Eric Tokajer Coffee Talk

Today's program was like sitting down with a good friend over a cup of coffee and talking about world events and God’s promises. It was wonderful to have Rabbi Eric on Bagels and Blessings again.

Rabbi Eric was raised in a traditional Jewish home.

While serving in the US Navy, Rabbi Eric was challenged by a believer in Yeshua to study the Scriptures until he found answers within them. While searching the Hebrew Scriptures, Rabbi Eric found belief in Yeshua as the promised Messiah of Israel which brought answers to all of the questions he had. It is now over 33 years ago. 

Since then Rabbi Eric studied to become an ordained Rabbi in the IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues). He has served as a Rabbi in Mobile, Alabama. He also helped to establish five synagogues across the Gulf Coast in Slidell, Louisiana; Bayou La Batre, Alabama; Spanish Fort, Alabama; Navarre, Florida, and Brit Ahm Messianic Synagogue in Pensacola, Florida, where he serves as Rabbi today. Rabbi Eric has been married for 44 years to his wife Pammy.

Rabbi Eric is also the author of many books, including:

Simple Shabbat Siddur: Guide to a Restful, Peace-filled, Traditional Shabbat, But... The Power of One Word, God Has No Plan B: With Over 45 Other Lessons and15 Ways Ministry is killing Ministry.

Ava Batts and Elizabeth Appel

Ava Batts was raised in a gentile home and in later years discovered the Jewish roots of her faith.   That's when she fell in love with the Jewish Messiah Yeshua!   Ava runs the Fig Tree Book Store at our congregation and is very involved in outreach to the homeless, to women's shelters and is often on the streets of Rochester sharing the good news of Yeshua!

Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life. 

Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life. 

Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still 

relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life. 

Shiloh Ben Hod

I’ve waited a few years to interview this talented young man and finally got to do a phone interview with him last month. He is an anointed worship leader from Israel and his band Solu produces fabulous Messianic worship.

Shilo Ben Hod is a native Jewish Israeli born in Jerusalem, and raised in a Messianic family.

Shilo grew up in the Israeli culture, and later on at age 18 he was enlisted into the army, where he served for 3 years. During his service, at age 19 Shilo got married to his then 18 year old wife, Sarah. After finishing his service, Shilo and Sarah started traveling the world ministering in worship and prayer and teaching about Israel.

Shilo is part of the Fellowship Of Artists – an Israeli worship label with a vision to support and produce worship music for Israelis and the whole world!

Shilo and his band Solu lead worship regulary in national and international events, and teach about worship and prayer, in different places across Israel and the nations.

Chris Katulka Interview

Chris leads Friends of Israel (FOI)’s ministry in the United States and Canada. After graduating from the Institute of Jewish Studies, he received his B.S. in Bible from Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University) and a Master’s of Theology in Old Testament studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Chris serves as host and teacher of The Friends of Israel Today radio program, contributes an editorial to their bi-monthly publication, Israel My Glory, and teaches at conferences and churches throughout the United States.

Tuvya Zaretsky Interview

Tuvya Zaretsky is one of the founders of the Jews for Jesus ministry, beginning his service in February 1974. He was raised in Northern California in the institutions of American Judaism. And he came to believe in Yeshua (Jesus) in 1970.

During his career, Tuvya has provided leadership of Jews for Jesus branches in Chicago, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Tel Aviv. Tuvya is also the founder of JewishGentileCouples.com, a free counseling service for intercultural couples, operating out of the Jews for Jesus LA branch.

Tuvya earned an M.A. Missiology in Judaic Studies at The Fuller Seminary School for World Mission and the Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is married to Ellen, who is also a Jewish Believer in Jesus. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

More from Rabbi Jim Appel

Today we had another “ask the Rabbi” session!  Rabbi Jim explained why Messianic Jews still celebrate Yom Kippor and other Jewish holidays.  

Rabbi Jim is our Rabbi at Congregation Shema Yisrael in Rochester, New York. 

Rachel Schiller Interview

Rachel has worked at several synagogues teaching Hebrew, and interned with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice after college. She founded and currently leads the young professionals group and co leads the drama club at her home congregation, Eitz Chaim Messianic Congregation in Plano, Texas. When she’s not serving at Eitz Chaim she works as a lawyer for the leading travel software and technology company. Rachel also enjoys escaping the city to go hike mountains and explore our National Parks.