News

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa invites the Diocese of Jerusalem to embark once again on a profound journey of prayer, conversion, and renewed faith. In his newly released Lenten Letter for 2026, the Latin Patriarch calls the faithful to rediscover the heart of Christian life by walking more closely with Christ on the path that leads to Easter. We present the text of the letter.

From 11–12 February 2026, the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (CRRJ) and the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) held a joint gathering in Jerusalem marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. The meeting included plenary sessions, round‑table discussions, visits to sites in the Old City, and a public evening of dialogue and music. Fr. Piotr Zelazko, the Vicar, took an active part throughout the sessions, together with Fr. Benny who also contributed musically during the Wednesday evening public event.

On the weekend of January 30-31, 2026, sixteen young participants of the St. James Vicariate, from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beer Sheva, gathered in Jerusalem for the first weekend of the Journey of Faith of the Vicariate. This opening encounter marked the beginning of a shared journey that will lead the youth through the different communities of the Vicariate across Israel.

The 15th issue of Et Ratzon (lit. “A Pen of Favor”, wordplay: “A Moment of Grace”) was published by HaKolel, The Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. It contains an article by Hana Bendcowsky about the Vicariate of Saint James which was written as an interview with the Vicar.

On Monday (January 20th) our Vicariate had the joy of welcoming the bishops of the Holy Land Coordination, who are visiting the region from 17 to 21 January as part of their annual pilgrimage of solidarity with the Christian communities of the Holy Land. Their gathering this year is guided by the theme “A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.”

The weekend of 9th and 10th of January 2026 in Haus i.E. im Ennstal (Styria, Austria) brought together music, testimony, and dialogue in a meaningful encounter with the reality of the Holy Land. Across two days, participants listened, reflected, and connected, opening space for understanding, faith, and solidarity.

The Russian speaking community in Haifa marked the Solemnity of the Epiphany with a festive Mass and a heartfelt Christmas Mystery play prepared by the faithful.

On Monday, January 5th, the Interfaith Initiative in the Negev held a study meeting at the Beer Sheva Community House. The gathering focused on the theme “And There Was Light… The Creation of the World.” Fr. Roman reports.

On Friday, December 26th, 2025, the Notre Dame Center Auditorium in Jerusalem was filled with music, laughter, and the spirit of Christmas. The annual Kids Christmas Concert, titled Hand in Hand, brought together Hebrew- and Arabic-speaking children to celebrate the humble birth of Jesus through song and fellowship. The event began at 20:00, and admission was free for all.

This Christmas was in Israel a calm and peaceful time. Our Hebrew-speaking communities in Jaffa, Tiberias, Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, as well as the Russian-speaking communities (Tel Aviv, Haifa and Emmaus) celebrated joyfully the birth of the Messiah.

From 16 to 19 December 2025, the Christmas Kaytana took place in the peaceful setting of Beit Noah, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. In this quiet and inspiring environment, young adults were invited to step away from everyday demands and enter more deeply into the meaning of Christmas: the wonder of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, who chooses closeness and humility.

Watch with your children our movie about Nativity. It is in Hebrew and was published on our YouTube channel.

On December 19–20, 2025 families from our communities gathered in Tiberias for a special Weekend of Families, celebrating faith, unity, and the 70th anniversary of the Vicariate of St. James. It was a time of prayer, learning, and joy, strengthening the bonds that unite us as one family in Christ.

On December 13, about 35 members of the Jerusalem Community came together for a special day of study, prayer, and spiritual preparation for Christmas. The retreat took place at the German Hostel of the Sisters of Charles Borromeo in the German Colony.

Saturday, December 20th, the Catechism children from Tel Aviv, together with their parents, gathered to celebrate a joyful Christmas Party.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Church in Tiberias rejoiced as Brother Daniel was ordained a deacon in a solemn and joyful celebration. The ordination took place in the local parish, gathering faithful from the community and beyond to witness this important step in Brother Daniel’s journey of service to the Lord and His people.

The members of Jaffa Kehila participated in their Advent retreat, on Friday, December 12th, in Tiberias. One of the members reports about this event.

Saturday, December 6th – The Beer Sheva community set out on a joyful and faith-filled journey to northern Israel, embracing fellowship, prayer, and the beauty of creation.

On Thursday (December 11th) Fr. Benny and the Jerusalem Community hosted more than fifty guests at an extraordinary event of Hannukah lecture by Rabbi Oded Peles.

On Friday, December 5th, our beloved community member Cécile Pilverdier passed away. Fr. Benny, responsible for the Jerusalem Kehilla, shares his reflections on Cécile’s life and legacy.