The Rebirth of Israel
Author, latest: I Am Cyrus: Harry S. Truman and the Rebirth of Israel (Lighthouse Publishing, 2019)
Digital Editor for Inspiration.org
Contributing writer for CBN, CTL Magazine, Charisma Magazine, and Generals.org
Doctor of Ministry and MA in Religious Journalism, Regent University
Speaker for conferences, professional, and ministry events, writer training seminars
Served 12 years as Ministries Director and Programming Director for CBN.com
Served 10 years on the Executive Board of the Internet Evangelism Coalition.
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
The idea of writing this book was birthed in Craig’s heart in 1988 when a friend gave him a cassette tape from a group called Friends of Israel--telling the story of Harry S. Truman and his Jewish business partner and their involvement in the rebirth of Israel. Then, years later, Craig felt that the world needed to know the full story and the truth behind the rebirth of Israel. This book goes back to the 1880s, the beginning of the Zionist movement and ironically around the same time as Truman’s birth. It follows the story of Zionism and the story of Truman until they intersect at the critical juncture when President Truman was in the White House making the fateful decision regarding the Jews and their homeland in Israel.
BECOMING A NATION
In 1917, Great Britain pledged to restore Palestine to the Jews. This declaration was known as the Balfour Declaration. Yet, Britain nearly reneged on that promise just as the Jews faced the Nazi Holocaust. In the last days of that war, an unlikely man rose to the presidency of the United States. Harry S. Truman, a farmer, and failed business owner would help to decide not only the fate of Jewish survivors – but also the future of their homeland. There were 1.5 million Jews in displaced person camps throughout Europe at that time and almost all of them wanted to go to the Holy Land. In May of 1948, as the British Empire ended their mandate and withdrew from Palestine, five Arab nations sat on the border - ready to invade. The Arabs already had 22 countries, desiring to add Palestine to their list. Yet, Israel only wanted one nation to call home.
As a vote approached in the fledgling United Nations, pressure mounted. Truman slammed the White House doors shut to all who wanted to discuss Jewish statehood. Yet, his friend and former Jewish business partner, Eddie Jacobson, did not respect those orders. He showed up at the White House pleading with President Truman to meet with Dr. Chaim Weizmann-- the first great ambassador and diplomat in Zionism. During that meeting, the President decided to support statehood for the Jews. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel to be known as the State of Israel.
In 1949, President Truman had a meeting with Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Isaac Halevi Herzog. Truman asked if the Rabbi knew how he had been involved in Israel’s rebirth. The aged Rabbi looked intently at Truman and told him that ‘he had been given the task once fulfilled by the mighty king of Persia, and that he too, like Cyrus, would occupy a place of honor in the annals of the Jewish people.’” With tears in his eyes, Truman realized God’s hand in all of this.
