Local neurosurgeon matches donations to moshav Ein Habesor

Dr. John Jenkins, a neurosurgeon at Orlando Neurosurgery in Orlando, is devoted to the people and state of Israel and has made a monetary pledge to help those who are suffering on the moshavs in southern Israel.

Because of the impact on him of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacres, Dr. Jenkins has pledged a $50,000 matching grant for donations to moshav Ein Habesor in southern Israel, near the Gaza border. Through a Christian charity called City Serve, Israel, his donation is earmarked to help ease the trauma the children have experienced, brought on by the Oct. 7 attack and the ongoing conflict with Iran and its proxies. To donate, go to donate.overflow.co. The matching fund drive will end on Nov. 7.

On Oct. 7 the moshav was attacked by Hamas fighters but was miraculously repelled by several individuals who only had four M16 rifles against Hamas terrorists. Because of their valiant efforts the terrorists moved on. (see Heritage article "Christians are banding together to help Israelis in southern Negev," Dec. 15, 2003 and Dr. John Jenkins Viewpoint article, titled "The importance of human relationships in a time of grief," Dec. 29, 2023 issue and "The children of Israel and the Oct. 7 massacre," July 19, 2024 issue.)

The question arises, why not donate to the communities that were more impacted than Ein Habesor? The answer is simple: Ein Habasor was not destroyed, it has been passed by.

The moshav has lost two crops because the Thai workers the kibbutz depended on all left after Thailand's president flew them home. Ein Habesor does not have the personnel to plant in the spring.

Also, understanding that an effective way to help ease the trauma in children, is to promote sports and social interaction with other children. To date, City Serve, Israel has rebuilt the kibbutz's pool, built a sports complex that includes a pickleball court, basketball court and grass fields to play soccer and other sports. In addition, they've built a social hall so the community can gather and participate in different activities. The sports complex is open to other Kibbutzim in the area.

Why this concern for Israel?

In 2020, tragedy struck when Dr. Jenkins' wife was killed in a car accident on I-4.

"Perhaps my wife's death led me to ask questions that I had never really asked before. Or perhaps I asked those questions, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to hear God's answer. But for some reason during this time in my life, I was looking, and I found my faith.

"I attended a talk by a Pastor Paula White whose dynamic sermon reached me. I began to attend church services in a non-denominational church in Apopka, Florida. There I found the City Serve charity, which were doing good works throughout the world. City Serve was sponsoring a trip to Ukraine and Israel, which at the time appealed to me. This was my first visit to Israel, and I was blown away by the historical sites and the people. Going to the Holy Land changed my perspective on life and affirmed my belief in God."

A video on the City Serve website is a powerful appeal to stand with Israel and the Jewish people in their time of need. It reads in part, "This isn't just Israel's fight, it's a battle for righteousness in a world shadowed by evil. United as God's people nothing can prevail against us. ... We need your support to be the light. Thank you for standing with the people of Israel. Be part of Israel's story of resilience."