Who We Are...
The AMITAI Heritage Foundation -- a JEWISH organization -- is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It was founded by its President, Mr. Yosef Kapach (former Mayor of Kedumim, and Major in the IDF), to honor the heritage of his son, AMITAI ZADOK KAPACH, who at age 17 was tragically murdered by terrorists in Israel in 1993, just two weeks after the signing of the Oslo peace accord between Rabin and Arafat.
AMITAI was an unusual and talented young man who was both strong and kind, whose wisdom and benevolence often exceeded his years. He truly had a heart for mankind regardless of their stature in life, and was known for helping people with various problems, bringing reconciliation to those who did not normally get along. His life was a portrait of love and good deeds. In his honor, this foundation was formed with the chief aim of "building bridges" in relationships with mankind, and the working together for the building of Israel.
As an Orthodox Jew living in Israel and fighting for its existence, Yossi believes as did his son, that we must learn to look on other's problems before our own, and work toward reconciliation, tolerance, and brotherhood as it states in Psalm 133. Yossi has a strong desire to work specifically toward the healing of the damaged relationship with Christians. Because of their mutual worship of the G-D of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and because both groups strongly believe in the Scriptures which tell of the everlasting covenant G-D made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning this people and their land, Yossi believes it is time for the two groups to come together to work and pray toward the fulfillment of these Scriptures. He states, "We must overcome what has happened in the past, and go forward toward reconciliation and the building of relationships based on what we have in common, for ourselves as well as for our future."
Because he has witnessed the genuine concern for Israel and the Jewish people by many Christians, Yossi is diligently seeking the help of Christians as well as Jews toward the restoration of Israel and its people. The AMITAI Heritage Foundation is working toward sharing this goal of BLESSING Israel according to Genesis 12:3:
"I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you."
Where it is not realized, Christians together with Jews need to be made aware of the dangers which now greatly threaten Israel's future. Never before in history has it been more crucial for us to pray and work together toward her welfare! As Yossi so urgently states, "THE TIME TO FAVOR ZION IS NOW!" (Psalm 102:13,14)
If we have any lack of the greater motive to bless Israel -- in response to the very heart and the command of HASHEM -- we must indeed realize that even our own welfare is affected by the welfare of Israel. By helping Israel, we are in turn helping ourselves.
Just as it is crucial and necessary for the Gentiles to assist in bringing the Jewish people home to their Promised Land (Jeremiah 16:14-16; 31:1-14; Isaiah 43:5-6; 49:22), so it is crucial and necessary that Israel has the facilities and means with which to absorb and accommodate these dear ones who have responded to the drawing of their G-D. While many Christians have been very gracious and faithful to support the homecoming of the Jewish people, too often they are unaware of the tremendous support (monetary and otherwise) it takes to provide for them after they've entered their land.
The AMITAI Heritage Foundation exists to:
1) "Build a Bridge" to promote reconciliation and good relations between JEWS and CHRISTIANS, honoring our differences, building on the things we have in common, gathering those who are willing to stand together in solidarity for the sake of the Jewish people in Israel (and elsewhere) against all forms of anti-Semitism, for the blessing of Israel, and for Jews AS JEWS.
2) Raise funds for projects in Israel to support and encourage the Jewish people during this time of the current ISRAEL CRISIS. We also raise funds for our own educational programs for both Christians and Jews, and encourage tourism to Israel for solidarity and support.
WE DO THIS BY...
1) Encouraging the Jewish people -- the "People of the Book" -- to "make TESHUVAH" -- to RETURN to HASHEM, and to the Torah, the Tanakh, to live in accordance with G-D's commands -- even in standing for the Land He promised to them, and to seek the repentance G-D requires of us toward the coming of Mashiach;
2) Encouraging Christians to return to the Jewish roots of their faith, as we share with them the heritage and the faith of their "elder brother," and to encourage their commitment in helping to bring the Jewish people back to their roots and to their homeland: Eretz Israel, in accordance with the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah.
As Jews and Christians, we can learn TOGETHER to respect each other, to recognize the faith we share, respecting our differences, forgiving and working toward the healing of our troubled and destructive past, and seek to understand each other better through constructive dialog.
It is time to put the past behind us, to learn from it, to learn from each other, and go forward together, seeking the harmony and the unity our G-D desires according to Psalm 133:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant is the dwelling of brothers, moreover, in unity. Like the precious oil upon the head running down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down over his garments, so the dew of Hermon descends upon the mountains of Zion, for there HASHEM has commanded the blessing. May there be life forever!"
As stated by Maimonides, we believe with perfect faith in the coming of ha mashiach (the Messiah), the son of David. We eagerly await his coming, and pray for this faithfully. We believe in the true and lasting peace and redemption which the true Messiah will bring us. As believers in the one true G-D, HASHEM, the G-D of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we pray: "Shema, Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad." "Hear, O Israel, HASHEM is our God, HASHEM is One." We await the day when HASHEM will be King over all the land; on the day when HASHEM will be One and His Name will be One." (Zechariah 14:9)