Newsletter - Jews for Jesus

Bits from the Branches

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Israel Yarden, originally from Ukraine, was following up with Rosa, a Jewish Russian woman we met through phone calling during our Behold Your God Gush Dan campaign. Yarden reports, "Rosa was so happy to receive a New Testament in Russian. She is a highly educated biologist and believes in God with all her heart. For a long time, she has been curious about Jesus, wondering why He is called 'the Son of God' and why he was crucified. "I answered some of her questions and encouraged her to read the Bible. Then we read Isaiah 53 together and I was amazed to hear her say, 'So Jesus took away all our sins and he was raised from the dead so God proved that Jesus is his Son!' Please pray for her that God completely will open her eyes and she will be saved. "After that I needed to take a cab to my next visit but had a hard finding one. It was so hot; I prayed that the Lord would send me help. Just then a cab stopped for me. I witnessed to him on the way to my visit and he gave me his contact...

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Added: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Israel Among the Nations Redux

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

British Historian Arnold J. Toynbee had a social Darwinian theory concerning the rise and inevitable fall of all nations, including Israel. In his seminal ten-volume work, A Study of History, the esteemed scholar reflected on the continuing existence of the Jewish nation despite 2000 years without a homeland. He concluded that the Jewish nation was a "fossil" floating on the sea of humanity, nothing more than "a vestigial remnant," a people destined to disappear. That celebrated historian got it very, very wrong. Nothing has been more perplexing to skeptics -- while giving the faithful cause for thanksgiving -- than the perpetuity of the nation of Israel. Despite forcible uprooting and exile from the land of her nativity, despite the lost facility of her mother tongue for common use, despite the woes of being harried and harassed, menaced and even murdered in the lands of her exile, Israel has survived and even thrived. Why is that? It is because the God of Israel, the Creator...

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Author: David Brickner
Added: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

It's a Wonderful Life... in Jesus

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Frank Capra has touched generations of film buffs with the classic fantasy of George Bailey's "wonderful life." Feeling his life is of no use to anyone, George tries to end it -- and discovers (with the help of his guardian angel) that he has succeeded in touching far more lives than he ever dreamed possible. As believers in Jesus, we can all do with an occasional reminder that God uses our prayers and witnessing encounters beyond anything we can know this side of heaven. But every now and then, we have the fun of seeing how seemingly unrelated situations and circumstances connect to the glory of God. We hope the following vignettes will encourage you as they have encouraged us! Rats! You may have seen the story last July in RealTime, our electronic publication that gives the most current Jews for Jesus news possible: a young campaigner named Shoshannah Gordon reported, "My team and I were on a night sortie on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We found a little park outside...

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Added: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Moishe's Musings on Wrong Ways to Witness

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

When I graduated from Bible school, my first assignment with the American Board of Missions to the Jews (now Chosen People Ministries) was in Los Angeles. We had a mission house at 5020 Pico Boulevard. I lived there with my family, and I also had a small office there. We had Bible studies and fellowship meetings in our living room. This was a time when we were very discreet. The plaque in front of the house did not advertise the mission; it simply said, "Reverend Martin Meyer Rosen." I had installed the plaque just two weeks after I was ordained. Two months later, I realized that I had done it for the sake of status, and God doesn't need that kind of status. At any rate, we were listed in the directory as the American Board of Missions to the Jews. I wasn't surprised when a lady came -- she said her name was Edna -- and asked if she could get some tracts. I was glad to sort through and I gave her several copies of three or four different tracts. She said, "No, I need more; I...

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Author: Moishe Rosen
Added: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

All in God's Timing

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

In a world of instant gratification and speedy technology, it's easy to grow impatient when we don't see what we want, when we want it. Yet God is never rushed, and His timing is perfect. We hope the following stories by some of our missionaries will help you will pray for us, for patience and perseverance as we wait and see what God will do. Slowly Starting to See by Stephen Pacht, London Someone once said that it takes an average of 4 � years from the time someone first hears the gospel until he or she receives Christ. It's now three years since I first met Stuart, an accountant, who last year announced that he finally believed Jesus to be the Messiah -- but he is not yet born again. He is one of a small group of men who have just started attending a fortnightly Bible discussion group in our home. Another participant, Robert, is a teacher who has been interested in Jesus for some years but does not believe He gave His life for us. At our last study we read Jesus' words, "the...

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Author: Stephen Pacht
Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bits from the Branches

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Israel Ze'ev Nevo reports, "We met Iris during the Behold Your God Shfela campaign this past spring. In addition to handing out our broadside tracts, we interacted with people in various other ways, including wearing our Jews for Jesus T-shirts into malls and making ourselves available to talk to people. That is how we met Iris. She stopped to talk to us; we gave her a New Testament and she gave us her telephone number. I set up a visit with her for the very next day and was encouraged to see how enthusiastic she was about reading the New Testament. She was actually meditating on it, reading each sentence again and again until she understood it. "Seeing how thirsty she was to know more about Y'shua, I gave her Moishe Rosen's book, His name is Y'shua [Ed: Original English title is Y'shua, the Jewish Way to Say Jesus; we adapted it for Israelis in the Hebrew translation.] When we met again the following week, Iris told me that she found the book very interesting. She also had some...

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Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Moishe's Musings on Serving the Lord

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Serving the Lord is not "a job," yet some people seem to go about it as though they were wageworkers. They give as much of themselves as they believe the "job" requires and don't expect a whole lot in return -- just enough to keep them going. Others enter the ministry with a far more zealous but equally bad attitude, which might be called "Kingdom Building."* These particular kingdom builders declare that it is the Kingdom of God for which they labor, but they behave as though they are in charge until He gets back. They want to rule the part of the kingdom they see as their own. Kingdom Builders gather more power and authority to themselves than is necessary to serve God. They want power, respect and authority, and often use it to make others responsible for doing the work. They love the small honors and approval bestowed by the world. They are happiest when they are well regarded. They carefully craft their public statements to be most acceptable to most...

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Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Proverbs in the New Testament

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Most biblical proverbs can be found in the book so named for its content. However, many proverbs are sprinkled throughout the Scriptures, including the New Testament. The following is a collection of Proverbs found throughout the New Testament. Can you find at least one that was previously stated in the Hebrew Scriptures?1 Do you know which one is a positive twist on an ancient rabbinical saying?2 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other . . . ."(Matthew 6:24). "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34). "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Matthew 7:2; cf Mark 4:24, Luke 6:38). "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and...

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Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Seeking Wisdom

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Has God given you an opportunity or situation that made you realize just how much you need His wisdom? Becoming the executive director of Jews for Jesus has made me keenly aware of my need for godly wisdom. When people ask how they might pray for me I always request prayer for wisdom. I count on those prayers, but I also began a spiritual discipline that has helped me through thirteen years of leading this ministry. Each day my Bible reading includes the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with that day of the month. This continually reminds me that wisdom is the principle thing. The more I read the more I realize how much I need the Lord's help in this search for wisdom. As often as I contemplate these 31 chapters, I can learn anew what God wants to teach me and I hope I really am able to "gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). I have been pondering matters that can help or hinder the quest for godly wisdom and I want to invite you to think along with me. ...

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Author: David Brickner
Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

We're So Thankful...

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For friends who give us the joy of knowing that we've had a part in helping them share their faith with Jewish people. About a year ago we told you about Marilee from Michigan. Marilee responded to one of Moishe's Musings by calling all 77 Rosens in her phone book. She received contact information from three people who wanted to hear more about Jesus! We recently received a note from another friend that really encouraged us. We hope it encourages you, too, especially in light of David Brickner's article this month. My name is Janice and I am a supporter of Jews for Jesus. We live just a couple cities east of Seattle, Washington. I must tell you about the most awesome witness encounter God gave me the privilege to experience this evening. Earlier this afternoon I read in your August newsletter David Brickner's article, "The Gospel Bubble." It was a great encouragement and reminder as a Christian to "Preach the word...do the work of an evangelist." Later that evening a...

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Added: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Moishe's Musings on Eccentricity Versus Convention

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For years, people have tried to tame me, and I've resisted. I'm an unashamed eccentric. I prize this reputation of being eccentric! Conventional behavior might provide some lubricant between persons and peoples, but sometimes that lubricant can reduce one's personal impact and compromise one's principals. Conventional behavior also tends to stultify creativity. Convention says, "There are two things we don't discuss: religion and politics." But in our democratic republic, we are governed by consensus. If we don't discuss politics, a few powerful people maintain control and all too easily they become corrupt. So far as religion is concerned, when we talk about God and what God wants from us, we are dealing with matters of right and wrong. If we're put in positions where we cannot declare what is right or identify what is wrong, then we are morally and ethically paralyzed. Jews for Jesus came about because I was willing to set aside convention. Up...

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Author: Moishe Rosen
Added: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Proclaimed in the Synagogue

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, means different things to different Jewish people. Traditional Jews hold the view that during the ten days between the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement, record books in heaven are opened and everyone is judged according to their deeds and works. Those who have earned merit have their names inscribed in the Book of Life; those whose deeds deserve impending judgment are inscribed in the Book of Death. But as the shofar sounds and the Day of Atonement ends, most are inscribed in a third book, where judgment is reserved until the next High Holiday season. Today, however, most Jewish people are less traditional and regard Yom Kippur and the ten days before it merely as a season of personal reflection, a time to do good to one's fellow man and spread brotherhood. This was the view of most of my family until my mother and I found Y'shua. As believers in Jesus we found fuller meaning in Yom Kippur. We looked back on the Mosaic institution of...

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Author: Stan Meyer
Added: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bits from the Branches

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

New York Anna Marie Misiti reports, "I had an amazing opportunity last week, when two of our Hassidic contacts began verbalizing their desire to meet someone else who believes as they do from the Hassidic community. "I have been having phone visits with Joseph for four years, though we have never met face to face. He prayed to receive Jesus over the phone and has been praying for his wife's salvation on a daily basis. He says that he longs for the day that he can be outspoken about his faith and meanwhile he continues studying the word and praying -- he loves the intimacy he has with Jesus."I began witnessing to Harry as a result of our Behold Your God New York campaign in 2006. Karol Joseph has had a good ministry to him also. Harry prayed to receive Y'shua but has had numerous stops and starts in his faith journey. We have asked you to pray for both these men at various times. "Hassidic believers in Jesus are truly afraid of being discovered because their tightly knit...

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Added: Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Adventure Camp

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Last June we highlighted Camp Gilgal, the lynchpin of our children's and youth ministry. As we invest in the next generation of Jewish believers in Jesus, the "age range" for our camp ministry tops out with Adventure Camp (though we have other opportunities for young adults). We held our first Adventure Camp in 1999 in response to a request from Camp Gilgal teens who wanted to keep camp going. Adventure Camp offers both physical and spiritual challenges. It fosters the community of fellowship young Jewish believers need with one another, as well as the mentorship from more mature believers. It pushes people beyond their comfort zone, but in the context of enjoying God's beautiful creation in the company of good friends. We have three Adventure Camps taking place from August 2-8* (the West Coast camp will run one day longer) and hope that you will be praying for our campers, staff and volunteers. Our California coastal adventure will feature sea kayaking. Leaders are "Moose" Garret...

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Added: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Moishe's Musings: Childlike versus Childish

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I hope it's alright to say: "I like myself." At least I like some things about me. I like that I enjoy being around people who are having fun, even if they're doing something I can't do. I like it that I feel especially good when I tell a good friend about a restaurant, and they find that the food is terrific. I like the fact that I'm curious about everything. My assistant and friend, Peter Sandberg, told me that long ago one of his teachers encouraged the class to be childlike, not childish. There are many ways to compare being childish with being child-like, but here is a small musing: Childish people are ego-centric; often they don't even realize that they approach everything and everyone as somehow being about themselves. Much of their displeasure or discontent results from the fact that others see life differently. Childlike people wonder about things, are alert, have questions, are ready to learn; they also know how to jump up and down with glee, and really enjoy things. I...

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Author: Moishe Rosen
Added: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Sabbath Rest: Highlights in the Old and New Testament

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Old Testament God rested from His work of creation. "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made" (Genesis 2:1-3). The first mention of word "sabbath" in the Bible occurs in the instructions about gathering manna. "Then he said to them, 'This is what the LORD has said: "Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning"'" (Exodus 16:23). Sabbath is given as the fourth commandment, and as a reminder of God's seventh-day rest. "'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of...

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Added: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Gospel Bubble

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Of the three Behold Your God Israel campaigns we've already completed, the opposition to our last one (May '09) was the most violent we've experienced in Israel thus far. Our Jews for Jesus staff and volunteers were kicked and punched more in Rishon, Rehovot and Ramala, than we have been on previous campaigns. One missionary, after having her arm twisted by a security guard, reported that the high incidence of aggression must be because the gospel had not yet been preached in this region. While we did receive names and addresses of 754 seekers and prayed with 22 people to receive the Lord, she felt that the campaign was mainly tilling the soil for future ministry. I have been pondering her statement ever since. I suppose that I am cautious about the idea that a high level of hostility is tied to breaking new ground. Maybe that's because it sounds like a corollary to an idea that seems to be gaining popularity among some Christians: that apathy toward the gospel indicates that people...

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Author: David Brickner
Added: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Sabbath: A Look Back, A Look Forward

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Most of our summer outreaches are over, and our campus outreach, High Holiday services and Fall Ingatherings are yet to come. Many people on our missionaries' case loads are away for summer vacations. We are still continuing to do the work this month, but for many it's a bit of a "breather." What better time is there to think about the Sabbath. If I had to summarize the Sabbath in a few sentences, it might be something like: In almost-the-beginning (following Creation), God rested. Later He told Israel to do the same thing, once a week. Later still, Y'shua came to give us rest. Finally, there's an eternal Sabbath for those who follow Him. THE END. Ride off into sunset. Closing credits. Well, it's a good thing I don't have to summarize the Sabbath in a few sentences, or even in one article. Neither could I begin to explain the rich meaning and purpose of the Sabbath in one article -- which is why I'm writing a book on that very topic that Jews for Jesus hopes to release in...

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Author: Rich Robinson
Added: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A Slice of Missionary Life

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Everyone has ups and downs, and last fall was like a roller coaster ride in terms of my ministry in D.C. The week before Yom Kippur, I was happy to receive an email asking me to contact a Jewish woman named Jackie. Her mother, a Jewish believer in Jesus, wanted us to witness to her daughter. I called the following day and left a message on Jackie's voice mail. Later her mother sent another email telling us that her daughter had been very upset that I called. Her mom requested that we keep her daughter in prayer, but discontinue attempts to reach out to her until further notice. I was disappointed, but it wasn't the first time that someone didn't want talk about Jesus, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. A week passed, and the day before Yom Kippur the phone at our branch was quite busy. Several callers had the wrong number, as our local office was somehow receiving calls meant for the hair salon at the Jewish convalescent home down the...

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Author: Lynn McCoy
Added: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Campaign Characters

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

WHAT'S COOKIN'? Our chaplains help to provide spiritual food, but when it comes to meal times, we have Chef Wayne Erickson to keep those hunger pangs at bay.This will be Wayne's eleventh summer* to cook for campaigners in New York City. He sold his catering business in June of 1996. "Soon after," he says, "a friend invited me to lunch with[Jews for Jesus staff member] Rich Robinson. Rich asked me what I was doing in July and the rest, as they say, is history."Wayne loves street evangelism and looks forward to every July 4th in New York, when he joins the campaigners on the streets. He says,"I wish I could do more, but I know that my primary service is to prepare meals for everyone. And my biggest pleasure is using my skills as a chef for the Lord. As long as He gives me the energy, I'll keep going. I also love getting to know the missionaries. I think I've fed practically everyone in the Jews for Jesus ministry at onetime or another." Wayne lives on a 10,000-acre ranch in Wyoming...

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Added: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A Jewish Prayer for Repentance

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

We thought you might like to see excerpts from the prayer that Stan Meyer mentioned in his article. Jewish people the world over will be reciting this on Yom Kippur (which begins at sundown on September 27). Our God and God of our ancestors! Let our prayers come before You and do not hide Yourself from our supplication. For neither are we so arrogant nor hardened to say, "We are righteous and have not sinned," for truly, truly, we have sinned. May it be Your will, O Lord our God, to forgive all our sins, and pardon all our iniquities. For the sin which we have committed in Your sight through arrogance of our will,And for the sin which we have committed before You by breach of trust.For the sin which we have committed in Your sight by casting off responsibility,And for the sin which we have committed before You by denying and lying.For the sin which we have committed in Your sight by evil thoughts,For all of these, O God of forgiveness,forgive us, pardon us, grant us...

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Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bits from the Branches

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Toronto Richard Muller reports, "Marc is engaged to a Christian who has been telling him about Jesus. Since he is Jewish he decided to check out our website, and was interested enough to leave us his contact information. I met with him and his fianc�e last December, and then I met again with just Marc the following month. He had already begun attending church. His main objections to faith seemed to be the problem of evil in the world and Jesus being God -- and we addressed both those issues from the Bible. As we studied,Marc came to understand who Y'shua is. He now believes Jesus is the Messiah and has been continuing to attend church. Please pray that his faith will grow and that he will understand the importance of baptism and discipleship. Israel Morgan Rapp, who is currently interning with our Israel missionaries, has had opportunities to accompany them on some visits in the Upper Galilee region. One man, Gozal, was so excited to study the Scriptures that he prepared for...

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Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bits from the Branches

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Brooklyn Jhan Moskowitz reports, "The strangest thing happened in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel as I was on my way to Manhattan. A car caught on fire right in the middle of the tunnel. Rush hour traffic came to a halt as we all waited for the fire department. I offered the Orthodox Jewish man whose car was on fire a ride into the city, which he gladly accepted. "Between waiting for the traffic to clear and the actual drive into the city, we spent an hour and a half together. I found out that Chaim (not his real name) came from the same Hungarian town where my mother was born, and we really connected. Imagine his surprise to find out that I was a nice Jewish boy who loved Jesus. "The next week he called and wanted to take me to lunch as a way of thanking me. I told him it was not necessary, but he insisted, and so began what appears to be a real friendship. Pray for Chaim, that God will bless our friendship and give me more opportunities to tell him about my rabbi, Jesus." Melissa...

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Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bits from the Branches

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Israel Yarden has been meeting with a woman named Ruth, a contact from last year's Tel Aviv Behold Your God campaign. Ruth is from an Orthodox background and has been searching for the truth for a long time. Yarden studied the Scriptures with her and Ruth began to see that the only way one can be forgiven is through our Messiah, Y'shua. She began attending church and now wants to be baptized. Ruth is very passionate about her new faith and shares the gospel with unbelievers in her community. Please pray for her faith to continue to grow and be strengthened. Peter has been meeting weekly with Amit, who has been curious about Jesus ever since his ex-girlfriend shared the gospel with him. He recently prayed with Peter to receive the Lord and has been attending church regularly, growing in his walk. Please pray for Amit to have courage and wisdom as he tells his family about his decision to follow Jesus. Chicago Heather Blecher reports, "Mishpocago (the name of our Midwest...

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Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

HaTikvah

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Are you familiar with the word in the title of this article? HaTikvah is the contemporary Hebrew for "the hope." It is also the title of the Israeli national anthem. Ironically, these days don't seem very hopeful to many Israelis, or to many others for that matter. These are perilous times. War in the Middle East. The global economic crisis. The threat of a nuclear Iran. The world is gripped by a storm, and the storm is not likely to abate any time soon. Though we might see occasional, momentary breaks in "the weather," the Scriptures tell us that the storm will ultimately rage out of control. All around us, men and women will be reduced to utter despair and absolute hopelessness. We believers in Y'shua (Jesus) have the only genuine word of hope in the midst of this storm. We don't need a global crisis to remind us of that truth. I remember visiting a young Jewish woman named Leslie some years back. She was dying. The doctors told her that she had perhaps another month to live. As I...

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Author: Avi Snyder
Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Moishe's Musings on Nuclear Christianity

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The first time that I heard the term "Evangelism Explosion," I was confused. It seemed to me that explosions cause destruction. Then, I pictured another kind of explosion: that which takes place in the motor block of a diesel engine or a gasoline motor. The explosion in the chamber pushes a piston, thereby moving a rod and turning an axle. And the result is power. This is not the power to destroy, but to restore and to build. Everything I heard about "Evangelism Explosion," I liked. It was based on personal evangelism that was organized so that a small church, or even a Sunday School class, could reach out to personally tell people the Good News about the Messiah. In recent times, we've seen many shrinking churches and yet there's much talk about church planting. It seems to me that it's a waste of energy to plant churches where many already exist. Why not use that energy to develop and grow the...

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Author: Moishe Rosen
Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Promises of Hope

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Bible pulls no punches in describing the state of hopelessness that our sin causes. But neither is it stingy in making promises to those who take hold of the hope God has offered. Below is a small sprinkling of the promises that God has made to us in His Word. He tells us how He will bless us for putting our hope in Him, and He tells us about the hopes we can have in what He will do. Old Testament "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD."(Psalm 31:24) "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy."(Psalm 33:18) "For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O LORD my God."(Psalm 38:15) "O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption."(Psalm 130:7) "For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off."(Proverbs 23:18) "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a...

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Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Ruth's Ramblings

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Since Moishe wrote the cover article for this month's newsletter, I hope you don't mind if I take the column usually reserved for "Moishe's Musings." I wanted to write to you, not so much as the Jews for Jesus Newsletter editor, but as Moishe's daughter. I think Moishe was pleased that David Brickner asked him to open his heart to you about some of what he is experiencing these days -- but at first he hesitated a little regarding the article. It might seem odd, but he couldn't help wondering, "What if I write about dying and my life lasts longer than I expect it to?" Well, I think he realizes that if God should prolong his days, you'll rejoice with us, and not wonder why he is still around. But there was another hesitation that I don't think he'd mind my sharing with you: his sensitivity to the feelings of my mother and the rest of our family. He was concerned about how we might respond to the article, but also how we might feel when others respond. I'm sure that many of you know...

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Author: Ruth Rosen
Added: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Adversity Brings Opportunity�

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Now that I am 77 years old, I think it is safe to say that my lifelong belief that I would die young was an illusion. When I was 15 I knew I wouldn't reach 20. When I was 20 I knew I wouldn't make it to 25, and so on. Some might think it was a morbid illusion, but the idea that I didn't have very long to live always pushed me to take advantage of as many opportunities as I could. Well, I missed my opportunity to die young. I've even missed the opportunity to die semi-old, though I've had some close calls. But in February of 2007 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to the bones. So, unless God intervenes, my latest illness is terminal. I may or may not be here next year, but in any case, this illness has become an occasion for me to seek out opportunities. Maybe you are facing illness or adversity and are looking for similar opportunities. Here is a bit of what I'm learning. Adversity is an opportunity to gain perspective. Do you remember being a kid on a...

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Author: Moishe Rosen
Added: Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Blow That Trumpet!

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I am a trumpet player; I grew up practicing, playing and studying to become the best trumpet player I could be. While pursuing a career in orchestral performance at Boston University I was apprehended by God and called into His service. Early on I found many opportunities to play, including my time with the Liberated Wailing Wall. I have to admit, it's been awhile since I've practiced or played. Still, being a trumpet player is an important part of my life and my identity. Playing the trumpet was important to the life and identity of ancient Israel as well. In fact, God commanded Israel to set aside an entire day as a special assembly to be marked by the blowing of trumpets. This month we are celebrating that important Jewish holy day, appropriately named Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). You won't find any "Happy Yom Teruah" greeting cards at your favorite stationery store because few contemporary Jewish people call this feast by its biblical name. The...

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Author: David Brickner
Added: Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The most proactive group of ambassadors in New York City this month are not representing foreign governments; this despite the conspicuous presence of the United Nations. Instead, they are representing the Creator of the Universe, offering His peace plan: "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Jews for Jesus has a couple dozen such ambassadors handling street duty right now, and despite the heat and the grime it is a royal responsibility of great nobility and import. There was a time when this task was understood; every Christian recognized his or her responsibility to be a soulwinner. Not so these days. Recently I watched a television pundit interview a well-known pastor. Said the...

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Author: David Brickner
Added: Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Featured Broadsides

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Please find of our broadsides (gospel tracts), written by Moishe Rosen, who created this form of gospel literature in the late 1960s. We hope this broadside will be a fun reminder for you to pray for our summer witnessing campaigns in New York City, London and Paris. We will be handing out hundreds of thousands of broadsides like this one! What's Your Rush? Print | Read It's the 4th of July Print |...

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Added: Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Jewish Factoids: The Yarmulke Or Kippah

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

People often ask us the reason behind the traditional Jewish yarmulke (skull cap), also called a kippah (Hebrew for covering). The following information comes from a catalogue that sells a variety of kippot (plural for kippah): "The sources for wearing kippot (Jewish skullcaps) are found in the Talmud [rabbinical commentary, also known as the Oral Law]. In tractate Shabbat 156b it states, 'Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you. 'As well, in tractate Kiddushin 32a it states, 'Rabbi Huna the son of Rabbi Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: "Because the Divine Presence (Shekhina) is always over my head."' While there is a minority opinion that wearing a kippah... is a Torah commandment, most... agree that it is merely a custom. The prevailing view among rabbinical authorities is that this custom has taken on the force of law (Shulkhan Arukh, Orach Chayim 2:6). From a strictly talmudic point of view, however, the only...

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Added: Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Spiritual Fitness on Campaign

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Jews for Jesus witnessing campaigns have always stressed spiritual preparedness. In the early days, Scripture memorization was part of the rigorous routine of campaign. Each morning the verse(s) were posted and each day we were tested on the previous day's Scripture. The verses were carefully selected to minister to us and help us minister to others. About once a week, we had a cumulative test on all the verses we had memorized to date.We were expected to have the verses down, word and punctuation perfect. Memorizing Scripture definitely helped us in the spiritual warfare that intensifies around every effort to make the gospel known. On the other hand, memorization is strenuous for some and campaigners were already being tested in other ways, facing rejection out on the hot streets and inside the even hotter subway stations. So we continued having daily...

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Added: Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A New Outlook