian Magen David Adom (CMDA). Magen David Adom is Israel’s mostly volunteer, national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. She noted that “our ambulances are purchased in Quebec.” She also said that Ida Alpert who is now on the Winnipeg Board of CMDA purchased two ambulances and medi-scooters. Fraiman also spoke about a member of her family who was murdered on Oct 7th, Ofer Shoshani, who lived in Kfar Aza and was only 24 years old. She was a commander of a training base “who loved life” and “wanted to build a leadership centre. Fraiman emphasized that every dollar CMDA raises counts, noting that CMDA raises money in Canada to purchase ambulances, medical equipment, supplies and blood testing kits to support the life saving efforts of MDA in Israel.
The second recipient was Christian Friends of Leket Israel, which raises funds in support of Leket Israel – which has been feeding the hungry in Israel since 2023. In a video appearance, Ray MacDonald, the director of Christian Friends of Leket Israel indicated that the organization provides about 255,000 Israelis weekly with nutritious food and meals.” He added that 20% of Israelis are not getting the nutrition they need” and 30% of children in Israel go to school hungry. There are more children who go to bed hungry than elsewhere in the Western world, he pointed out Since the outbreak of war, Israel is facing its worst food crisis and there is much “damaged farmland and infrastructure” which has meant a decrease in food production and food shortages.” Seniors and others face malnutrition. Leket has volunteers who distribute food.
According to the Leket website, “millions of tons of healthy, fresh food are wasted or destroyed because of excess quantity, minor imperfections, or financial cost. Leket’s fleet of 27 refrigerated trucks and vans, productively transports surplus food instead of destroying it.‘
The final recipient of $30,000 from Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry is Operation Lifeshield, whose mission is to provide bomb shelters to save lives in Israel. Dr. Matthew Lazar who is the President of Operation Lifeshield in Israel and who has two daughters who made Aliyah emphasized that bomb shelters are put up “wherever they are needed,” without distinguishing between religions or socio-economic areas.
Over 1,000 shelters have been donated by individuals and organizations – both Jewish and Christian – from around the world, and Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry globally is responsible for donating over 100 of those bomb shelters. Lazar added that “The donation that Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry from Manitoba made last year to Operation Life Shield went towards a shelter for a kindergarten in the Binyamina region in Western Galilee. Lazar said, “I am speaking for these [kindergarten] children. Thank you so much.”
FOI Gospel Ministry also honoured John Plantz, who retired in September after 33 years of service. Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Rady JCC spoke about Plantz’s volunteerism , “whose heart is as expansive as his smile.” He noted the John did things “humbly, quietly and with purpose.” John has stood at the entrance of the Israel Pavilion greeting people and connecting with them.” He has gone to Israel on archaeological digs, and educational, tours, and “has taken others there [to Israel] spiritually and emotionally.” Berkowitz indicated that “For John, everything is ‘sacred’, and added that John “planted seeds that will grow for generations.” Berkowitz concluded by saying, “Thank you for always showing up. May the next chapter bring you joy and peace.
