Simeon Greenberg Interview

What fun to interview Simeon recently!  Here's some background:

Simeon Greenberg grew up in ministry with his family, beginning in his father’s synagogue as a volunteer and worship leader until becoming the videographer for the Tree of Life Bible Society. Simeon has spent the past 6 years recording and editing hundreds of videos full of biblical content. Simeon is happily married to his wife of three years and now works as the Media Manager for the TLV Bible Society, distributing biblical study content across multiple platforms and countries.

Note, Simeon's Mom, Daniah, was my mentor and taught me how to be a worship leader many years ago!

Stephen Segal Interview

Stephen grew up in a very Jewish section of Boston was Bar Mitzvah at 13. He attended synagogue but knew nothing of the God of Israel. Stephen’s first occasion to have real Jewish pride was when he had his first work study job during the summer of 67 working with a couple of other Jewish students at Boston State hospital during the 6 day war. The next occasion was around 1970 at Northeastern University when he was approached by an older hip guy who worked with Avi Brickner who told him that God loved him. He was from a missionary Group Israeli's Remnants in Brookline. Later Stephen went to Jews for Jesus in Cambridge. 

He married a Jewish woman from Brookline and after 43 years of marriage she passed away.  He received confirmation that she accepted Yeshua.  

Stephen has a love of Yiddish and would love to be an ambassador to Messianic Congregations and has been a Life Insurance agent for 50 years and is loved and respected by his clients.

Josh Turnil interview

Joshua Turnil is the director of Jews for Jesus in France and Switzerland, overseeing the work in francophone Europe. Joshua was born in New York, and has a bachelor’s degree in French literature. His wife, Delphine, who is French, also serves with Jews for Jesus. They have three children: Ilan, Lilya, and Levia. Joshua has participated in, and produced five music albums, as well as video projects such as the life story of resistance fighter and Holocaust survivor, Ruth Gottlieb. Joshua is uniquely qualified to speak to the question of antisemitism, as his Paris office is often the target of antisemitic threats and is under the constant vigilance of the French police. Also, he has worked side by side with leaders of the French Jewish community and church leaders to actively fight against antisemitism.

Dr. Walter Kaiser Interview

Dr. Kaiser is a retired theology professor and old testament scholar.  He taught at Wheaton Graduate School and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  He has written about 90 books on the Old Testament and loves Israel and the Jewish people.  Dr. Kaiser has 6 more books waiting for publication and he has led over 25 tours to Israel.  He considers himself an "armchair archeologist," having never actually participated in a dig.

Dr. Kaiser is a respected author, speaker and Bible teacher. Currently he is President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA. At 90 years old, he keeps going, like the energizer bunny!

Rabbi Ron Cantor Returns

I had a chance to speak with Rabbi Ron a few months ago. Here is some info about him:

Rabbi Ron serves as President of Shelanu TV, the only 24.7, Hebrew language TV channel sharing the message of Yeshua.  He also serves as the Israel Director for God TV, where he hosts two TV shows—Out of Zion and Get Real.  Ron was born into a Jewish home, circumcised and Bar Mitzvah'd, but he did not know God!  He realized at age 17, there must be more. This led him on a journey where he discovered that Yeshua (Jesus), whom I thought was for the Gentiles, was in fact, the Jewish Messiah.

He received his degree from Messiah Biblical Institute and recently obtained his master's in theology from the King's University.  Rabbi Ron served as the Associate Rabbi at Beth Messiah Messianic Congregation in Rockville, MD until his family moved to Odesa, Ukraine to work at the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute. In Ukraine, they birthed a congregation in Bedichev, the city upon which Fiddler on the Roof was based. They then moved to Budapest, Hungary.

In 1999, they accepted an invitation to teach Jewish Roots at the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry. In 2003, Ron and his wife Elana, a native Israeli, along with their girls, made aliyah (moved to Israel). He served as the co-pastor and interim senior pastor of the King of Kings Community in Jerusalem.

During this time, they birthed the Isaiah 2 Initiative, taking Israeli young adults to third-world nations to preach the message of Yeshua. In Nigeria, we saw many miracles, and tens of thousands profess faith in Yeshua.

In 2013, Ron agreed to become the lead pastor of Tiferet Yeshua, a Hebrew-speaking congregation in Tel Aviv. Three years later, they turned the congregation over to a native-born Israeli, and while still functioning as an elder there.

In 2020, GOD TV partnered with several Messianic Israeli leaders to birth Shelanu TV. Ron was asked to become the president.

Lori Kate Lowenhar returns

It's been many years since I last interviewed Lori.   She is an amazing woman and will share how life is in Israel since the tragic events that recently took place.  Plus we will hear some of her music from One Lev, her wonderful singing group.

Originally from Elkhart, Indiana, Lori grew up playing the flute and clarinet. She graduated with a Music Education degree from Cedarville University and began traveling internationally performing Jewish Gospel Music with the Liberated Wailing Wall. Upon moving to Israel, her musical training allowed her to teach a variety of instruments to students in various schools in the Jezre'el Valley.

Lori Kate has now been living in Israel for more than 25 years. She's part of an amazingly talented trio, playing clarinet in the musical group, One Lev.

For more info here is the website:  One Lev One Heart | Israel | One lev

John Ross Interview

Rabbi John and his wife Becky have been members of Congregation Beth Messiah since 1994. John became the worship leader and youth pastor in 1995 and served in that role for 23 years. After that he transitioned to a role as a teaching elder before becoming the congregational leader in 2021. John and Becky have four grown children and one grandchild. John received his education from Houston Baptist University (B.S. in Biology and Theology), Masters International University of Divinity (Doctor of Biblical Studies) and Liberty University (M. Div. and D.W.S in Worship Studies).

Mary Rose Schneider Interview

I met Mary at the Messiah Conference this past July.  She is a lovely lady!  

Mary Rose Schneider is a born-again believer in Yeshua who is working on making her life a praise to God. As a music teacher for 27 years, she works with highschoolers with varying challenges. She is a Klezmer clarinetist who has played with other Klezmer musicians from all over the world. She has a daughter, who is married, and is a photographer.

Gay Block Interview

Gay was raised in a Jewish and when she asked her orthodox grandmother about Yeshua, she was smacked in the face. She had no clue that there was a God that cared to speak to us! However, after losing a five year old daughter at 37 years old, the Lord revealed himself to her in miraculous ways, and her life has been totally different ever since. 

This program also has special Sukkot music and info about the holiday.   

Pastor Greg Stone Interview

Pastor Greg is the Director of Jewish Ministries at Gateway Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Pastor Greg is a Jewish believer who accepted Yeshua almost 32 years ago. He has taken special joy in teaching the church and community about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. "Many people see me as an 'Old Testament' scholar," Stone said. "Really I am about the bridge between the two testaments.”  Saturday’s broadcast also provides information on Yom Kippur and special music.

Rick Fisher Returns

It was great seeing Rick at the Messiah Conference!

Rick Fisher is a 76 yr old man that was raised in a Jewish home, attended Hebrew School, was Bar Mitzvah and did a year towards confirmation before he got tired of all of it because it was curtailing his social life. Rick did not begin actively searching for G-d until his early 40s. He found Yeshua and for the last 33 years, he has been privileged to serve Him as a worship leader in Davidic dance (among other things) at Congregation Beth Yeshua in Philadelphia. Rick found new life in Him and is eternally grateful. 

Dawn Bell Interview

Dawn Bell was born in a Gentile home and became a believer at an early age. Later on after starting her career as an airline pilot she met Joe Bell, fell in love and married. The Bells served with Jews for Jesus on the Liberated Wailing Wall for 2 years and then moved back to Dawn’s home town where they started a congregation, and a bagel business. She currently  serves with Rabi Joe at Ari Yehudah Messic Congregation as Rebbetzin and worship leader while working as a 737 pilot.

Rabbi Michael Oyler

Rabbi Michael grew up in Ohio and accepted an invitation to receive Yeshua from Reverend Curt Thomas in May,1988. Rabbi nurtured his commitment to Yeshua at Cathedral of Life under the ministry of Bishop C. Herschel Gammill and Pastor Dana Gammill.

Approximately a year after earning his degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Rabbi Oyler began a three year internship under Rabbi Murray Silberling of Beth Emunah Messianic Congregation in Agoura Hills, CA and returned to Ohio in April of 1998 to help plant Canton’s first "Messianic" Congregation, The Star in the East.

On a local level, Rabbi Oyler has hosted community Passover Seder celebrations for the past 23 years, a regular at National Day of Prayer observances, participated in Canton Naturalization ceremonies and has opened the Ohio House of Representatives in Prayer.

A teacher at multiple Messianic conferences both on the regional and national level, some of his topics have covered stewardship, worship, Jew and Gentile relationships, the Jezebel spirit, the theory of the rapture in the End of Days, and solving the mystery of the birth of Yeshua/Jesus.

Rabbi Oyler and his wife Rachelle have been blessed with 5 children...Jadin James, Ariel Simcha, Michael Shalom, Shiphirah Rachel, and Evan Michael.

Rabbi Greg Hershberg

Rabbi Greg Hershberg was born in New York City and raised in Orthodox Judaism. In 1989, he married Bernadette and while on his honeymoon in Israel had a visitation from the Lord that turned his heart to serving God.In 1992, Rabbi Greg became involved in the Messianic Jewish Movement and was ordained through the International Association of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS). He became the leader of Beth Judah Messianic Congregation. In 2002, the Lord moved Rabbi Greg and his family to Macon, Georgia, to lead Congregation Beth Yeshua.The ministry went global in 2010 and Congregation Beth Yeshua became Beth Yeshua International (BYI). What was a local storefront congregation became an international ministry/training center in Macon, Georgia, with congregations and schools in India, Kenya, Australia, Germany, Israel, and across America. Rabbi Greg currently resides in Macon, Georgia, with his wife, Bernadette, and their four children. More about Rabbi Greg can be found in his autobiography, From The Projects To The Palace.

Rabbi Henry Morse

Henry M. Morse is an ordained Messianic Rabbi with a degree in Bible and Theology from Central 
Bible College in Springfield, MO. Formally known as “The Great Benafucci,” Rabbi Henry did acrobatic tricks and rode a unicycle to reach many young people. He has been in full time ministry for over 40 years; serving as youth minister, evangelist, missionary and congregational leader. Henry has ministered in twenty countries and 45 states. He has authored 2 books. Henry lives in Stoughton, MA, with his wife of 39 years, Cherri, he has five grown children, 7 granddaughters, and 2 grandsons. He is the founding Rabbi of Messianic congregation Sha'ar Hashamayim and has served there for 17 years.

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Brian Slater Returns!

It’s always a pleasure to chat with my dear friend Brian Slater. Here is his bio:

Brian is a Messianic believer who lives in Israel.  Brian is CEO/Director of Abundant Bread of Salvation and has managed and established several others of the same works in Tel-Aviv. He has also established an additional Food Pantry in the center of Netanya that serves many Holocaust Survivors amongst the 350 families he serves on a monthly basis. This same facility now also houses the ministry headquarters. He has worked at times as a nurse, giving free medical care and assists in directing the day-to-day operations as well as counseling in a Messianic drug and alcohol treatment center in Netanya. Over the last several years, Brian also has worked closely on many projects serving two local orphanages that house over 500 poor and needy children. Furthermore, he was recently awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Israeli Ghetto Survivors Association for his aid to Shoah-Holocaust Survivors.  This is the 6th time he has been interviewed on Bagels and Blessings.

Valerie Long Interview

Valerie grew up in a Baptist family in an Italian Catholic neighborhood.  She invited Yeshua into her heart in the 70s, during the Jesus Revolution.  The Lord helped her through a broken engagement, later she met her Jewish husband Lou in 1985.  They married at a chapel at Brown University in 1988.  In 1998 they got involved in Messianic Judaism after Valerie’s brother sent them some information.  Her husband heard Stan Telchin's testimony about finding the Jewish Jesus and he was very touched.  He agreed to come to a Messianic congregation.  They found one in Massachusetts and later attended Miskan David in Rhode Island (Brian and Sue Samuel).  The Lord began working on both of them, they kept visiting and they were surrounded by love.   During high holidays Lou became a believer in Yeshua!  

Kassia Pereira Interview

What a blessing to meet Kassia at the women’s retreat this past April.  Since childhood Kassia has had a hunger and curiosity to know God. She found Jesus reading the Gospel, or actually He found her. The Bible became a passion and the people in the Bible became her people, her friends, brothers and sisters. Their lives became her inspiration.  Deep inside Shabbat had always been a mystery  and when someone told her she could not teach Hebrew because she is a woman, Adonai led her to Congregation Mishkahn David.  Kassia decided to learn Hebrew to read the Bible in Hebrew.  All the little details of her faith that never made sense finally clicked into place. Now Kassia is part of God’s story- her life is in the Bible ... she is counted with the stars!

John Kanter Interview

John Kanter was born in Los Angeles to Jewish parents of Russian ancestry. At age 16, he trusted Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah of Israel, for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. John has been involved in Messianic ministry for over 30 years. He has served as a Messianic pastor, para-church minister, national ministry representative, and radio broadcaster; preaching and teaching the Jewish context of the Scriptures to numerous churches both domestically and internationally. John is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary.

John and his wife Terry have a married son, Stephen, and a grandson Joel.

Enjoy his faith journey and some wonderful Messianic music!

Paul Bukzbazen Interview

My good friend Diane told me she met an interesting Messianic believer while visiting family in South Carolina.   I called Paul Buksbazen and had a delightful conversation with him.  I know you will enjoy this interview!

Paul Buksbazen is a 4th generation Messianic Jew. His grandfather Victor Buksbazen started the Friends of Israel organization and wrote the first book on the connection of the Biblical Feasts to the New Covenant and Yeshua. It’s called the Gospel and the Feasts of Israel. Victor and his family escaped the Nazis and rescued many Jewish people from Europe.

Paul has had many insights about Passover and explains many of them during our interview together.  He and his wife Heidi live in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Michele Rosenbaum

I have known Michele for many years and finally got to interview her!

Michele grew up in a Catholic family and attended a Catholic High School.  Michele’s Dad died in 1983 and in 1986 a friend shared the Lord with her.  Michele gave her heart to the Lord and learned that she could be close to Him.

Michele married a Jewish man and she discovered Shema Yisrael Messianic Congregation where she served as Office Manager for a few years.  

In 2000 Michele was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder and the Lord walked her through it and pulled her out each time she had an episode.  She has had a great quality of life due to her strong relationship with God.  

Today Michele is connected to “Angels of Mercy” here in Rochester.  They provide a boutique for women, providing them with clothes that they can wear for interviews and other functions.  They send hand-made dresses to various locations throughout the world.  They also provide information about the prevention of human trafficking.

Elaine Fawcett Interview

Recently I attended a wonderful Women's Retreat and met some lovely ladies from Rhode Island.   This is the first of three interviews that I did while attending the retreat.

Elaine Fawcett was raised Catholic and in her college years she was interested in science.   She met a scientist who believed in God and seeds were planted.  Years later a co-worker invited her to his church and she went to an Easter service.  Still not interested in Jesus, she felt more drawn to Judaism.  After her grandparents died she found out that she was, in fact, Jewish!  She heard God's voice say "keep the Sabbath!"   Elaine sought out others that keep the Sabbath and found a fellowship in Rhode Island.  She fell in love with it!  Today Elaine is part of Mishkahn David in Rhode Island (Rabbi Brian Samuel) and is deeply in love with Yeshua!

Judith Benhamou Returns

It was fun chatting with my long-time friend Judith Benhamou. Judith was raised in a Jewish home but was drawn to Jesus when she was a little girl. She met her Jewish Messiah at 25 years old and fell in love with him. She discovered many other Messianic Jews and has never looked back. This year Judith celebrates 50 years (herJubilee) as a Jewish believer in Yeshua.

Judith’s professional career has been in Education and she loves working with children and helping them to discover the joys of learning new things.  In this broadcast Judith will share information about our congregation’s upcoming Messianic Jewish VBS program for children. 

Peter Oliveira

I really enjoyed interviewing Rabbi Peter Oliveira! Formerly the Messianic Rabbi of Congregation Mishkahn David in Rhode Island (Rabbi Brian Samuel is the current Rabbi) Rabbi Peter and his wife Lisa felt called to work at an orphanage in Haiti. They sailed with their children on a sailboat from Rhode Island and it took almost a year to arrive there. They saw miraculous healings while there. It’s truly an  amazing story. 

Currently Rabbi Peter is the Rabbi of  Congregation Mishkahn Nachamu (Tabernacle of Comfort) in Litchfield, Connecticut on Saturdays and on Sundays he is the Pastor of the famous First Congregational Church of Litchfield. 

Ellen Herr Interview

Gotta love social media!  I found another Messianic believer!  Fun interview!  Here is some background on Ellen Herr:

Ellen was born into a Jewish family and raised in Lancaster, CA where her parents started the first synagogue.  As a young adult Ellen moved to Los Angeles and began to search for a relationship with God. This was during the Jesus revolution where many young Jewish people came to faith in Yeshua. Ellen visited a Messianic congregation in the San Fernando Valley and gave her heart to Yeshua. She began attending the congregation and became the office manager there. Later Ellen worked for the Anti-Defamation League for a few years. Ellen met and married a wonderful Jewish believer. For the past thirty years they have lived in Las Vegas and her family has been very involved with the Messianic community there.

Joe Miterko Interview

I enjoyed getting to know this talented young man.  

Joe Miterko grew up in a Messianic gentile home and has been involved in music ministry for as long as he can remember. In 2008 while on a trip to Israel, he felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and it changed his life forever. Originally from the Connecticut area, he now lives in Boston, teaches piano, plays at various Messianic functions, and has a deep love of the Lord. 

Dr. Jay Christianson Interview

I was delighted to find Dr. Jay on Facebook.  He is a fascinating man.  Here is some background:

Dr. Jay Christianson is the founder and President of High Beam Ministry and has faithfully served in ordained ministry since 1994. He is a pastor, teacher, worship leader, speaker, Israel tour leader, independent researcher, Jewish-Christian Dialogue participant, and outspoken advocate for Israel and the Jewish community.

 

Through his online High Beam Ministry, Dr. Jay hosts the weekly Truth Barista Podcast, authors the Frothy Thoughts Blog, teaches Bible classes, and produces Bible study resources.

He is an enthusiastic teacher who focuses on understanding the Bible from the original Hebraic-Jewish context. He first became excited about the Hebraic heritage of Christianity in 1986. Since then, he has led tours to Israel and twice participated in Bridges for Peace’s Institute of Israel Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. He enjoys teaching Christians about the Jewish foundations of their faith and encouraging interfaith understanding between Christians and Jews.

Dr. Jay Christianson holds a Bachelor of Arts (University of Minnesota), a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies (North Central University), a Master of Arts in Judeo-Christian Synergism (Masters International University of Divinity), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (Master’s International University of Divinity).

Jay and his wife, Jeanne, reside in Naples, Florida.

Check out his website:  The Truth Barista Podcast | Highbeam Ministry

Rabbi Jim (Appel) Returns!

It's always an honor to chat with my Rabbi.  Here's a little bit about Rabbi Jim:

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.

In this broadcast we discussed the miracles surrounding our purchase of our beautiful new building, miracles in his life, and the meaning of Shavuot.

Rabbi Carmen Welker Leannah

Carmen was raised in a gentile home but discovered later that she was Jewish.  Rabbi Carmen Welker is a graduate of Messianic Jewish Rabbinate.  Author of several books and host of a major Messianic website, The Refiner’s Fire, she is a former U.S. Army Sergeant Major who served 22 years as a journalist and newspaper editor, administrator and German language translator. Originally from Germany, she came to the United States in 1960 when her mother married an American soldier.

Carmen has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the State of New York and is also a graduate of Mid-America Business College (Springfield, Missouri); the Defense Information School (journalism) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; and the prestigious United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso, Texas, where she also worked as a lesson developer and instructor.

A former Bible study teacher and leader in the prison ministry “Friends in Transition,” she is now a Hebraic Faith/Netzari teacher and author who had the distinct privilege of being the original editor/proofreader of the Aramaic English New Testament.