Beckah credits her mother, who was raised in a Jewish family, as being a key influence in her spiritual development.  In her early 20's she was at an all time low and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and joined a cover band.  While there she began to feel an empitness creeping in, she was searching for a home.  She searched online for a church then attended the worship service there.  Beckah says, "During the worship service, I was crying out to the Lord, 'Make a way out for me. I'm so sorry." In 2010 she accumulated two consecutive Top 10 hits at CHR radio for "Here in This Moment" and "Life" and was featured as iTunes "Discovery Download" of the week.  She also was nominated for a Dove Award in 2011 under the category of Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Life."   Together with her husband, producer, Jack Shocklee, they have produced over a dozen full length albums. They reside in Nashville with their three daughters Joy, Grace and Hope. 

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, CA.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, was the publisher of “The Messianic Times” newspaper for six years, a founding board member of MAOZ, Inc. (Israel), former Executive Director of the Alliance for Israel Advocacy, and past President of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA).In September of 2023, He received a Lifetime Achievement award from the MJAA, and was recently elected President of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance, at their annual meeting in October. His greatest achievements are still unchanged, the husband to one, the father of two and the leader of many, at Ohav Shalom Messianic Congregation, in Cathedral City, California.

Yeshua was after Debbie for a very long time, but she just didn’t know it. Her brother’s changed behavior and suggestions put her on a path of researching about Yeshua and trying to understand her brother’s decision to become a believer. It took her a year and 1/2 to read and research the truth in the word. It was so loud and clear to her and she knew that she was on the right path based totally on the word of Adonai. 

Becca is the granddaughter of Austrian Holocaust survivors. She grew up in Philadelphia, where she attended Congregation Beth Yeshua. It was there, at the end of ninth grade, that she made a defining commitment in her heart to the Lord.Formerly with the musical group Kol Simcha, Becca traveled the world, ministering in Russia and Ukraine alongside Jewish Voice Ministries and later in Israel. Amidst her travels, she also completed her degree in Communications at Temple University.Becca lived in Israel for 15 years where she was a vital part of the worship team at Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv.Now living in Tampa, Florida, with her husband Yosi and their two children, Noa and Eden, Becca has returned to her roots in a new way. She currently serves as the Worship Leader at Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue, a congregation led by her father.Becca is the granddaughter of Austrian Holocaust survivors. She grew up in Philadelphia, where she attended Congregation Beth Yeshua. It was there, at the end of ninth grade, that she made a defining commitment in her heart to the Lord.Formerly with the musical group Kol Simcha, Becca traveled the world, ministering in Russia and Ukraine alongside Jewish Voice Ministries and later in Israel. Amidst her travels, she also completed her degree in Communications at Temple University.Becca lived in Israel for 15 years where she was a vital part of the worship team at Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv.Now living in Tampa, Florida, with her husband Yosi and their two children, Noa and Eden, Becca has returned to her roots in a new way. She currently serves as the Worship Leader at Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue, a congregation led by her father.  She is currently working on a documentary called Stones of Witness which is a collection of stories about Messianic believers. Stay tuned for much more from this talented young lady!

Here’s the story of a young man who found his Jewish Messiah.  Dave Wisotsky is a Jewish believer in Jesus who grew up in a Reform Jewish household in New Jersey. After encountering the Lord in 2023, he left a career in finance in NYC to become an evangelist.  Also enjoy music  from Jonathan Settel, Ted Pearce, Beckah Shae, Paul Wilbur, Marty and Misha Goetz and John Waller.

Today's program was like sitting down with a good friend over a cup of coffee and talking about world events and God’s promises. It was wonderful to have Rabbi Eric on Bagels and Blessings again. Rabbi Eric was raised in a traditional Jewish home.While serving in the US Navy, Rabbi Eric was challenged by a believer in Yeshua to study the Scriptures until he found answers within them. While searching the Hebrew Scriptures, Rabbi Eric found belief in Yeshua as the promised Messiah of Israel which brought answers to all of the questions he had. It is now over 33 years ago.  Since then Rabbi Eric studied to become an ordained Rabbi in the IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues). He has served as a Rabbi in Mobile, Alabama. He also helped to establish five synagogues across the Gulf Coast in Slidell, Louisiana; Bayou La Batre, Alabama; Spanish Fort, Alabama; Navarre, Florida, and Brit Ahm Messianic Synagogue in Pensacola, Florida, where he serves as Rabbi today. Rabbi Eric has been married for 44 years to his wife Pammy. Rabbi Eric is also the author of many books, including:Simple Shabbat Siddur: Guide to a Restful, Peace-filled, Traditional Shabbat, But... The Power of One Word, God Has No Plan B: With Over 45 Other Lessons and15 Ways Ministry is killing Ministry.

Ava Batts was raised in a gentile home and in later years discovered the Jewish roots of her faith.   That's when she fell in love with the Jewish Messiah Yeshua!   Ava runs the Fig Tree Book Store at our congregation and is very involved in outreach to the homeless, to women's shelters and is often on the streets of Rochester sharing the good news of Yeshua!Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life.  Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life.  Elizabeth Appel has been part of the Messianic movement since she was 11 years old. She has worked for Congregation Shema Yisrael since 2011, starting in the Fig Tree Bookstore and moving into her current position a few years later. Elizabeth believes that God still heals, and that all of God’s promises are still relevant for today. Elizabeth is divorced, and is looking forward to what God has in store for her for the rest of her life. 

I’ve waited a few years to interview this talented young man and finally got to do a phone interview with him last month. He is an anointed worship leader from Israel and his band Solu produces fabulous Messianic worship. Shilo Ben Hod is a native Jewish Israeli born in Jerusalem, and raised in a Messianic family.Shilo grew up in the Israeli culture, and later on at age 18 he was enlisted into the army, where he served for 3 years. During his service, at age 19 Shilo got married to his then 18 year old wife, Sarah. After finishing his service, Shilo and Sarah started traveling the world ministering in worship and prayer and teaching about Israel. Shilo is part of the Fellowship Of Artists – an Israeli worship label with a vision to support and produce worship music for Israelis and the whole world!Shilo and his band Solu lead worship regulary in national and international events, and teach about worship and prayer, in different places across Israel and the nations.

Chris leads Friends of Israel (FOI)’s ministry in the United States and Canada. After graduating from the Institute of Jewish Studies, he received his B.S. in Bible from Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University) and a Master’s of Theology in Old Testament studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Chris serves as host and teacher of The Friends of Israel Today radio program, contributes an editorial to their bi-monthly publication, Israel My Glory, and teaches at conferences and churches throughout the United States.

Tuvya Zaretsky is one of the founders of the Jews for Jesus ministry, beginning his service in February 1974. He was raised in Northern California in the institutions of American Judaism. And he came to believe in Yeshua (Jesus) in 1970.During his career, Tuvya has provided leadership of Jews for Jesus branches in Chicago, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Tel Aviv. Tuvya is also the founder of JewishGentileCouples.com, a free counseling service for intercultural couples, operating out of the Jews for Jesus LA branch.Tuvya earned an M.A. Missiology in Judaic Studies at The Fuller Seminary School for World Mission and the Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is married to Ellen, who is also a Jewish Believer in Jesus. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

Today we had another “ask the Rabbi” session!  Rabbi Jim explained why Messianic Jews still celebrate Yom Kippor and other Jewish holidays.   Rabbi Jim is our Rabbi at Congregation Shema Yisrael in Rochester, New York. 

Rachel has worked at several synagogues teaching Hebrew, and interned with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice after college. She founded and currently leads the young professionals group and co leads the drama club at her home congregation, Eitz Chaim Messianic Congregation in Plano, Texas. When she’s not serving at Eitz Chaim she works as a lawyer for the leading travel software and technology company. Rachel also enjoys escaping the city to go hike mountains and explore our National Parks.  

David “Moose” Garrett and his wife, Kathleen, have served on staff with Jews for Jesus since 1981. David has served in a variety of positions including ministry to young people for over 30 years. He currently serves as Director of the Alumni Ministry. The Garretts have two married daughters, Virginia and Monica, and eight little friends.

Rabbi Michael Shorb is a third generation Messianic Jew.  Even though he was raised in a believing home, his own personal faith and commitment to the L-rd didn’t come until much later.  While in the service, he became friends with a believer and while visiting his friend’s farm, he heard the friend’s mother, a devout believer, praying for him and calling out his name before the Lord. God began to place people in Shorb’s life who would pray for him, minister to him, and eventually he surrendered to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The Lord called him to reach Russian speaking Jews.  He went to Kyiv and he traveled to Ukraine four times a year, where he became a member of the world's largest Messianic congregation in Kyiv.  While in Ukraine, Rabbi Michael went into prisons and to rehab centers.  He experienced the casting out of demons and those who were instantly healed from drug addiction.  But the Lord showed him that his true calling was to be in his own home, near Baltimore, Maryland. Rabbi Michael had visited Israel and had pondered making Aliyah, but he clearly heard the Lord tell him to go home to his people in Maryland, where there are approximately 250,000 Russian-speaking Jews.  The Lord impressed on him that if all the believing Jews left, who would teach his people? Rabbi Michael's Congregation, Beit Chesed (House of Mercy), is located in Baltimore County in Reisterstown, Maryland. 

Rabbi Jim Appel has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shema Yisrael since 1996 and a Jewish follower of Yeshua since 1977. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues. Rabbi Jim previously worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y., for 24 years as an optical engineer and engineering manager. He holds more than 45 patents in the areas of copier imaging systems and laser printing. Rabbi Jim received a bachelor’s degree in optical engineering from the University of Rochester in 1967 and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Southern California in 1970. Rabbi Jim decided to follow Yeshua after a long spiritual search. He grew up with parents who taught him that G-d did not exist and organized religion deceived and oppressed people. In 1967, after completing college, Jim became disillusioned with life as an atheist.  He rejected his parent’s teachings and began his search for spiritual reality. This search took him into the world of mind-altering drugs and yoga meditation, and ended with a dramatic encounter with Yeshua the Messiah, who revealed himself to Rabbi Jim in the privacy of his bedroom without the assistance of any other person. Rabbi Jim and his wife, Diane, live in Brighton, and they have two grown children.

Rebbetzin (Rabbi’s wife) Candyce Hyslip is passionate about seeing the revival of our Jewish people manifest through healthy Kingdom relationships. She believes that wholehearted surrender and relational transparency are key to maturing in our identity in the LORD. Through her teaching, worship, written devotionals, community events, and hospitality she intentionally fosters a safe environment that deepens connection with the LORD and each other. It is within this atmosphere that healing, encouragement, and empowerment is appropriated to fulfill the unique calling God has created for each of us.

A Gentile believer who loves Yeshua found himself trapped in Israel October 7, 2023. I hope you enjoy this exciting interview! Elias Duran was born in New York City, has been happily Married for 36 years and is the father of three children - a boy and two girls. Elias is a carpenter and floor installer in New York.  He loves the Lord and loves to travel around the world. His favorite place is Israel where he has been seven times.  In this interview, Elias shares what happened when he was in Israel during the events of October 7, 2023. He is looking forward to returning to Israel.

Gloria is a Messianic Jew living in Texas, but her story begins in Nigeria where she was born and raised. At the age of 12, a neighbor faithfully stopped by her home after school each day for 3 years, getting her to memorize the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). Through that simple act of love, she came to faith in the Messiah — a decision that has shaped her life ever since.Today, Gloria is a wife, a mom of three, and a CPA who runs her own accounting firm in Texas. She loves using both her faith and her professional gifts to encourage and serve others, and she’s passionate about sharing the hope of the Messiah with everyone she meets. She’s been on multiple mission trips to the middle east, and especially carries a burden for the persecuted church in “unreached places” like North Korea and much of the Islamic world.

Kathi’s parents were good moral people, but did not take her to church until she was in high school.  Having no Biblical foundation other than hymns, Kathi strayed from that good moral standard of her parents and became addicted to pornography (men aren’t the only ones) and a critical spirit. Full of guilt and shame, she joined a Bible Study where these precious older ladies loved her into the kingdom. In 1979, Kathi surrendered  to Yeshua and has been following hard after Him ever since. She has been involved in the ministry of prayer in various forms over many years. After a prayer mission to Israel during Sukkot in 2005, Kathi started attending Or Ha Olam in Kansas City, where she serves on the prayer ministry team, facilitator for the women’s Havurah and oneg team. She is also involved in her local county politics and leads a prayer group for her county.  One of HaShem’s great gifts to Kathi is a good sense of humor and joy. She is widowed, but lives minutes away from her only child and his family. God is so Good!

Tevon Varlack lives in Houston TX with his wife pastor Omon Varlack. They are newly appointed head pastors at the Church of God of Prophecy in Brazoria TX. Along with writing, Tevon also is a musician. Don't be surprised if you hear a shofar or steelpan or a trumpet ringing out at your local grocery store parking lot, malls, street corner, city parks or wherever! Tevon and his wife are committed to  evangelism in the community. They have hosted multiple apartment praise party events and 12 hr worship services. The Great Commission is the scripture that fuels their passion.