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.

Shmuel Salway Returns

Shmuel, currently the Director of Lech L'cha Discipleship Ministry, served as the Associate Pastor of Adonai Roi (The Lord is My Shepherd) Congregation before joining the team of Lech L'cha. Shmuel was born in Tel Aviv to Jewish parents who immigrated to Israel from

India. He attended a Messianic Congregation for much of his childhood,and became serious about his own faith when he was 15 and, at a youth camp, decided to give his life to the Lord.

After graduating from high school, he served as a combat medic in the Israeli army on the Golan Heights and in Lebanon. Later, while majoring in Geography at Tel Aviv University, Shmuel was drawn to serving in summer camps with a strong aspiration to reach out to youth - knowing how important it is for this age group to have someone to challenge them in the Lord.  After working for several years in security for El Al (Israeli Airlines) and the Israeli Consulate in New York, Shmuel returned to Israel and began attending Adonai Roi Congregation in the spring of 2003. That same year, he was invited to become the Youth Pastor. Through meetings with other youth leaders from different congregations around Israel, Shmuel met Suzie, who is also a native-born Israeli. In 2006, they married and currently have four children: Together they continued to be involved in leading youth and young believers in the inter-congregational youth group Neged Hazerem (Against the Flow) gathering the youth of multiple congregations together for weekly events. They were also actively involved in Katzir (The Harvest) organizing nationwide youth camps. Shmuel and his family moved to Yad Hashmona, a Messianic village in the Judean hills a few years ago, and they are blessed to have him serve in Lech L'cha. Shmuel's passion is to disciple the next generation of believers in Israel, equipping them to continue in their God-given callings.

Adrienne Prosser

Adrianne Prosser is serving the ministry of Operation Exodus USA as the Outreach Development Director.  Adrianne responded to the Lord’s call to work with Operation Exodus USA by joining their team of Intercessors in 2009 and volunteering. She has never looked back; her heart is to raise awareness for Operation Exodus USA and its purpose to assist Jewish people making Aliyah.  

BJ Harris Returns

BJ Harris was born in New York, but grew up in the south where he experienced much antisemitism. In college, he began doing drugs and writing music, taking up guitar as an alternative to going to classes. At 19 he accidentally found himself a teenage atheist in Israel, which had a profound affect on his life. In his senior year in college BJ had an encounter with the Spirit of the God he did not believe in, which turned him into a seeker of the supernatural, where he wandered through many experiences before a dramatic encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ended a 10 year journey seeking the way the truth, and the life!  BJ had the honor and privilege to lead Baht Rivka Whitten to the Lord many years ago. 

Joshua Aaron Again!

It has been a while since I spoke with Joshua.  

Joshua Aaron is an award winning, Messianic Jewish singer and songwriter. He and his wife Jeannie have four children (Emma, Joshie, Max and Levi) and maintain citizenship with both the nation of Israel & the United States of America. Joshua travels in a full time capacity, sharing G-d’s good news through Hebraic worship, powerful testimony and biblical teaching… proclaiming a message of hope in Yeshua (Jesus), a love for the Jewish people and a desire for the return of the Messiah. 

Joshua’s connection to the Messianic movement dates back to 1976 when his mother (an Israeli-born Jew) accepted Messiah after hearing a message by the late Martin Chernoff on “the Jewishness of Jesus”. 

The Whittens

I had a great interview with Baht Rivka and George Whitten. 

George Whitten is Founder and Director of leading pro-Israel Christian news website, worthynews.com and the “Worthy

Brief”, a devotional/news brief with a daily readership of over 35,000. Focusing on Israel, persecution, prophecy, outreach, and

discipleship, Worthy News has reached millions in over 120 countries since 1999. George is a visionary, journalist, astute observer and advocate for Israel. He brings a fresh, insightful

perspective on current events in the Middle East, giving balanced viewpoints on both the political and spiritual atmosphere in the Land and world-wide.

Native Israeli Baht Rivka Whitten was born in Tel Aviv on the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Her Great-Grandparents founded one of the first settlements of its kind in central Israel in the early 1900s. As a young adult, she began to read the Bible and came to faith; she later led her parents to

the Lord. Baht is an accomplished musician, recording artist and worship leader. Her unique sound is comprised of original songs and traditional Israeli melodies, fused with

powerful vocals, Hebrew/English lyrics and rhythms from around the world. Her compelling music has impacted the nations through television, radio and the distribution of her three CDs, along with performances at international conferences and outreaches across the globe. Songs from her latest CD have played on secular Israeli radio.

Married just over twenty years, George and Baht Rivka, along with their two children, (fifth generation Israelis), pioneered a Shabbat Dinner and Music Outreach Ministry from their prayer house in Southern Israel. It still remains fruitful, bringing many seeking Israelis weekly. Together, the Whitten Family has also ministered at hundreds of conferences, congregations and outreach events. They give a powerful presentation of Worship and Word as well as a beautiful display of cds and gifts. 

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.

Brian Slater Returns!

It's been a long time since I interviewed my buddy Brian Slater.   He is a dear friend with an amazing testimony - and even more amazing is the ministry he started in Israel - Abundant Bread of Salvation.  Here is his story:

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.

For more info:  Abundant Bread of Salvation - Saving Lives in Israel (yeshuasfreshbreadinisrael.blogspot.com)

Kenneth Berg Interview

What a fun interview with Kenneth Berg!  Kenneth has traveled extensively throughout the Holy Land and the Middle East for over three decades producing award-winning television programs based on the Bible.

Ken was raised as a minister’s son in New York City. After serving in the motion picture division of the US Army, he moved to California, where he worked in Hollywood for a Christian advertising agency.

His is the founder of Berg Productions, Inc. which produces such programs as “Zola Levitt Presents” and “The Nazareth Jesus Knew,” which can be seen on one or more of the national Christian networks. 

Kenneth has been to Israel 73 times.

Shmuel Salway Interview

A friend recommended that I speak with Shmuel Salway and I learned that he is a fascinating man with a heart to teach others about Yeshua!

Here is more about him:  Shmuel, currently the Director of Lech L'cha Discipleship Ministry, served as the Associate Pastor of Adonai Roi (The Lord is My Shepherd) Congregation before joining the team of Lech L'cha. Shmuel was born in Tel Aviv to Jewish parents who immigrated to Israel from

India. He attended a Messianic Congregation for much of his childhood,and became serious about his own faith when he was 15 and, at ayouth camp, decided to give his life to the Lord.

After graduating from high school, he served as a combat medic in the Israeli army on the Golan Heights and in Lebanon. Later, while majoring in Geography at Tel Aviv University, Shmuel was drawn to serving in summer camps with a strong aspiration to reach out to youth - knowing how important it is for this age group to have someone to challenge them in the Lord.  After working for several years in security for El Al (Israeli Airlines) and the Israeli Consulate in New York, Shmuel returned to Israel and began attending Adonai Roi Congregation in the spring of 2003. That same year, he was invited to become the Youth Pastor. Through meetings with other youth leaders from different congregations around Israel, Shmuel met Suzie, who is also a native-born Israeli. In 2006, they married and currently have four children: Together they continued to be involved in leading youth and young believers in the inter-congregational youth group Neged Hazerem (Against the Flow) gathering the youth of multiple congregations together for weekly events. They were also actively involved in Katzir (The Harvest)

organizing nationwide youth camps. Shmuel and his family moved to Yad Hashmona, a Messianic village in the Judean hills a few years ago, and they are blessed to have him serve in Lech L'cha. Shmuel's passion is to disciple the next generation of believers in Israel, equipping them to continue in their God-given callings.

Rabbi Ron Goldberg in the Studio - Again!

Today was so much fun!   Once again my dear friend Rabbi Ron Goldberg joined me in the studio!  But first I shared some music from Jonathan Settel, Sally Klein O'Connor, Joel Chernoff, Marty Goetz and Beckah Shae!

Today we discussed what it was like going to the deprogrammer (someone who tried to convince him that Jesus was NOT the Messiah) and how God has been working in his life!

He is about to go to Africa to teach on Israel.   Keep him him in your prayers!

Be sure to visit his website:  Ron Goldberg Ministries

Joseph Israel Interview

Click here to listen:

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.

Barry Segal Interview

Today's program featured the wonderful music of Barry and Batya Segal, and an interview with Barry. 
Batya first became internationally recognized for the rich worship music that she and her husband, Barry Segal, pioneered together. Batya was born in Jerusalem to an Orthodox Jewish Yemenite family. She has infused the rich sounds of her heritage into her music, along with the faith kindled in her after a profound experience and encounter with the Messiah Yeshua. Batya as a songwriter and Barry as a musician soon became well known through their Messianic music and teaching ministry. Barry and Batya now have a number of albums including "Sh'ma Yisrael," "Go Through the Gates," "Adonai" and "Timeless Sounds."
Barry and Batya Segal are the founding directors of a humanitarian aid center in Jerusalem. Their longing to help build and restore Israel inspired them to pioneer the nonprofit charity organization, Vision for Israel and The Joseph Storehouse, in 1994. The work currently functions as an international humanitarian aid center operating in the Judean Hills just outside of Jerusalem.

For more information on Barry and Batya Segal and their many works, visit www.greetingsfromjerusalem.com

Ray Bentley Interview

Wow!   What an exciting interview with Pastor/Author Ray Bentley!   He discusses his new book, "The Holy Land Key," and I play fabulous music by Corry Bell & Lev Shelo, Paul Wilbur, Rachel & Avner Boskey, Barry & Batya Segal, Marty Goetz, Jonathan Settel and more!   Here's some info about Ray:

As a graduate of Calvary Chapel Bible College, Twin Peaks, Calif., Ray served at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa at the House of Psalms before beginning his pastoral work. In the fall of 1977, Ray Bentley founded Calvary Chapel of El Cajon and served there as the senior pastor for four years. In 1981, he left Calvary Chapel of El Cajon to assume the position of assistant pastor and teacher at Horizon Christian Fellowship with Mike MacIntosh in San Diego, Calif. In August of 1984, Ray left Horizon Christian Fellowship to begin Maranatha Chapel where he serves today as the senior pastor. In fall of 1997, Maranatha Chapel moved into a new 15-acre church facility in Rancho Bernardo that serves approximately 7,000 people weekly.

In recent years, Pastor Ray has taken opportunities to preach at a Billy Graham sponsored crusade in India, as well as other outreaches in England, Scotland, Australia, Ireland, Africa, China and the Philippines.
 He has been a featured speaker at Epicenter Conferences with Joel Rosenberg and numerous other national and international pastors conferences and ministry events. As a close friend of the late mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman, Ray has also become deeply involved in Israel and launched the Nehemiah Project, a ministry of Maranatha Chapel that supports the efforts of numerous outreaches and organizations in Israel including the Joshua Fund, the Nazareth Baptist Church, Hope for Ishmael, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Friends of Ariel.

In 1992, Ray established Maranatha Christian Schools to equip children, K-12 grade, with the spiritual, social and scholastic skills to foster a better equipped future community of believers. In winter of 2004, Ray dedicated a 100-acre property, which houses a campus for up to 2,000 future students.
Ray Bentley is host to the daily Maranatha Radio show heard on stations across the United States and around the world. He has authored five books and numerous booklets and other resources.
His newest book, "The Holy Land Key: Unlocking End-Times Prophecy Through the Lives of God's People in Israel," was released from Waterbrook (a division of Random House) Feb. 18, 2014. It is a study of prophecy inspires elaborate timelines and speculation about which world leader might rise to power in the last days. It's far too easy to miss the significant prophetic signs contained in stories of biblical characters, in God's creation, and in the lives and actions of today's Israelis and Palestinians.

Sandra Teplinski Interview

Shalom!   We had a few technical difficulties but that didn't stop us from getting a fantastic interview with Sandra Teplinski!  Sandra is president of Light of Zion Ministries. With an Orthodox Jewish background, Teplinsky came to faith in Yeshua in 1975 while a student at the University of Illinois, Urbana. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington. Teplinsky also attended Talbot Seminary in Los Angeles.

A former litigation attorney, Teplinsky is now an ordained minister. She has served in the Messianic Jewish movement since 1979. Her passion is to see Israel and the Church ignited by the power of God's word and spirit. Her biblical teaching ministry has a prophetic and Messiah-centered, Jewish edge, imparting His love for both Gentiles and Jews.

Teplinsky speaks internationally, mobilizing intercessory prayer for Israel both within Israel and the nations. She served in outreach missions to the former Soviet Union during the unprecedented Russian Jewish revival of the 1990s.

Teplinsky's books include "Israel's Anointing: Your Inheritance and End-Times Destiny through Israel," "The Blessing of Israel" and "Out of the Darkness: The Untold Story of Jewish Revival in the Former Soviet Union." She has written numerous articles for Messianic and Christian media outlets.

Enjoy great music from Jonathan Settel, Sue Samuel, Joel Chernoff, Ted Pearce, Marty Goetz, Rivka Whitten, Barry & Batya Segal and Greg Silverman!

Ron Cantor Interview-Part 1

Today's program features the fabulous music of Corry Bell & Lev Shelo, Misha Goetz, Avner & Rachel Boskey and Barry & Batya Segal, and of course "Gimme Bagels" by The Schleps!   You'll love my interview with Ron Cantor.  Ron  is a Jewish believer who lives and ministers in Israel. He is part of the leadership eam at Tiferet Yeshua Messianic Congregation in Tel Aviv, Israel. He also directs a ministry based in Tel Aviv called Messiah's Mandate.

Messiah's Mandate is a ministry whose goal is to raise up young Israeli Messianic Jews into leadership. They also strive to open the eyes of believers around the world to the Jewish roots of the New Covenant.
Indentity Theft is the story of a Jewish man's desire for truth. An angel visits him and shows him how Jesus the Messiah has been a victim of identity theft. The protagonist wonders, "Is There a God?" Then, suddenly seized by the weight of not knowing for sure if there is a God–– and if there is, having no idea what He expects from him. David, a Jewish writer, begins a desperate search to find the truth. After looking into several religions and philosophies, he finds himself intrigued by the message of Yeshua (Jesus); yet, he is plagued by guilt. How can a Jewish person believe in Jesus after so many horrific acts have been done to Jews in His name? Just as he realizes that he could never reconcile his Jewishness and Jesus, an angel, Ariel, comes to take him on a Scrooge-like journey through time, where he witnesses major historic events. He is outraged as unsuspecting Jews are persecuted without mercy, even killed, by so-called Christians. He feels the torment of being cursed as a "Christ Killer" by Nazi guards and the terror of being pursued by murderous Crusaders. When it seems that he has every reason not to believe, he finds himself in ancient Jerusalem, where he meets some of the very first Jewish followers of Yeshua and discovers the Messiah Himself, has been the greatest victim yet of ... IDENTITY THEFT!
For more information on Ron Cantor and Messiah's Mandate, please visit www.messiahsmandate.org.

Next week:  Part 2.   Stay tuned!

Brian Slater Interview

It was wonderful to have Brian Slater back on Bagels and Blessings.  In 1996, Brian immigrated to Israel, where he met his Israeli wife, Racheli. They were married in 1997.  Racheli works as administrator for the largest Messianic retreat and conference sports center that is also used for many Messianic camps.  Brian is currently Director of the Netanya Humanitarian Aid Center and Soup Kitchen and has managed and established several others of the same works in Tel-Aviv. Most recently he helped to establish an additional Food Pantry Outreach Center in the center of Netanya, serving a large portion of the Holocaust Survivor population. He also works at times as a nurse, providing free medical care and assisting in directing the day-to-day operations. Brian also leads Bible studies as well as serving as a counselor in a Messianic drug and alcohol treatment center in Netanya.   It was wonderful chatting with Brian and learning how the Lord is using him in Israel!   You'll also enjoy the music of Paul Wilbur, Joshua Aaron, Marty Goetz and Barry and Batya Segal.

Isam Ghattas Interview

I had the opportunity to interview Isam Ghattas by telephone earlier this year.  Isam is a Jordanian Christian who runs the Amman-based Manara "Lighthouse" International, a ministry that for many years has been helping believers throughout the Middle East with Bibles, medical relief and money.  Mr. Ghattas has stepped forward to help Syrian refugees who have fled the violence and moved into Jordan. He loves Israel and the Jewish people and most of all he loves Yeshua!   You'll enjoy the music of Debbie Chernoff, Rivka Whitten, Sue Samuel, Ted Pearce, Sharon Wilbur, Kol Simcha, Marty Goetz, Karen Davis and John Waller!

Shani Ferguson Interview

Shani is the daughter of Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram of Maoz Israel Ministries, and a very talented recording artist.   This program features music from her new CD, "Garden of Secrets."   Shani lives with her husband and children in Israel and is part of a ministry called Yeshua Israel Ministries - http://www.yeshuaisrael.com/.  They minister the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah to Israelis through evangelism, discipleship, media resources and standing for issues of justice in the land.

Shirah & Anthony Cardinale Interview

Shirah has completed her first musical project, "Purple Heart," and Anthony just published his first book, "The Red Heifer." Shirah trained in voice and piano in upstate, NY and fell in love with the Jewish people, especially the Jewish Messiah Yeshua. From wedding singer to Praise and Worship leader, Shirah has been delighting others for years with her wonderful voice and her joy in the Lord. Inspired by her visits to Israel, Purple Heart has a wonderful Israeli rhythms and inspiring lyrics. You'll enjoy hearing Shirah's song "Sabra Girl" in this broadcast.

Award-winning journalist and playwright Anthony Cardinale (author of "The Red Heifer") has traveled extensively in Israel, and recounts here his interviews with Orthodox rabbis, secular Israelis, and Palestinian Arabs about the current search for a red heifer by Jewish radicals wishing to rebuild the Temple and bring the Messiah. These real-life interviews are interwoven within an engaging and dramatic fictional portrayal of the diverse people of Israel and how they would react should that red heifer be found. Readers will find themselves in the Land, where they can hear learned rabbis and ordinary Israelis talking about the red heifer and dealing with all the related issues and the imminent coming and identity of Messiah.