Stephen Katz Interview

I am so happy to bring you another great interview!  Today's guest was Stephen Katz.  Stephen was raised in a traditional Jewish home and at the age of 18 became a follower of Jesus. He has been on staff with Jews for Jesus (JFJ) since 1989, serving first in Los Angeles before becoming branch leader their San Francisco, then Washington DC branches. For a number of years he was Director of Recruitment and is currently Chief of Staff. For 12 years he oversaw JFJ’s work in Israel and still continues to be involved with the work there. He’s been on countless evangelism campaigns and is currently spearheading one of the ministry’s newest and most challenging endeavors. He and his wife, Laura, have four married children and seven grandchildren (with another on the way). Stephen holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois and another in intercultural and Jewish studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is known as a warm-hearted and engaging teacher and a good listener.

 

Mark Posner Interview

A mutual friend connected me to Mark Posner and I really enjoyed hearing his testimony.  In his own words:  

"Born in Albany, NY, I was brought up in a somewhat religious conservative Jewish home. We were members of a conservative synagogue where my parents were very active. My sister and I went to the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District (HACD) aka Bet Shraga. I went through 7th grade before transferring to the public schools. Albany had/has a large Jewish population as many Jews from the NYC area moved up there to work for the state - as was the case for my dad. My graduating class was approximately 10% Jewish. A large % considering the % of Jews in the world. Because of a sign from God- I married a Catholic girl. My folks were very against it at first but came around. On her death bed, my mom told me - 'thank god for Mary Lou, otherwise I don’t know what would have become of you.' She also made me promise not to convert. While I will be going to be immersed in a few weeks - I don’t feel like I’m converting. I’m adding I have been married for almost 39 yrs now. We have two married sons going on ages 33 and 31. No grandchildren yet. I am semi retired and my wife is retiring soon.  

We like travel and hiking. And beaches! We like shell collecting and I have recently started to get into shell art." 

Enjoy some cool music too!

Mike Fanto Interview

So I was walking up the escalator here at Pittsford Plaza and my friend dropped her purse at the top.   This nice man picks it up.   We start chatting and then I realized - hey, it's Mike Fanto!  I had him on Bagels and Blessings a VERY LONG time ago.  This was no coincidence!  I set up an interview -- and the rest, as they say, is history!!!

Here's a bit about Mike:

Mike grew up in Long Island to a Jewish mother and an Italian father.   He was a typical rebellious teenager and didn't really think about God very much.  His sister came to know the Lord first, and he followed, after a supernatural experience when he was hitchhiking.  He was picked up by a Jewish believer who met with him several times and explained many things in the Bible and pointed him to the prophecies.  He accepted Yeshua into his heart and his life has never been the same. 

Doug Carmel Interview

With permission from the Messianic Times, I am happy to share a delightful interview with Doug Carmel from Rock of Israel Ministries.  This interview was originally published in the June, 2022 issue of the Messianic Times.

Doug was born in the Bronx, New York City to a newly immigrated Israeli man (Sephardic) and an American Jewish woman (Ashkenazi). They attended a Conservative temple in New York City and Doug attended Hebrew School there for several years preparing for his Bar-Mitzvah.

Doug graduated from SUNY Stony Brook (State University of New York) in 1985 at the age of 21. In May of 1986, he was up in the late hours of the evening watching television  when he heard a slight rumbling sound outside, possibly coming from the sky.  He heard it again, and then suddenly a thought crossed his mind – literally for only a few seconds – but it changed his life and eternity…. “This is it” he thought, “The Christians are right! JESUS IS COMING BACK and it’s tonight!!” For a few seconds, his eyes were riveted to the sky as he waited for horses to appear in the sky and for this Jesus to return as he knew the Christians said he would do one day.

Doug began to think about forgiveness and to have thoughts about God.  Eventually he called a Messianic ministry and after attending a Messianic service he gave his heart to the Lord.  Today he is on staff with Rock of Israel Ministries where he sets up booths all over the world proclaiming that Yeshua made him kosher.

Diana Levine Interview

It was fun talking with Diana Levine!  Our daughters went on a ministry trip to the Ukraine together many years ago.  Small world!

Diana grew up in a Catholic household where God created an intense love for Israel and the Jewish people. She holds a BS degree in art education/art history from the State University College at New Paltz, NY. Following her college graduation she worked at various corporations in NYC. After accepting her Messiah she and her husband (Rabbi Alan Levine) founded Kol Mashiach Messianic Synagogue in Melbourne, Florida. She has spoken at Bible studies, women’s retreats, and both national and international conferences. Her blogs are featured on http://diana-levine.com 

Ed Zagofsky

It was wonderful to reconnect with Ed Zagofsky!  It's been over 20 years since we last spoke.  His family is very dear to me, they welcomed us when my family first moved to New York City back in 1989.

Born and raised in NYC, Ed came from a Jewish family.  The family was not religious but had a lot of Jewish pride.  Ed attended Hebrew school for 5 years in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah.  

When he turned 15, Ed began doing drugs and became involved in anti-war demonstrations.  He was encouraged to apply for a baseball scholarship, but instead he began to sell drugs and became a major distributor. 

Ed met his wife Nirit in the Catskill Mountains.  They married in 1975 and lived in Rego Park, NY.   After their 1^st two daughters were born he lost his business and began driving a taxi.  His wife was attending a beach club in Atlantic City. 

One day a lifeguard at the beach approached Nirit, shared the Gospel, and gave her a New Testament.  She had an experience at Atlantic Beach and accepted Yeshua into her heart. 

Ed noticed a big change in the way she dressed and discovered Christian music playing in the house. 

When she shared her experience with Ed, he thought about leaving the family.   But after hearing her full testimony, he realized that everything he was looking for was in Yeshua.  He began to cry in the street and didn't know why.  He knew she had found something that he needed.

After Nirit prayed for him, his desire for drugs, drinking and smoking was gone.   In an instant, the Lord took it all from him.  Ed gave his heart to the Lord and  started sharing with people as he chauffeured them. 

The Zagofskys felt the Lord wanted them to go to Israel.  They sold all they owned within 3  months and in March, 1992 they moved to Israel.   He is semi-retired and loving life.  

Larry Herzekow Interview

Today's wonderful interview is with Larry Herzekow.

Larry and his wife Bess are full time missionaries to Israel that have been sent out from Calvary Chapel Aurora, in Colorado (US). They are Jewish and hold dual citizenship in the US and Israel.  Their personal journey with Yeshua began in 1984 for Larry and in 1987 for Bess.  They originally made Aliyah to Israel in 1996 and lived there for 16 years. In 2012, they moved back to the Denver, CO area.  In 2014, they felt the Lord calling them once again to Israel with the vision of Beit Rachamim, which is Hebrew for “House of Compassion.”  With this fresh vision, Calvary Chapel Aurora has commissioned them to serve as missionaries to Israel in obedience to His calling.

Enjoy GREAT Messianic music too!