Bagels and Blessings

Jesse & Irina Kauffman are the founders of Single 2 Married — a Spirit-filled, biblically grounded mentorship community helping singles prepare for marriage through healing, identity, and purpose.Jesse shares powerful wisdom from years of singleness, discipleship, and meeting Irina at age 40. Irina brings prophetic insight and a passion for restoration, helping women walk in strength and dignity — inside and out.Together, they guide others to discover their identity in Messiah and align with God's design for love and legacy.Before connection comes identity. Before marriage, preparation.#Single2Married #FaithFilledRelationships #GodsTiming #KingdomMarriage 

Mordechai “Moti” Vaknin was born in 1984 in Haifa, Israel, as the only child of an Orthodox Moroccan Jewish family. Growing up in a vibrant cultural and spiritual environment, Moti developed a deep appreciation for his heritage. As a young adult, he pursued radio broadcasting and served in the Israel Defense Forces from 2003 to 2006, gaining valuable life experience and discipline.In 2007, Moti traveled to the United States to follow his dream of becoming a photographer. While taking classes at Photo Manhattan in New York City, he worked as a kosher supervisor on the Upper West Side. During this transformative time, he encountered Chosen People Ministries and was challenged to read the Bible independently and seek a personal relationship with God. Through prayer, study, and reflection, Moti came to the conviction that Jesus (Yeshua) is the promised Jewish Messiah.Moti returned to Israel in 2010. Over the years, Moti has developed a thriving service ministry, working with youth, soldiers, and students across Israel. He and his wide Orel are devoted to sharing the good news with their fellow Israelis, with a special focus on mentoring young believers and equipping them to grow in their faith.Today, Moti continues to inspire and guide the next generation, helping new believers embrace their Messiah and encouraging others to explore the transformative truths of the Bible.

Ted Pearce is my returning guest. In this show he shares that his metaquest/virtual reality tour of Israel app is now live!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. Ted's 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.

Today I talked with Kristin Glazner and Judith Benhamou and they shared their plans for this summer‘s Jewish messianic vacation Bible school.Cristin Glasner is a Middle School Science Teacher that has been serving in education for 26 years. Along with a love for teaching Science she has a great love for Yeshua and his word. She has been serving in children's Ministry for 20 years, the last 3 years at Shema Yisrael. She is passionate about sharing with her students how much God loves them and how important it is to study his word through fun engaging lessons and crafts. Judith Benhamou has been working in Children's Ministry since 1985 teaching children ages 2 to 12.  She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood with an extension in Gifted and Talented Studies teaching school children and Directed children's programs throughout her career.  She has been a believer since 1973 and her desire is to create fun and engaging programs that help children discover the blessings of following the Lord.

 If there was an award for my most frequent guest, it would be Rabbi Ron Goldberg! He is my “Frequent Flyer!”  Catch my other podcasts on this site or on iTunes. Here's a little background:Rabbi Ron was raised Jewish. While in High School, Ron did two things Jewish people are not supposed to do. First, he began sneaking out to church. Second, he read the "forbidden" Jewish New Testament. As a result, Ron met the Jewish Jesus. In 1985 he spent several months in deprogramming where 2 counselors tried to get Ron to reject Yeshua as Messiah. This was unsuccessful and he has spent his life helping people meet the Jewish Jesus.   Some of Rabbi Ron's Experience:​Jews For Jesus Summer Campaign 1990Mentored & ordained by Jonathan Bernis.‘Hear O Israel' Outreach in Russia & IndiaLed a Messianic Congregation for 16 yearsCo-host of Messianic radio show for 5 yearsTaught in churches/colleges since 1986Trains people in sharing the Good News with Jewish PeopleIn this broadcast Rabbi Ron shared an update of what's happening with his family. 

Jacob is the congregational leader of Congregation Rebirth in North Orlando ( Longwood), Florida. He was once living in pursuit of his own desire and  Messiah Yeshua revealed His power and grace to him in 2009. He chose to follow Him, and the Lord called him up (Aliyah) to his Jewish heritage, faith, and purpose. With the help of God, while having ministerial leadership since 2010, he  achieved a BA in Business from Rollins College in 2018 and, from the IAMCS Yeshiva, a Certificate of Completion for Ordination in 2024. Lastly, he is a candidate for a Masters of Divinity from Liberty University. Rabbi Jacob's hope is simply to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Yeshua and to lead those God has called him to in remembrance of our shared Heritage in Messiah Yeshua. Jacob recently authored the book “The Unkosher Marshmallow.”

Daniah came to know the Lord in Rochester, New York under the leadership of Rabbi Jonathan Bernis and eventually, she and her husband Mark were sent out to lead a congregation in Syracuse, New York. The Lord let them on other adventures and they eventually ended up in Texas.  Sadly Mark passed away from vascular dementia in January, 2023.The Greenbergs followed God on a seven year mission to fulfill the vision of providing a new Family Bible with the brand new Biblical text, the Tree of Life Version (TLV), for both Jews and Christians together to inspire families to return to God of Israel through faith in Messiah Yeshua – Jesus.In this interview, Daniah shares her sadness at losing Mark and has a surprise announcement for us!

Dr. Michael Gabizon is associate professor of Jewish studies at Moody Bible Institute. He has a B.A. in Jewish studies from Moody Bible Institute, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from McMaster University.  He was raised in a Messianic Jewish household in Montreal, QC, and has been active in both ministry and academia. 

Shelly has been a believer in Yeshua for many years and has been to Israel four times. She has traveled through Guatemala, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Jordan, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Honduras and spent ten years teaching Science and Mathematics to Yupik, Cupik, and Inupiaq students in three very remote villages of Alaska. Many of her students became strong believers and have gone on to lead others to Yeshua.  Currently Shelly lives in Kent, Ohio with her mother and she still teaches Science and occasionally substitute teaches. 

Claudia Kiesinger is the National Coordinator for March of Remembrance. She has been part of the March of Life movement since 2007 with her own personal family history as descendant of Nazi perpetrators. She is also the representative of the UN Prayer Watch, a Christian prayer and advocacy initiative at the UN for Israel.

Macario has been in the Messianic Jewish Faith since he was three years old. He attended Wharton County Junior College and then Texas A&M-Corpus Christi where he led a Bible-Study teaching people about the Torah and how Yeshua lived. Macario received his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics. Currently Macario attends Congregation Beth Messiah (CBM) in Houston, Tx where he is one of three Directors for their online services, one of their stage Lighting Technicians, and is an active volunteer in other areas as well. Macario will dance in the CBM Men's Dance Team for this year's upcoming Passover Sedar hosted by CBM as he done for the past few years.  He also serves as an Aide/Chaperone for CBM's Youth Group and is a part of CBM's College & Career group. Macario is excited to see how else God intends to use him in the future. 

Debbie Bateman is a wife, mother, and grandmother of 3 amazing boys.    She is also a daughter, sister, and an aunt of 18 nieces and nephews. Her heritage is English, Irish, Scottish, Cherokee, German Jewish, Norman French. In addition to serving in L'Chaim Pro Life ministry,  she leads Israeli and Messianic Dance in their community and is very involved with her congregation.

Jeff Marcus was born in Brooklyn and went to Lawrence HS in Long Island. He attended Rider College, and Grad school at Trenton State. Jeff worked in the mental health field and in Special Education.  He has been married for 44 years, has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  Jeff became a believer 5+ years ago and currently attends Beth Zion Synagogue in Jackson, NJ.  He is currently retired and teaches chess to schools and also privately. 

Judith was raised in a Conservative Jewish home, attending Hebrew School at the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh and Adas Israel in Washington, DC. Her father's escape from Nazi Germany made her a student of the Holocaust, Antisemitism cast a long shadow over her life—shaping how she saw and understood history. Her love for Israel led her to question why the Palestinians hated the Jewish people, leading her on a journey that led her to the foot of the Cross. While she was a doctoral student she accepted Yeshua as her Messiah and Savior, recognizing that He is God, and has been with all who suffer in this Age of War. Her new book, Beauty for Ashes: Understanding the Israel-Hamas War (WestBow, 2024) analyzes the history of Zionism and the Palestinian Resistance from a faith perspective framed by her life of scholarship. This is the Age of Salvation—an age that offers hope to everyone in the time that remains.

Robert (Bob) came to faith as a young man of 17 after viewing the movie “A Thief in the Night” and has never looked back. He was often told that he had to have Jewish blood in his background because of his stance on scriptures (not Jewish as far as he knows). He found the Messianic movement in 2004 when Shoresh David opened a community in Lakeland Florida. He joined soon after and has loved learning about the Feasts of the Lord. Robert is presently making plans to record a new CD called “No Other Place.”Previously Robert spent six years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Force. He is currently the Worship leader and Elder at Etz Chayim Messianic Synagogue, Lakeland Fla.

Michelle Teeter grew up in a home where her faithful mother took her to church. In God's world there are no accidents. Almost 45 years ago many questions and many desires were put on her heart which led her to Messianic Judaism . Michelle‘s love of the arts was the inspiration for creating jewelry and items with a Hebraic flavor and Jewish heart.  “Inscribed on My Heart” was born with the idea of starting conversations. Michelle and Dave have been married 40 years, have four beautiful daughters and three grandchildren.

Adrianne Prosser is serving the ministry of Operation Exodus USA as the Outreach Development Director.  Adrianne responded to the Lord's call to work with Operation Exodus USA by joining their team of Intercessors in 2009 and volunteering. She has never looked back; her heart is to raise awareness for Operation Exodus USA and its purpose to assist Jewish people making Aliyah.  

Lydia Carlson is a Messianic believer, born in Israel. She was raised as a Catholic and married a Messianic Jew. Publicly, she declared that his people are her people. Lydia is a massage therapist of 30 yrs and now retired, living in Florida with her husband Harrison, who is also retired. The Carlsons are on a mission from God to share the Good News of Yeshua HaMashiach, who's returning to Jerusalem soon and very soon!

Tov and his parents came to faith in 1973 through the witness of several Christian families, making Tov a second-generation Jewish believer in Jesus. He's authored hundreds of articles and over thirty books. Tov is a husband and a father to two young people who love Messiah. Tov and his wife and have been through intense poverty, unemployment and have overcome many challenges. Beginning in 2022, Tov has been an academic Research Fellow with the Institute of Midrashic Studies of the New Testament, working on a Masters of Science in New Testament Research.

David Simon is an educator whose goal is to bring the Bible and its stories to life for his readers. He grew up in a Jewish family where his parents and teachers shared the importance of living a life that honors God. David's interest in spiritual matters led him to pursue an education. He earned a master's degree in history and religion. David lives in North Carolina and shares his love for God throughout the United States and beyond. He is the author of five books: Spring: Connecting with God; A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition; Advent Journeys; Israel: Stories for Your Journey; and The Case of the Missing Body. He expects to publish a new book, John's Apocalypse soon.

John McKee (B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary) is the editor of Messianic Apologetics, a division of Outreach Israel Ministries.He is a 2009 recipient of the Zondervan Biblical Languages Award for Greek. He is the author of numerous books and commentaries, dealing with a wide range of topics that are important for today's Messianic people.Since 2014, John has been a member in good standing at Eitz Chaim Messianic Congregation of Plano, TX, where he teaches the annual New Members Class. In 2019, John was licensed as a Messianic Teacher with the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS), and was officially ordained as a Messianic Teacher in 2022.He presently resides in McKinney, TX, just north of Dallas.

Natalia was born and grew up in Central Russia east of Moscow.  Her father was a Colonel and her mom is a math teacher. Natalia's Jewish grandmother on her mother's side, Havah, had to hide the fact that they were Jewish because her whole family was murdered in 1918. When Natalya was 13, she found out that she was born with a heart defect, and needed a heart surgery urgently. Right before surgery,  God sent her the same dream with John 3:16 in it 3 times.  She had never read the Bible before,  but believed God and prayed to receive Yeshua into her life right after those dreams.  She promised to follow Him and serve Him all the days of her life if He let her live after her surgery.  He gave her life and she has been serving Him since then. Today Natalia and her husband serve at City of David Messianic Congregation in Toronto, Canada.

Brittany was a preacher's daughter and grew up in a non-denominational church.  As an adult she began to learn about the importance of keeping the Sabbath and began to re-read the Ten Commandments.  She eventually left her father's church and became part of Tikvat Yisrael in Chesterland, Ohio.Brittany left her conventional hospital job as a nurse, not knowing what to do.  She went the functional  medicine route and that didn't quite do it for her either.  Then God gave her a passion to want to help people spiritually but incorporate physical healing as well.  Brittany disciples women in becoming spiritually and physically healed, to have a more abundant life that Yeshua called for us..  Her business name is "Holyistic Healing," and her motto is "by His wounds we are healed...to have an abundant life!"

 Growing up in the suburbs of a small town on the east coast of the United States, Carmen Patches was led to a relationship with the Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua, at a crisis pregnancy center at the age of seventeen. She soon married and proceeded to have eleven children to teach and train up.     Carmen has written a children's series about God's redemptive plan of salvation based on the feast days found in Leviticus 23 in rhyme.  This book series has started with the creation story with the book BIG HOORAYS - God's Creation Days, which goes through the days of creation in a fun and engaging way.​     Grandma Patches' desire is that these books will be used as an encouragement to young believers and families everywhere. They are designed to undergird the them and bolster them in their faith in the Messiah and the promises HE has for those who trust in HIM.

 Nancy Santiago is a Messianic Jewish musician, composer, worship leader and prayer minister.  She is also the sister of Rebbitzin Debbie Chernoff (the wife of Rabbi David Chernoff).  Nancy accepted Yeshua when she was 18 years old. She and her husband Tomas served as chaplains in a nursing home for 15 years and are now directors of a ministry called Songs of Comfort. They have 4 children, and 5 beautiful grandchildren. Nancy leads intercession and worship for Israel and speaks to groups about God's heart for the Jewish people, their call to pray for Israel and about the Jewish Roots of the Christian faith.  She is an anointed singer and guitar player and her songs are often played on Bagels and Blessings.   

Rabbi David grew up in a Jewish family in Passaic, NJ.  As a young man he had no knowledge of Yeshua.  One day while walking to synagogue he passed by a big church and walked in to see what it was like.  He was horrified to see the body of Jesus on a cross and left in a hurry, feeling very uncomfortable.His brother Jan had several health issues, and one day announced to the family that he had found Jesus.  David was furious and when he stood up, Jan simply put his hands up and "something" threw David back against the wall.  His brother hadn't touched him at all.  Jan had been completely healed and David knew something was going on.   He wanted to know more.  He began to visit a Pentecostal church with his brother, accepted the Lord and was instantly cured from demonic thoughts about himself.  Rabbi David learned the importance of daily Bible devotions.Eventually he and his wife Helene became the Rabbi and Rebetzin of Shuva Yisrael Congregation in Plainview, NY.   Two of their sons are Messianic Rabbis and one is an inhalation therapist in the Navy.Today they are retired and live in the Chicago, IL area.  They are the proud grandparents of six children.

Greg's father was a Russian-Polish Jew and his mother is Italian-American.  Greg remembers accepting Yeshua while visiting his grandmother's church at eight years of age. As a teenager and college student, Greg attended a wide variety of churches.  He also gained proficiency in gospel music during these years.  Greg graduated from college at the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in both Vocal Jazz & Gospel Music as well as Psychology.In 2001, while studying classical choral conducting for a Master's degree at Temple University, Greg was invited by a friend to visit Congregation Beth Yeshua, one of the flagship Messianic synagogues in the United States.  From the moment he arrived, he felt spiritually as though he had “come home.” Greg ministered full-time at Congregation Beth Yeshua from 2004-2010.  In Summer of 2010, the Silverman family moved out west to Tucson, Arizona. Greg had been accepted with full scholarship into the prestigious University of Arizona doctoral program in Choral Conducting.  Dr. Greg Silverman completed the doctoral degree in December 2013.  He served as a Music Professor and Choral Conductor at Eastern University.  Dr. Greg presently is the President of his own ministry as well as the Director of Worship Arts at Desert Hope Lutheran Church in Tucson (www.deserthope.org).  As part of his work in Silverman Ministries, Inc., Dr. Greg offers worship concerts, recordings, and training for other worship leaders and artists.  Visit https://gregsilverman.com/about/ministry to learn more about Silverman Ministries, Inc.

Lisa and her husband Scott are the head of the musical group "The Nesbitts."  With ancestral origins from Scotland and Ireland nearly a millennia ago, The Nesbitts and their music ultimately migrated to America and settled in the Hills of Tennessee where, today, their Old World heritage continues to shape their songs.Fronted by Scott Nesbitt on lead vocals and guitar, Lisa Nesbitt on tambourine and vocals, Megan Nesbitt on bass, guitar, and vocals, Sarah Nesbitt on violin and vocals, and Mikel Nesbitt on drums/percussion.The Nesbitts' debut album "Sweet Surrender" weaves a tapestry of musical influences that include Americana, Country Gospel, Scottish-Irish Roots and Messianic Mountain Soul to give the listener a rich and authentic worship experience.  In this interview Lisa shares her faith journey and her love for the Jewish people.

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine was raised in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood in Massachusetts.  She grew up with an appreciation for many aspects of the Christian tradition, though she was raised in a Jewish home.She completed her undergraduate work at Smith College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and held honors in both religion and English She earned her doctorate at Duke University.She has held office in the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies.Her publications include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperSanFrancisco, 2006), the edited collection, The Historical Jesus in Context (Princeton University Press, 2006), and the 14-volume Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writings (Continuum).  Dr. Levine has also written Jesus for Everyone:  Not Just Christians.Dr. Levine does not yet profess a belief in Yeshua, but holds Him in high esteem and encourages others to do so.  

Paul Leon Samuels is the son of Jewish refugees from the Russian pogroms under the Czar. Born in South Bronx, he is a proud first-generation American. The pain and challenges of his early life have given birth to his creative writing through poetry and books, as well as public speaking. He has traveled the world with World Vision, Mercy Ships, Messianic Jewish Alliance, and Youth With A Mission. Paul is a co-facilitator for peer-to-peer support groups, affiliated with the national Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. Arlene Bridges Samuels pioneered Christian outreach for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). After nine years she retired and later worked part-time with International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA. Arlene is now an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel and writes a weekly column at CBN ISRAEL. She has often traveled to Israel, including being invited three times by Israel' s Government Press Office to their annual Christian Media Summit. Read more of her articles on her CBN Israel blog. They are the joint authors of "Mental Health Meltdown," illuminating the voices of bipolar and other mental illnesses.

Joshua Pearsaul is the worship leader at Congregation Zion's Sake Messianic Synagogue. At 28, he has a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Master's of Science in Management. He has performed in choirs, musicals, operas, jazz bands, and various congregational worship settings. Joshua has released his own music on various streaming platforms, and looks to create much more in the days to come. He has a passion for leading and mentoring teams and individuals about life, music, God, band dynamics, and worship. His Joshua's zeal to accomplish the Lord's will for his life in Yeshua is his driving force.

BJ Harris was born in New York, but grew up in the south where he experienced much antisemitism. In college, he began doing drugs and writing music, taking up guitar as an alternative to going to classes. At 19 he accidentally found himself a teenage atheist in Israel, which had a profound affect on his life. In his senior year in college BJ had an encounter with the Spirit of the God he did not believe in, which turned him into a seeker of the supernatural, where he wandered through many experiences before a dramatic encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ended a 10 year journey seeking the way the truth, and the life!  BJ had the honor and privilege to lead Baht Rivka Whitten to the Lord many years ago. 

Ron Neumann was born into a Jewish Home in NYC. His father was a Holocaust survivor, and his grandmother was murdered at the Auschwitz death camp. Ron served in Vietnam and received the combat infantryman's badge. Later a co-worker at Sears led Ron to the Lord. He also attended Bible college and later formed a successful insurance company. During that time Ron also served as a voluntary missionary with Jews for Jesus. In 2017 the Lord led Ron to form the Jewish followers of Jesus ministry of which he serves as the Director of this exciting Evangelistic ministry. The primary focus of this ministry is to lead as many Jewish people to the Lord as possible. The ministryconducts many outreaches at the numerous art festivals in Florida and rents a booth at a Large Flea Market in Melbourne Florida Many Jewish and non-Jewish people have come to the Lord through this exciting ministryRon and his wife Linda currently live in Melbourne FL and in Israel.  They were evacuated by the state of Florida about eight days after the war began on October 7th 2023 The ministry has just released a 4 1/2 minute professionally produced documentary that can be used to witness to Jewish people which includes an invitation to be saved.Watch and share this moviehttps://youtu.be/5d8K1oYd3pAPlease Visit his website  at  jfoj.org. 

Patricia Solveson is a baby boomer and a former hippie who ended up in the new age movements and occultism.  Trapped by dark powers that turned into a suicidal depression, she turned to the living God and He rescued her from the darkness and brought her into a new life that included sharing her new life through art.  Patricia took her art to Israel and fell in love with the people of Israel and began to paint murals of the Bible. She painted a 400 foot mural in Jerusalem where many people-  Jews and Gentiles-  come to visit.  Patricia is the author of “ArtCry Memoirs of a Mural Painter.”

Kathy grew up in a Roman Catholic household. Although she heard about God and Jesus, she had no idea if they were real.That was about to change. On May 15th, 1979, her father suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He was only 51 years old, and she was just 23. Devastated by his death, she began to search for God with all her heart, and she found Him.Kathy gave her life to Jesus on March 31st, 1980, which happened to be the eve of Passover! Fast forward two years, and she was attending a Pentecostal church where a pastor from Israel came to speak.His message was “Our Debt to the Jew.” While he was speaking, the power of the Holy Spirit came upon her, and she heard the Lord say to her, “I have called you to the Jew first.” At that very moment, Yeshua birthed a love for His people in her.Since then, He has opened many effectual doors for Kathy to witness to Jewish people.She visited Israel in 1988 and hopes to go back again one day. Kathy can truly testify that if you bless the Jew, you will be blessed.

Sonia Bihary majored in music at Oberlin College. She found the Lord and began writing songs to Him. She has been leading worship, beginning in churches and for the last 15 years at Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio. She has a husband, Rick, who plays on her worship team, three sons, and four grandchildren. She also leads two prayer groups for Tikvat and for Israel. God is the strength of her life as she tministers to others.

Melanie was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a graduate of Brooklyn College. At 23 years old, a Jewish friend showed her only from the Tenach that Jesus, Yeshua, was the Promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. Melanie moved to Israel 8 years ago with her husband, Gary. They are both believers in Yeshua. Melanie has been walking with the Lord for over 40 years!  Today we discuss her book “A Daughter of the Holocaust,” which tells her father's story of survival during the Holocaust.  She uses her maiden name for the book, “Melanie Sol.”  Melanie is the mother of four children and a grandmother of three. 

It was great to talk to Barri. It had been several years since we had done an interview.Messianic believer Barri Cae Seif (formerly Mallin) is an instructor, author, and theologian. She is also an Associate Professor and Director of Online Teaching Effectiveness with Grace Christian University.  Barri holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary. She earned an MBA from Amberton University with a concentration in General Management. She earned a BA in Psychology at Stephens College.Her published works include four devotionals, Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, The Name – HaShem Daily Devotional Worship, There's Just Something About That Name, Midbar Missives, Wilderness Devotionals.She currently resides in Ovilla, Texas, with her husband, Dr. Jeffrey L Seif. They are the proud parents of two kitty cats, Holly and Hodu. Their favorite past-time is riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. 

Garry had a typical secular Jewish upbringing.  He attended Sunday school at a reformed congregation in the northeast, and had a couple years of Hebrew school but no bar mitzvah.   He stopped going to temple altogether at age 25, and didn't go again until 33 years later, when an evangelical friend talked him into attending an Erev Shabbat service at a nearby Messianic congregation.  At that service, Garry received the invitation to know his  Messiah, and accepted.  That was the beginning of his spiritual journey, and according to Garry, “the adventure continues today…”

Cathy fell in love with Yeshua as a young child and was raised in the Mormon faith. She always felt drawn to the Old Testament. As a child, she read itover and over multiple times, so in her mind, she felt like she was camping with the Israelites as they were traveling through the desert, so she just felt a realconnection to the Jewish people her whole life.After a trip to Israel, sherealized that Yeshua was Jewish, and that she is Jewish in her heart. Cathy realizedthat Yeshua died for the whole world, and as a believer, if she really wanted to become Christ-like and become more like Yeshua, she needed to celebrate the holidays that Yeshua celebrated, speak the language that Yeshua spoke,and live the  lifestyle that Yeshua lived.Cathy currently lives in Akron Ohio, works as a hospice chaplain and attends a Messianic synagogue in Cleveland Ohio. 

Austin was raised within the Messianic movement in Southern California. His parents became believers in Yeshua soon after they got married, about ten years before they had Austin. He didn't come to faith immediately, but the one defining aspect that made him come to faith and accept Yeshua was thinking about what is going to happen to him after he dies? That just got him to investigate the Scriptures and investigate the story of Yeshua and the Gospel. He made the decision when he was about 10 or 11 years old, and the rest is history. 

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 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.

Monica Di Francesco is an author, certified trauma-informed emotional wellness coach and marriage mentor with a love for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His people. She facilitates weekly emotional wellness support groups and a monthly new moon/month meeting. Order her book here:  A Journey From Abuse to Abounding: Honour Your Feelings, Find Your Way, Spread Your Wings https://a.co/d/1Sl1p1J

Paul Liberman became a believer in the Messiah in 1971. He was instrumental in founding two Messianic Congregations; Beth Messiah Messianic Congregation in Washington, D.C. and Tree of Life in San Diego, California.  He also served as a congregational leader at Beit Asaph in Netanya, Israel, when he resided in the Land for nine years.  There, he was the Executive Director of The Joseph Project, Ltd. (humanitarian aid importer), and was elected Chairman of the Messianic Political Action Committee.  For five years, he served as the Executive Director of the International Messianic Alliance.  Paul was also the publisher of “The Messianic Times” newspaper for six years, a founding board member of MAOZ, Inc. (Israel) and is a past President of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America.  Currently he is the leader of Ohav Shalom Messianic Congregation in Palm Springs, California. He is the author of “The Fig Tree Blossoms” and “Don't Call Me Christian.”

How did I learn about Yeshua?  In today's broadcast I share my testimony and some original music. I grew up in a Jewish home in Richmond, VA and studied Hebrew for five years. I was always drawn to astrology and the occult. Even after singing Handel's Messiah with the Richmond Symphony Chorus, I had no idea what it was all about as I had never read Isaiah 9. While attending college in Richmond, I was handed a tract that said “Jews for Jesus,” but I was scared and shocked to even look at it, and I threw it in the trash. A hew years later here in Rochester, I met a lady who shared the gospel with me and I got up enough courage to look in a New Testament for the first time. I was delightfully surprised to find out that it had many references to King David and it was not anti-Semitic. I discovered that Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fulfill the law and not to change it and I learned that the last supper was a passover Seder and that the disciples were Jewish. I renounced and repented from participation with the occult and I accepted Yeshua into my heart in 1976. I have never looked back. 

Sally Klein O'Connor is a Messianic Jew who studied music and graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Afterward, Sally served as a freelance writer/reviewer for the nationally distributed Music Connection Magazine. In November 1982 Sally met Michael, her husband, in a songwriting class. Drawn to each other's lyrics they began an unlikely collaboration from which sprang 3 daughters, many more songs, and a music ministry called Improbable People Ministries. In between concert tours, Sally currently hosts an internet TV show on HSBN (Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network) called "Love Stories," and leads a special project called A Tour of Roses, which is an international outreach of healing and reconciliation. 

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.

Cindy grew up in the southern part of New Jersey and lived in Albany, New York for almost eighteen years before moving to Florida three years ago. She has two Associates degrees, one inApplied Science and one in Health Services Administration. She went on to complete herBachelor's degree in Health Services Administration and currently works as an Office and Compliance Manager in healthcare. Before going into healthcare, Cindy spent twenty-six years in banking finance where she was a mid-level manager.Cindy's greatest joy is music and worshiping the Lord. She spent thirteen years singing with aministry group called Kol Simcha which means Sound of Joy in Hebrew. Cindy hadopportunities to minister with Kol Simcha all over the world and saw hundreds of people cometo know Yeshua (Jesus) as their Lord and Savior.Cindy has recently started writing her testimony and is a contributing author in an Amazon #1Best Selling Book called “Hope Alive Debilitated to Exhilarated with God”. She continues towrite and share what God has done in her life in a book called “When Lightening Strikes Twice”.It is Cindy's prayer that anyone who hears her voice or reads her words will hear the voice of theLord or see with words of the Lord and feel encouraged and get healed.

Ted came to faith in Messiah during his college years. He was raised with a Jewish father and Thai mother. Ted didn't get a Bar Mitzvah nor did his family attend temple on Shabbat or High Holy Days. Although Ted's father married his mother with no intention to have her convert to Judaism, his parents decided to raise him and his brother Jewish anyway. The only thing that identified him as Jewish throughout his childhood and teenage years was celebrating Chanukah for the sake of presents. Ted came to faith in the Messiah with no knowledge of Judaism. Upon coming to Yeshua, he became very zealous for God and gained a deep hunger to learn about the Word of God and Torah, and about his roots. Over the years, as he grew in the grace and knowledge of God, he picked up more of a Jewish education than he did being born and raised Jewish. To this day Ted still continues to learn and grow in Him. 

Ryan is an author, speaker and teacher and describes himself as a thinker, writer, teacher, and bridge builder.He loves to explore game-changing ideas in leadership, relationships, health, personal growth, and spirituality - especially in the areas of Jewish-Christian relations, education, and bridge-building. His journey includes various stops that have prepared him for what he is doing today. He has been a public school teacher, a college baseball coach, a marketing and public relations director, and a leader in Jewish-Christian education and relations. He has recently published a book about Paul, "The Weird Apostle: The Strange Jewish Mission of a Global Game Changer." Ryan and his wife live in Roswell, Georgia.