Elwood McQuaid: In Loving Memory

For each generation, the Lord raises up the right leader for the times. That was certainly true of Elwood McQuaid when he became executive director of The Friends of Israel (FOI) in 1989. For 12 years he faithfully served in this role, using his unique ability to step into an unexpected leadership transition with a steady hand, steering the ministry into calm waters during a turbulent time.

Since I became executive director, my appreciation for all the Lord accomplished through Elwood’s faithful work has grown exponentially, but I am most grateful for the time he took to guide me and point out the dangers that can sink the ship. I held tightly to his words, as his sage advice came from one who had safely sailed us through difficult seas.

I am forever indebted to Elwood for setting the example and showing me the way. Following in his footsteps, I, along with my predecessor, Bill Sutter, have a unique appreciation for the path he walked and the challenges he faced as executive director. His impact on FOI can never be fully understood this side of glory. But one thing beyond dispute is that God raised him up for such a time as this, and he served well. His promotion to glory leaves us with a loss but heaven with a gain.

by Jim Showers, FOI executive director

The only time I’ve been to Israel was in 1997, and it’s a trip I’ll never forget. Elwood McQuaid and David Levy were the tour leaders. I was a little afraid of talking to Elwood because he was the executive director of FOI and I was the wife of a junior staff member. As a journalist and Jewish believer, I had written a few articles for Israel My Glory for him and did a radio interview for him. But beyond that, he was virtually a stranger. All that changed on this trip, as God began turning him into one of the most cherished people in my life.

Elwood knew my husband and I didn’t have much money and that the trip was gifted to us by our church and other friends. At the breakfast buffet in Tiberias, I felt him quietly pass something into my hand. I looked down and saw a $100 bill. Surprised, I told him I didn’t need it. “Keep it,” he said. “Use it for lunches.”

On that trip, my husband and I spent hours and hours with Elwood and got to know him as a deeply caring man of faith.

Two years later, he hired me full-time as an editor; and working with him was the greatest privilege of my life. Our relationship blossomed into a deep, deep friendship based on mutual respect, a love for the Lord and the work to which He had called us, and a love for Israel and the Jewish people. I’ve never met a Gentile who loved Israel as much as Elwood did.

And he was like a prophet. He saw clearly into the world’s political future because he knew God’s Word so well. He foresaw everything happening today, and yet he always had deep faith in God’s love for Israel and God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people.

His wisdom, sincerity, sense of humor, brilliant mind, masterful ability to articulate his thoughts, and his genuine humility of spirit endeared him to many, including officials in Israel. When then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was flying home from one of his trips to the United States, Elwood and his wife, Maxine, were on the plane. When Sharon learned Elwood was on board, he dispatched a member of his security detail to deliver a pillow to Maxine.

Elwood had casual friendships with four Israeli prime ministers, including Golda Meir, with whom he corresponded, and Benjamin Netanyahu. But one of his closest friendships was with David Bar-Ilan, the concert pianist and editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post who became chief spokesman for the Israeli government under Netanyahu from 1996 to 1999. After David’s debilitating stroke, Elwood visited him at his home in Israel until Bar-Ilan’s death in 2003.

Elwood associated with dignitaries too numerous to name, yet on the 1997 tour, I watched him kneel in a puddle during a driving rain in Jerusalem to tie the shoes of an elderly woman.

A few years after he retired as editor-in-chief of Israel My Glory and I took over, I persuaded him to write an article. When I heard from my proofreaders, one of them said, “I’m so glad you got Elwood to write. No one writes like Elwood McQuaid.”

No one does. No one will. He was a godly man of great faith, with the soul of a poet—which made him a joy for me to edit for the past 25 years and an even bigger joy to talk to. I’ve lost one of my very dearest friends. My consolation is that he and Maxine, who died in 2016, are now together. And someday I will see them both when we meet again at the feet of Jesus.

by Lorna Simcox, retired editor-in-chief of Israel My Glory

From the moment you entered my family’s lives, you immediately became a family member. It was only natural that I introduced you as “Uncle Elwood” to my wife, Anat, long before our FOI journey began.

I can recall your smile, your calming presence, and your joyful spirit from as early as my childhood when my father, Zvi, instructed my siblings and me to perform our best for you on our musical instruments. When I spoke with you, I always felt as though you were compiling a story or a song, for rhyming and poetry flowed from you effortlessly. You were truly a writer and poet in every way.

You had an inexhaustible depth of wisdom, sharpness, discernment, and knowledge. How grateful I am to God for blessing me with you, with your scripturally based wisdom and influential words that guided so many a step. When your radiophonic voice was heard, you wasted no words. Every sentence dripped with value and meaning.

My relationship with you and the warm, loving care my family received from you were out of the ordinary. The attention you gave us is engraved in our hearts.

Relatively early on in our friendship, you asked me what kind of food I like. “Red Lobster,” I answered immediately. You then set all our meetings that week at the Red Lobster restaurant. To this day, I remember how fatherly, attentive, kind, and generous you were.

Our family owes you a debt of gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for making my father’s legacy accessible to so many. Your investment, commitment, artistry, deep love, and appreciation for my father laid the foundation for honoring the Kalisher legacy. It was your patience, attention to both the small details and the big picture, and strong belief in the guidance of the Holy Spirit that led you to write his biography, ZVI, which became an integral part of the history of the Holocaust and the Jewish people.

I am filled with mixed emotions to say goodbye, but I know you are now in the presence of your Lord, whom you loved and served with fervent allegiance. Uncle Elwood, we will miss you—until we meet again in glory.

by Meno Kalisher, pastor of the Jerusalem Assembly

I was first introduced to Elwood McQuaid through his writing when I wrote a report on his book ZVI for my 9th-grade English class. I didn’t realize then that this was just the beginning of how the Lord would use Elwood to influence my life.

Elwood was my Bible teacher when he became executive director of FOI. A few years later, I began working closely with him as part of FOI’s radio team. He had a fantastic ability to make his listeners feel like he was speaking directly to them. Working alongside him for many years, I went from seeing him as a favorite author and teacher to knowing him as a visionary leader, godly mentor, and faithful friend.

My favorite memories of Elwood are of our weekly radio recording sessions. I marveled at how he could be laser-focused on the quality of content while bringing joy to the process with his great sense of humor. He was a gifted communicator who could mine the depths of God’s Word and passionately share what he discovered with others so that they would grow in their desire to study the Bible.

Elwood also loved Israel and the Jewish people. His biblical insight helped many better understand God’s program for Israel, the church, and the nations.

He was a spiritual mentor with a great vision for how to utilize media to reach people with the Good News of the Messiah. He not only communicated the truth of the Bible eloquently but also allowed it to change his life. His joy in his salvation fueled his love for helping others experience God’s love for them.

I rejoice in knowing that Elwood is with his Savior. His example will continue to inspire me long beyond his years here on Earth.

by Steve Conover, FOI executive vice president

I first met Elwood McQuaid almost 50 years ago when he taught our FOI summer team. His amazing knowledge of prophecy, Jewish history, and doctrine was coupled with great insight into people. He made a deep impact on my life, but several exchanges stand out.

I faithfully promoted Israel My Glory magazine for years; but when Elwood asked me to write for it, I wondered if I could live up to the challenge. His confidence in my ability made it easy for me to say yes.

In December 1995, Elwood called to ask me to become director of North American Ministries. I told him he had the wrong person and recommended a coworker I thought was more qualified. “I’m not asking the wrong person. I know my responsibility,” he told me, “and I’m asking you to take the position.” Again, his confidence empowered me to take on the new role.

Several years later, Elwood and I were scheduled to lead FOI’s Up to Jerusalem trip to Israel. At the last minute, he called me. “Something came up. I can’t go to Israel, but I know you can handle it. Have a nice trip.” Click. He didn’t really ask me to lead as much as he told me. As before, I wondered if I could handle the responsibility; but if he thought I could, I knew I could.

Elwood was a great teacher, preacher, pastor, leader, director, and writer. But I will always remember him as the man who gave me great responsibilities and the confidence to carry them out.

by Steve Herzig, FOI vice president of North American Ministries

Photos: The Friends of Israel Archives