Published: November 21, 2024
Here is the list of the eighteen things we “prophesized” in December 2023 that we would achieve by December 2023, and how we measured up:
| 1 | Complete the requirements for the Guidestar Gold Seal, upgrading from the Silver Seal we have had since 2023 | DONE! https://www.guidestar.org/profile/85-0583428 |
| 2 | Run the Kristallnacht Light Up The Church project for the third year in a row, hopefully growing more in all parameters | DONE! See this report: https://lightupthechurch.org/updates/update-summary-of-light-up-the-church-2024/ |
| 3 | Work with the fourth cohort of the Institute of Midrashic Studies of the New Testament | As of September, Dr. Dave Pitcher, Academic Director, is pursuing his doctorate in Biblical Studies at Liberty University. Due to this and a paucity in funding, we are putting this project on a back burner for the near future. |
| 4 | Travel to the USA and perhaps other countries to meet old friends and new friends | In May, our CEO Gidon Ariel traveled to Dallas, Denver, Chicago, New York, Panama, and New York. |
| 5 | Create the “Bless Israel” tab on www.root-source.com, to introduce our friends to nonprofit organizations in Israel that we encourage you to support | DONE! https://root-source.com/bless-israel/ and also enjoy our Launch Party at https://givebutter.com/tenyearsRootSource |
| 6 | Market The LIST series to libraries | We hope to get necessary funding for this project and move forward in 2025. |
| 7 | Cooperate with the Ten From The Nations organization to hold the Nations’ Ninth of Av Gala | The Nations’ Ninth of Av organization decided not to bring a group to Israel this year (because of the Hamas War and the travel restrictions that brought), so instead we hosted an online event https://givebutter.com/9Av2024 |
| 8 | Initiate and award the Root Source Annual Bridgebuilders Prize in Jerusalem and/or Texas or elsewhere | Deferred. This is dependent on a dependable annual earmarked grant of $20,000. https://givebutter.com/Bridgebuilders |
| 9 | Publish The LIST 2023 and The LIST 2023: Hamas War Edition, and hold special online launches of both of these books | We published The LIST 2023 Part One in January, hoping to publish Part Two when the Hamas War ends. Unfortunately, Hamas and Hezbollah have not surrendered as of this writing:-( We also had technical issues with our database that we hope to overcome in early 2025. |
| 10 | Hold the Root Source-Nathaniel Foundation Sukkot Symposium | DONE! https://givebutter.com/Sukkot2024 We plan to create standalone videos of the lectures as we have for past symposiums, as well as publish the proceedings. |
| 11 | Publish and launch the Hanukkah Symposium Proceedings book | Working on this, we hope to complete it by December. |
| 12 | Make more progress in fundraising and Christian outreach, with our directors of these departments, Michael Stoltz and Josh Frampton | We needed to terminate our work agreement with Josh (social media) and have cut Michael’s hours by half. We pray that God will help us get the necessary funding to continue our work in 2025 and even expand. |
| 13 | Apply for and win grants from new foundations, in addition to grants from our friends at The Nathaniel Foundation and the Carson Myre Foundation | We won $45,000 in grants from The Nathaniel Foundation and the Carson Myre Foundation. We hope to win grants from other foundations next year. |
| 14 | Continue to publish and upgrade our newsletter | Done. Added and refreshed content, including the addition of a weekly Torah lesson from the Steinsaltz Center. |
| 15 | Add items to our Store | We published The LIST 2023 Part One. As of this writing, you can buy thirty one books and products on our online store. |
| 16 | Host online events, including the launch of The LIST 2023 and The LIST Hamas War Edition, and the Sukkot Symposium | As noted above, The LIST 2023 Part Two was deferred. Part One Launch and the Sukkot Symposium were held and were successful. Other online events listed below. |
| 17 | Hold more “Conversations” and launch the Root Source Podcast channel | We did not launch a podcast channel (yet), but held many conversations. |
| 18 | Celebrate a few more grandchildren? | Mazal tov! In October, we welcomed Yehonatan Zvi and Keter Bat-Zion🙂 |
Besides that, we worked on the following:
| 1 | War Needs Fundraising Campaign | Our Root Source friends continued to respond generously to our campaign, contributions totalling over $38,000. https://givebutter.com/israel-war-needs |
| 2 | The Institute of Midrashic Studies of the New Testament | We recruited and enrolled two new fellows for the 2024 Cohort. Three journal articles were submitted, one of which was published! In Q3, Dr. Dave Pitcher, Academic Director, began work on his doctorate in Biblical Studies at Liberty University. Due to this and a paucity in funding, we are putting this project on a back burner for the near future. |
| 3 | Paushali Lass Webinar | https://root-source.com/inside-root-source/israel-in-the-headlines-and-in-the-bible/ |
| 4 | List 2023 Launch | https://givebutter.com/LIST2023VirtualLaunch |
| 5 | Purim Mishloach Manot Campaign | https://givebutter.com/Purim2024 |
| 6 | Conversations | Abigail Wolfer, Al McCarn (Ten From The Nations), Alan Latta, Captain Rabbi Yisrael Wende, Dr. Richard Booker, Esther Henderson, God’s Learning Channel, Jason Brunette, Jason Caplan, Jeff Hutcheon, Katalin Morgan, Moshe Kempinski, Pastor Al Latta, Paushali Lass, Philip E. Steele, Russ Smith, Ruth Guggenheim. |
| 7 | Media Appearances | Goel Jasper, Zev Brenner, Chaim Malespin, Bible Fiber, Paul Calvert, BridgeConnector Hanukkah event |
| 8 | Iran-Israel Friendship Murals | Participated in unveilings in Mateh Yehudah (near Jerusalem), Kefar HaMaccabiah, Tel Aviv, Emek Hefer, and Jerusalem. Helped raise funds and make connections for this important bridge-building project. |
| 9 | USA trip | Spoke and met people in Dallas, Denver, Chicago, New York, Panama, and Florida. |
| 10 | Jewish Outreach Lectures | Gave two lectures to Jewish groups on the importance of building bridges with Christians. |
| 11 | Carson Myre and Nathaniel Foundations grants | We were awarded three grants, totalling $50,000. |
| 12 | Global Prayer for Israel | Participated in May 15 Global Prayer for Israel with co-host Dr. Victoria Sarvadi. |
| 13 | Tenth Anniversary Celebration and Bless Israel Launch | https://givebutter.com/tenyearsRootSource. Featuring humanitarian and Zionist causes and organizations |
| 14 | Jewish Teacher research and recruitment | Spoke and met people at Bible and Jewish Philosophy conferences. |
| 15 | Networking | Gidon meets with an average of ten friends a week, from the United States, Israel and all over the world, on Zoom and in person. He also participated in numerous on-site conferences and events in Israel. |
| 16 | Newsletter | We continue to curate and deliver a weekly newsletter to our list of close to 12,000 recipients with an average 25% open rate. (Subscribe here) |
What are our plans for 2024?
With God’s help, we will:
- Hold the Fifth Annual Root Source-Nathaniel Foundation Symposium.
- Hold more “Conversations” and launch the Root Source Podcast channel.
- Run the Kristallnacht Light Up The Church project for the fourth year in a row, hopefully growing more in all parameters.
- Complete the requirements for the Guidestar Platinum Seal, upgrading from the Gold Seal we were awarded in 2024.
- Market The LIST series to libraries.
- Publish The LIST 2023/2024: Hamas War Edition, and hold a special online launch event for it.
- Add more charities and causes to the “Bless Israel” tab on www.root-source.com for our friends to support.
- Travel abroad to meet old friends and new friends.
- Publish and launch the Sukkot Symposium Proceedings book.
- Add items to our Store.
- Cooperate with the Ten From The Nations organization to hold the Nations’ Ninth of Av Gala.
- Continue to publish and upgrade our newsletter.
- Apply for and win grants from new foundations, in addition to grants from our friends at The Nathaniel Foundation and the Carson Myre Foundation.
- Renew the work of the Institute of Midrashic Studies of the New Testament.
- Award the Root Source Annual Bridgebuilders Prize in Jerusalem and/or Texas or elsewhere
- Make more progress in fundraising and Christian outreach.
- Host online events.
- Celebrate a few more grandchildren?
THANK YOU TO OUR 123 GENEROUS SUPPORTERS IN 2024!
(Please Note: our management software and bookkeeping systems didn’t work so well this year:-) If you think you should be listed in a certain category and you are not, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we will make it good!)
* indicates monthly, quarterly, or annual recurring donor.
Champion $25,000+
- Anonymous
- Nathaniel Foundation
Sustainer $10,000+
- Carson Myre Foundation
Partner $1000+
- *Ann Stacy
- Bob O'Dell
- *Cynthia Heaton
- Freed Ariel Fund
- James Schrag
- First Melissa Church
- National Christian Foundation
- Parthenia Antoine
- Phyllis Lido
- Robert O'Dell
- Tyler Bierly
- Vicki Sarvadi
- Vicky Anwar
Ewe Lamb Supporter $500+
- Autumn Lido Mael
- Darlene Morgan
- Edward Jones Charitable Gift Fund
- Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund
- Helene Reich
- *Hsien e Lin
- Kathy Herbst
- Louise Clarke
- *Marie Moniz
- Michael Johnston
- Paul Hendrickson
- *Paushali Lass
- Sandra Grodko
Turtle Doves Supporter $250+
- *Albert McCarn
- Carl Hale
- *Cheryl Ryan
- *Cindy Offenstein
- Donna Clayton
- *Frederick Elkins
- *Katerina Danek
- *Pamela H Tobola
- Paras Soh
- Rachel Amidei
- *David Swaggerty
- *Sharon Kuck
- *Steve Wearp
- *Timothy Baker
- *Youngsik Son
Fine Flour Supporter $100+
- Amy Hawkins
- Beverly Hall
- Bruce Bingham
- *Christine Eldridge
- *David & Abigail Wolfer
- *Don Mueller
- *Elizabeth Werner
- Ellen Klipp
- Eric Battle
- Evon Montgomery
- *Fernando Carrillo Garcia
- Gabriella Spitzer
- *Georjean Allenbach
- *Hartmut Kraft
- Hooman Khalili
- Irene Leeb Wagner
- Jackie Hager
- Jackie Kenney
- *Jeffrey Purner
- Jordan Rosenfeld
- Katalin Morgan
- Kim Erickson
- Lisa McCrady
- *Marcia Macy
- Maria Miese
- Mark Baumgarten
- Max Rambow
- Meredith Adamczyk
- *Noel Orosa
- Patricia Owen
- Patrick Wilson
- *Ralph Peil
- *Ray Montgomery
- Rivkah Lambert Adler
- *Rose J Bechard
- *Sister Georjean Allenbach
- *Steve Rekedal
Friend Under $100
- Alexa Jakob
- Allan Johnson
- *Andrea Chester
- Andrey Zaremba
- Anshul Gupta
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- Brian Sanders
- Dale Barnes
- David Bradshaw
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- *Donna Luna
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- Hope Inman
- Jennifer Chrisman
- *Joyce J Toney
- Judith Safern
- k David Isaacs
- Katie Marwitz
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- Lawrence Heau
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- Marc Ricco
- Mark Goldberg
- Martha Lugo
- *Megan Louk
- Michael Allen
- Nancy Factor
- Noel Lynch
- Rheta Cloutier
- *Ruth John
- Sloan Luckie
- Spencer Cohen
- Steve Rekedal
- *Stevie Mick
Champion $25,000+
Anonymous
Sustainer $10,000+
Carson Myre Foundation
Nathaniel Foundation
Partner $1000+
Abbas Suhail
Ann Stacy
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bruce Bingham
David and Cynthia Heaton
Dawn Derouchie
Debbie Bloom
Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund
Iris
Jane L Poole
Lori Hinze
Marie Moniz
Melissa McCombs
Michal and Katerina Danek
Revis Daggett
Tapatio Ladies Bible Study
Warren Muth
Young Sik Son
Ewe Lamb Supporter $500+
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bruce Connor
Dr. Victoria and Paul Sarvadi
Hsien E Lin
Jackie Hager
Janice Curry
Jay Moore
Kathy Herbst
Kathy White
Lucinda Peralta
Patricia Owen
Paul Hendrickson
Rita Adams
Scott
Steve Wearp
Turtle Doves Supporter $250+
AFFI & Susan Lhota
Alan & Yvette Latta
Anonymous
Brian Sanders
Cheryl Ryan & Mike Ryan
Donna Jollay, Israel365 & Jerusalem Tours
Frederick Elkins
Kenneth Sorenson
Kilee Adley
Leslie and Mark Weisberg
Lisa Burkhardt Worley
Noel Orosa
Patricia Owen
Rev D E Swaggerty
Rose Bechard
Sister Georjean Allenbach
Sydney Hewitt
The Boca Bierly’s
Fine Flour Supporter $100+
Albert Mccarn
Alejandra Bistrian
Allyn Whitbread
American Christian
Amy Hawkins
Anonymous
Autumn Lido Mael
Bob and Marisa
Christine Eldridge
Christopher Smith
Cindy Offenstein
Cody Pelletier
David Wolfer
Debbie & Thomas
Don Mueller
Elizabeth Werner
Fernando Carrillo Garcia
Harry
Jennifer Chrisman
Joan Wimberly
Joseph Riverwind
Joyce J Toney
Judith Geiger
Kay Julianyork
Kimberly Troup
Marcia Macy
Mercy kombo
Misty Post
Nel Ooijen, The Netherlands
Pamela H Tobola
Paushali Lass
Peter Porcaro
Ralph Peil
Raymond Montgomery
Rosemary Schindler Garlow and Dr. Jim Garlow
Sandi and Steven
Steve A Rekedal
Timothy McCurdy
Friend Under $100
Alison Darrell
Aliza and Ariel Katz
Allison Bottke
An Israel lover in Japan
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Antonella Radicioni
Armando Rusty
Ashley Walker
Avraham Norin
Benjamin Gershon
Chaim Eliyahu Ben Avraham
Chaya and Avrohom Hillel
Cindy Offenstein
Clint
Dana Rincon
Dani & Gila
Debi Zylbermann
Doris Bartow
Doris J. Bartow, a lover of the Jews
Evon Montgomery
Gail Mobbs
Israel Caleb Samuel Gnanadurai
James Bowman
James M. Smith
Jason Caplan
Jeffrey Purner
Katie Gregg
Kenneth Freedman
Ladonna Meyers
Laura Densmore
Linda Walker
Lisa McCrady
Lori Kremers
Maria Rojo
Michael Cory
Mona and Ygal
Narelle Ryan
Rachel Raskin
Richard Conover
Scott Ostrander
Shamali Perera
Sid-n-Deb aka YeshivaRetreat
Stevie Mick
Susan Anderson
Susan Berger
Sylvia Williams
Tim Myers
Timothy Baker
Tirtza Rosenthal