Reflections on MennoPIN conversations as of Mid-October 2025
by David Janzen
The five-year relationship of Fellowship of Hope of Elkhart IN and other church friends with the Gaza YMCA Board and Leadership has been full of drama, beauty, inspiration and tragedy. We have witnessed the impact of their work with children and their families in addressing social/psychological needs, providing artistic and athletic development, and celebrating holidays including lighting a Christmas tree. Most of the YMCA has now been destroyed, like nearly all Gaza buildings.
Our most recent Zoom meeting on October 14 with Gaza friends came just days after the welcome release of Israeli and Palestinian captives, many of whom were in confinement before the debacle of October 7, 2023. The complication of releasing bodies from both sides appears to be slowing down food and medical supplies so desperately needed. Gunfire is threatening those seeking life-sustaining resources.
As important as this step is, achievement of real peace is far away until Palestinians regain and retain their homes and establish a viable state run by competent leaders. Little was said by those brokering the hostage release of what next steps are required and who will provide the political and financial resources. The continued usurpation of Palestinian land in the West Bank, along with the near-total destruction of Gaza, must be addressed for any stability to be achieved. Until that happens, conflict will erupt again with the dream of a shared, stable land remaining a fantasy. Strong, capable and compassionate leaders are needed and immediate aid provided to stop starvation that is commonplace. The United States should stop providing Israel military resources and work with other countries to save the lives of those suffering.
Our contact persons from Gaza, now living in the US and Egypt, receive occasional news from Gaza residents about their desperate situation, although communication is difficult. Hundreds continue to shelter in two of the churches still standing in Gaza City.
We at Fellowship of Hope have sent regular assistance to them through contributions of many churches and individuals and we pray that the recent violence that has blocked people living in the churches from traveling to receive the contributions will soon diminish. We encourage concerned readers to give to Gaza by sending a check to Fellowship of Hope at 1614 S. Sixth St., Elkhart IN 46516 or use the givelify app by clicking the button below. Please be sure to enter “Gaza Relief” in the memo line.
There are other reliable sources to give assistance which can be found online under “Gaza Relief Agencies” including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
May God bless those suffering and all working to stop the violence and find the true path to peace. Please contact your US Senators and Representatives to call for ending the US support of Israeli military used to destroy Gaza and kill innocent people.
Upcoming Events, Actions, and Resources
Some of you may recall that MennoPIN was trying to get the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land screened at MCUSA‘s Convention last summer.Despite our best efforts,we were unsuccessful due to distribution issues discussed in the three-minute video above.
That is why we are so pleased to announce that, for the first time ever, No Other Land will be available to rent or own on October 20, on all major streaming platforms (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube, Kinema, and Gathr).
This incredibly important film is a must-see! Even better, it is brought to you completely independently, so all proceeds will go to the communities of Masafer Yatta on the West Bank. What an opportunity to make an immediate impact!
We encourage you to watch the short announcement video (above) that Israelism and the No Other Land teams put together, and then consider hosting a screening in your community.
Mennonite Action organizers are traveling the country and are inviting you to join them! Share food and worship together and then participate in trainings in grassroots organizing, nonviolent action, and faith-based non-cooperation.
ICE is terrorizing immigrant, Black, brown, and Native communities while the genocide continues against Palestine. What’s the connection? Come and see. Join CFP for their October Community Call focused on the shared struggle of immigration justice and Palestinian freedom.
Mennonite Palestine Israel Network
MennoPIN keeps you informed about Palestine/Israel through our monthly update, special alerts, calls to action, important resources and tour possibilities, all from an Anabaptist perspective. To find out more, please visit our website at www.mennopin.org
Feedback, responses, and suggestions for future updates can be submitted to info@mennopin.org
Steering Committee
Bob Atchison (Manhattan Mennonite Church, Manhattan, KS)
Lydia Brenneman (Lima Mennonite Church, Lima, OH)
Dave Janzen (Fellowship of Hope, Elkhart, IN)
Michael George (Landisville Mennonite Church, PA)
Jonathan Kuttab (Palestinian lawyer and human rights activist, Manheim, PA)
Dorothy Jean Weaver (Community Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA)
Zachary Murray (Mennonite Central Committee, Washington, DC)
Adam Ramer (Co-coordinator of Mennonite Action, New York, NY)
David Bluford (Rainbow Mennonite Church, Kansas City, KS)
Gretchen M(Philadelphia, PA)
MennoPIN 