The community makes filtration systems, sold under the name "Noah's Ark" for use in Israeli hospitals, schools, high-rise office buildings, factories, utilities, and air force bases, among other places.

The company has a U.S. subsidiary, and cites NATO forces among its largest foreign customers for nuclear, biological and chemical protected tents and field hospitals. Ordinary Israelis clamor for the company's kit to safeguard homes and apartments, contributing to a three-month wait for delivery and an 18 hour work day at the factory.

Two German sisters, Emma and Elsa Berger, founded the Beit El community in Israel when they emigrated in 1963. Their beliefs rest on a literal reading of the Tanach and the New Testament, without interpretations or commentary. The community houses no church or traditional Christian religious symbols, including the cross, and takes Saturday as their day of rest, like Shabbat.

That this company is both German and Christian is doubly ironic. Community member Albrecht Fuchs said, "We did not exist during the Shoah, but we say we are the children of those who killed the Jews. We do not want to escape (their history); we want to ask your pardon."

I can't tell you how much it means to me that those who traditionally have been the enemies of the Jewish people have now become our friends.

It is often hard to let go of the hatred that has built up over many centuries of persecution. But we can see now that in Israel, and in the United States, Jews have new friends.