Jane "Goldie" Winn

I had a fun interview with Goldie Winn the other day.   She just published a book, "Rainbows in the Night, a Story of Redemption," and it will inspire and encourage you!

Jane is a talented, musician with a beautiful voice, who also plays a mean sax. She is a deeply caring and fiercely loyal, life coach and counselor. Yet what will strike you most about her is her unquenchable joy. It will come as a shock to you that years ago she was a completely different person- deeply-troubled, persistently self-centered and profoundly depressed. 

In her book Rainbow in the Night, she unveils the secret to her joy. She unravels the mystery of how the Lord gently but firmly lifted her up and out of that place of darkness and into the multi-colored rainbow of his love.

Enjoy fabulous music too, of course!

 

Henry Wright Interview from 2010

Shalom!  As a tribute to the recently departed Henry Wright I thought I would re-air this interview from 2010.

Henry W. Wright was the president and founder of Be in Health Global. He was exposed to the power of spiritual healing at an early age when his mother was miraculously cured of terminal cancer and a fatal tumor that was wrapped around her jugular vein. Wright was committed to the belief that human problems are fundamentally spiritual, with associated physical and psychological manifestations. With his pre-med background and insights into the medical as well as the spiritual aspects of disease, he brought a fresh perspective to the process of ministering to the sick. 

He authored two books, A More Excellent Way and Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease. He also has presented seminars worldwide and across broad denominational lines for a number of years and was a frequent guest on many well-known television and radio programs. Wright was also the pastor of Hope of the Generations Church in Thomaston, Georgia.

Enjoy some wonderful Chanukah music as well!

Marty Brounstein Interview

Marty Brounstein is the author of "Two Among the Righteous Few," a story of courage and miraculous provision during the Holocaust.

He is the humble messenger for a Righteous Christian couple from the Netherlands named Frans and Mien Wijnakker, whose heroic rescue efforts saved the lives of over two dozen Jews. Their courage and compassion provide a positive and moving story amidst the horrific tragedy known as the Holocaust, with lessons for our lives today.

Marty also has a meaningful personal connection to this story, which he reveals in the interview.

Here is a bit more about him:

With the high amount of political discord and the growing acts of hate and violence in our country today, messages that reinforce such positive values as care, respect, and unity resonate strongly with people. These are messages that provide hope rather than despair, so relevant for today. They are what storyteller Marty Brounstein has been delivering with his book, Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust, and his speaking tour with it now into its 9th year with over 720 events so far.

This book has not always been Marty's main work. For 25 years, he led the consulting firm The Practical Solutions Group, serving a wide variety of clients on issues of leadership and organizational effectiveness. Through this work, he wrote eight books related to business management, from contributing author to sole author, including Communicating Effectively For Dummies, Coaching and Mentoring For Dummies and Managing Teams for Dummies.

But his 9th book is quite different and special. It has put Marty in the interfaith business, as he has a story of a Christian couple, Frans and Mien Wijnakker, who saved the lives of at least two dozen Jews during World War II and the Holocaust. This book takes Marty back to his early career as an educator, when he was teaching history including the Holocaust. This true and remarkable story has a meaningful personal connection as well, which Marty reveals in his engaging storytelling presentations.

Marty has been on quite an unexpected journey of delivering storytelling presentations to a wide variety of audiences and facilitating book discussions in school classrooms.  He has started his 9th year of this journey, 710 events with more coming.  The events have occurred throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, his home base, and 15 other cities, with New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Boston among them.  The engagements have been in such places as religious institutions, service organizations, personal homes, bookstores, many schools, universities, libraries, and history and Holocaust museums. Furthermore, on this journey Marty continues to study and tell stories about others in the Holocaust involved in resistance and rescue, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. He does so in presentations titled Heroes of the Holocaust.

Marty's keynote presentation and workshop titled The Courage and Compassion to Do the Right Thing: A Lesson in Making a Positive Difference continues to grow and has been well-received at professional conferences and workplaces.

One highlight of the journey was presenting at the invitation of the Dutch Consulate General of San Francisco in March 2014.  He has also been a keynote speaker for Holocaust Remembrance Day events in Chicago, Phoenix, Seattle, and New York and coming up in Reno, NV in April 2020.

Marty was recently recognized with The Jefferson Award presented by the organization Multiplying Good. They recognize individuals who perform acts of public service and good for America. This honor came about through the nomination by a great supporter of Marty on his journey, Jodie Russi.  Jodie was the first teacher to bring Marty into a classroom for a book discussion with her students on this special story.

In baseball lingo, Marty is batting .1000 in terms of positive responses audiences have shown; many admiringly commenting it would make a great feature film!  So the journey to share this special story continues.

Great music too.   Enjoy!   And never forget!

Shirley Lawrenson Interview

Have you ever known someone Jewish who wants to make Aliyah and go to Israel?   Shirley and I had a wonderful discussion about Operation Exodus and how they help make that happen!   Plus you'll enjoy great music from Jonathan Settel, Aaron Shust, Joshua Aaron, Baht Rivka Whitten, and Lamb.  

Shirley was born and raised in South Africa although now she serves as the NYC Aliyah Director for Operation Exodus USA. She has a long history of serving having been with Ebenezer Operation Exodus for 25 years. Shirley spent 10 years in the Ukraine leading chartered ships to assist Jewish People to go home to Eretz Israel. During that. time she participated in 123 Sailings from Odessa, Ukraine to Haifa, Israel – from 1995 until 2004. She then spent 10 years living in Jerusalem.  Where in 2006 she opened an office in Jerusalem. Her goal was to assist with the Klitah (Absorption of all Olim who make Aliyah). In 2016, she moved to NYC where they opened an Office in Brooklyn to assist Jewish People who need their help from the USA to make Aliyah.

Rabbi Eduardo Arroyo Interview

Congregation Shema Yisrael is getting ready to host our very first Messianic Youth Summit and today I interviewed our keynote speaker for the event, Rabbi Eduardo Arroyo!

Rabbi Eduardo Arroyo was born in 1984 in Brooklyn NY to anusim parents and was raised in a nominally Catholic home. Growing up during the golden age of Hip Hop, in the home of Hip Hop Rabbi Eduardo fell in love with music. His first personal encounter with Yeshua was at Christ Tabernacle in Queens NY, during a Wednesday night youth meeting at the age of 16. He returned to Judaism in 2004 at the age of 19 after a meeting with Messianic Rabbi David Rosenberg on Nyack College campus. A couple of years after that Rabbi Eduardo moved to Pennsylvania where he picked up a set of turntables to pursue the craft of DJ’ing. He has since been a professional DJ for 15 years. While living in Pennsylvania he met Messianic Rabbi Mark Shulman at Beit Simcha in Allentown Pennsylvania. Rabbi Shulman became a spiritual father to Rabbi Eduardo. In 2014 he married the love of his life Rebbitzin Amy Arroyo. They have been together for almost 10 years and married for 5. Together they have a beautiful 1 year old baby boy named Aiden. In 2018 Rabbi Eduardo was licensed as a Messianic Chaplain, and then in 2019 he received smicha (ordination) as a Messianic Rabbi by Rabbi Mark Shulman, Zaken Dan Sicher and Zaken Leon Benner. Rabbi Eduardo has completed all coursework towards a BA in Jewish Studies and Religion Studies. He teaches Hebrew, Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes, leads Shabbat and high holy day services. He serves as a volunteer Chaplain for Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, and as the Associate Rabbi under Senior Rabbi Mark Shulman of Congregation Beth El Gibor in Bethlehem, PA.

Enjoy some great music while you're here - and a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Dale Lockamy Interview

A few months back I spoke with Rabbi Andy Meyerson about a surprise Mikvah that was discovered in South Carolina.   Today's show goes more into it --- Dale Lockamy is the "Mikvah Lady" and her story is wonderful!

Dale was born and raised in Florida and became a believer at 12 years old.  She was always active in the church.  Dale graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Nursing and served 22 years as a Home Health Nurse.

She has been  married to George for 42 years, has 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.
 
Dale became active in the Messianic Jewish congregation in 2010 and was ordained as the Mikvah Lady in 2018.

Enjoy the music of Jonathan Settel, Ted Pearce, Aaron Shust, Miqedem, Marty Goetz, the Schleps, Israel's Hope, Paul Wilbur and Joshua Aaron!  And of course every show ends with the wonderful "Golem Tant" and the violin music of Itzhak Perlman!

Another Wonderful Interview with Ted Pearce!!!!

You can never have too much of a good thing!    It was another great show with the music of Ted Pearce and a great interview too!

Ted is a world-renown Messianic recording artist who In 2011, produced his first independent project in a decade called "emergency" with Dallas Producer Phil York. In August of 2012, the March of Life went to Poland, where Ted met Polish soul-singer and superstar Mietek Szczesniak, who introduced him to the unusually good fortune of working with Producer Wendy Waldman in California, which led to an opportunity to work with Polish Producer and Pianist-extraordinaire, Pawel Zarecki (and his incredibly talented wife, Jadzia) which led to working with the Longhouse Crew, which led to meeting and working with Israeli Producer/Guitarist/Singer Jamie Hilsden. Working with these friends in Warsaw, Hollywood, and Jerusalem was the inspiration and foundation of the Cultural Xchange Series recording sessions. 

"Warsaw Sessions" was originally released in Tubingen Germany (March 2014) followed by Hollywood Sessions (Nov 2014) and Jerusalem Sessions (June 2015). Warsaw and Jerusalem sessions were combined and released as "Cultural Xchange." 

He has since published a cool project called "Songs of the Rabbi," a collection of tunes written by various Messianic Rabbis, and some newer songs which are are also featured in this show.

Enjoy!!!

 

David Levitt Interview

I met David at a Be in Health Conference here in Rochester, NY in September.   His story is fascinating and I think you'll enjoy hearing it!

David Levitt was born to his Methodist mother and Jewish father in Atlanta,
GA. He grew up following the Methodist traditions with a few Jewish customs
throughout the year. He came to salvation when he was 20 years old through
Campus Crusade and has been seeking the Lord since.

David is a Teacher and Elder at Hope of the Generations Church and serves on
the board of directors for Be in Health. David has been with Be in Health® for
almost 15 years. He helps oversee the doctrine and teachers at Be in Health
and the For My Life Retreat in Thomaston, GA. His passion is to take seemingly
difficult scriptures and making them easy to understand.

He and his wife Kassy have 5 children and they all love anything outdoors.
You can find teachings by David on YouTube www.youtube.com/beinhealth.

You will also enjoy some fabulous Messianic Music!!

Cyril Gordon Interview

Another great find --- this man is on fire for Yeshua!!!  

Cyril Gordon serves on the staff of Jewish Outreach International. He is a Jewish believer in Yeshua, is married with three children and has ministered with Jews for Jesus for about 20 years.  Cyril joined the staff of Jewish Outreach International on June 1, 2019.  Among Cyril's many roles he organizes weekly outreaches at Venice Beach, monthly barbecues for Jewish believer men and ministers to Jewish people at senior adult homes.

You'll enjoy music from Zealot Sounds, Joshua Aaron, Corry Bell & Lev Shelo, Lamb, Jonathan Settel, Ted Pearce and Marty Goetz!!

Stuart Dauermann Interview

When you think of the early Messianic songs, Stuart Dauermann wrote almost all of them!   What a joy to finally catch up with this brilliant man of God!

Rabbi Dauermann holds a PhD from Fuller Seminary’s School of Intercultural Studies and is a Rabbi ordained by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, and the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council. Rabbi Stuart has spent his life as a bridge-builder at the intersection of the Christian and Jewish worlds. 

He enjoys helping Jews and Christians understand and respect each other and likes developing and serving communities where Jews live as Jews and honor Yeshua as Lord.

He was one of eight founders of Jews for Jesus, where he composed worship music that is still sung all over the world today. He is also the founder of Hashivenu, a Messianic Jewish think tank, and co- founder of Messianic Jewish Theological Institute.

For twenty years, Rabbi Dauermann served as the Rabbi Ahavat Zion Messianic Synagogue in Santa Monica, and now serves there as Rabbi Emeritus, leading services, preaching, and teaching a weekly Bible Study, Interfaithfulness. The Bible Study promotes respect and understanding between Christians and Jews, and faithful commitment to the more Jewish Jesus, who is the peacemaker between these two communities.

His most recent book is Converging Destinies: Jews, Christians, and the Mission of God and his doctoral dissertation is on The Rabbi as a Surrogate Priest. 

His interests right now especially center in household spirituality which is essential to spiritual growth and development. He provides weekly Shabbat Table Discussion Guide called Shulchan Shelanu.

He is currently writing a book on household spirituality and just finishing a discipleship manual for Jewish millennials.

Rabbi Dauermann lives in Altadena, California with his wife Naomi. They have three grown children in New York City, and they hope to join them there within the next year or so.

Steven Kowalsky Interview

I first interviewed Steven maybe 20 years ago.   I thought it was time to have him back!

Steven is the president of Empire Recycling Corporation in Utica, New York, a company that has been owned and operated by the Kowalsky Family for 103 years.  

Steven worked for Empire during his teenage years, he then entered Curry College in Massachusetts to study anthropology.  Steven’s  love of music led him to the Institute of Audio Research in New York City, and ultimately landing him in a band in Boulder, Colorado where he was the drummer and band manager.  

It was in Colorado that Steven met his wife, Monica.  They are now celebrating 43 years!  They have two children and four grandchildren.  Steven grew up in a Jewish family which established the values that he still holds close today.  Steven and Monica became believers in Yeshua and gave their lives to their Messiah 1994.

As president of Empire Recycling Corporation, and the Empire Recycling Family of Companies, Steven is fortunate that his position provides many opportunities to give back… not only on the corporate level through community partnerships with not-for-profit organizations, but also giving of his time.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rescue Mission of Utica, the Board of Directors and Performing Arts Chair of Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and He is  a former Board Member of the Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism and Addition and Sitrin Healthcare Foundation. Steven also served as a former Board President for Temple Beth-El.  Steven’s love of music has kept him active on worship teams for 25-years at various Messianic congregations, and he currently in a leadership position at Beit Messiah.

Enjoy some fabulous Sukkot music as well!!

Chana Manarchuck Interview

It isn't every day that I get to interview the mother of one of my favorite Messianic recording artists!

Today's show features an interview with Chana Manarchuck, mother of Joshua Aaron, and lots of Joshua's music!!

Chana was born in Haifa, Israel and has known Yeshua for 42 years.  She is the proud mother of five children, among them Messianic recording artist Joshua Aaron. 

You will be blessed as Chana opens up and shares her life!

Hadassah Dove Interview

How exciting!   I found another talented sister in Messiah! Hadassah Dove is a lovely, talented woman of God!

She is a native of Toronto, Canada. Her background is English, Irish and Jewish. She is a self-taught artist who has loved to paint since she was able to hold a brush. Hadassah inspires many with her anointed works of art and her encouraging words.

She gave her heart to Yeshua when she was only nine years old. Since then she has learned to hear the voice of the God and seek His face fervently. God has filled her heart with the color of love and anointed her hands to paint for His glory. Hadassah says "The sermons I write can be found sketched on canvas and painted with the oil of anointing.

Victoria Humphrey Interview

My mother once told me "you've never met a stranger."    She was onto something!   When I spoke to this delightful young lady recently I felt like I had known her forever!   A publisher gave me her info and I have been intrigued ever since!

Victoria is the author of "Dear You: Letters of Identity in Yeshua" and is a Certified Biblical Life Coach. She grew up in the Messianic community and desires to see a generation rise up to reach their fullest potential by knowing who they truly are in Yeshua. Through her speaking and writing, her goal is that others' lives would be transformed through the promises of Adonai. Sharing stories from her own life, she wants people to be encouraged and empowered to take risks by embracing the abundant life Adonai desires for them.

Beyond speaking and writing, Victoria loves traveling the world, meeting new people, and weaving together stories to illustrate Adonai's great love and faithfulness. She is a storyteller, artist and friend who wants to make every person she meets feel seen, heard, and loved.

Enjoy great music from Sarah Liberman, Aaron Shust, Sue Samuel, Joel Chernoff and Deborah Kline Iantorno!

Rabbi Eric Tokajer - 6th time is a charm!

I never tire of speaking to the talented Rabbi Eric Tokajer!   He continues to amaze me!  Rabbi Eric is the author of the new book Galatian in Context. On this program we discussed his new book and how keeping Scripture in context not only makes it easier to understand, but it helps us to see the broader message the Bible teaches from cover to cover.

Rabbi Eric Tokajer is the Rabbi at Brit Ahm Messianic Synagogue in Pensacola, Florida. Rabbi Eric also helped to start five Messianic synagogues along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana. He also is the Publisher and Executive Director of www.messianicdailynews.com.

In addition to these two roles, he also serves as the Theology Team Facilitator for the Tree of Life Version. He is a sought after speaker for both national and international conferences and events. He has had seven books published "'Oy How did I get here' 31 things I wish someone told me before entering The ministry", "Transient Singularity". "With me in Paradise: Lesson Learned From a Criminal", "Jesus is to Christianity as Pasta is to Italians" "#ManWisdom", "God Has No Plan B" and "Galatians in Context."

For more information about Rabbi Eric and his books, visit www.RabbiEricT.com.

Joshua Brumbach Interview

I got to speak to an intelligent young Rabbi who really knows his stuff!!!   Meet Rabbi Joshua Brumbach!  

Rabbi Joshua is the Senior Rabbi of Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue in Agoura Hills, California. He also serves as adjunct instructor of Jewish Studies at Messianic Jewish Theological Institute (MJTI), and the author of John's Three Letters: On Hope, Love and Covenant Fidelity (July 2019) and Jude: On Faith and the Destructive Influence of Heresy (April 2014). 

He is an accredited Jewish educator, has studied in various Jewish institutions including an Orthodox yeshiva in Europe, and is ordained by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) and the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council. He is currently completing a doctorate in rabbinic literature and holds degrees in Jewish Studies, Biblical Studies, and Anthropology. 

Rabbi Joshua additionally serves as Vice-President of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council, West Regional Director and on the Steering Committee for the UMJC, and on the Administration Committee for the International Messianic Jewish Alliance.

Besides his rabbinic and academic interests he is an avid mountain biker, loves the outdoors, is married to Monique, the Executive Director of the UMJC, and they have an elementary-age son.

Joshua Aaron Interview-2

So exciting to have Joshua back on the program!!!

Joshua has become one of the most recognizable voices of Messianic Music. His unique style has drawn millions to his YouTube channel and thousands to attend his concerts in stadiums. Joshua's music videos on YouTube including Gadol Elohai have gone viral.  

Joshua is an award-winning, Messianic Jewish singer and Integrity Music songwriter. He travels internationally leading worship in congregations, churches and stadiums in a full-time capacity. He shares G-d’s good news through Hebraic worship, powerful testimony, and biblical teaching… proclaiming a message of hope in Yeshua, a love for the Jewish people and a desire for the return of the Messiah.  

Joshua has released several CD's -  Hu Yavo, You are Holy, Every Tribe, Bring us Back and his latest, Live at the Tower of David!

Ted Pearce - 5th time is a charm

So great to have Ted back on the program.   He has just produced a new project, "Songs of the Rabbi," and we had a great time talking about it!

Ted is a world-renown Messianic recording artist who in 2011, produced his first independent project in a decade called "emergency" with Dallas Producer Phil York. In August of 2012, the March of Life went to Poland, where Ted met Polish soul-singer and superstar Mietek Szczesniak, who introduced him to the unusually good fortune of working with Producer Wendy Waldman in California, which led to an opportunity to work with Polish Producer and Pianist-extraordinaire, Pawel Zarecki (and his incredibly talented wife, Jadzia) which led to working with the Longhouse Crew, which led to meeting and working with Israeli Producer/Guitarist/Singer Jamie Hilsden. Working with these friends in Warsaw, Hollywood, and Jerusalem was the inspiration and foundation of the Cultural Xchange Series recording sessions. 

"Warsaw Sessions" was originally released in Tubingen Germany (March 2014) followed by Hollywood Sessions (Nov 2014) and Jerusalem Sessions (June 2015). Warsaw and Jerusalem sessions were combined and released as "Cultural Xchange" in January 2018. 

Rabbi Ron Goldberg Again!!

Back by popular demand, one of my FAVORITE guests ever!!!!   My brother from another mother -- Rabbi Ron Goldberg!   Always a blast to have him in the studio!   Today's show is a recap of his amazing testimony and the joy of discovering the Jewish Jesus!!

Ron was raised in a Jewish family in New York City. He began sneaking out to church during his senior year of high school. A friend then gave him the “forbidden” New Testament to read, and Ron soon discovered that Jesus really is the Jewish Messiah. After coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), his parents thought about having a funeral for him. Instead they sent him to a rabbi for deprogramming and intensive counseling! 

Ron's relationship with his parents was very difficult for several years but giving them grandchildren helped restore their relationship. Ron and his wife Vinu are an inter-faith couple with 5 children. 

For over 25 years, Ron has served at Messianic Congregations and spoken at churches and Bible study groups teaching Christians about the Jewish roots of our faith and how to share the Good News of the Messiah with Jewish people. Every week he reaches out to students on college campuses in the Tampa Bay Area. 

Check out:  https://www.rabbironspeaks.com/

Dr. Ed Returns!

So happy to have Dr. Ed back with me on the program!   He is committed to getting people healthy!   You don't want to miss this one.   Every time he comes on the program I learn something different.  Thank God for chiropractors like Dr. Ed!

I highly recommend Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Rochester.   You don't have to live with pain, headaches or backaches!  God wants you to be healthy!

Checkout www.uccroc.com!

Tamar Klayman Interview

I discovered an sweet young lady who loves Yeshua.   What a blessing to hear her story!!!

Tamar Klayman is the founder and director of The Messianic Woman ministries. She was raised in a Messianic-Jewish home and embraced Yeshua (Jesus) at seven as her personal Messiah. She has a Bachelor's in Biblical Arts with an emphasis in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute. Tamar is a certified life coach, teacher and trainer with the John Maxwell School of Leadership. She is a fiery evangelist and teacher who's dedicated to reaching her Jewish people with the gospel and sharing with Christians about the Jewish roots of their faith in Yeshua. Tamar has ministered in Israel, Mexico, Africa, England and throughout the United States. She speaks in churches, women's conferences and retreats. Her passion is to educate, equip and empower women in their identity and purpose as followers of Yeshua. She strives to live life to the fullest with zeal and zest to serve God and people!

Jim White Interview

For the past few years I have noticed a wonderful worship leader at the Messiah Conference in Pennsylvania.   I learned that his name was Jim White.   He and his wife lead worship together and I knew I needed to know more about him.  You will love hearing his story and enjoy great music!

Here is his story in his own words:

In the summer of 1998 I was working aboard the Holland American cruise ship called the M.S. Noordam (since retired). I was fulfilling a life-long dream of becoming a broadway performer! After 5 years of continuous travel, from job to job singing and dancing.... I met the Lord on that cruise ship!!!! 

I was sitting in the on board library called the ‘bookchest’ where I was reading a Bible I had been given. I was in the book of Acts chapter 9 where Paul was on his way to Damascus.... when it hit me that God is truly in control of our lives!!!! not us!!! 

I remember reading that after Ananias had prayed for Paul, that the Holy Spirit came into him and something like scales fell from his eye. It was truly as if God had opened my eyes at the reading of what happened to Paul, and it just made sense! 

I immediately became a legalist! Every song that had the word ‘God’ in it I refused to sing, for fear of taking the Lord’s name in vain. Shortly after receiving the Lord in my heart I landed in California and was led to Calvary Costa Mesa. I didn’t care what kind of work I did, I just wanted to be close to the church and get grounded in the ‘Word.’ 

I worked for a Christian cleaning company called ‘Bethlehem’ where we cleaned restaurant drains, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want anything to do with the ‘lime-light’. During this time I also volunteered for David Hocking at ‘Hope For Today’ where I helped film his studies every week. David knew of my singing experiences and on occasion he would say, “Jim (in his booming bass voice)... why don’t you sing the next verse on this hymn” and I would. Then he would announce to his congregation that I used to sing on cruise ships, and now I’m singing for the Lord. It was David that encouraged me get back into singing, which I did and shortly after was invited by Pastor Chuck Smith to sing on his worship team and become part of his staff at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, which happened in feb 2007. 

Pastor Chuck has since gone home to be with the Lord, and his legacy has certainly continued. While at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, I met my wife Amy where she and her three sisters and their Dad were on the road touring the United States, Canada and parts of South America. They were known as “The Johnson Family,” and they sang their way into the hearts of thousands traveling church to church. The Johnson Family sang alongside some of the gospel greats like; The Gaither Vocal band, The Isaacs, The Hoppers and Ernie Hass & the Signature Sound just to name a few.

Today, my wife and I lead worship at a Jewish Messianic Congregation in Irvine, California called ‘Shuvah Y’Israel which is taken from Hosea chapter 14 where it says ‘return O Israel to your Lord’. We also teach the Jr high, Sr high & College age classes at Shuvah, where we teach the youth that in whatever you do in life; ‘Do it as unto and let it be pleasing to the Lord’. 

Together with our four children; Savanah – 5, Elisha – 4, Gage – 2 and Israel – 1 we continue to teach voice, worship teams and congregations whenever and wherever needed. 

Kamal Saleem Part 2

Last week we learned that Kamal was raised Muslim and taught to be a terrorist.   He came to the States, was in an accident, and a Christian family (his physician) brought him to his home so that Kamal could recover.   While there he saw first hand how believers treat each other with respect and love.   The rest ..... well you'll have to listen!!!

Enjoy!

Ethel

Kamal Saleem Part 1

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Kamal Saleem in November when I went to the Messianic Leaders Roundtable in Phoenix, AZ.   He is a wonderful man.   You will love hearing his story.   I aired part one today and will air part two next week.

Kamal was born to a large Sunni Muslim family in the heart of the Middle East. Kamal was recruited by the Muslim Brotherhood at an early age and completed his first mission to Israel at the age of seven. Kamal was also recruited by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (The PLO) and other radical Muslim groups. Kamal left his family and home in the Middle East as a young man to enter his mission field: the United States. He brought with him a tremendous passion to convert as many Christians and Jews as possible for the glory of Allah. He implemented his plan, and worked effectively in what we now know as “Stealth” cultural Jihad (Al-Kitmen). Kamal came to faith in Messiah Yeshua and now his hearts cry is to reach a lost and oppressed people with education, relationship, and prayer through the truth and liberty of Yeshua. His ministry is teaching the redeeming power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their mission is to see ISHMAEL REDEEMED.

Rabbi Alex Yalenga Interview

It isn't every day that I get an opportunity to speak to someone from Zambia!   Enjoy this fascinating interview and some really cool music!!

Rabbi Alex Yalenga of Zambia Messianic Fellowship is a powerful speaker who will be sharing the miraculous ways that G-D is moving in his home country of Zambia. The Zambia Messianic Fellowship is made up of seven congregations as well as a school and the Jerome Fleischer Home which is an orphanage named in honor of one of America's Messianic Jewish pioneers.

For those who would like to find out more about Zambia Messianic Fellowship, Rabbi Yalenga or the Jerome Fleisher orphanage, visit www.zamf.org. 

Rabbi Michael Wolf-3

So excited to interview one of the most talented Rabbis I know!    Writer and director of the movie "Sound of the Spirit," author of many books, etc.   

Rabbi Michael Wolf is the Rabbi of Beth Messiah in Cincinnati, Ohio, and so much more. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1976, he graduated magna cum laude in English and literature from Temple University. Eventually, he moved to Cincinnati to serve in the ministry related activities. 

Beyond his service as a Rabbi, Wolf is an avid writer of books, plays, and screenplays. His first novel, The Upper Zoo, published in 2012 by Destiny Image, rose to number three across all genres at Amazon.com. In addition, he wrote and directed the film "The Sound of the Spirit"--also released in 2012--which consistently hovers around 8.0 on the Internet Movie Database and has been shown several times on various television networks around the world. It's also an Amazon Prime-streaming movie. His second novel, The Linotype Operator, is published by Finishing Line Press and was released in June of 2016. New York Times number one and Oprah selection author Jacqueline Mitchard has written about The Linotype Operator, "It enchanted me in a way I've been enchanted by only a handful of stories over the last ten years. When I finished it, I wanted to read it all over again." His third novel is the sequel to The Linotype Operator, The Other: The Linotype Legacy--also published by Finishing Line Press. Best-selling author Dee Brestin calls it a "fascinating read," with an "engaging, sometimes unexpected storyline." Wolf lives in Cincinnati with his wife Rachel, an author and editor of Northlight art books. 

Find out  more at https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Robert-Wolf/e/B00DXLWT2A%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

 

Daniah Greenberg-2

My cup runneth over!   Daniah trained me to be a worship leader and is an incredibly talented lady.   So happy to have her here in town!!!

Daniah is the President of the Tree of Life Bible Society and author of the brand new book Simply Sacred.

Daniah, a wayward catholic with Jewish ancestry, came to faith after a single visit to a Baptist Church while in college. She graduated with a degree in Communications and married a “nice Jewish boy” named Mark Greenberg in 1989. 

After 14 years in congregational ministry, the need for a “Messianic Family Bible” for the next generation of Jewish believers was made incredibly apparent. She took up the charge and effectively gathered leaders from throughout the national Messianic Jewish and Christian community to birth a brand new translation of the Bible: the Tree of Life Version (TLV). 

She now leads a diverse team of 70 professionals representing Messianic ministries nationwide and affiliates in Israel to maintain the text. She is also the spokesperson and chief fundraiser for the Tree of Life Bible Society, whose mission is to see God’s Kingdom grow through the unique Hebraic perspective God has given them. Daniah is a spark plug for community activism and energizes catalytic change wherever she goes. She and her husband, Rabbi Mark lead Congregation Shalom Rome in Rome, GA and have been married for 28 years. 

To learn more about Daniah Greenberg the Tree of Life Bible or Simply Sacred, visit www.tlvbiblesociety.org

 

Paul Wilbur Back in the Studio!!

Paul Wilbur and I had a wonderful chat just a few days ago!   Rochester folks are excited, as he will be sharing his music at Congregation Shema Yisrael's BIG fundraiser banquet on April 28, along with Rabbi Jonathan Bernis!   This was Paul's 2nd or 3rd time (who remembers??) on Bagels and Blessings.   Not only will you hear a wonderful interview, but I will play several songs from his new project, "Roar From Zion!"

Oh, and Happy Passover!!!!

A Rabbi in the House - Jim Appel

Back by popular demand --- Rochester's very own Messianic Rabbi Jim Appel!

Rabbi Jim 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 G-d did not exist and organize 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. 

Rabbi Jim and his wife, Diane, live in Brighton (a suburb of Rochester), and they have two grown children. Rabbi Jim will share some exciting news about Congregation Shema Yisrael! 

Ephram Wilkoff Interview

I had the opportunity to interview Ephram Wilkoff, Worship Director at Edgewood Free Methodist Church in Rochester, NY.  Congregation Shema Yisrael has purchased the building on Edgewood Avenue, which is in a very Jewish neighborhood, and our two congregations have become very close.

Ephram grew up in a Jewish home.  His father became a believer first and Ephram grew up knowing Jesus as his Messiah.

As Worship Director, Ephram oversees anything creative that takes place on a Sunday morning. He has been in Rochester at EFMC since October 2014, and has a B.A. in worship arts leadership and broadcasting from Spring Arbor University. Ephram has been leading worship professionally since graduating in 2009. His personal mission statement is to incite passion for Jesus by creating environments that encourage the Holy Spirit to move and change peoples lives. He and his wife, Kay, are foster parents and God has truly blessed them!

Gloria Demchuk in the studio!

This was Gloria's second time on Bagels and Blessings.   What a joy to have her back in the studio!  Gloria has been a nurse for 25 years and had a lot to say about protecting the unborn.  She loves Yeshua, has a heart for Israel and desires to minister to hurting women.

We had a very frank discussion about abortion, options for women, and so much more.   It is a very heavy subject but one that is necesssary.

Pray for those who are pregnant, scared and don't know where to turn.

Enjoy wonderful music too, as always.

 

Eric Tokajer --- Again With Pleasure!

Back by popular demand --- it's a bird, it's a plane --- it's a Rabbi, Father, Husband, Friend and amazing author Eric Tokajer!!!

Rabbi Eric was raised in a traditional Jewish home. After his bar mitzvah, he began to study the Hebrew Scriptures more closely which brought many questions to his mind. Questions like if a sacrifice had to be made once a year on Yom Kippur to cover the sins of Israel from year to year how were those sins covered now. When he was unable to find answers from the different rabbis that he asked, he became an agnostic. 

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 36 years to his wife Pammy.

In addition to God Has No Plan B, Rabbi Eric has written; With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, #ManWisdom, OY! How Did I Get Here?,Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, and Jesus is to Christianity as Pasta is to Italians.

Enjoy the great music too!!!!

Gary Selman Testimony

I heard Gary Selman's testimony at the Messiah Conference back in 1997.   I was amazed, it was the most incredible testimony I ever heard.

You also will be amazed, entertained and inspired by this, guaranteed!!!   Here's a little background:

The vision for Beth Israel began with Gary Selman, a Messianic Jewish businessman with a heart for sharing the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike and Pastor Charlie Rizzo of the Church of the Nazarene who gave early support to the new work. Meanwhile, a young Jewish believer named Jonathan Cahn had been leading a Bible Study in Rockland County New York and leading a ministry bringing food and the God’s love to the homeless of New York City.  Gary Selman asked Jonathan to help him start the new ministry.  Jonathan agreed to give whatever help was needed.  In 1988, Gary asked Jonathan to become the spiritual leader.  And after much prayer, Jonathan said ‘yes.’ 

Gary was a nice Jewish boy who wanted nothing to do with Yeshua.   But God got his attention with lightning bolts!!!

BTW Gary and Jonathan had a radio show called "Two Nice Jewish Boys" for many years and they were very helpful to me when Bagels and Blessings began.

Gary has gone on to glory and walks on streets of gold.   I pray his story will be a blessing to you!

Shoshanna Meyerson Interview

Here's a fun interview with Shoshanna Meyerson.  Shoshanna was raised Catholic and as a young woman, she went to an Evangelical service at a Presbyterian Church, and while there she met the Messiah. She was radically transformed and cleansed.  Later she married a Jewish man, Rabbi Andy, and discovered the Jewish roots of her faith. She has had many miraculous experiences. God is doing exciting things at their multiple congregations in the Carolinas today.

Enjoy wonderful music from Lamb, Israel's Hope, Rivka Whitten, Avner and Rachel Boskey, Karen Davis, and Liberated Wailing Wall.

More Music, Less Talk

Sometimes ya just gotta kick back and hear music -- lots and lots of music!!   Today's show featured music from Jonathan Settel, Joshua Aaron, Sally Klein O'Connor, Miqedem, Baht Rivka Whitten, Paul Wilbur, Avner & Rachel Boskey, Joel Chernoff, Ted Pearce, Craig Taubman and The Schleps --- but not necessarily in that order.

Enjoy dahling, enjoy!!

Jay Ledbetter Interview

Hear ye, hear ye!   Another FANTASTIC interview coming your way!   You will enjoy this great conversation with Jay Ledbetter as he shares how he came to faith.

And great music too!

Jay was ordained as an Orthodox Rabbi pursuant to the authority of the Beit Din of Philadelphia. He is a Vietnam-era veteran and served in infantry and special forces. He has authored a couple of books on Passover and conducts annual Messiah-in-the-Passover celebrations. He is has an active law practice in Denver, Colorado. Jay is also a voting, independent, volunteer board member of Zola Levit Ministries.

A little bit of Jay's testimony. In his own words:

I knew none of my family history as I grew up. I did know that my grandfather was circumcised, as I knew that my father was, too. I found out as a young man that I had been circumcised on the 8th day, but that meant nothing to me at the time. None of the family attended any church or synagogue of any kind. Nobody ate kosher. Nobody kept Sabbath. For an outward observer, the Ledbetter family was nothing more than just another immigrant family of no particular interest. The assimilation had been rather complete.

My father always told me we were a family from Germany. He used that to explain why he was beaten up frequently as a child. My mother insisted that we attend some sort of church on occasion, and so my father allowed it. We had no particular denomination in which I could identify with, but we worshipped G-d and understood Yeshua as Messiah, although to us, he was called “Jesus”. My mother insisted (on a frequent basis) that I have the highest regard for the Jewish people, and never say anything against that people. It was a recurring theme in her instruction, but I didn’t understand then why… 

Also, Jay has traveled to Zambia many times and assisted AlexYalgenga with the Zambia Messianic Fellowship.

Emily Emanuel Interview

I met this delightful young lady at the Messianic Leaders Roundtable (MLR) in Arizona this past November.  You will enjoy hearing her story and wonderful music from Jonathan Settel, Rachel & Avner Boskey, Deborah Kline Iantorno, Sarah Liberman, Greg Silverman, Sally Klein O'Connor, The Schleps, and Ted Pearce.

Emily Emanuel is a Jewish believer in Jesus that lives between London, Los Angels and Israel.  She is passionate about seeing young millennial Christians understand God's heart for Israel and the Jewish people encounter the Love of Yeshua!