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[08.19.08] Several Christian organizations based in Israel recently helped keep the
doors open at a cancer treatment center founded in Jerusalem 10 months ago in
honor of the late Yuri Shtern, a former Knesset member and Russian Jew known for
building close ties between the state of Israel and the international Christian
community. Shtern died of debilitating cancer last year.
doors open at a cancer treatment center founded in Jerusalem 10 months ago in
honor of the late Yuri Shtern, a former Knesset member and Russian Jew known for
building close ties between the state of Israel and the international Christian
community. Shtern died of debilitating cancer last year.
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“It was very moving for me to know that the Christian organizations which
were in very close contact with my father are at our side and are helping us
perpetuate his memory,” said Marik Shtern, son of Yuri Shtern and
Director-General of the Yuri Shtern Foundation.
were in very close contact with my father are at our side and are helping us
perpetuate his memory,” said Marik Shtern, son of Yuri Shtern and
Director-General of the Yuri Shtern Foundation.
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He said that the Yuri Shtern Holistic Center for Patients Dealing
With Cancer, which has treated more than 500 patients since opening,
had to almost close its doors due to a lack of funds. Three of the Christian
donors to the center so far have been the International Christian Embassy
Jerusalem (ICEJ), Bridges for Peace and Christian Friends of Israel.
With Cancer, which has treated more than 500 patients since opening,
had to almost close its doors due to a lack of funds. Three of the Christian
donors to the center so far have been the International Christian Embassy
Jerusalem (ICEJ), Bridges for Peace and Christian Friends of Israel.
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“We’re pleased to honor our friend, the late Yuri Shtern, by helping to
keep the center open in his name,” said ICEJ executive director Malcolm
Hedding. “We believe his memory is well worth keeping alive because he was a
good friend to us and to the Christian community.”
keep the center open in his name,” said ICEJ executive director Malcolm
Hedding. “We believe his memory is well worth keeping alive because he was a
good friend to us and to the Christian community.”
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Besides creating bonds with Christians worldwide since the 1980s, Yuri
Shtern was known for forming the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus in 2004—a
parliamentary lobby that indirectly connects Christians worldwide to Israeli
policy.
Shtern was known for forming the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus in 2004—a
parliamentary lobby that indirectly connects Christians worldwide to Israeli
policy.
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Before his death, Shtern told Front Page Jerusalem radio: “We have no
better friends than our Christian friends in America. Our relationship with
Christians makes Israel more secure.”
better friends than our Christian friends in America. Our relationship with
Christians makes Israel more secure.”
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The operational future of the cancer center could again become uncertain
later this year, when funds donated by the three Christian groups expire. “Six
months from now we pray that there will continue to be provision of funds
through [Jewish and Christian] groups as well as others who may want to provide
for it,” said Shannon Bennett, a U.S. spokesperson for the ICEJ.
later this year, when funds donated by the three Christian groups expire. “Six
months from now we pray that there will continue to be provision of funds
through [Jewish and Christian] groups as well as others who may want to provide
for it,” said Shannon Bennett, a U.S. spokesperson for the ICEJ.
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