Rabbi Jim Live in the Studio!

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What a joy to have Rabbi Jim back in the studio.   Today we discussed how to maintain an attitude of gratitude!   We talked about how being thankful can keep us from being depressed.   It was a great discussion.   Enjoy!

Rabbi Jim Appel has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shema Yisrael since 1996 and a Jewish follower of Yeshua since 1977. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues.

Rabbi Jim previously worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y., for 24 years as an optical engineer and engineering manager. He holds more than 45 patents in the areas of copier imaging systems and laser printing. Rabbi Jim received a bachelor's degree in optical engineering from the University of Rochester in 1967 and a master's degree in physics from the University of Southern California in 1970.
Rabbi Jim decided to follow Yeshua after a long spiritual search. He grew up with parents who taught him that God did not exist and organized religion deceived and oppressed people. In 1967 after completing college, Jim became disillusioned with life as an atheist. He rejected his parent's teachings and began his search for spiritual reality. This search took him into the world of mind-altering drugs and yoga meditation, and ended with a dramatic encounter with Yeshua the Messiah, who revealed himself to Rabbi Jim in the privacy of his bedroom without the assistance of any other person.

Robyn Putney Interview

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It was a last minute thing.   I didn't have a guest lined up and announced it at Shabbat Service at Congregation Shema Yisrael.   After service my new friend Robyn volunteered to be my guest.

Robyn is refreshing and smart for her young age of twenty-four.   She grew up in a believing home and made her own conclusions about Messiah Yeshua at the age of nineteen.   In this interview she shares her faith journey and her attraction to the Jewish roots of the faith.  After a DNA test Robyn discovered what she already suspected -- that her mother's side of the family is Jewish.  

In this interview Robyn shares her victory over depression and her positive outlook on life.   You'll enjoy her charm and humor, as well as the music of Zemer Levav, Sally Klein O'Connor, Marty Goetz, Ray Chernoff and Nate Benjamin.

Enjoy dahling, enjoy!

Jane Jones Interview

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What an incredible story!  Jane was raised with a volatile home life. Her strict, German, anti-Semitic mother and Italian father were both abusive. She grew up trying very hard to please her parents, to no avail and spent even more of her youth fearing for her life.

Later on, while attending Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, she found faith in a loving Messiah by the grace of God, and gradually began to heal from her early childhood trauma, physically and emotionally.

Jane was drawn to the Word of God and learned, despite her mother's influence, to love the Jewish people. Today, Jane and her husband Karl are members of Shema Yisrael, a Messianic Congregation in Rochester, New York, where Karl serves as an elder.

In addition to realizing her love for Israel and Her people, Jane has, most importantly, realized that God really loves her and will always be there for her.

Forgiveness is an ongoing process, and Jane relies on the Lord for strength. She hopes that her story will encourage others who come from abusive backgrounds.

Also features great music!  Enjoy!

Joseph Israel Interview

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Today I had the privilege to share my interview with recording artist Joseph Israel.  Joseph and the Jerusalem Band began gaining notoriety after recording "Jamaica" back in 2005. This artist brings authentic roots reggae with deep spiritual messaging based in the Jewish tradition along with a top-notch band that includes powerful harmonies and solos.

Joseph Israel and the Jerusalem Band have toured the U.S. recording their live performances and recently released Kingdom Road Live to accompany their 2013 release of the same name. More information is available at josephisrael.com.

Steven Held Interview

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A fun interview with Dr. Steven Held!  Dr. Held is a retired Endodontist who was the head of a multi-doctor practice from 1977 to 2002. He currently resides in State College, Pennsylvania with his wife Joanie. The couple has been together since Dr. Steven’s first week of college in 1965.

He and his wife were both brought up in Jewish homes, he in a reformed synagogue and Joanie in a conservative one. They have two daughter, Rachel and Rebecca and have raised them as Messianic Jewish believers. All four have their Israeli citizenship and plan to move to Israel one day in the near future.

This show also features new music from Paul Wilbur's new CD "Revive."  You'll love it!

Elizabeth Appel Interview

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A wonderful talk with our Rabbi's daughter.  Born into a believing household in Rochester, New York, Elizabeth has been in the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old and is currently serving as the Administrative Assistant at Congregation Shema Yisrael, located in Rochester.

Elizabeth will be talking about her victory over depression and anxiety and her journey back to faith. Diagnosed at the age of 17 with clinical depression and anxiety disorder, she spent the next 14 years on medication, and for several years was unable to leave her house. During that time, she also walked away from her faith and turned her back on any belief in God's love or redemptive power.

She eventually found her way back to God, and in the process was completely healed of the depression and anxiety. She has been medication free for 6 years and enjoys a vibrant relationship with Yeshua.

Barri Cae Mallin Interview

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I spoke to the wonderful Dr. Barri Cae Mallin in today's interview!   She is an accomplished author, instructor and theologian.  Barri's variety of life experiences include corporate sales, Sunday school education, travel, Bible college instruction, conference speaking and annual trips to Israel as President of a humanitarian organization. She also holds a Ph.D. in Biblical studies from Trinity Theological Seminary.
Barri Cae's published works include three devotionals, "Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God", Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1999; "The Name – HaShem Daily Devotional Worship", CreateSpace Publishers, 2010; and "There's Just Something about That Name", Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2011.
Her response to the love of Yeshua is what guides Barri today. She currently resides in Georgia and after 62 years of being single, God has brought a beshert (meant to be) into her life, Dr. Jeffrey Seif. She will make her home with Dr. Seif in Texas, October 25 of this year.

You'll also enjoy some wonderful music by Marty Goetz, Nancy Santiano, Paul Wilbur and Rivka Whitten!