Mariah Jackson Interview

Mariah “Blue” Jackson is a Messianic Jewish biblical teacher, author, and content creator with a passion for helping believers understand Scripture through its historical, cultural, and Jewish context. She is one of the founders of the Hood Bible Translation, a biblical commentary that helps readers engage Scripture in a Hebraic, but relatable and accessible way, and co-founder of Aaronic, a faith-based brand centered on biblical teaching, spiritual growth, marriage, family, and discipleship. Through her ministry and content, Mariah encourages believers to deepen their relationship with God, understand the Jewish roots of their faith, and apply biblical truth to everyday life.

Donna Coffey

Donna was born in Ringgold, Louisiana on June 26, 1955. She has been a life long resident of Louisiana and currently resides in Denham Springs, Louisiana near the state capital city of Baton Rouge,  home of Louisiana State University, LSU, geaux Tigers! She is a retired Professor of Nursing and is also a Family Nurse Practitioner. Donna was raised on a farm in Northwest Louisiana in Natchitoches Parish. She has four grown sons and one granddaughter. She accepted Yeshua as her Lord and Savior at the age of 9. She and her husband Jeff were high school sweethearts. Jeff was called to the ministry and she served as a Southern Baptist pastors’ wife for 20 years. She is no longer married and 13 years ago the Lord called her into the Messianic Community. She is an active member of Beth Hallel in Mandeville, Louisiana. She loves to travel and meet people especially Russian Jews. Her hobbies are singing, messianic dancing, swimming, and learning foreign languages such as Russian and Hebrew.

Dolly Ziegler Interview

Dolly grew up in a secular home and later learned of her Jewish heritage.  At the age of 17, during the Jesus Revolution, she was introduced to Yeshua at a youth meeting.  Dolly has been a licensed Pastor and currently is studying to be a Certified Mental Health Counselor.  She and her husband of 40 years have served as Childrens Pastors, Shabbat School Coordinators and Youth Teachers and Leaders.  She is currently Women's Leader at Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue in Tampa where she and Don have attended for 25 years.  Her passion is to point and exhort others to a deeper more intimate walk with Yeshua and to be a bridge of understanding between the church and the Messianic Community. 

Tsiporah and Michael

Today I welcomed Tsiporah and Michael David back to Bagels and Blessings.

Michael-David and his wife Zsiporah are a Messianic couple who have travelled around the world ministering in music and teaching over the decades with a distinct Hebraic emphasis. As they minister, Michael-David brings the heavenly sound of the harp in worship and prayer. Along with their original music and the Songs of Zion, they bring an inspired Song of the Lord that releases a powerful sense of God’s presence.

They have appeared on national television and in Israel at the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles before thousands of international visitors and delegates. Their weekly “Shabbat Shalom” LIVE Internet broadcast has reached a world-wide audience over a period of six years.

Michael-David, is a composer, producer and Psalmist who leads worship and holds harp schools internationally. He has a calling to help restore the harp as a prominent instrument for worship and prayer. His schools have been held in Israel, North America and around the world and on Zoom. He is also establishing his School of Worship in Kansas City, Missouri as his American base. 

Zsiporah is a speaker, singer and award-wining screen writer. Together, they have produced original musicals including: the Messianic Musical – The Feast of the Ages (available on DVD – or download) and A Camelot Christmas Tale that has been broadcast on TV networks across North America. They are also credited as Executive Producers for a number of feature-length films in conjunction with CubeCity Entertainment.

Michael-David’s book, “The Frequency of the Supernatural”, is published by Destiny Image. With a lifelong passion for technology, astronomy and quantum physics, he merges these fields with a love of music and God. He has invented a patented electronic harp called the Harpella. https://www.harptronics.com/

They were the founders and directors of the KingsBridge School, a classical Christian academic, and school of the arts and were the directors of the KingsBridge Arts Round Table, a non-profit Christian Arts organization.

Here is a link to a PDF of their Ministry Bio Page https://michael-david.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ministry-Bio-Page.pdf

Michael-David and his wife Zsiporah are a Messianic couple who have travelled around the world ministering in music and teaching over the decades with a distinct Hebraic emphasis. As they minister, Michael-David brings the heavenly sound of the harp in worship and prayer. Along with their original music and the Songs of Zion, they bring an inspired Song of the Lord that releases a powerful sense of God’s presence.

They have appeared on national television and in Israel at the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles before thousands of international visitors and delegates. Their weekly “Shabbat Shalom” LIVE Internet broadcast has reached a world-wide audience over a period of six years.

Michael-David, is a composer, producer and Psalmist who leads worship and holds harp schools internationally. He has a calling to help restore the harp as a prominent instrument for worship and prayer. His schools have been held in Israel, North America and around the world and on Zoom. He is also establishing his School of Worship in Kansas City, Missouri as his American base. 

Zsiporah is a speaker, singer and award-wining screen writer. Together, they have produced original musicals including: the Messianic Musical – The Feast of the Ages (available on DVD – or download) and A Camelot Christmas Tale that has been broadcast on TV networks across North America. They are also credited as Executive Producers for a number of feature-length films in conjunction with CubeCity Entertainment.

Michael-David’s book, “The Frequency of the Supernatural”, is published by Destiny Image. With a lifelong passion for technology, astronomy and quantum physics, he merges these fields with a love of music and God. He has invented a patented electronic harp called the Harpella. https://www.harptronics.com/

They were the founders and directors of the KingsBridge School, a classical Christian academic, and school of the arts and were the directors of the KingsBridge Arts Round Table, a non-profit Christian Arts organization.

Here is a link to a PDF of their Ministry Bio Page https://michael-david.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ministry-Bio-Page.pdf

 

Greg Lahtimaki Interview

Rabbi Greg is the United Messianic Jewish Assembly(UMJA) Vice President.

He was born in Germany and was raised in a religious family in various US states.  At seventeen he joined the military and served alongside the IDF and in the US Army.  He has a B.S. in Business and Human Resource Management (Summa Cum Laude) and a M.S. in Executive Leadership (honors).  He became a believer in Yeshua in 2010 and embraced the Messianic Faith. After retirement from the military and the DOD, he began his ministry and founded Beit HaShaar in Columbus, Georgia. 

 

Rabbi Greg received his s'micha (ordination) as a Ro'eh from the UMJA in 2015 and s'micha as a Rabbi from Y'Sharim USA/International in 2016. He is honored to be a member of the Beit Din of the UMJA.  Rabbi Lehtimaki has been happily married to his b'shert (soulmate) Lois for 43 years. They have 2 children and 12 grandchildren.  They live a Torah observant life to the glory of God and pray that their ministry will build up HaShem's kingdom to accomplish His will and purposes.

Yosef Koelner Interview

Yosef was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, then at fourteen years old he was placed in the Foster Care system when his parents passed away. Yosef attended Illinois State University.  He remembers hearing the rock song “Jesus Christ Superstar” and it made an impression on him. A representative of Campus Crusade for Christ came to his dormitory and seeds were sewn.  There came a time when God spoke to him and told him about Yeshua.   He was challenged to read the New Testament.  The next morning there was a box of free books near the mailbox.  He began reading “Good News for Modern Man”  and it all started to make sense.   He met a Methodist minister and began going to his church. Then at 20 years old he became the youth director there.  Yosef still didn’t know that there were other Jewish believers.  He obtained a Masters degree from Messiah Biblical Institute in Washington, DC and another from Gratz College in Philadelphia.  He lived in Israel for a while and teaches Yeshiva courses online. 

Gaby Hall Interview

Born and raised in Germany, Gabriela's Jewish heritage has profoundly shaped her life. Her father, much older than her mother, was already 25 years old when World War II began. He experienced firsthand the devastation that unfolded as the Nazis invaded what is now Ukraine, where many of the women in his family perished in the Holocaust. Those experiences left a lasting legacy, giving Gabriela a deep appreciation for her Jewish roots and a lifelong desire to understand God's unfolding plan for His people.

Although she grew up knowing she was Jewish, it wasn't until later in life that she began searching Scripture to understand how her heritage fit into God's redemptive story. At the age of 60, while reading Isaiah 53, everything came together. The promised Messiah she had been searching for was revealed in Yeshua (Jesus), transforming not only her understanding of Scripture but her life. Today, Gabriela writes and teaches to help others discover the richness of the Bible through its Jewish foundation, revealing the beauty of God's promises fulfilled from Genesis to Revelation.

Joyce Dorian Interview

Joyce Dorian is the host of The Bridge Podcast, where she seeks to build understanding, compassion, and healing between Jews and Christians through honest conversations, education, history, and personal stories. A self-described "nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn," Joyce spent many years spiritually searching before encountering Jesus as her Messiah through reading the Bible in 2021. Her journey has deepened both her faith and her appreciation for the Jewish roots of Christianity. Through speaking, writing, and podcasting, Joyce encourages others to ask questions, dig deeper into Scripture, and discover the beauty of God's interconnected story.

Shirley Burris Interview

Shirley was raised in a non-Jewish home in Texas.  However, her Grandmother was Jewish and Shirley remembers celebrating Shabbat.   She had a desire to learn more about her Jewish roots and she and her husband started attending a Messianic congregation in Austin. The moment she entered, she felt like she was at home. 

Shirley became a widow five years ago and has remained active in the congregation. Her family knows she is a prayer warrior and Shirley‘s greatest desire is to make a positive impression on others so they will see Yeshua in her.

Toni Bogart Interview

Toni Bogart currently serves as a producer researcher at Sid Roth Ministries, bringing a wealth of insight and experience to her impactful work in media. As a Messianic believer who deeply loves God and people, her life and career are firmly rooted in her faith and a passion for ministry. With over forty years of professional accomplishments, Toni is a gifted worship leader and keyboardist who previously shared her talents as an inspirational PTL singer. She is also a dynamic keynote speaker who uniquely balances her vibrant creative spirit with a sharp acumen for business. Throughout her diverse journey, Toni remains dedicated to using her multi-faceted gifts to inspire others and lead them into the presence of God.

David Berman Interview

Pastor David M. Berman is a Messianic Jew, raised in a rabbinical synagogue and fully immersed in Jewish life and culture. He was miraculously saved in 1983. He sensed a strong call to reach Gentiles (non Jews) with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has done so for over 35 years. A pastor, Church planter, pastoral trainer, and much media interviews. He reaches Jews online and answers questions.

Stephanie Caracelo Interview

Stephanie Caracelo is a fourth generation Messianic Jew and has formerly served on the Executive Boards of the MJAA and YMJA. She is the former Ministries Director for the YMJA, leading youth conferences around the country. She serves as the B’nei Mitzvah

Director and has a passion for teaching the foundations of the Jewish faith and inspiring the minds of the B'nei Mitzvah candidates. She also works on the daytime conference committee of the Messiah Conference.
She serves as a Shammash alongside her husband of 24 years at Congregation Beth Hallel in Roswell, GA. She has two amazing children who inspire her each day to be a Godly parent. She earned her Doctor of Education degree
in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and works as an elementary school teacher. She loves cooking, reading, and spending time with her family playing board games and enjoying the outdoors.

Another Ted Pearce Interview!

So excited to welcome Ted Pearce back to Bagels and Blessings! 

Ted Pearce lived his teenage years in Beaumont Texas as an atheist. It was not until he decided to read the Bible, to find contradiction within it, did God reveal Himself mightily to Ted. A radically core shaking experience by the Holy Spirit in 1990 brought Ted to become a believer and he has been a worshipper for the Lord ever since.

Ted had already been playing professionally as a musician, but the Lord refined His gift towards worship and Ted soon recorded his first messianic album, "Shield of David" (1991).

He later put together a Christian rock band releasing 2 very different albums Nomadic Farmers (1997) and Big Methuselah (1999).

But his desire to bless Israel led him to record a new messianic project, which was called "Letter to the Hebrews" and released in Jerusalem on The Day of Pentecost 2001. Ted’s debut on Messianic worship label Galilee of the Nations followed in October of 2002 with "Zealous Over Zion".  He has since recorded several more CDs. His latest project is a unique collection of songs, written by Ted and Rabbi Michael Stepakoff.  "Stepakoff Sessions" uses AI to produce original songs that they co-wrote, giving us an Israeli sound with a full band effect.

Ted is excited about his virtual reality tours to Israel and excitedly shared the latest project that he and his son developed.  His vision is to see all the sons of Adam turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and believes that he can help build bridges of shalom.

 

Katherine Thomas

Katherine Thomas was born and raised in San Diego, attending a Lutheran church throughout her childhood.  She was introduced to the Messianic Movement in her mid-twenties when Tree of Life Messianic Congregation moved to the campus of the church she attended.  Katherine fell in love with the messianic congregation and enjoyed learning about the Jewish roots of her faith for the first time. Now years later, Katherine volunteers with the worship dance team, children’s ministry, and prayer team. She currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician, serving young children with autism and their families.

Rabbi Ron Aaronson Interview

Rabbi Ron is an author, speaker, and has been in ministry since 1965 as an evangelist, youth director, associate pastor, congregation planter, was the Rosh Yeshiva (Dean of Yeshiva) for the UMJC, and an associate Rabbi of CBMHouston.org.  Rabbi Ron started the Israel Benevolence Fund (IBF) to help with widows and orphans.  

He was a faithful husband for 61 years to Dolly, until her death, also father of two daughters and several grandchildren, and mentor to many.  

Rabbi Ron and his wife Jill reside in Texas. 

Jill Aaronson

Rebbitzin Jill Kamp Aaronson is an experienced executive leadership coach, communications consultant, author and organization development specialist, strategic planner, motivational speaker, bridge builder, conflict resolution facilitator, public relations spokesperson, and message developer.
For four years she developed courses and taught at CMEL, Center for Management and Executive Leadership for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and became a senior advisor at FAA headquarters. 
Jill spends most of her time leading and coaching leaders, asking challenging questions, setting direction for others to grow, strategic planning, disciplining others, and facilitating Bible contemplation.
Jill also founded American Showcase Theatre Company, now Metro Stage, a professional company that won Helen Hayes awards and nominations and she trained over 6000 actors. In 1990 she received their Woman of Distinction Award for her achievements as an entrepreneur and leader.
She earned her MA from New York University in theatre arts and has had seven careers in the DC area including part time teaching for almost every college and university in the DC metro area. Trademarked as Queen of Bargains, she had a column in The Washington Times for five years, a call in radio show on WAVA, weekly features on Channel 7 TV and many personal appearances.
Jill currently resides in Texas with her husband, Rabbi Ron Aaronson . Jill is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of six.

Renate Kaufmann 1999 Interview

Renate grew up in Cologne, Germany. Hidden as a child, Renate survived the Holocaust.   Renate shares her surprise when she learned that she was Jewish, the tragedy of her father's death and the faith that he taught her.  This faith carried her through many tough times.  Through Yeshua, Renate learned to forgive those that harmed her father.   A poet, artist and former seamstress, Renate wrote about her experience during the Holocaust in her book, "Justify Us Through Your Life."  She also published a book of her poems called "I Survived the Holocaust." She currently resides in Israel, although originally she was denied citizenship by the Israeli government because of her belief in Yeshua as Messiah.  Her court case was handled by the Jerusalem Institute for Justice.  Renate was granted permanent residency in Israel and has been there for several years.   Pray for her and others who are frequently running to bomb shelters in the midst of the current war.

Nathan Wilbur Interview!

Nathan is the first-born son of Paul and Luanne Wilbur and is currently operating as the Director of Wilbur Ministries. After finishing two years of undergraduate work, a semester of Jewish studies at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas, and graduating from the Jacksonville Police Academy, Nathan was hired to manage the ministry office and oversee the ministry travel schedule.

When ten years of service and travel as a part of the team had been completed, Nathan was ordained as a minister of the gospel with several leading pastor’s affirmation and participation. Today Nathan continues as the Director of the ministry which also includes oversight of the monthly streamed service called First Friday. Nathan also continues to travel and minister as a part of the Wilbur team, sharing preaching, ministry and administrative duties.

Nathan, along with his wife Malki and their eight-year-old son, Caleb currently live near Jacksonville, Florida.

Josh and Sarah Rebelak

Josh and Sarah are husband and wife.  In their words, "God created; thus, we as His creation create things in return. One of our favorite ways to worship is singing- an act of creation that requires body, mind, and soul to unite together in a beautiful display of devotion. Our heart is that the music will bring you closer to God's own heart, and that you leave more in tune with His Spirit, through the mighty power of our Savior, Yeshua." They are both part of the group The Nesbitts and are expecting their first child in September.

Laura and John Popp

Laura and John had similar backgrounds in that they both grew up in a Catholic family and were both attracted to Judaism after experiencing a Passover Seder. The couple met at a Greek and Hebrew Training Center and learned  more about the feasts of Israel. They were both involved in the worship team there and the relationship grew. After marrying, they were drawn to Messianic Judaism. 

John was a pastor for 20 years and although the couple started in California, they traveled to Idaho, where John hosted a radio show called “Proclaiming to Zion.” Recently, the Lord moved them to West Virginia while they wait for a documentary to be produced about their ministry and their thirty-six year marriage.