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!

Sharon Wilbur Interview (Repeat)

Back by popular demand!   I had such a great time interviewing Sharon Wilbur, just had to share it once again!    Some great tunes and a fun interview!

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sharon grew up with an interesting mix of the music industry and farm life. Her dad, a traveling musician, brought her out on stage with him since she was eight. Her mother, a horse trainer, surrounded her with horses and  farm animals since before she could talk.

After getting married in 2006 and relocating to Jacksonville, she began to pursue music full time — traveling to singing gigs on the weekends and working for her musician father-in-law at Wilbur Ministries. After her trip to Hollywood on Season 8 of American Idol, her eyes were opened to the fun and excitement of TV, and it was love at first sight!

Sharon Wilbur is a talented, vibrant and passionate 20-something ready to explode onto the music scene. The question isn't whether it's good, upbeat, soulful or even catchy, because her music is definitely all those things. The question is how to categorize it.

Elements of soul, rock, R&B and pop are woven into Messianic and clearly Jewish lyrics. That is where the passion comes in, as she says herself: "I truly believe that my entire life from birth until now has been preparing me for 'such a time as this.' (Esther 4:14) I want to go where God leads me, write what He speaks to me and sing what He teaches me — that I may be used to bring hope to weary nations, and joy to those who have only known sorrow."

Vocally she can hold her own with the likes of Natasha Bedingfield or Jessica Simpson, but it's her heart that truly separates her. The five songs on her debut demo, "You're My Heart," show with her spirit, vocal talents, writing ability and an upbeat tempo that shows Sharon's passion for Israel and God's sovereignty in our lives is paramount to joy and peace.

Rabbi Jim Appel Interview

It was a fabulous day in the studio as I once more welcomed Rabbi Jim Appel to the program.  Rabbi Jim has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shema Yisrael since 1996 and a Jewish follower of Yeshua since 1977. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues.
Rabbi Jim previously worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y., for 24 years as an optical engineer and engineering manager. He holds more than 45 patents in the areas of copier imaging systems and laser printing. Rabbi Jim received a bachelor's degree in optical engineering from the University of Rochester in 1967 and a master's degree in physics from the University of Southern California in 1970.
Rabbi Jim decided to follow Yeshua after a long spiritual search. He grew up with parents who taught him that 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.

Today Rabbi Jim discussed the "blood moons" - what is their spiritual significance and what has happened in the past during these eclipses.   Plus you'll enjoy some great Passover music from Nancy Santiago, Sue Samuel, Michelle Gold, Rachel Boskey, House of Peace, the Schleps and Jonathan Settel.

Robin Citron Interview

Two nice Jewish girls get together and anything can happen!   Robin grew up in a Jewish home in Brooklyn, NY and in this interview she shares her journey of faith.     Robin is a dear friend and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with her and learning more about her life.

You'll also enjoy some wonderful music from Sue Samuel, Ted Pearce, Zemer Levav, Barry & Batya Segal, Jonathan Settel and Joshua Aaron.

Hannah Campbell Interview

What a fun time in the studio today!   This program features the music of Jonathan Settel, Barry & Batya Segal, Avner & Rachel Boskey, Zemer Levav, Ted Pearce and The Schleps!   And it was a delight to have Hannah Grace Campbell in the studio.  Hannah grew up in Rochester, NY in a fun and loving Messianic Jewish home.  From in early age, she was taught about the God of Israel, and came to accept the Messiah as her Savior at the ripe old age of four.  After realizing at the age of nine that she could not grow up to become Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, (as blood is WAY too disgusting), she dreamed of a number of different careers (everything from a ballet dancer to a tornado chasing meteorologist), before she finally settled on becoming a composer of music.  Hannah greatly enjoyed earning her Bachelors in Music Composition at Baldwin-Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University), studying Music, growing closer to God, and learning how to save money by getting half-priced appetizers at local restaurants after College Campus Ministry meetings.  Hannah went on pursue her Masters in Music Composition for the Screen (try saying that ten times fast) at Columbia College Chicago.  After receiving her degree, Hannah, like many other former college students, was very burnt out and decided that she couldn't stand music or anything for creative for that matter and that she would pursue... something else.  And everyone who knew her said, ha, yeah right.  Naturally, of course, that didn't work.  Hannah now leads worship and cantors at Congregation Shema Yisrael, works at an agency for individuals with developmental disabilities, is working on a novel (she vows that it will one day be finished), and writes music with a fiery, burning passion, in hopes of being able to soon record her first album.

Rivka Whitten Interview

Today I welcomed Rivka Whitten back to Bagels and Blessings.   Rivka was born in Israel, moved to the U.S. when she was 3 years old, and after many years returned to the land of her forefathers.   She has a powerful voice and a willing heart to serve her Messiah!  Today's show features her CD "For Such a Time as This," and a couple of songs from her new CD, "My Soul Thirsts for You."

To find out more about her music and ministry please visit her website, http://www.rivkawhitten.com/.

Tribute to Deborah Galiley

Deborah Galiley went home to be with Yeshua on Wed., February 19, 2014.   I had the privilege to interview her in June, 2007.

I hope you enjoy this bittersweet tribute to a wonderful woman of God.   Here's some background: 
She was born December 14, 1961 in Queens, NY. Deborah moved with her husband to upstate NY in 1989 from Pasadena, CA and lived in Syracuse, Rome and Utica before settling in New Hartford.

Deborah was a wife, mother, the Rebbetzin of Beit Shalom in Utica, NY who was well known for her diverse interests and skills. With an inquisitive mind, quick wit and known for her straightforward honesty, she was an ardent student of life always ready to learn new things. She was a published author of four biblical fiction novels, worship dancer, artisan bread baker, youth group leader, clarinetist, intercessor, percussionist and friend to many.

Deborah was the daughter of Harry Teitelbaum (of blessed memory) and is survived by her mother, Marilyn (Nober) Teitelbaum of Laguna Niguel, her husband,Rabbi Stephen Galiley her children, Joshua Galiley of Irvine, CA, Shimon Galiley of Dongbaek, South Korea, Yael, Noa and Elisheva Galiley of New Hartford NY, and her brothers Mark (Pam) Teitelbaum of Westlake Village, CA and David (Lynda) Teitelbaum of Saratoga Springs, NY.

RIP Deborah.