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From David Brickner
➤ Read what our executive director really thinks about Israel in our May Newsletter.
Our Commitment to IsraelCategory: RealTime March 2016
The headline read: “Jews for Jesus missionaries support pro-terror Palestinian organization.” A libelous collection of disinformation followed, released February 21, 2016, by an Internet news service Jerusalem Online. Maybe by the time you read this they will have retracted the false claims.
Many people believed the report without questioning it. But I’m so thankful for those who asked us about the article, or responded to our statement with comments such as, “Wow, you would think that a legitimate news outlet would interview those accused before releasing such a story. Their accusation is ludicrous!”
Ludicrous indeed. We Jews for Jesus love and support Israel with all our hearts! I know that many of you do as well.
But let me ask you, what does the word “Israel” mean to you? Remember, Israel is a people. Israel is a place. And Israel is a political entity. We love all three, but not in the same way.
The people of Israel are physical descendants of Abraham Isaac and Jacob wherever they may live, be it in the United States, Israel or anyplace else. We love the Jewish people in part because they are our parents, our grandparents, our aunts and our uncles. But we also love the Jewish pe,ople because God loves them and longs for them to be in relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. We echo the apostle Paul: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans10:1).
We also love Israel the place. From Dan to Beersheba this holy land still vibrates with the presence of God, and it is the very place where Christ will return in glory. But Israel is also a place in great need of the Savior and His transforming grace. Every social and spiritual problem that we have in the United States is also found there—substance addiction, sex trafficking, abortion—you name it. That is why we’ve begun partnering with churches who want to help through short-term mission projects, in cooperation with “the Israel Ministry Network.”*
Our commitment to Israel can be seen by our missionary team there—the largest of any Jews for Jesus branch in the world. In addition to staff, many of us have family and friends there. My parents, for example, are Israeli citizens who’ve lived in Jerusalem since 1989.
But what about Israel the political entity? I love Israel like I love my own country, the United States of America. I am loyal, yet I sometimes find myself opposed to—even angry about—some decisions our government makes. I’m not an Israeli citizen, yet I feel a strong connection so I experience joy and grief depending on current situations and decisions in or about Israel.
All of our missionaries in the Land are Israeli citizens and most have served in the Israel military. They, too, love their country as loyal citizens, which does not mean agreeing with everything the government says or does. But remember this—Jews for Jesus is not a political organization. We are focused on one thing and one thing only, and that is preaching the gospel. In order to maintain that singular focus we have to avoid entangling ourselves in political issues.
The words of Zechariah to the people of Israel still stand true today: “for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). The rest of the book proves that God’s loyal love was not based on Israel’s overall performance, but on His unfailing grace.
May 11-12 is Israel’s 68th birthday—a great time to celebrate and to remember that the Word of God has not changed when it comes to those who bless Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:3). If you aren’t sure how to do that, you might start by praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Consider supporting efforts like ours to proclaim the gospel of peace in Israel. And let me just say, if you have never visited the Land of Israel, what are you waiting for? Go and enjoy the biblical sites, or maybe sign on for a short-term missions project. What will your commitment to Israel be going forward?[David Brickner, executive director]
This is a newsletter article; a fuller version will be available in print this May. If you don¹t receive our newsletter, we hope you will get your free subscription now. Your prayers are really important in this and other matters related to God¹s work among the Jewish people.
*The Israel Ministries Network helps establish long term, gospel-centered partnerships between churches and a variety of ministries in Israel by organizing short-term missions trips. For more information see http://www.israelnetwork.org.
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➤ Watch as David Brickner sings Happy Birthday, tells you about a soldier who just prayed to receive the Lord and more! RealTime Video Updateby Jews for Jesus Category: Realtime Featured Hits: 7770
Watch as David Brickner sings Happy Birthday, tell you about a soldier who just prayed to receive the Lord and more!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lZFfAfjpJqk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Watch as David Brickner sings Happy Birthday, tell you about a soldier who just prayed to receive the Lord and more!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lZFfAfjpJqk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Top Stories
A Passover salvation story
Another Salvation Story!by Jews For Jesus Category: RealTime April 2016
Cyril Gordon (from our L.A. team) reports, “Jerry is a Jewish believer in Jesus who’s been praying for the salvation of his Yiddishe mama (Jewish mother) for years. In fact, he’s enlisted the prayers of his entire church family. Last month, we gave a ‘Christ in the Passover’ presentation at his church, and Jerry brought his mother, Rose.*
“I think that Rose sat right in the front row just to make sure I did the Passover correctly! Well, after the service, she said she loved every minute of it, and she was open to talking about the gospel. Then, together we prayed as she received Yeshua (Jesus) as her Lord and Savior! Jerry could barely believe it as he saw the Lord open the eyes and heart of his dear mom. Word of her salvation spread quickly through the church and Rose was warmly greeted by many as she returned to Harvest Church for their Resurrection Sunday service. Please pray that she will continue to grow in her faith.”
*not her real name
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Top Stories
A Passover salvation story
Another Salvation Story!by Jews For Jesus Category: RealTime April 2016
Cyril Gordon (from our L.A. team) reports, “Jerry is a Jewish believer in Jesus who’s been praying for the salvation of his Yiddishe mama (Jewish mother) for years. In fact, he’s enlisted the prayers of his entire church family. Last month, we gave a ‘Christ in the Passover’ presentation at his church, and Jerry brought his mother, Rose.*
“I think that Rose sat right in the front row just to make sure I did the Passover correctly! Well, after the service, she said she loved every minute of it, and she was open to talking about the gospel. Then, together we prayed as she received Yeshua (Jesus) as her Lord and Savior! Jerry could barely believe it as he saw the Lord open the eyes and heart of his dear mom. Word of her salvation spread quickly through the church and Rose was warmly greeted by many as she returned to Harvest Church for their Resurrection Sunday service. Please pray that she will continue to grow in her faith.”
*not her real name
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More salvations in IsraelDiscover
Angels Rejoicing!by Jews For Jesus Category: RealTime April 2016
Dinah Sered reports from Israel, “It was a wonderful week for ministry, seeing people saved here in Israel! It started with Miri,* a much loved lady who has been helping me with housework for more than a year. I have shared the gospel with her many times. Last week she told me she has to move back up north—which was a blow for us, because she really feels like a member of our family. Miri was also very sad at the prospect of leaving. I invited her to come over to talk about the Lord. I shared the salvation story beginning with Genesis. When I asked if she wanted to be part of God’s greater plan of salvation, she said yes! We went from sadness over her leaving to great joy as Miri now has new life and new hope. I have planned for her to have several Bible studies before she leaves, and hope to find a congregation for her to attend when she makes her move. Please pray that Miri will grow strong in her new faith!
“Also, I have been meeting to study the Bible with a new Jewish believer named Kayla* for several months. She wanted to learn more about Jesus before she would be baptized. So I was very excited last week when she not only told me of her desire to be baptized, but finally shared with her family that she is now a follower of Jesus. She invited her sister Rochelle* to come to our congregation for the first time. Not only did Rochelle come, but she also prayed to receive salvation through Jesus at the end of the service! Kayla said that just as I had been teaching her, she was going to teach her sister. I praise God for not only saving Kayla, but also for making her a disciple who is able to teach others, as it says in 2 Timothy 2:2: ‘And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men [and women] who will be able to teach others also.’ Please pray for Kayla to continue growing in the faith, and for Rochelle to be firmly rooted.”
*not her real name
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Angels Rejoicing!by Jews For Jesus Category: RealTime April 2016
Dinah Sered reports from Israel, “It was a wonderful week for ministry, seeing people saved here in Israel! It started with Miri,* a much loved lady who has been helping me with housework for more than a year. I have shared the gospel with her many times. Last week she told me she has to move back up north—which was a blow for us, because she really feels like a member of our family. Miri was also very sad at the prospect of leaving. I invited her to come over to talk about the Lord. I shared the salvation story beginning with Genesis. When I asked if she wanted to be part of God’s greater plan of salvation, she said yes! We went from sadness over her leaving to great joy as Miri now has new life and new hope. I have planned for her to have several Bible studies before she leaves, and hope to find a congregation for her to attend when she makes her move. Please pray that Miri will grow strong in her new faith!
“Also, I have been meeting to study the Bible with a new Jewish believer named Kayla* for several months. She wanted to learn more about Jesus before she would be baptized. So I was very excited last week when she not only told me of her desire to be baptized, but finally shared with her family that she is now a follower of Jesus. She invited her sister Rochelle* to come to our congregation for the first time. Not only did Rochelle come, but she also prayed to receive salvation through Jesus at the end of the service! Kayla said that just as I had been teaching her, she was going to teach her sister. I praise God for not only saving Kayla, but also for making her a disciple who is able to teach others, as it says in 2 Timothy 2:2: ‘And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men [and women] who will be able to teach others also.’ Please pray for Kayla to continue growing in the faith, and for Rochelle to be firmly rooted.”
*not her real name
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What kind of Jewish people believe in Jesus? All kinds!
Have you ever wondered what kind of a Jewish person would believe in Jesus? The answer is, all kinds. There are Jewish doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians, engineers and yes, scientists who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. They all had reasons why they would never believe... but they were willing to examine those reasons and more important, they were willing to ask God to show them the truth. Maybe one of their journeys will resonate with you.
One Way Outby Mike Oppenheimer Category: Life Stories Last Updated:
I was brought up in a Jewish home, observed Shabbat faithfully and celebrated the High Holy days at the temple and with family. I attended Hebrew school twice a week and was bar mitzvah and confirmed. While attending classes I asked a lot of questions about God that the rabbi could not answer. Though I continued each year, mainly to please my parents, I became less interested in traditional religion. Feeling hindered in my spiritual development, I leaped headfirst into my own brand of freestyle spirituality after high school graduation.…
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Rich Robinson: Coming In Through the Back Doorby Rich Robinson
Have you ever wondered what kind of a Jewish person would believe in Jesus? The answer is, all kinds. There are Jewish doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians, engineers and yes, scientists who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. They all had reasons why they would never believe... but they were willing to examine those reasons and more important, they were willing to ask God to show them the truth. Maybe one of their journeys will resonate with you.
One Way Outby Mike Oppenheimer Category: Life Stories Last Updated:
I was brought up in a Jewish home, observed Shabbat faithfully and celebrated the High Holy days at the temple and with family. I attended Hebrew school twice a week and was bar mitzvah and confirmed. While attending classes I asked a lot of questions about God that the rabbi could not answer. Though I continued each year, mainly to please my parents, I became less interested in traditional religion. Feeling hindered in my spiritual development, I leaped headfirst into my own brand of freestyle spirituality after high school graduation.…
Read more »
Rich Robinson: Coming In Through the Back Doorby Rich Robinson
Like many Jewish people, I was raised in a home where Jewishness was more cultural than religious. Our family celebrated Passover and Hanukkah at our home in Brooklyn, we went to the Temple on the High Holy Days, and several afternoons each week I would attend Hebrew school. This upbringing ensured that I would always know something about what it meant to be Jewish. But cultural awareness and religious faith are two different things, and God was basically peripheral to my life.…
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Zinaida Abramovna: A Daughter of Abrahamby Zinaida Abramovna
I was born in 1932 in Belarus. My parents were religious; they knew God. My father was a rabbi and was sent to prison for five years for conducting circumcision rituals. My father always took me to the synagogue, but I did not understand anything there. I only understood Yiddish. My father always prayed before meals, "Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu," then he dipped bread into salt and then we could eat.…
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Then I Met Messiahby Ceil Rosen
It was New Year's Eve, 1951. As I reached for a drinking glass in the shelf-lined pantry of our cold-water flat, I glanced out of the tiny window at the midnight sky. The light of one star in the southwest dazzled me with its brilliance. It beamed bigger and brighter than any star I had ever seen, and I thought, Maybe the Christmas star over Bethlehem looked like that." Then I realized that I, a Jew, halfway believed something I had always been taught was untrue.…
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Jack Sternberg: A Jewish Oncologist's Storyby Jack Sternberg
If the condition spread to my left eye, I would be blind. My medical career would be over, and life as I knew it would cease. I was afraid -- afraid and angry. I cursed God, figuring if he existed, he deserved it. I informed him -- or was it the air? -- that I would never believe in him until I understood his ways. "Who are you? What are you like? Why are you doing this when so many people you have allowed to have cancer depend on me? You must not exist!"…
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Dr. Richard Ganz: The Revival of a Rebel Jewby Richard Ganz
I spent my youth in a way that did not produce envy in my peers. Every afternoon, for five days a week, I studied the Hebrew Scriptures at Hebrew School. What a place to spend my youth, with Mr. Katz and with Mr. Bugatch! They seemed to think that learning Hebrew was not punishment enough, that they had to add their own particular sadistic enjoyment to our seemingly perpetual misery. Friday night and Saturday found me in the Synagogue worshipping. For a while, as I grew older, I worshipped evening and morning each day in the synagogue. Every day, I would rise before dawn and, before going to the morning service, would, in obedience to rabbinic tradition, put on tefillin - the boxes containing God's law – on my forehead and arm.…
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Moishe Rosen's Testimonyby Moishe Rosen
I wasn't looking for Jesus or God or anything ontological. I kept my nose to the grindstone. My goal in life was nothing big: I wanted to earn a good living and be able to afford a middle-class lifestyle. But even if I wasn't looking for Jesus, He was looking for me.…
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Jay Sekulow: How a Jewish Lawyer from Brooklyn Came to Believe in Jesusby Jay Sekulow
I came to the courtroom early, before the proceedings began. The podium was adjustable, right? I lowered it. I'm five feet, seven and a half inches tall and the last thing I needed was to be standing up on the tips of my toes to reach the podium!…
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Jews in Pakistan?!by Karl deSouza
There are Jews in Pakistan?!?" is the common reaction I get when I tell people I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. My father, a Catholic, was of Goan origin (Goa is a western province of India), and my mother comes from the Bene-Israel Jewish community in India/Pakistan. We moved to Quebec, Canada when I was about four years old.…
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My Life in Testimonyby Sally Klein O'Connor
I was born into a middle class, Jewish Amercian family, which would have made me a princess" except that my father was a florist, not a doctor. We celebrated almost all the traditional Jewish holidays in a superficial way. While I was taught there was a God, I never really knew him.…
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About RealTime
RealTime delivers breaking news and views on Jewish evangelism, as well as inspiring perspectives from executive director David Brickner. Check back often for the latest updates. You'll find reasons to praise—and opportunities for prayer.
Jews for Jesus
Your financial support, prayers and willingness to spread the Word make the work of Jews for Jesus possible. Please consider giving now to help share the gospel and introduce Jewish people to their Messiah. Thank you!
Make My Gift
Follow Jews for Jesus
About RealTime
RealTime delivers breaking news and views on Jewish evangelism, as well as inspiring perspectives from executive director David Brickner. Check back often for the latest updates. You'll find reasons to praise—and opportunities for prayer.
Jews for Jesus
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San Francisco, California 94102, United States
Phone 415-864-2600
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