December 2, 2011
Tom Doyle and Jason Elam’s visits to Ariel are beginning to become a tradition. Their December 2nd to 4th stay was their third in the space of a year. Tom is known for his books and his educational initiatives to connect Israel with the Church. Jason, who holds the NFL record for the longest field-goal in history, has “teamed up” with Tom, and is now working as a co-author on their new book.
The group arrived on Friday, opening their visit at the Ariel Regional Center for the Performing Arts where they got some background on what it means to be in Ariel – the bridge between Biblical Prophecy and Modern Israel. At the Ariel National Leadership Development Center they got a taste of how Judeo-Christian Teamwork (an Ariel “trademark”) can yield a generation of leaders. At the Ariel Sports and Recreation Complex they learned about how the People of Ariel respond to the terror that they faced, by enhancing community life. They also toured the Netzarim Community, Ariel University Center, the Security Fence, and Ariel’s unique Holocaust and Heroism Memorial Museum where they met with Holocaust survivors and museum curators Irena and Kuba.
This visit, however, had not yet reached its climax. A special license was given to allow the group to visit the tomb of the biblical hero, Joshua-ben-Nun, who is buried not far from Ariel. For security reasons, they had to travel at midnight with an IDF escort. It was an experience they will always remember.
We thank Tom, his wife JoAnne, and Jason for their continuing love and support, and look forward to their next trip in the not too distant future.