YOM KIPPUR: The holiday in 2008 begins at sunset Oct. 8th and lasts until sunset Oct. 9th. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the most solemn occasion of the Jewish year - a day of fasting, prayer and repentance.  Jews who do not observe other biblical holidays generally make an exception for Yom Kippur, which occurs on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. Yom Kippur requires a complete fast of about 25 hours, and is preceded by a festive meal. The traditional greeting for Yom Kippur is g'mar chatimah tovah, "May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life." 

WILL MONEY DETERMINE THE WINNING VOTE IN US ELECTIONS?: In light of the recent Wall Street crisis, more than a few voters who last month were opposed to electing a US president who supported gay marriages - gay couple adoptions - partial birth abortions - or who had numerous associates with strong Hamas connections, are "rethinking things."  Citizens last month with conservative leanings were following closely what each presidential team had to say about Israel.  Many were impressed by the freshness of Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin in their strong stands and voting records on behalf of the Jewish state and against issues threatening to topple Western family values.  Recent debates have proved both teams are capable and knowledgeable in many political arenas and could run the country - so things were boiling down to matters of ethics, values and integrity in our next chief executives.  With the recent US financial fiasco, however, it seems all issues are being rapidly eclipsed by which leader can best dig America out of its money crisis.  Citizens who were making family values, pro-life and Israel pivotal in their walk towards election day can now be heard saying, "While I don't agree with the guy's views on gay marriages, and sure hate his stand on abortion, and don't feel comfortable with the fact that Hamas loves and endorses him - still Barack Obama might be the better of the two men to handle the economic crisis.... I'm having to rethink the best way to vote next month." (VFI editor/IHC) Continue to pray and vote for leaders who support godly principles and values in the coming elections. "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed?... But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6: 31,33  
    
ADL SEES SURGE OF ANTISEMITISM FOLLOWING MARKET CRISIS: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in a report last week said the latest US financial meltdown has caused the flood gates of antisemitism to swing wide again on Internet discussion boards and blogs. Hundreds of hate messages have been posted to mainstream forums promoting archaic stereotypes and conspiracy theories alleging Jews control the economy, banking, the government and seek to impose a "Jew world order" on the rest of mankind. Those who again seek to scapegoat the Jewish people ignore the US financial crisis has been triggered by a plague of human lust for possessions and wealth, sweeping across the US and further afield. Like all disease it has not been limited to any race, religion, class or creed. (Ynet) "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Tim 6:10

PALIN WANTS EMBASSY IN JERUSALEM; BIDEN: NO COMMENT: Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin, in a recent televised debate with Democratic nominee Senator Joe Biden, called for moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, echoing Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain's policy. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has backtracked on a statement that Jerusalem is the "undivided" capital of Jerusalem. Biden did not comment on the status of the capital or moving the embassy. (INN) "Give Him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Is 62:7

SYRIA BANKING ON OBAMA VICTORY, INVITES ADVISERS: Syria is sure Barak Obama will win the November US presidential elections and is presently reaching out to his advisers. According to a Forbes article, Syrian President Bashar Assad wants Obama's help to bring back prosperity to Syria, which is under US sanctions. Chief editor Yman Nour named Robert Malley, from whom Obama quickly disassociated himself earlier this year after it was revealed that he had direct contact with Hamas and Syrian leaders. Nour wrote that Malley and Obama advisers Daniel Kurtz and Hernando de Soto have been officially invited to Syria for talks. (INN)

SYRIA DENIES UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG ACCESS TO MILITARY SITES: Diplomats close to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claim Syria has ignored requests to check three military installations believed connected to the alleged reactor site Israel destroyed in an air strike a year ago. An IAEA probe into intelligence reports about covert atomic bomb research by Iran has hit the same stumbling block - the barring of inspectors from military sites. Syria is Iran's strongest ally.  Perhaps it has learned from Tehran there's nothing to fear from future threats and sanctions from the West if it wishes to develop nuclear weapons. (Reuters)

NORTH KOREA SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO SIX MIDEAST STATES: The Jewish state has accused North Korea of providing weapons of mass destruction to countries in the Middle East. Israel's delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency spoke last week while the UN's nuclear watchdog adopted a resolution unanimously urging North Korea to cease revival of its atom bomb program. Envoy David Danieli said there were six Middle Eastern countries which had obtained the means to produce doomsday weapons and ballistic missiles covertly from North Korea. (Reuters) "His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. Selah" Ps 76:2-3

ISRAELIS RESILIENT DESPITE IRAN THREAT: Despite Palestinian terrorism, financial upheavals and corruption in the government  87% of Israelis recently polled said they preferred being citizens of Israel than any other country, and 86% said they would remain in the Jewish state, even if Iran achieved nuclear weapons capability. Some 85% said they opposed dividing Jerusalem in exchange for peace with the Palestinians. (J.Post)

SAUDI CLERIC TELLS MUSLIM WOMEN TO COVER ALL BUT ONE EYE: A prominent Saudi cleric this week declared a Muslim veil, or hijab that leaves two eyes visible encourages women to use eye make-up to appear seductive. Sheikh al-Habadan has appealed to all Saudi women to wear a full veil (niqab) which hides the entire face including one eye. But what if there should be a Cyclopes roaming Saudi streets? (IHC)

SUCCOT TOUR & CELEBRATION: October 12-24, 2008 -We invite you to The Succot Celebration (Feast of Tabernacles) in Jerusalem together with the remnant of Israel and the remnant from the nations. Speakers and worship leaders confirmed for 2008: Barry & Batya Segal, Lance Lambert, Jonathan Bernis, David Herzog, Asher Intrater, Tom Hess, Elhanan Ben Avraham, Zvi Randelman, Frank and Marlou van Essen and the Benote Zion dance team. For more information, please check out our Succot website: www.succotcelebration.com

Blessings from Jerusalem,
 Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff