Root Source Tenth Anniversary and Bless Israel Launch

Gidon, the host of the meeting, welcomed everyone and introduced the Root Source’s 10th anniversary celebration and Bless Israel launch, discussing the history of Root Source and its partnerships with various causes. He also shared personal stories and experiences, including his early learning experiences with a mentor and his journey of connecting with Jewish people. The conversation ended with Gidon expressing optimism, encouraging support for various Israeli organizations, and celebrating Root Source’s 10th anniversary and the launch of the Bless Israel Project.

Summary
Gidon, the host of the meeting, welcomed everyone and introduced the Root Source’s 10th anniversary celebration and Bless Israel launch. He shared the meeting’s agenda, which included discussing the history of Root Source and its partnerships with various causes. Gidon also mentioned that the meeting would be recorded for those who might need to leave and return later. He encouraged attendees to donate to the cause and introduced a new page dedicated to Bless Israel. Gidon then pre-recorded a conversation with his co-founder, Bob O’Dell, to discuss the history of Root Source.

Root Source: From Idea to Entity
Gidon reminisces about meeting Bob at a prayer conference in Jerusalem in 2014, where he announced his idea of offering Torah lessons online to Christians. This sparked Bob’s interest, and after several meetings, they decided to form Root Source, an entity for this purpose. They also sought feedback on their idea at the National Religious Broadcasters Conference before fully developing the concept over the next six months.

Jewish Calendar Alignment and Business Origins
Gidon discussed the alignment of the Jewish calendar with the Gregorian calendar, noting that it occurs every few years. He also reminisced about his early learning experiences with a mentor, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and teaching. Gidon then shifted the conversation to the origins of Root Source. He mentioned several teachers who were part of the initial team, including Rabbi Elan Adler, Seth Young, Avi Lipkin, and Ken Spiro.

Root Source’s History and Growth Discussion
Gidon discussed the history and growth of their organization, Root Source. He mentioned the launch of their website in 2014, the publication of their first book, “Israel NOW!,” in 2015, and the subsequent launch of their second book, “Jubilee NOW!,” in 2016. Gidon also talked about their decision to give full access to all their content in 2017, and their participation in a tour with Trey Graham in 2018. He also mentioned the publication of their third book, “The LIST,” in 2019, and the launch of the “Nation’s 9th of Av” event.

Exploring Jewish-Christian Connections and Activism
Gidon discussed his experiences with Bob over the past five years, including Bob’s writing “Five Years with Orthodox Jews,” which features Gidon prominently. He mentioned the book’s focus on Christians connecting with Judaism in a respectful manner and the blessings that can come from such interactions. Gidon also discussed the establishment of an American nonprofit organization, the launch of the Bridge Builders list of leading activists in Christian-Jewish engagement, and the publication of several books. He highlighted the partnership with the Adin Steinsaltz Center and the publication of The LIST 2020, 2021, and 2022, which document anti-semitism over the past 2,000 years.

Root Source’s 10th Anniversary and Bless Israel Program
Gidon discussed the upcoming 10th anniversary celebration of Root Source and the Bless Israel Program. He highlighted the organization’s development and partnerships with various nonprofits benefiting Israel and Jews worldwide. Gidon also shared videos showcasing the work of organizations such as Yashar LaChayal, Christian Friends of Emunah Women, and Beyadenu. He emphasized the importance of supporting these causes, particularly in relation to the Temple Mount, and encouraged attendees to join the Bless Israel Program.

Christian Friends of Israeli Communities Overview
Sandra Baras, the founder and international president of Christian Friends of Israeli Communities (CFOIC), discussed the organization’s mission and history. She explained that CFOIC was founded over 25 years ago as a response to the need for Christians to understand and support the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, often referred to as settlements. Sandra emphasized that the organization’s focus is on connecting Christians with the Jewish communities in the area, and they are involved in three main areas: education, tourism, and providing financial support for various projects. She also highlighted the importance of educating Christians about the biblical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, as well as the prophetic significance of the return of Jews to Judea and Samaria.

Crossroads’ Impact on Emergency Needs and Lives
Gidon discussed his organization’s shift to addressing emergency needs since October 7, 2023. He highlighted Crossroads, a Jerusalem-based organization providing support to teens and young people, and shared how it significantly impacted the lives of these teens during their struggles. Gidon emphasized Crossroads’ role in intervening on behalf of people in need and saving lives.

Israeli Organizations and Bless Israel Project
Gidon expressed optimism and encouraged support for various Israeli organizations. He introduced the Bless Israel Project, which allows for donations to the featured organizations or the project in general. Gidon also invited feedback on additional organizations to be included. He ended the conversation by celebrating Root Source’s 10th anniversary and the launch of the Bless Israel Project, and ended with a rendition of the Israeli national anthem.