Transcript [00:00] My hatred of Jews, and my hatred of [00:01] [music] Jesus, were very strong. I [00:03] showed my friend there when they gave me [00:05] the idea and he said, "Elias, you are a [00:06] Jew." I said, "No, man. What are you [00:08] talking about? I'm not a Jew. It can't [00:10] be. I'm a Palestinian. [music] [00:11] I'm not a Jew. I hate the Jews." Then [00:14] she said, "Elias, your mother's name is [00:15] Sarah Cohen. So, you can't [music] be [00:17] more Jew than that." This was the shock [00:19] of my life. I got this [00:21] strong feeling when I I read the first [00:23] time Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu [00:26] Adonai Echad. Oh, even now when I read [00:27] it, it's [music] a goosebumps when I [00:29] have this memory. I said, "Wow, what [00:31] kind of a God is that?" It was the day [00:33] that I lost [music] everything. I was in [00:35] the street. I had no money. I was like a [00:37] dog. Eating from the rubbish. I just [00:39] knelt [music] down there in front of [00:41] everyone. I didn't even look who was [00:43] there. I said, "Elohei Avraham, [00:45] Yitzchak, v'Yaakov, if you are real, [00:48] help me or take me." [00:52] >> Elias, your story [music] is [00:55] unbelievable. [00:56] >> Mhm. [00:57] >> You were raised a Palestinian Muslim, [00:59] but then you found out that you were [01:00] Jewish. Take me back to your childhood. [01:03] What was your childhood like for you? [01:05] >> Yeah, it was uh [01:07] I was I think 3 years old. My brother [01:09] was 1 year old. So, [01:10] they put us in the orphanage in [01:12] Ramallah. It was a place the orphanage [01:15] place was the Christian Evangelical [01:17] where they not where we study, [01:19] but the other school where we go went [01:21] every day to study was they teach Islam [01:24] they teach the ideology of Islam and the [01:26] Quran and all these things. [01:27] It was so hard to understand what I'm [01:30] I'm studying this is [01:32] places for Christian here and the other [01:34] place they teach Islam. So, it was [01:35] complicated for me and it was not really [01:38] understanding. But, I grew up loving [01:40] more because in the orphanage [01:42] loving more Islam because in the [01:44] orphanage it was all by force. [01:46] Christianity was everything. We have to [01:47] we have to read the Bible. You must know [01:49] it by by by heart. If you don't know the [01:53] Psalm by heart then you get beaten or [01:54] you get punished and you don't eat until [01:56] you finish [01:58] uh memorizing the psalm itself. One of [02:00] the things that [02:02] touch me to Islam also was [02:04] they were so strong, they were so very [02:07] unique the Islam religion. For me it was [02:09] very special and nobody forced me to do [02:10] it and it was uh very open. [02:13] And I remember and the class was one of [02:16] the pictures big pictures [02:18] with the Jew with the keeper and very [02:20] big Jew and that he [02:22] >> [snorts] [02:22] >> was bleeding from his mouth like eating [02:25] the country of Palestine. [02:27] >> Mhm. [02:28] >> So, I grew up as a Palestine Palestinian [02:30] at school Palestinian and that [02:32] this is our land. This is they stole it [02:35] from us the thieves. They kill and they [02:39] they are from the monkeys. [02:40] >> Mhm. [02:41] >> So, if you kill a Jew it's a halal, it's [02:42] a kosher to kill a Jew. It's not you are [02:44] not killing a human being, you are [02:46] killing an animal. [02:47] Okay. Now, and this is was the part of I [02:49] believed in it very in from all my [02:51] heart. My hatred to this Jews and my [02:53] hatred to Jesus was very strong. [02:56] I didn't couldn't love Jesus because [02:58] he's also a Jew and this Christianity is [03:00] also by force and Islam was never thing [03:02] by force. That's what they teach us. [03:03] That's what I believed. In the orphanage [03:05] and I have to say it was a big [03:07] suffering. [03:08] I was abused in many ways even sexually. [03:11] It was very very hard to to live in this [03:13] orphan. That's why also hate the [03:14] Christianity of this. All the children [03:16] in the free time or in the holidays they [03:18] used to go home. I used to go all my [03:20] only my brother nobody nobody came and [03:22] take claim us. Nobody came and take us. [03:23] So, [03:25] but this is the way that Jesus brother [03:26] that came and [03:28] really were the only people that [03:31] starting to give songs about Jesus and [03:34] Yeshua and this that something is not [03:35] known [03:36] and they gave us so much and they they [03:38] are the only one who took us to their [03:40] places only in the holidays. So, it's [03:42] like adopted us but they are they were [03:44] also four priests they are four men. So, [03:46] these are the people who really took [03:48] care of us in in in Latrun. I was in [03:51] Ramallah and then about 13 14 years [03:53] until I ran away from Ramallah. So that [03:55] was the I couldn't bear it anymore [03:57] because of the abuse nation. [03:59] >> The abuse. [04:00] >> The abuse and uh [04:03] Yeah, I grew up on an ideology. I wanted [04:05] to say that hatred was part of my life [04:07] in the end. The hatred of the this [04:10] picture you see it every day. The hatred [04:11] for the Jews was very strong. I mean [04:14] if I was a [04:16] I could have been a tourist in those [04:18] days if I stayed in in Ramallah at all. [04:19] Yeah. I have no problem to kill him [04:21] because he's a monkey or he's an animal. [04:23] >> I see. I see. So the dehumanizing of the [04:25] >> Yeah. Yeah. [04:26] >> Did you ever question that? That it that [04:27] it was something that [04:29] >> No, I believed it. [04:30] >> Okay. [04:30] >> I believed it from all my heart that [04:32] they are thieves and they took our [04:33] country and we have to [04:35] take back Palestine. [04:37] >> So you ran away from this. [04:39] >> Yes. [04:39] >> Where did you go? [04:41] >> I went to this Jesus brotherhood. They [04:43] helped me to go to Ramallah to Haifa. I [04:47] ran away first to them and then they [04:48] took me to Haifa the Catholic church. [04:51] It's a house of grace they call it. And [04:52] this house of grace is a place of for [04:56] homeless people [04:57] and people for drug addicts. [05:00] >> Wow. [05:00] >> So I was only 14 years old. [05:02] >> And what was life like there for you? [05:04] >> Yeah, this is the the minute I was I was [05:08] shocked at there first in the city [05:10] there's Jews. [05:11] Cuz in Ramallah there's no there's no [05:12] Jews. You can't see Jews, yeah. [05:15] And I was more afraid that the he has [05:18] Jews in the house itself. I really was [05:20] afraid cuz I believe Jews were also not [05:23] only they're blood suckers. [05:24] >> Okay. [05:25] >> They can suck the blood because of the [05:26] picture. [05:27] >> Mhm. [05:27] >> The blood this is what was in my feeling [05:29] when and I said Camille and went to the [05:31] manager, why you teach [05:33] why you put these Jews here to [05:35] in the place? [05:36] He just smiled to me and he put me in a [05:38] room with a Jew. [05:39] And I was so frightened even to sleep. I [05:42] couldn't sleep almost I think I believe [05:43] one week it was [05:45] that he will come I wake up and suck my [05:47] blood and kill me. That's what I [05:49] believed from all my heart that I [05:50] couldn't and it was [05:52] but in the end I see this guy is [05:54] sleeping, he's resting, there's nothing [05:56] happening and uh [05:58] it was something very strange for me [06:00] that nothing is happening and and even [06:02] this guy in the end was my protector. [06:05] But he says anybody who gives [06:08] drugs to Elias or cigarette, he will be [06:10] thrown out of here. I would say to the [06:12] manager. So I was saved from drugs and [06:14] cigarettes. So they were all everybody [06:16] was smoking and they were everything but [06:17] yeah, slowly slowly I learned that [06:20] this guy is the Jewish Arab because in [06:22] the picture I I I I imagined the monkey. [06:25] That was looks like a monkey, big nose, [06:27] big head with a [06:28] So they were they looked like like us. [06:30] They have the same eyes, same ears, same [06:32] they talks nice and they are nice people [06:34] and uh [06:34] I think they eat with me in the same [06:36] table and they love me and he's [06:37] protecting me. [06:39] So there was a big change for me, yeah. [06:41] >> How did you first discover that you were [06:43] Jewish? [06:45] >> From my ID. [06:46] That was the first time my when I took [06:48] my ID. [06:49] So I I we found out that I was born in a [06:52] Haifa in Yafa, Jaffa. [06:55] Tel Aviv Jaffa. [06:56] >> Okay. [06:56] >> So you have to go to take your ID and [06:58] the H16. So the H16 I had to go to the [07:01] material ministry and uh I took a friend [07:03] with me because my Hebrew was not really [07:05] I was only 14 2 years in Haifa and I [07:08] didn't really learn Hebrew very good. [07:10] So he took me there. That's where [07:11] exactly what I found that I'm a Jew. [07:13] When my my friend I showed my friend [07:15] there there when they gave me the ID and [07:16] he said, "Elias, you are a Jew." [07:19] I said, I I I said, "No, man. What are [07:21] you talking about? I'm not a Jew. That [07:22] cannot be. [07:24] This is a big lie. This is I was [07:25] shouting. I was angry. No, I I thought [07:27] he was joking or he was He said, "I'm [07:29] not joking, Elias. You're It's written [07:30] you're a Jew." [07:31] Then I was joking, "No, I'm a [07:32] Palestinian. I'm not a Jew. I hate the [07:35] Jews." And [07:36] uh [07:37] the one who was working on the monitor [07:39] there, she said, "Just calm down. We'll [07:41] we'll find out. Maybe there is a [07:42] mistake. [07:43] And she just put out the monitor and she [07:45] said, "Elias, your name is your mother's [07:48] name is Sarah Cohen." [07:50] So, you can't be more Jew than that, [07:51] yeah? [07:52] This was This was the shock of my life. [07:54] Sarah Cohen. [07:56] And the the the biggest shock that I [07:58] found out that they are alive, both of [07:59] them. [08:00] >> Really? [08:00] >> My my parents, yeah. I'm not an [08:01] orphanage at all. [08:03] >> You're not an orphan. [08:04] >> No. [08:04] >> Yeah. [08:05] >> And I lived all my most of my as an [08:07] orphan from 2 years old. My brother was [08:09] 1 year old only. [08:10] That was a shock for me, you know? I [08:12] understand. Just find out that I'm a [08:14] Jew. [08:14] >> Right. [08:15] >> And my parents are [08:17] alive. [08:17] >> What did that lead you to? Did you find [08:19] them? [08:20] >> I didn't look for them. I didn't even [08:22] start looking for them. [08:24] But in the future, I knew [laughter] [08:25] that my sister you know, and this was [08:27] when I was already in the army in those [08:29] days. [08:30] You know, I didn't [08:31] She said, "Do you want to see your [08:32] parents?" So, my father was in Jaffa. I [08:34] went [08:36] But he was not really [08:38] how to say [08:39] >> I couldn't feel [08:40] >> him as a father, you know? He's just a [08:41] strange man for me. [08:42] >> Mhm. [08:43] >> And [08:44] we just went I went for 2 hours, then I [08:46] went to my mother and she was very [08:48] strange to me, too, because she was [08:50] She was very cold. I mean, my father [08:52] started blaming my mother. [08:54] And my mother started blaming him. He [08:55] took you and he kidnapped you. He took [08:57] you to the West Bank. He She just all [08:59] kind of stories we heard. Everyone say [09:01] something. So, in the end, I I found out [09:03] that my father didn't want us to grow up [09:06] as Jewish with my mother. That's why he [09:07] took us to West Bank. And not to Israeli [09:10] schools. [09:11] >> Wow. [09:12] >> Yeah, and my mother was also very cold [09:13] woman and [09:15] we drank coffee and then I left. I was [09:17] already a soldier, you know, in those [09:18] days. [09:19] >> So, you became an Israeli then and you [09:22] went into the Israeli army. [09:24] >> I had to. Not because I wanted. [09:26] >> What was the process for you in terms of [09:28] your [09:29] adjustment from this is my ideology [09:33] growing up [09:34] to like everything's different now. I'm [09:37] I'm I'm Jewish. I Israeli, and I have to [09:39] actually go serve in the army. What was [09:41] that process like for you? [09:45] >> I believe the change came when [09:48] you know I thought from age 14 till the [09:50] age 18 until you go to the army. So I [09:52] had four years being in Haifa. [09:54] So if you know as you know in Haifa is a [09:56] city where [09:57] Jewish Arab are really really living [09:59] together, working together. [10:01] Everything together. It was a big change [10:03] for me. Also the school I start learning [10:05] in academy and I had to learn Hebrew [10:07] there. [10:08] Jewish and Arabs together. So it was a [10:09] big difference. The change starts [10:11] slowly. I couldn't believe it. [10:14] But then I I lived it. [10:15] It was four years in Haifa living with [10:17] Jewish, working with them. I mean I [10:19] worked with a German guy but we worked [10:20] with many Jewish. I started thinking [10:22] what did I believe? I It's a big lie. [10:26] So that's was the the big change was in [10:28] Haifa these four years. Until I got the [10:30] army I knew up that I I am a part of [10:33] this country. I'm a part of these [10:34] people. I mean I mean I mean I mean I [10:36] mean I mean [10:36] Yeah, this was for me. And the first [10:38] time I [10:40] I got this [10:41] strong feeling when I I read the first [10:44] time Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu [10:46] Adonai Echad. This was [10:48] made me So even now when I read it it's [10:50] a goose bumps when I have this memory. I [10:52] said wow, what kind of a God is that [10:54] because I believe in God of Islam it was [10:57] very aggressive, very violent, very [11:00] strong and history and all kind of [11:03] violence, you know. And I love liked it. [11:04] And here is something another God. [11:07] There is not the same feeling, not the [11:08] same actor, not the same when I read the [11:10] Bible, not the same like when I read the [11:12] Quran. [11:13] So this big change also in the army [11:15] because you are part [11:17] of brotherhood, you know. They you are [11:19] you are you train with them, they eat [11:21] with them, they you you just become [11:23] brothers, you know. [11:24] Brothers in nation they call it. [11:27] >> In arms. [11:27] >> In arms. So it was it was unique. It So [11:30] I I I felt I am a special guy. [11:33] I have a country. I have a flag. [11:36] I'm not rejected. I'm wanted. I'm a [11:39] strong person. [11:41] Not like Ramallah. I was rejected, [11:43] abused. [11:44] Very weak. Hated myself. [11:47] >> So, before coming to faith, and we'll [11:49] get to that. [11:51] Your life was consumed by this [11:52] brokenness. [11:53] >> Yes. [11:54] >> Which is completely understandable [11:56] growing up in this in the environment [11:57] that you grew up with. [11:59] You became consumed by addiction. [12:01] As well. [12:02] Looking back, what do you think you were [12:04] really [12:05] trying to search for with all of that? [12:08] >> The addiction came also from part of the [12:10] war. [12:11] Okay. The first for the second for the [12:13] only one was in 40 80 for 84, 1984. [12:18] It's it's hell on earth. And I couldn't [12:20] believe that I'm doing this all this. [12:22] You know, [12:23] it doesn't matter. I'm killing [12:24] terrorists, yeah, but it doesn't matter. [12:27] Why you Every time you kill a person [12:29] because God never created us to kill [12:31] people. [12:32] It was something something new dies, you [12:35] know? [12:36] You're not the same person anymore. [12:37] >> Yeah. [12:38] >> So, you do it just automatically like a [12:39] robot. [12:41] And this is the big change in that gave [12:44] me [12:45] desperation. I I finished the army a [12:48] broken man, you know? Very broken man. I [12:50] went out of there. And for the first [12:52] time somebody gave me because I was in [12:54] hallucination and I was shouting. And he [12:56] say he was in the army. So, he tell me I [12:57] have something for you good. [12:59] So, he gave me this pass of heroin. And [13:01] it was a good medicine for me in those [13:03] time. We never knew. Nobody knew what is [13:05] PTSD. Nobody knew that we have a trauma [13:07] or all this. [13:08] I just started using drugs. [13:10] >> How long did that period last for you? [13:11] >> Wow, it was I think 35 years. [13:14] >> 35 years? [13:15] >> 35 years. I I My family suffered a lot [13:18] because I had these nightmares, you [13:19] know? [13:20] >> Wow. So, like in your sleep. Wow. [13:22] >> the children they suffered. I stole [13:23] money from them just to get my drugs. [13:25] And I stole everything. And I I the hell [13:27] was in there [13:28] this house. [13:29] >> So, how did Jesus enter your story? [13:33] >> Yeah, it was the I think like uh [13:37] it was the day that I lost everything. [13:40] My wife didn't want to be my children [13:42] don't want to see me. I was in the [13:44] street. [13:45] Nobody wanted to help me anymore. I had [13:47] no money. I was like a dog [13:50] for 3-4 months in the street eating from [13:52] the rubbish, trying to survive here and [13:54] there. [13:55] Until the day I came that I didn't I [13:58] couldn't I don't know what what I was. I [14:00] didn't see anybody. I didn't see [14:01] anything this street. I just knelt down [14:03] there [14:04] on the street in front of everyone. I [14:06] didn't even look who was there. I said, [14:08] "God of Abraham [14:10] Elohe Abraham Isaac and Jacob, [14:12] if you are real, [14:14] help me or take me because I did try to [14:17] commit suicide many times. I was 10-20 [14:19] times in mental hospital because I tried [14:21] to kill myself." [14:23] But, this minute when I said it, it was [14:26] the next day that somebody took me to [14:28] Teen Challenge. This is a rehab center [14:30] that I think they build they they [14:31] started it in Times Square Church in New [14:33] York. Through the Bible, through faith, [14:36] you can be free [14:37] from drugs. [14:38] >> How did you find this? [14:40] >> Somebody came. Well, one in the street [14:42] one of the second day he came to me and [14:43] I'm going to take you so he knows me [14:45] that I'm lost and he just took me so I'm [14:47] going to take you to this is the second [14:48] day I prayed. [14:49] >> This is the day after you prayed? [14:50] >> Yes, after I prayed. So, it was the next [14:52] day. [14:53] And they This place was so unique, so [14:57] special House of Victory. The people [14:58] were very beautiful people that are [15:00] Americans. [15:02] They have so much love. [15:05] They they acted the Bible. They acted [15:07] Jesus, you know? It's it's exactly not [15:09] in the street, not like in the army, not [15:11] like when I was in I don't know [15:13] It was a real unique very special love. [15:16] They believed in me. [15:18] And they knew that I have so much much [15:20] to go through. [15:21] But, they had they were so patient with [15:23] me for many years, you know, ups and [15:25] downs, you know. And this is the program [15:26] was 9 months. [15:28] Again and again and again and again, [15:30] they never gave up on me. Eric Benson [15:32] was his name. [15:33] He was a very special man that really he [15:35] really helped me a lot in this in this [15:37] period of time. [15:39] Until the day I think before 8 years was [15:41] the [15:43] day of surrender. That was my ups and [15:45] down, I never surrendered to God. I [15:46] believed in God, I couldn't trust him. I [15:49] couldn't trust people. You know, that [15:50] makes sense. So that was the big change [15:52] that he put me in a place [15:55] that it was in Jerusalem, the house of [15:57] salvation, Bet Yeshua, also by Christian [16:00] Teen Challenge. [16:01] >> Mhm. [16:02] >> And there was I couldn't speak the [16:04] language. I couldn't even learn what [16:06] they are teaching. [16:07] It's like God told me, I was I was very [16:10] proud of myself. [16:11] And I always got to take credit of [16:13] myself that I was clean, I'm a good, I'm [16:16] a strong, you know, I took always the [16:17] credit. [16:19] And I couldn't understand that God [16:21] working into my life was very unique or [16:24] very special. I thought it's all my my [16:26] power, it's all me, I know everything, [16:28] I'm clever. [16:29] I I I I know how God works, how I should [16:32] should I do. [16:33] Till the the minute that God called me. [16:36] In this place I did surrender. I said, [16:38] "God, I know nothing." [16:41] I don't know what I'm going to do. I [16:42] just give you everything everything. [16:44] You know what? I don't [16:46] take my license, you drive. [16:49] You know, in the Hebrew driver is in a [16:51] hug, it's it's a leader. [16:53] So the driver is a leader. [16:54] >> Money [16:55] Yes, money leader. [16:57] >> leader. [16:57] >> So I did lead my life most of the time. [17:00] >> Yeah. [17:01] >> So but you have to give the license in a [17:03] way. And he's driving, that's how I [17:05] always say to people, he's driving. He's [17:07] the driver, I sit behind, [17:09] have a good time with him, and I cannot [17:11] tell him how fast to go or I can or [17:13] right or left. He's leading. And I have [17:16] to give up totally. Nothing to do [17:19] nothing nothing nothing. He leads. [17:22] And that's the day day it was 1 year [17:24] this program. I was [17:26] This is this unique relation. The first [17:28] time I have relationship with him. I [17:29] believed in him so many years, but then [17:30] I never had relationship. [17:32] I never had a father. [17:33] >> Mhm. [17:34] >> People told me God is a father, but I [17:35] didn't understand it, you know. [17:37] And this was the unique year that I [17:40] could take it if I go past I say how [17:42] much he saved me, how much he took me. [17:45] What a broken person I was. God is so so [17:48] unique. He's He's much love. He has much [17:50] patience with me, and he still make is [17:52] still be and I'm unique today. That's [17:54] what I believe that I'm special for him, [17:56] you know, that's He wouldn't let me go [17:58] through all this [17:59] until this day that I [18:02] I mean today is another life. It's not [18:04] me at all. [18:04] >> It's a new life. [18:05] >> Yes, it's a very new life. [18:07] >> You were abused by [18:09] people that called themselves [18:10] Christians. [18:11] >> Yes. [18:12] >> And you were shown a character [18:16] of Jewish people that looked scary. [18:19] And yet here you are now [18:21] >> Yeah. [18:22] >> coming to faith in Jesus. [18:25] >> That he is a Jew. [18:27] >> Who's a Jew. How did this How did this [18:29] change you? [18:31] >> In Israel is is is very special unique [18:33] that uh [18:35] I'm I'm I'm not re- [18:37] I belong to a people. I belong to a [18:38] flag. It's It's very It gives you a very [18:40] good feeling, you know, that you have [18:42] something to catch. It's not like you [18:44] are you are abused and your country is [18:46] stolen. You have nothing there. [18:48] So to become an Israeli and especially [18:51] as a Jew, it was uh [18:54] For me, I felt special, yeah. Uh but as [18:56] a believer, I know that God is it [18:59] changed me totally. [19:01] That yes, I am an Arab. Yes, I am a Jew. [19:03] This is my two identity. But he changed [19:06] it. He came in. [19:07] He came in and changed it because my [19:10] identity today is in him. [19:12] He's the only one who could make the two [19:14] I hated Jews, I hated Arabs, I hated [19:16] myself. He made us one. [19:19] He couldn't do anything else. It's only [19:21] him he could make me one [19:24] to understand the unique of [19:27] God who created us. It's It's a father. [19:30] It's a fatherly love. And I still don't [19:33] understand it, [19:34] but I believe it. [19:35] >> We're all one in Messiah. [19:37] >> Amen. [19:37] >> That's how I can go on the streets of [19:40] Tel Aviv and I meet an Arab [19:43] who believes in Jesus and we hug as [19:46] brothers. [19:46] >> Amen. It's the only way. There is no [19:48] other way. There is no If you tell me [19:50] this peace if there will be If people [19:53] ask me if there will be peace in this [19:54] the only one way. [19:56] By the prince of peace. There's no other [19:58] way. [19:59] Don't tell me Americans, don't tell me [20:00] Europe, don't tell me anybody. Nobody [20:02] can solve this problem. [20:03] >> Yeah. Little Elias [20:05] >> Yeah. [20:06] >> breaks my heart. I'm sorry you had to go [20:08] through that. It breaks my heart because [20:10] of I have little children now and I I [20:12] can only imagine if they didn't have the [20:15] love and they were abused in such a way, [20:17] but [20:18] Yeshua, he's the intercessor and the [20:20] redeemer. And uh I'm I'm just so happy [20:22] to see what he's done with you. [20:24] You've experienced so many different [20:25] worlds. [20:26] >> Yeah. [20:27] >> And you come from a perspective that not [20:29] many people have. Um what has Jesus [20:32] taught you about the way that we're [20:33] supposed to see and treat other people? [20:37] >> I always see myself I mean if Jesus [20:39] comes today, what would he be [20:42] or what would he be? [20:44] So, if I [20:45] You know my prayer in the mornings I say [20:47] give me your eyes, your ears, your legs. [20:49] This is how I can see people like what [20:51] Jesus sees. He sees. Doesn't matter who [20:54] you are. Again, I never ask if you are a [20:56] Jew or an Arab. I never. I just go [20:58] there. If I can help, I will help you [21:00] cuz I want to be Jesus in this world. [21:02] >> Yeah. [21:02] >> Everybody can be because he says he's [21:04] he's he's from first brother. [21:07] He says "He's [21:08] I will never call you slaves anymore. [21:10] You're all my brothers, my friends, [21:12] yeah." [21:12] >> Wow. [21:13] >> Today I if I go to a person, I see Jesus [21:16] in him. Doesn't matter who who is it. I [21:18] see Jesus because we are all in the [21:20] image of God. [21:21] >> Yes. [21:21] >> We are not monkeys, as I believed. [21:24] We are all in the image of God, created. [21:26] >> So, you now spend your life serving the [21:28] homeless through your soup kitchen [21:31] ministry called Known by Name. [21:33] >> Yes. [21:35] >> I like that. [21:36] Because the first time I heard you [21:38] speak, [21:39] you said something that made an impact [21:42] on me. [21:43] That you look people in the eye and you [21:45] hug them even when they are [21:47] >> stinking. [21:48] >> stinky. [21:49] >> Yeah. [21:49] Yeah. [21:51] >> You see them. [21:52] You know them by name. [21:54] >> Yeah. [21:55] >> God knows them by name and you give them [21:57] that respect. [21:59] How did God lead you into this ministry? [22:02] >> Yeah, it was [22:04] I think we were working there, me and my [22:05] wife together with the CFI. I don't [22:08] know, one day I told him, "You know [22:09] what? Let's go to Tel Aviv, take 20 [22:11] sandwiches and maybe [22:13] just I want to show you where I what I [22:15] did used to do in my life. I didn't [22:16] wanted to show you what who I was, who [22:19] am I because I wanted to know everything [22:20] about me, you know?" [22:21] >> Yeah. [22:22] >> And we just went to Tel Aviv and [22:24] we just start giving sandwiches and [22:26] talking to people, sitting with them [22:27] there in the streets, me and my wife. My [22:29] wife was just sitting with the woman and [22:31] sitting on the floor with them. It was [22:33] very very unique. We have these 20 [22:35] sandwiches, but we we had [22:37] 2 hours of talk. And we did it again and [22:39] again. So, and then we took this soup [22:42] kitchen and my son is a is a very good [22:44] making [22:46] website. I said, "Why called by name?" [22:48] Because nobody called me when I was in [22:50] the streets by name. Hey, you or a dog [22:52] or a That's what how they called. [22:54] >> Wow. [22:55] >> But God called them everyone by name. [22:57] Why he knows He knew He knew me by name. [22:59] So, my my favorite Psalm is 139. [23:02] That God knows you very you are so [23:04] unique. And that's why we very important [23:06] for me when I call them by name. [23:09] When I sit to them and I talk to them [23:10] when I call them by name, that God loves [23:12] you. [23:13] You are created in the image of God. [23:15] And you are very unique and you are very [23:17] special because I didn't feel special [23:18] there in the streets. [23:19] >> Right. [23:20] >> I felt the the filthiest It's like the [23:22] prodigal son, you know, it's it's so [23:24] filthy. When you stink and God comes to [23:27] you, Jesus, you have the blood His blood [23:29] is His perfume. This is my perfume as [23:31] well. [23:31] >> Ah, you know, when he [23:32] >> everything. [23:33] >> When he he he healed the untouchables. [23:36] >> Yes. [23:37] >> The lepers. [23:38] >> Yes. [23:38] >> And he also was touched by the unclean. [23:41] >> Amen. [23:42] >> And they became clean. [23:44] It's like you were going full full [23:45] circle. [23:46] >> Yeah. [23:46] >> You were there and someone came to you [23:48] and now you're the person going to them. [23:50] >> Yes. [23:50] >> Oh, it's so so beautiful. What do you [23:52] wish uh Christians understood today [23:55] about the people of Israel, not [23:58] politically, [23:58] >> Mhm. [23:59] >> but personally? What what do you What do [24:00] you wish that Christians and even Arabs [24:03] or Muslims around the world knew about [24:05] the people of Israel? [24:06] >> Yeah. [24:07] It's very unique that the people of [24:09] Israel and I didn't know that, but I [24:10] knew it [24:11] just after I studied so much in the the [24:14] Old Testament and the New Testament. [24:16] That these people, not because they are [24:17] very special or they are very unique, [24:19] it's because he is [24:21] love. He is unique God. And he because [24:23] his promise was to them. [24:25] >> Mhm. [24:26] >> Not because they are good people, uh but [24:28] because he promised Abraham. [24:30] And I always say this land is [24:33] especially for the Arabs or for the [24:34] Muslims. [24:35] If they are here today, [24:37] imagine if they are here today, is it [24:39] isn't it not If you you study all the [24:41] history of the the Jews, [24:42] it's a very It's like me almost. [24:45] Suffering. It's most of it is suffering, [24:47] yeah. [24:48] And if you study [24:50] If God the Father [24:52] brought them back, [24:53] who can put them out today? [24:55] >> Mhm. [24:55] >> If my father [24:57] as a prodigal son put me back, who can [24:59] put me out? [25:00] If my father wants me to be here, who [25:02] can be Who can go against God? [25:05] You're not going against these people. [25:08] They are There is a plan for them. It's [25:10] going to be You want it or you don't [25:12] want it. I also didn't want it. I didn't [25:13] believe it. [25:14] But [25:15] God will show everyone. Doesn't matter [25:17] if it's Arabs, if it's Israelis, it's [25:19] anybody who hates this country. And it's [25:21] it's more and more and all over the [25:23] world. [25:24] They can't put us. Nobody can [25:27] If a father put bring his son back, [25:30] should he suffer let him suffer now? Or [25:32] should he put him out of the house? No. [25:34] Sorry. Nobody can push out of the house. [25:36] Wow. This country is very unique. It's [25:38] very special. Again, because God is is [25:40] very unique and very special. [25:42] >> Elias, if you could go back to the [25:45] little boy in the orphanage, [25:47] what would you [25:49] tell him today? [25:52] >> I thank him for all this. [25:57] Because what what what Because of him or [25:59] because what ever happened to you, if [26:02] I'm talking to him, [26:04] is what I am today. [26:05] >> Mhm. [26:06] >> That's what God can do with the broken [26:09] very broken vessel. And I did was very [26:11] very long long time. [26:14] And [26:16] I am so happy and I thank God that I [26:18] went through all this. And I thank you [26:20] they could they could could go through [26:21] this. Because it's the only way [26:24] brokenness. [snorts] [26:26] I didn't understand it, but [26:28] I know it. [26:30] I And if I didn't go through this, I [26:32] wouldn't be what I am today, you know. [26:34] What I believe is God loves us all. And [26:36] he wants us to [26:38] be unique. We are all his children. We [26:40] just have to come back. [26:42] You know, we just have to come back one [26:44] day. It's the story is not of the [26:46] prodigal son. It's the story of the [26:48] father. [26:49] I always people say it's the story of [26:51] the prodigal son. I don't call it [26:52] because [26:53] it's always was the father. It was [26:55] always him. It's not about me. It's not [26:57] about you. It's not about him. It's [26:58] about God himself, the father. And how [27:01] how he his love. You know, if I go back [27:04] every minute, every second, I thank him [27:06] for this. [27:07] But he was always there. [27:10] In the suffering, in the accusation. He [27:12] was there. [27:13] But not not because he couldn't save me [27:15] from all this, but he wanted something. [27:17] And he I went through this. And because [27:20] humanity is in the evil, Jesus want us [27:23] to [27:24] to understand how much he love us. [27:27] As a newborn today and as a new man and [27:30] one human I'm not from here anymore. So [27:33] I I represent the new I represent him in [27:36] the earth. So do we have the heart of [27:37] Jesus to be also there? [27:40] >> For someone watching who feels that they [27:41] don't belong anywhere, [27:44] what would you want them to know about [27:46] finding their true identity in in [27:48] Yeshua? [27:49] >> It's very It's a process, but again, I [27:52] read the Quran, I believed in it. I read [27:53] the Talmud that [27:55] I just will ask for people to be open. [27:59] Not only I mean I listen to sheikhs, I [28:01] listen to the priests, I listen to the [28:02] rabbi, I listen to many things. [28:04] But I never never took myself that I [28:08] study myself. You want the truth? It's [28:10] not by with people. [28:11] God gave us his story in a book. Go read [28:14] it. [28:16] Be open-minded. [28:18] Believe that what you are reading [28:20] was historically and archaeologically [28:22] and all the proofs it's a it's a it's a [28:25] it's a it's a true book. [28:28] And Jesus said, "If you know the truth, [28:30] the truth will set you free." And who's [28:31] the truth? [28:32] >> He is. [28:33] >> If you know Jesus, not the other things. [28:36] Don't go to religion. [28:38] Don't be fool and stay and learn only by [28:40] the rabbi or by the sheikh or by the [28:43] priest. You God gave you a brain to [28:46] study, to to sit down and know the [28:48] truth. And this is one of the guys who I [28:50] said, "Go sit, take this, sit. You will [28:53] find the truth if you want the truth." [28:56] Yeah. [28:57] And you will find it. [28:57] >> Great. Well said. [28:58] >> want. [28:59] >> Elias, thank you. [29:00] >> Yeah. [29:01] >> Thank you. [29:02] >> Thank you. [29:02] >> Thank you for sharing your your amazing [29:04] story. Um [29:05] I'm going to put links down in the [29:07] description of this video where people [29:08] can find your ministry, [29:10] learn about it, [29:11] >> Thank you. [29:12] >> and support it. Uh you do great work. If [29:15] you like this kind of content, you give [29:16] the video a thumbs up, please, and uh [29:19] follow along by subscribing, and stay [29:21] tuned for more amazing stories just like [29:23] this. And if you want to leave your [29:24] comments down below for me or for Elias, [29:27] feel free. God bless you, and see you [29:29] next time. [29:30] >> Thank you for this putting this [29:31] opportunity to share and to give glory [29:34] to God. That's the most important for [29:35] me.
