Moose Garrett Interview

David “Moose” Garrett and his wife, Kathleen, have served on staff with Jews for Jesus since 1981. David has served in a variety of positions including ministry to young people for over 30 years. He currently serves as Director of the Alumni Ministry. The Garretts have two married daughters, Virginia and Monica, and eight little friends.

David Brickner Returns

David Brickner, currently the Executive Chairman to the Board of Jews for Jesus, became executive director of Jews for Jesus in 1996 and was the first to succeed our founding executive director, Moishe Rosen. Under his leadership, Jews for Jesus advanced internationally with missionaries in 12 countries, the largest number being in Israel.

David comes from five generations of Jewish followers of Messiah Jesus. Though he turned his back on his upbringing in high school, David had a unique encounter with God in college that prompted him to attend a Jews for Jesus Bible study. David says, “I surrendered my life to Jesus in 1976 and haven’t looked back.”

David has authored several books, including the most recent release Does the Jewish Bible Point to Jesus? 12 Key Prophecies that Unfold God’s Plan. He has been interviewed on secular and Christian radio and television shows, including Larry King Live and In the Market with Janet Parshall.

A graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, David also has a bachelor of arts degree in Judaica from Northeastern Illinois University in conjunction with Spertus College of Judaica. He has a master of arts degree in missiology with an emphasis on Jewish studies from the Fuller School of Mission and Theology.

David is an avid reader, hiker, and mountain climber. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Sabra, and is the proud father of Isaac, Ilana, and Sivan, and grandfather of three.

 

Lyn Rosen Bond

Lyn Rosen Bond retired as is a senior missionary at the San Francisco branch of Jews for Jesus. Lyn has a master's degree in Missiology with an emphasis in Jewish Studies from Fuller School of World Mission.  She is the daughter of the ministry’s founders, Moishe and Ceil Rosen.  Her service to the Lord through Jews for Jesus was in branches of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago.  Lyn was one of the founding members of the Jews for Jesus Mobil Evangelistic Drama team, the New Jerusalem Players.  Lyn and her husband have two adult children a Son-in-law and two grandchildren.   Jews for Jesus is a missions organization on the forefront of Jewish evangelism. The ministry is reaching Jewish people for their Messiah in over a dozen cities around the world.

Aaron Abramson Interview

Aaron was raised in a Jewish family in Seattle before moving to Israel, where he attended an Orthodox Jewish seminary and served in the Israeli military. After his service, he embarked on a year-long physical and spiritual journey, during which he was challenged to read the New Testament and had a life-changing encounter with God. Motivated to help others experience similar transformations, he joined Jews for Jesus in 2000. Since then, Aaron has served as a missionary, director of recruitment, and New York director, where he launched the mission’s Young Adult Ministry and Massah, an outreach to Israeli backpackers. In 2019, he became a chief operating officer, and in 2024, Aaron was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Jews for Jesusworldwide. He holds a BA in Biblical and Intercultural Studies from All Nations Christian College in England and an MPA from New York University. Aaron and his wife, Victoria, have three children and currently reside in New York City.

Bob Mendelsohn Interview

I’ve known Bob for many years. In this broadcast he shared how he discovered that Jesus is the Messiah. 

Bob Mendelsohn served as the director of Jews for Jesus in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years..He now spends half the year in Nashville and half in Sydney. He grew up as an Orthodox Jew in Kansas City, became a university drop out, and looked for the meaning of life in the counterculture of the 1960s.

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.

Karol Joseph Returns

I first met Karol Joseph in the 1990s when we lived in the NYC area.   She is a sweet, loving woman and I am was so excited to have her on with me again today.

Karol was born to Jewish parents in the Boston, Massachusetts area. In the years following her Bat Mitzvah, she was Jewish culturally only.  She had many fears, anxieties, and also battled an eating disorder. While working on her PhD, a fellow student shared Isaiah 53 with her, and she was intrigued. Eventually, she contacted Jews for Jesus (J4J), and begin seriously considering the Jewishness of Jesus. She became a believer in her Jewish Messiah, and later joined J4J and has worked for them ever since, bringing the good news to her fellow Jewish people.  Karol lived in the New York City area for many years, and now resides in Florida.  

Stephen Katz Interview

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

 

Glenn Harris Interview

Shalom!   In a galaxy far away, many years in the past, I interviewed Glenn Harris.   Neither of us remembers the exact day or time, so it was good to have him back on Bagels and Blessings!   His story is inspiring, and you'll love it!   As always, I picked out some of my favorite tunes! 

Here's a little background on Glenn: 

Glenn Harris was born and raised in a traditional Jewish family in Los Angeles, CA.

After several fruitless years searching through New Age religions for answers to the big

questions of life, Glenn became a follower of Jesus in March of 1981, through the

challenge of a co-worker to come to a church presentation and to give the Gospel a fair

hearing. Glenn served for ten and a half years with Jews for Jesus and now for the past

twenty-four years has been the Associate Rabbi and Worship Leader at Congregation

Shema Yisrael in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan - a community of both Jews and Gentiles

who acknowledge Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the World.

Glenn holds his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Literature from Northeastern Bible College

(now Kings College, NY) and Master of Divinity from Michigan Theological Seminary

(now Moody Theological Seminary - Michigan). He and his wife Alexandra have three

grown children and two grandchildren, and live in Birmingham, MI. Glenn is a respected

Bible teacher, occasional talk-radio host, outspoken pro-life advocate, cancer survivor,

musician, and avid motorcyclist.

Liz Stout Interview

Many years ago I was privileged to attend Shabbat services with the Herman family in Rochester, NY.   They produced three wonderful children, all grown now, and today I played a pre-recorded interview with their daughter, Liz Stout.   It's been so wonderful watching her grow up into a strong woman of God.  

Liz was raised in Rochester, New York in a Messianic Jewish family. She always knew the Lord, but only dedicated her life to Him on her 18th birthday. She received her BA in religion and philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College. She moved to Israel in 2005 in order to study for an MA in education at Tel Aviv University, where she met her husband Simon. For much of the last decade, Liz has been an elementary school teacher at a private Christian school. However, in mid-2019, she joined the Jews for Jesus family and now serves missionary in Jerusalem. Liz has a heart to see children come to know the Lord in a deep way, and to see them actively serving in their community. Liz asks that you please pray with her for the children whom she serves, that they will “dedicate their lives to the Lord and know His voice!” Liz and Simon currently reside in Jerusalem and have two young children.

I also introduced three new songs today -- one from Misha Hoyt (Goetz) and two from Paul Wilbur.  Enjoy!!

Annette Sofaer Interview

It was a privilege to hear this wonderful testimony!  

In their early married years Josh and Annette Sofaer served as missionaries with Jews for Jesus in New York City, then for another five years in Los Angeles.  They felt called to return to New York so that Josh could develop Jews for Jesus' youth and camp ministries on the East Coast, so Josh and Annette served in New York from 2000-2011, during which time their daughters Eliana and Taliah were born, and Josh became the branch director.  

During those years, Annette was a full-time mom, with side duties such as leading a moms Bible study and helping wives of missionary trainees transition to life in ministry.  In 2011, the Sofaer family moved to Portland, Oregon so that Josh could complete a master's degree at Western Seminary.  

In August 2012 the Sofaer family moved to Los Angeles so that Josh could begin directing the Jews for Jesus work in Southern California.  Though the family is still very much in the midst of transitioning to a new area, Josh and Annette are excited to see what the Lord will be doing through Jews for Jesus there.  In 2015, Annette returned to part-time staff with Jews for Jesus, first in church relations department, and now as a missionary to the Jewish women in the Southern California area.

Enjoy amazing music, as always!

 

Stan Meyer Interview

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Stan Meyer.   I am sure you enjoy this stimulating interview!

Stan Meyer served with Jews for Jesus since 1985, and has served as the Los Angeles and South Florida directors. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He prayed with his Messianic Jewish mother to receive Yeshua. Stan went on to the University of Texas where he was called to serve in Messianic ministry. In Jews for Jesus he met and married his late wife Holly. They flew to China where they adopted their daughter, Carrie-Fu. Sadly, Holly passed away in 2011 leaving him to raise his daughter as a single dad. In 2014 he married Jacqui, also a Messianic Jew. Today, the Meyers live in Phoenix where Stan is finishing his doctoral work and they serve with Tree of Life Messianic Congregation. Stan holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary and is completing his Phd in Intercultural Studies from Biola University.

Enjoy wonderful music too!

Elizabeth Black Interview

I met Elizabeth Black at the Beth Zion Women's Retreat January 27-29 this year.   She was one of the speaker's on Saturday night and I was very impressed with her!

Elizabeth currently serves with Jews for Jesus in New York City.  Jewish ministry was her lifelong goal, growing up in a Jewish community in Baltimore Maryland. She received a BA in biblical studies from Washington Bible College and has been serving in formal Jewish ministry for over 5 years. She serves alongside her husband Eryn Black and has two young boys, Jude and Ezra.

Enjoy wonderful music from Sue Samuel, Liberated Wailing Wall, Zemer Levav and Greg Silverman too!

Andrew Barron Interview

Wow, another great interview!!!   Hard to believe I've been on the air for over 19 years!!!   God is so good!

Today's show features an interview with Andrew Barron.  Here is his info:

Andrew Barron is the Director of Jews for Jesus Canada. He and his wife Laura live in Toronto with their children Rafael, Ketzia and Simona. He first heard the Gospel while a science student at Florida Institute of Technology. A friend shared a Gideon’s New Testament with him and challenged him to read it. Andrew used to work as a crew activity planner and orbit designer on the early Space Shuttle Missions.

Barron has worked with Jews for Jesus since 1983. In that time, he has served in Los Angeles, Boston and Johannesburg; has been in Canada since 1996. He has also served on short-term evangelistic projects in New York, San Francisco, Berlin and Tel Aviv. Besides working as a full-time missionary, Andrew teaches a class in Jewish Culture at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Andrew considers himself 100% Jewish and 100% Christian. He is a speaker, writer and martial artist. Barron has a BS in Space Science from Florida Institute of Technology, a MA in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Wycliffe College University of Toronto.

Jews for Jesus has 21 Branches in nine countries. The Mission Statement of Jews for Jesus is “We exist to make the messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide.” You can find out more at www.jewsforjesus.org.

You can listen to Andrew’s testimony at http://jewsforjesus.ca/andrewbarrontestimony/

David Brickner Interview

It took me almost 19 years to have David Brickner on the air, and boy, it was worth waiting for!  What an exciting interview!
David is the Executive Director of Jews for Jesus, a missions organization that is reaching Jewish people for their Messiah in 14 countries and 26 cities. He oversees the ministry from its headquarters in San Francisco. David received his Master’s degree in Missiology with a concentration in Jewish Evangelism and Judaic Studies from the Fuller School of World Mission. In addition to this, he has authored several books and has been interviewed on national television shows such as Larry King Live.

In the interview he shares how he grew up in a Messianic home and how the Lord drew him to working with Jews for Jesus.

Plus the show features the music of Liberated Wailing Wall.  Enjoy!

Mandie Greenberg Interview

Click here to listen:

Wow, this was a fun interview!   Mandie is a "little ball of fire" and loves Yeshua!   You'll hear all about her faith journey and also enjoy the music of Jonathan Settel, Nate Benjamin, Lamb and Joshua Aaron!

Mandie Greenberg was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in a Messianic Italian-Jewish home where her father was a Messianic Rabbi of a Congregation in Syracuse, New York. After a childhood of congregational ministry by association, Mandie showed a pension for music and was added to her congregation's worship team at the tender age of 14.

By the time she was 17, she was a senior worship leader. After graduating high school in 2007, Mandie took time off of schooling to discover her life's true calling. It was in 2010 that she was given the opportunity to serve with Jews for Jesus as a Mobile Musical Evangelist with their experimental band - Blue Mosaic. After a year of touring and evangelism, she came off the road and returned to congregational ministry alongside her family. During her time on tour, God had been at work with her mother, Daniah Greenberg, bringing about the Tree of Life Version translation of the Bible. Mandie joined the staff of the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society in late 2011 and ever since, she has felt a distinct calling to theology.

After 7 years out of the educational system, Mandie returned to school by enrolling in Bible college to get her degree in Messianic Jewish theology with the goal of becoming one of the Messianic Community's female theology professors. Currently, she is enjoying classes while being in ministry at Congregation Beth Aliyah in Rome, Georgia and working as an administrator for the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.

Melissa Moskowitz Interview

Melissa Moskowitz is a dear friend and a strong believer in Yeshua.   I was honored to speak with her a few days ago.  Here is some info about her:

Melissa Moskowitz has been a part of Jews for Jesus since 1975. She was born and raised in the Bronx and came to believe in Yeshua while in college. She moved to Brooklyn with her husband Jhan (the late North American Director of Jews for Jesus) when the branch opened in January 2007. Throughout her 36 years of service with the ministry she's had the opportunity to use her giftings in youth and young adult work, publications, photography and for the past 13 years in young adult ministry. Now from their 108-year old Victorian home in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, Melissa holds Shabbat fellowships for young adult students and professionals, as well as other events which include food, fellowship and the Word.

You'll enjoy some great music too -- Joel Chernoff, Sue Samuel, Lamb, Jonathan Settel, Corry Bell & Lev Shelo and Ted Pearce!

Karol Joseph Interview

Happy New Year!   This was the first show of 2014.   Great music from Jonathan Settel, Craig Taubman, Deborah Kline Iantorno, Paul Wilbur, Misha and Marty Goetz!

I had a delightful conversation with my dear friend Karol Joseph.  Karol leads the branch in Brooklyn, N.Y. of Jews for Jesus (J4J) and heads their new missionary training program. Karol grew up in a conservative Jewish home in the Boston area and became a believer in Jesus in 1988. At the time she was working in the health care industry and studying health care policy at Brandeis University. She left Brandeis to join the J4J staff in 1990 and has since served in New York City, Boston, Toronto and Los Angeles before returning to New York City in 1998. In 2007 Karol opened the branch in Brooklyn, the borough with the fastest-growing and most concentrated Jewish population in New York City.

Tov Rose Interview

Today's program featured an interview with Tov Rose.  Tov is the author of several books, including "The New Messianic Version of the Bible," "The Book of God: For Men,"  "The Spiritual Roots of Disease," "The Book of God: Genesis Unbound," "The Paranormal Seams of the Hebrew Bible" and "The Fall of the American Babylon."

Tov is a conference speaker, author, Bible teacher, chaplain, performer and pastor. For more than two decades, he has been actively working with people to help them better understand the nature and person God.

Specializing in teaching the deeper things of God, Tov has a reputation for teaching solid Bible foundations and difficult to understand Biblical concepts in a compassionate, simple manner that anyone can understand. He is not one to shy away difficult and taboo subjects.
Tov has been a guest on several radio and television programs. He speaks at conferences and seminars in local congregations and other venues.

Also you'll hear some excellent music from Jonathan Settel, Corry Bell & Lev Shelo, Paul Wilbur, Shilo Ben Hod, The Schleps and Rachel Washington.

Herb Kossover Interview

Herb Kossover is an Emmy award-winning director with over 27 years experience producing, directing and image consulting. Originally from Brooklyn, Herb has been involved with making films since his high school days. It would take pages and pages to list all of his many accomplishments. For example, in 1996, Herb founded Kossover & Company with his wife, producer/writer Amy Kossover. That summer, Herb began work as director of photography for the official 1996 Atlanta Olympic documentary film directed by the legendary Bud Greenspan. His work was so well received that he was asked to lens the 1998 Winter Olympic Games for Greenspan in Nagano, Japan. Most importantly, Herb found his Messiah and lives for the Lord! He also directed the 2010 Emmy Award winning faith-based documentary "A New Hope" featuring the Angola Prison bible college. A feature-length film version of "A New Hope" is also in development. Also he produced "Flowers of the Sun," and "Awakening," two documentaries about sharing the good news of Yeshua with the Jewish people. "Flowers of the Sun" shows how the people of Israel received the Good News, and "Awakening" takes place in NYC. For more info on these films go to: http://www.jews-for-jesus.org/store/awakening.html or http://videos.mitrasites.com/goto/amazon/asin/B004POWLJK.