In Altensteig, a small town in the Black Forest, dozens of people gathered in the market square on 110 Sundays following the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, to express their solidarity with the kidnapped Israeli hostages. At the end of April, CSI expressed its gratitude for this loyalty with a special event, together with Jewish and Israeli guests.
By Dana Nowak
“Most of the guests present have regularly taken a stand for Israel in public. Today, as Christians standing alongside Israel , we want to honor those who, for Zion’s sake, did not remain silent until the last hostage returned. We express our deepest respect and admiration. This evening belongs first and foremost to you,” said CSI Chairman Luca Hezel, welcoming the approximately 130 guests to the premises of the affiliated organization ZEDAKA in Bad Liebenzell. “But we are not only celebrating you, but also Israel, which today turns 78 years young and 3000 years old,” Hezel added. He also mentioned a couple who have shown exceptional loyalty, having attended the Israel rally on 109 out of 110 Sundays.
Among the guests was Rabbi Mordechai Mendelsohn from Karlsruhe. He had been present in Altensteig on several Sundays and found moving words at the thanksgiving evening: “It was an honor for me to see Christian German citizens who met every Sunday—even when it was cold—to show their love for the people of Israel. This gave strength to many people in Israel. When I was in Israel, I always told the people there: ‘You are not alone; you have many friends in Germany you can rely on.’ In Isaiah it says, ‘Comfort, comfort my people.’ We are comforted because CSI exists, because there are Christians who pray for us.”
Rabbi Mendelsohn: “God loves your prayers”
During their attack on Israel, the Hamas terrorists made no distinction, murdering both secular and religious Jews. "I speak to you as a devout Jew. Hitler gassed my grandfather's family; he, too, made no distinction. You cannot imagine how much we appreciate your support." He came from Israel to Karlsruhe to bring Jews closer to their God. "And here I have met so many Christians who love Israel. I didn't know such people existed. God loves your prayers."
The Sunday solidarity rally was initiated on a voluntary basis by CSI staff member Delly Hezel, who was supported by two other women. CSI board member Markus Neuman stated in his words of thanks: “It takes courage and determination to see through what you have accomplished. Until the last hostage returns – I don't know if you would have planned the rallies weekly if you had known at the beginning what this phrase means: namely, getting up every Sunday. But you have shown loyalty, and for that you have our heartfelt thanks.”
Delly Hezel said that for her, the evening was like a big gathering of friends and family. "Our rallies weren't about right or left, they were about darkness and light. We were able to send a strong message in support of Israel and against antisemitism. It was worth it, I would do it again."
Guests from Israel were also present at the thank-you evening. They were overwhelmed by the solidarity and loyalty of the Christians present and enjoyed the conversation over wine and appetizers. "I never thought that there were people outside of Israel and outside of the Jewish community who stand by Israel," explained Roschel, a young man, visibly moved.
"You give us strength"
Avishai, a survivor of the Hamas massacre who had come to the Black Forest with his family for a respite stay as part of the CSI Terror Victims Assistance Program, emphasized: “People like you give us the strength to keep going and fight for the truth. Don’t stop doing what you do. You are on the right side of history.”
CSI also extended special thanks that evening to actress and voice actress Esther Brandt. In a joint video project between CSI, author Ahmad Mansour, and the WerteInitiative association, she had taken on the role of presenting content related to the Middle East conflict. Luca Hezel praised the actress for her courage in appearing on camera for the videos.
For CSI supporters, there was another surprise in store in Maisenbach: Christian Frach, the designated successor to CSI chairman Luca Hezel, made his first appearance in his new role that evening. He spoke his first words into a CSI microphone in Hebrew, sparking enthusiasm, especially among the Israelis present.
