Since May 2001, Donna Holbrook as Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in Canada has brought comfort, compassion, financial and volunteer support to Israel and to the Jewish people across Canada. She revitalized the closed branch of Canadian Friends of ICEJ into ICEJ Canada Aid and Development, a Canadian registered charity, and grew it into one of the most widely recognized and respected Christian charities bridging friendship between Jewish and Christian communities. Donna has also served on many boards of Jewish organizations. The key focuses of ICEJ Canada continue to be countering the evils of antisemitism, educating about God’s eternal promises to Israel and encouraging as many people as possible to visit and support Israel. In 2008, Donna founded the Canada Israel Scholarship for Christian Young Adult Leaders (CISL) to have a 1st time life-changing Israeli experience.

Through her leadership, ICEJ Canada built up its core and volunteer teams across Canada to educate Christians about Israel and to raise significant donations for numerous Israel projects including reforestation of Canada Park which was destroyed by fire, assisted living for people disabled, an emergency call center, emergency aid for individuals affected by crisis or conflict and support for new immigrants to Israel. Donna has travelled to Israel over 50 times since 1996 and yearly encourages pilgrims to attend the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in Israel. This year in Jerusalem, ICEJ celebrates 45 years standing with Israel. ICEJ has numerous partnerships with organizations such as Yad Vashem, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, the Israel Allies Foundation, and works with numerous Israeli partners on the ground to accomplish critical and timely aid projects. ICEJ is a critical global Christian voice for Israel in over 97 nations.

Donna demonstrates what true allyship means. She has spoken out against antisemitism, spoken often at rallies for the hostages, supported events celebrating Israel, and created numerous bridge building activities between the Jewish and Christian communities. Donna is a true friend of the Jewish community and well deserves to be cherished and honoured.

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