YOUR PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE

This blog post was written by Amanda Melendez Castro, a Yahel Social Change Fellow living and working in Rishon LeZion.

“Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).

I read once, 'what motivates someone to jump in with both feet when the water they are jumping into is very different from the water they had grown accustomed to? There must be some knowledge or hope that the water they are jumping into will be worth the risk.’

And though the Jewish ‘water’ differs from my non-Jewish upbringing, it isn’t completely foreign to me. I was raised in the Catholic faith that loves, reveres and serves the God of Israel. I grew up with the teaching that as Gentiles, we have had the privilege of being grafted into the unrevoked covenant God made with Israel who has been blessed and chosen to be light unto all the nations of the earth.

The foundational texts of Christianity are deeply intertwined with Jewish history and scripture and we honor and acknowledge them.

THE GIFT OF COURAGE

For Ruth the Moabitess, loyalty to the God of Israel would have been completely foreign. Yet, though she’d been raised in a pagan nation with pagan gods, she declared her faith and trusted in the God of Israel, the Living and True God.

You can recall how quickly antisemitism spread beyond Israel and affected Jews worldwide. Antisemitic rhetoric and actions swept the globe with increasing intensity, almost like a wildfire.

When evil rises, you don’t stay silent. You stand up for what is right and show up. But commitment goes beyond words and beyond sentiment. There have been many Righteous Gentiles, the very appropriate name for non-Jewish people who form an alliance with Jews. There is the Wall of The Righteous in France with more than 3,900 names on it. They understood the loyalty God has to His people, and they wanted to help demonstrate that loyalty come what may. “Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed” (Numbers 24:9). This is God’s promise, unwavering and true.

Today, Ruth’s words speak to my heart. I have known them since my childhood. But I feel like I’m truly understanding them now. I see the deeper connection today. I see how Ruth’s courage, the courage of the righteous Gentiles and the courage of all of us is connected.

I believe that it is no coincidence that the One we call Prince of Peace and beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, comes from the lineage of King David, whose great-grandmother was Ruth!

I wonder if Ruth knew how her courageous commitment would be of extraordinary inspiration. Could she have imagined that her words would echo in eternity? And when I reread them, I realize how her life has changed my own in ways I’m only beginning to discover. Her love will be remembered forever, proving that God’s grace is for all people.

LOVE INTO ACTION

So what do you do with the love God has filled your heart with? You must give it away.

Life’s beauty lies not in what we take, but in how we give ourselves to others.

The Ramat Eliyahu neighborhood in Rishon LeZion, is the place God called me to be.

In the mornings, I stand at the front of a classroom, helping children learn English. At an elderly center I sit with grandparents whilst listening to their stories, learning from their wisdom, and simply being present. And at a daycare center, I understand why God loves the children so much— they reflect His heart.

In the afternoons, I join the laughter and games at a Moadonit, where children's joy is contagious. I am also taken to the home of three little girls I tutor, where we play and learn from each other. At a library, I assist in courses that help children discover new knowledge and skills.

And some days, behind the scenes at a nonprofit, I help to connect the organization with potential donors, knowing that every contribution can change lives.

After six months living here, I have learned that it’s not about what we do but the love we pour into everything we do. In giving my heart and time, I receive so much more. I can’t help but think— "one must be willing, ready to say YES. When you warm the hearts of others, you warm yourself. It’s truly a gift to support, strengthen, and encourage."

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A PRAYER FOR PEACE

I am often asked if I love Israel. How couldn’t I? The truth is, being here was a long-awaited dream, a prayer beautifully answered. I’m so blessed! I would have never imagined I would come at this time and in this way. Volunteering days, as meaningful and joyful as they are, come with a deep pushing and pressing on the soul. It’s been a sweet season in my life, but it is also a difficult time for this country.

I remember the first time I stood before the Western Wall. In that sacred place, God opened my heart to the profound importance of praying for peace. And I realized how the Lord’s heart aches for His people.

And just as a mother cannot ignore her baby’s cry, nor keep her heart from reaching out to her dear child, how much more does our God hear the cries of His children? Every tear we shed is seen, every prayer we whisper is heard, and every pain we carry is known by Him. He is not distant or indifferent. He is the God of both, Jews and Gentiles, the One who knows us by name and holds us close to His heart. And one day, in His perfect time, “He will redeem every sorrow, wipe away every tear, and turn our mourning into joy” (Revelation 21:4).

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