We are so excited to be in South Africa! We’re about to begin our first full-scale Medical Clinic there. Although our Africa team is already on site preparing, our Outreach Partners and some of our staff are still traveling as this email arrives in your inbox.

We know excitement is not enough for a successful Outreach. That’s why your prayers are so important.

Ways to Pray

Here’s how you can pray focused prayers that hit the mark for this ground-breaking Outreach to the many Lemba Jewish people in this new-to-us area.

• Use these detailed DAY-BY-DAY Prayer Points to pray along with us throughout the week
• Commit to a specific time slot to pray from home during the Outreach.  SIGN UP on our Prayer Schedule, referring to the dates below.

Here are some things you can pray for us about this Outreach in

Dikgale, South Africa | March 27 – April 6

Before the Outreach

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

— Isaiah 40:3 (NKJV)

Wednesday, March 26

• All preparations to be fully in place, such as VISAS, medical supplies, site readiness, team unity and community relationships
• Protection, health, safety and favor as our team and partners prepare and travel
• Spiritual forces of darkness to flee, making way for the King of Glory to come with salvation, healing, and deliverance as the Lord prepares the spiritual atmosphere and hearts to receive Him

 Thursday, March 27

• All Outreach team members, partners and their luggage to arrive safely and on time
• Each participant to lay aside thoughts of what the week will look like and seek the Lord for how He plans to use them
• Quick adjustment to the new surroundings, food, culture, and time zone

Friday, March 28

• Unity and fellowship to be established and grow as the team and partners enjoy a wonderful Erev Shabbat meal together tonight
• A clear and inspiring welcome meeting
• A fantastic night’s sleep in preparation for an active week

Saturday, March 29

• A meaningful Shabbat service in the morning that will bring shalom and orient everyone’s hearts for the week
• Successful, clear, and anointed Clinic and Spiritual Care Ministry orientations today
• God’s angel armies to push back the forces of darkness, enabling the seeds of the Good News to go deep into good soil and bear lasting fruit throughout the week and beyond

During the Outreach

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18).

Sunday, March 30

• The Lord to hand-pick the local workers who will work alongside us in unity; may their lives also be touched by the Lord
• A sense of anticipation, hope, and trust in the Lord as the Clinic opens for a half-day today
• May the community not only hear about the Outreach but come in large numbers starting today and continuing through the week
• The Lord to give our team wisdom and discernment regarding any local factors that we may need to navigate

Monday, March 31

• New partners to feel equipped and encouraged during the First-Time _Outreach Partner meeting tonight
• This first full day of the Outreach to go smoothly and, more importantly, be effective in treating bodies and transforming lives through the Good News of Yeshua
• The Zehra Kid’s Program to be ideally situated, fully staffed, and incredibly fruitful in drawing children and teens to God

Tuesday, April 1

• May the Spiritual Care Ministry be busy throughout the week with healings, deliverances, and salvations as the Lord moves in power through His Word and the Holy Spirit
• Spiritual anointing and physical stamina for those ministering in that area
• The new well Jewish Voice Ministries will drill to serve the community and be a source of fresh water and community health and well-being

Wednesday, April 2

• The medical and dental volunteers to provide effective medical and dental care; and for the Lord to bring healing, including supernaturally as a testimony of His power and love
• May the evening worship time with a South African worship leader be filled with the presence of the Lord, bringing renewal and refreshment to all team members
• May the Lord Himself be glorified by the worship and may the forces of darkness flee in response to Him being lifted high

Thursday, April 3

• On this last day of the Medical Clinic, which is only a half day, may those in greatest need of medical or spiritual care either be seen or spontaneously healed
• Safety in taking down and packing up the Outreach tents and equipment Calm to prevail as our staff pays the local workers; along with the financial benefit, may they also (and more importantly) leave with great spiritual blessings because of being exposed to the Good News and the ministry of the Holy Spirit

After the Outreach

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Messiah] Jesus” (Philippians 1:4–6).

Friday, April 4

• A sacred and welcome Shabbat at the end of a week of ministering out of love
• Joyous and inspiring testimonies as each participant reflects on and shares about all the Lord has done during the week
• May each one sense the Lord saying to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Saturday, April 5

• The Jewish people of this community to be profoundly blessed because of the Outreach and recognize it as evidence that the Lord sees and values them
• May they also have an enlarged sense of the significance of their Jewish identity and live it out with intention
• That the rest of the community would begin to see their Jewish neighbors as people not just to be tolerated but valued and appreciated. May they learn about the Lord’s heart for the Jewish people in a meaningful way and take it to heart themselves

Sunday, April 6 and beyond

• Safe travels home
• A special outpouring of grace for everyone who served by honoring the Lord and loving the Dikgale community through this Outreach  
• Effective and timely follow-up to all who want to hear more about Yeshua as the Lord continues to establish His Kingdom in South Africa and develops healthy congregations, including here
• The Lord to continue working in this Limpopo Province of South Africa, bringing a great movement of His Holy Spirit among these dear people that spreads to other areas

Let’s Pray

Lord, we have asked, sought, and knocked for years, praying to do a full-scale Outreach in South Africa. You, and You alone, have opened the doors. Help us walk through them in awe and humility, completely trusting in You to do miracles, signs, and wonders everywhere we turn. Help us to love the wonderful people of Dikgale and see their lives changed by Your love and power. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

Do you have an event that changed your life? Something that altered your whole trajectory, marking life in terms of Before and After for you? Many of us would say that coming to believe in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah is the most significant watershed moment in our personal lives. What about your family’s story? Is there something in the history of your ancestors that changed the course for future generations?

Passover was a defining moment in Israel’s history. The Children of Israel had been in slavery for hundreds of years when God delivered them by His mighty hand. He liberated the people He had chosen to be His own, calling them out of slavery to the land He had promised their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“This is a day you are to commemorate,” He said in Exodus 12:14. “For the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord — a lasting ordinance.”

Passover was such a momentous event in the history of Israel that the Lord commanded us to observe it every year throughout our generations as one of His moadim — His “appointed times.” Thousands of years later, we still do.

We observe Passover with a Seder, which means “order.” A Passover Seder is the carefully arranged service, set around a table, that commemorates the Passover and Exodus from Egypt. To guide us through the Seder, we use a Haggadah, a printed program outlining the retelling of our liberation. The word Haggadah means “telling,” a key element of our Passover celebration in obedience to the Lord’s command to tell our children its meaning. (See Exodus 12:24–27.)

The Lord commanded only a few foods for the Passover: roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). Jewish tradition has expanded the Passover Seder to include meaningful symbolism that highlights the telling of our deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

In each of the biblical feasts the Lord instituted for Israel, there is a prophetic picture of future events in God’s larger redemptive plan. Passover reflects the images of Yeshua, who, thousands of years later, would become the sacrifice to deliver us from sin. The Seder elements point to Yeshua, even though the Jewish sages who added them didn’t believe in Him. Here are some of the ways we see Jesus in the Passover Seder.

The Lamb

The 10th and final plague God sent on Egypt was the death of the firstborn of every household. God told the Children of Israel how to be saved from the judgment of death. They were to kill the sacrificial lamb at twilight and paint its blood on the doorframes of their homes. That night, the Angel of Death would pass over every home under the covering of the blood, and spare those inside from death.

John the Immerser announced Yeshua as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29, 36). The apostle Paul identified Jesus as “our Passover,” sacrificed to save us from death — the price of sin. (See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Romans 6:23).

“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch — as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

— 1 Corinthians 5:7

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [Messiah] Jesus our Lord.”

— Romans 6:23

Three Pieces of Matzah

We use three pieces of matzah, or unleavened bread, during the Passover Seder.  These three are stacked and kept together. In Jewish tradition, rabbis teach that they represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the fathers of the faith. Some rabbis say they represent the kingly line of Israel, the priestly line, and the people of Israel. For Messianic Jewish Believers, the three pieces of matzah can also be seen as the three expressions of the one God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yeshua came from Heaven to Earth to be “God with us” and bridge the gap between sinful humanity and God the Father. This becomes even more significant later in the Seder as the middle piece of matzah is broken, hidden away, and then returned.

Matzah

Matzah is unleavened bread. To make these large sheets of cracker-like flatbread, the dough is uniformly pierced before baking. In the oven, the matzah acquires spots of brown or black. When looking at the middle piece of matzah, with its lined piercings and its browning resembling bruises, it’s easy to see a picture of the Messiah who was pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by whose stripes we are healed. (See Isaiah 53:5.)

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

— Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

— Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

Afikomen

Early in the Seder, we break the middle piece of matzah in two. The leader takes the larger piece, called the afikomen, wraps it in a cloth, and hides it in the house. Later, children search for the hidden afikomen. The Greek word afikomen generally means “coming after” and is typically interpreted as dessert. However, some biblical scholars believe there is reason to think it can also mean “I came.” The Seder is not complete until the afikomen is returned. When the children return it to the table, the host rewards them with a prize. Then, all at the table partake of the afikomen matzah again.

Like the afikomen, Yeshua’s body was “broken,” wrapped in grave clothes, and “hidden” away in the grave for three days. He returned victorious having won our redemption from slavery to sin. He then ascended to the Father and remains hidden away until His return when He will usher in the Age to Come and the fullness of God’s ultimate redemptive plan. At that time, our reward will be complete as we live for eternity with Him in His glorious kingdom.

Jesus in the Passover Seder

It's not surprising that God Almighty would place pictures of His forthcoming Messiah in the appointed times that He commanded ancient Israel to observe. From the foundation of the Earth, He knew humanity would need deliverance from sin, and He wove hints of His large-scale redemption plan throughout Israel’s history and the pages of Scripture. What is astonishing is that even some of the traditions added by Jewish rabbis and sages, who did not believe Yeshua was the Messiah, also points to Him as such.

The Lord is faithful and committed to showing Yeshua is the Messiah, and He longs for all Jewish people to come to know Him. For ancient Israel, He placed imagery of the Lamb of God in the Passover observance. For us today and all generations to come, He also oversaw the addition of new traditions that point to Yeshua as the Messiah.

Jesus in the Passover Seder — what a marvelous testimony to God’s power, intention, and love.

To learn more about Passover, to watch Rabbi Jonathan show you how to host a Seder meal, and download a free guide, visit jewishvoice.org/passover-2025

Passover is a one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates God’s mighty hand in delivering the children of Israel from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. For Messianic Jews, Passover is a time to remember and declare the wonders of Passover and also commemorate the gift of God’s grace in sending His Son Yeshua (Jesus) to deliver us from slavery and sin.  As the apostle Paul writes, Yeshua is our Passover lamb. Messianic Jews rejoice in the astonishing symbolism of Yeshua throughout the Passover celebration.

Passover is also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Passover Seder includes a special holiday meal. As commanded by God in Leviticus 23, Jewish people and Messianic Jews abstain from eating any yeast―or leaven―products during the week of Passover. Traditional Passover foods include roast lamb, beef brisket, matzah ball soup, fancy vegetables, and matzah kugels. And of course, there are delicious desserts, all made without using any yeast.

Whether you are Jewish or a Christian discovering your Jewish roots of New Covenant faith in Yeshua, we know the planning of your Passover meal is important. So, we’ve collected some recipes from our staff and put together a Passover menu and recipes for you to enjoy.  Chag Sameach! Happy Holiday.

1. Passover Beef Brisket

This recipe is a collaboration of memory and research. All but a few details were submitted by Angela Smith, Executive Assistant and Jewish Voice employee since 2009. Angela learned the recipe from a roommate’s mother who now lives in Israel.

• Begin the night/day before.
• This recipe adds uncooked rice for the final 20-30 minutes of cooking time for “something out of this world!”
• If you prefer not to use the wine, see the Marinade instructions for how to substitute.

Ingredients

• 5-7 pound boneless beef brisket
• 1-2 cups Chardonnay wine
• 1 package of Lipton Kosher Onion Soup Mix
• 1 24-oz bottle of kosher ketchup (Hunts is certified Kosher)
• 5 cups uncooked rice

Marinade

• Place ½ cup of Chardonnay in each of two plastic zipper bags*
• Add half of soup mix to each bag
• Seal bags and mix the contents together until evenly blended
• Cut brisket into two pieces and place one half into each bag of marinade. If there is not enough marinade to cover the meat, you can add more wine, seal the bags, and massage the contents until thoroughly covered.
• Marinate overnight, 12 hours or more
• *If you prefer not to use the wine, you can replace it with the ketchup – half a bottle in each bag – and just not add the ketchup later when the recipe calls for it

In a slow cooker**

• Place marinated meat and marinade in a slow cooker
• Add Ketchup
• Cook 6-8 hours on Low setting

**For conventional oven: place meat, marinade, and ketchup in a deep roasting pan. Cover, and bake in a 275-degree oven for 6-8 hours.

Add Rice

• For the last 20-30 minutes of cooking time.
• When meat is tender and falling apart, add 3.5 cups uncooked rice to the pot. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes until rice is fully cooked but not overdone.

2. Vegetable Kugel

Submitted by Elisangela Bernis, wife of Jewish Voice President and CEO, Jonathan Bernis. Jonathan’s mother, Fayanne, passed this family recipe on to Elisangela.

Ingredients

• 4 Matzos
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (more if you like a lot of onion)
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup finely chopped flat parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease a 2-quart baking pan
• Break matzos into pieces about the size of a quarter. In a large bowl, soak matzah pieces in water until soft. Squeeze water from matzah (this takes just a few moments) and return matzah to a dry bowl
• Sauté onion and celery in 1/3 cup oil until soft. Add mushrooms, sauté until they are soft. Add vegetable mixture to matzah
• Wipe out your cooking pan, and add the remaining oil. Heat until oil is hot, then add carrots. Sauté for 4 minutes, and add zucchini. Sauté until all are soft. Add carrots and zucchini to the matzah mixture
• Stir in eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper
• Pour into prepared pan
• Bake 30 minutes until brown on top

3. Sweet Apple-Raisin Kugel

Contributed by Sarah Weiner, former JVMI employee and editor of Jewish Voice Today magazine. Makes 12 servings.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. wide egg noodles kosher-for-Passover
• 4 apples, cored & thinly sliced (4 cups)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 4 T. melted butter
• 2 c. apple juice
• 3/4 c. raw sugar
• 2 T. cinnamon
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 c. raisins (pref. golden)
• Opt. 1/2 c. chopped nuts

Directions

• You can generally find “Kosher-for-Passover” noodles made from matzah flour at Passover time in most grocery stores. They are a bit heavier, so be sure to compensate with moisture in your recipes. Cook noodles according to directions, drain and pour into a greased 3 qt. glass baking dish. Toss gently with melted butter.
• Whisk together the eggs, apple juice, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix with apples and raisins and pour into the baking dish with noodles. Toss gently.
• Cover dish with foil and bake at 350 F. for 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Serve warm, although some enjoy it at room temperature or cold right out of the refrigerator.

4. Roasted Sweetened Carrots

Submitted by Rabbetzin Sandie Zimmerman, wife of Rabbi Jack Zimmerman, Senior Rabbi of Tree of Life Messianic Congregation, and Jewish Voice staff member since 2004.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced Carrots(you can cut them in angled slices or lengthwise)
• 2 TB Melted Butter
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
• Sage
• Sea Salt
• Pepper

Directions

• In a mixing bowl, drizzle melted butter over sliced carrots and toss until evenly coated
• Drizzle Maple Syrup onto carrots and toss again
• Spread Carrots on a baking sheet
• Sprinkle with sage, sea salt, and pepper to taste
• Bake in a 400F oven for approximately 20 minutes, turning occasionally and carefully watching to prevent burning

5. Roasted Asparagus

Submitted by Rabbetzin Sandie Zimmerman, wife of Rabbi Jack Zimmerman, Senior Rabbi of Tree of Life Messianic Congregation, and Jewish Voice staff member since 2004.

Ingredients

• One Bunch of Asparagus
• 3-4 TB Ranch Salad Dressing or other creamy salad dressing
• Sea Salt
• Pepper
• Ideas for Optional Extras
• French’s French Fried Onions
• Pine Nuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts

Directions

• Trim bottoms of asparagus spears to remove tough, white ends
• Place salad dressing and asparagus in a zipper bag and toss until evenly coated
• Spread Asparagus on a baking sheet in one layer
• Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste
• If desired, sprinkle one (or more) of additional items such as French Fried Onions or nuts
• Roast in a 400F oven for about 7 minutes or until al dente
• You must keep an eye on them so they do not burn!

6.Passover Pecan Bars

Submitted by Elisangela Bernis, wife of Jewish Voice President and CEO Jonathan Bernis.

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup matzo cake meal
• 1/2 cup matzo meal
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ground toasted pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large egg white
• Cooking spray

Filling

• 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 5 large egg whites
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• CRUST: Lightly spoon matzo cake meal and matzo meal into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine first 6 ingredients (matzo cake meal through salt), stirring with a whisk. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 egg white, stirring just until moist. Coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Press mixture into an even layer in the pan. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool 15 minutes.
• FILLING: Combine first 8 ingredients (brown sugar through egg) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in coconut and pecans. Pour over the prepared crust. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until set. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Cut into bars. Makes 48 bars.

7. Matzah Toffee

This popular dessert was submitted by a number of Jewish Voice employees, so it must be a winner!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (not margarine)
• 1 cup sugar
• store-bought matzah
• 1 bag (2 cups) semi-sweet (or bittersweet) chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Completely cover 10 x 15 jelly roll pan with one layer of broken matzah pieces
• Put butter and sugar in a small pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently
• Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly
• Evenly pour mixture over matzah
• Bake for 12-15 minutes until toffee is golden brown and bubbly
• Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips
• Wait two minutes, then spread melted chocolate evenly over top
• Put pan in freezer for 20 minutes
• Break toffee into pieces, and enjoy!
• Store in plastic bag in refrigerator or freezer

8. Yummy Charoset

Former Jewish Voice Publications Editor Sarah Weiner contributed this delicous Passover Charoset (khar-O-set) recipe, and we think you’ll love it. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

• 4 red apples, finely chopped
• 2 t. honey
• 2-3 T. kosher wine (or Concord grape juice if preferred)
• Cinnamon to taste
• Optional: 1/4 c. chopped raisins and/or 2 T. chopped walnuts

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, cover & refrigerate. It will turn brown.
• I make huge amounts of charoset for the entire week of Unleavened Bread. My son would even take it to school every day for lunch with his matzah & Seder guests always left with a bowl.

9. Veggie Paté

This recipe makes a wonderful spread for matzah, and was contributed by Elisangela Bernis, Jonathan’s wife. Jonathan’s mother, Fayanne, passed this family recipe down to Elisangela.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 3 tbsp margarine
• 3 hard-cooked eggs
• 1/4 lb walnuts
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

• Sauté mushrooms and onions until golden brown
• Process all in food processor
• Serve with matzah bread

10. Passover Matzah Pizza

Elisangela Bernis shares this favorite for breaking the matzah monotony. This familiar recipe is a good snack when you are running out of menu ideas in the middle of the week.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
• 2 matzo crackers
• 1 pinch garlic salt
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
• Spread marinara sauce on the pieces of matzo. Sprinkle garlic salt and oregano over the tomato sauce Cover with cheese, tomato slices, and olives. Place pizzas on cookie sheets
• Bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), or until cheese has melted

11. Passover Rolls

Messianic Jewish evangelist and friend of Jewish Voice, Ronna Mathetes, contributed her favorite recipe for Passover Rolls from her Mom, Rena.

Ingredients

• 2 cups matzo meal
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 eggs

Directions

• Combine meal, salt and sugar
• Bring oil and water to a boil. Add to matzo meal mixture
• Beat in eggs one at a time
• Let mixture stand for 15 minutes
• Oil hands with cooking oil so the dough doesn’t stick, then shape rolls
• Place on a well-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown

12. Matzah Ball Soup

Submitted by Rebbetzin Sandie Zimmerman, wife of Rabbi Jack Zimmerman, Senior Rabbi at Tree of Life Messianic Congregation and Jewish Voice staff member since 2004. Sandie doesn’t use written recipes but cooks from memory using recipes handed down to her from her and Jack’s grandmothers. This recipe admittedly uses some estimated or generalized measurements, estimated times, and a lot of “to taste.” That’s just how it is with some of the best cooks!

For this traditional Passover soup, you’ll need to begin the day before.

Ingredients

Broth

• Water
• Kosher whole chicken (or pieces) – Kosher tastes so much better
• 2-3 Whole or halved carrots
• 2-3 Whole or halved stalks of celery
• Turnip, cut into approximately 4 pieces (optional)
• Parsnip, cut into approximately 4 pieces (optional)
• Fresh Dill
• Kosher Salt
• Kosher Pepper
• Organic Chicken Broth (to have on hand in case you don’t get enough broth from the cooking, remembering that the matzah balls will absorb some of it)

Matzah Balls

• Mazto Meal
• Seltzer water
• Vegetable Oil
• Eggs

Directions Day Before:

Broth

• In a Dutch oven, place olive oil, whole or halved carrots, whole or halved celery, parsley, garlic, and dill to taste. Sauté vegetables for 3-4 minutes but don’t let them burn
• Fill the pot ½ way with water
• Add a whole chicken. You can also use chicken pieces equivalent to a whole chicken
• Slow cook for 8 hours
• Chicken will be falling off the bones
• Remove good chicken pieces and reserve for another use
• Strain broth into a clean container. Let cool, then refrigerate overnight
• If needed, add organic chicken broth to stretch your yield of broth
• Discard bones and strained solids

Matzah Balls

• Follow the directions for making matzah balls listed on the matzo meal packaging to make the size and number of matzah balls you desire, BUT substitute seltzer for the water. It makes the matzah balls nice and fluffy
• Moisten hands with cold water, and shape pieces of matzo ball mixture into balls of the desired size, usually a little smaller than a ping-pong ball, but this is up to your personal preference NOTE: Keep in mind that the smaller the matzo balls they more quickly they’ll absorb the broth once added to the soup
• Place matzah balls on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, and refrigerate overnight so that they hold their shape

Directions Serving Day – No more than three hours before serving

• Remove broth from the refrigerator. Fat will have separated to the top. Skim and remove fat
• Place broth in pot or Dutch oven
• Add fresh, sliced carrots
• Season to taste with: fresh dill, kosher salt and pepper
• Bring soup to a boil
• Add Matzah balls. You can do this ahead and let them sit for a while, but don’t add them any earlier than three hours before serving so they don’t get too mushy
• Reduce heat to simmer soup. Cover and cook for 30 minutes until matzah balls are soft and fluffy

13. Nana’s Matzo Brei (Fried Matzah)

Submitted by Roz, a Yiddishe Momma who knows Yeshua. Roz is the mother of former JVMI employee Sarah Weiner. Serves Four.

Matzo Brie, also called Fried Matzah, is a Passover breakfast staple. It is basically matzah and egg fried together. This traditional dish is great anytime, but everyone really looks forward to Matzo Brei during Passover. You may add a little cinnamon to the egg batter for extra flavor, or get really creative and fry with onions, green peppers, or scallions.

Ingredients

• 4 Sheets of Matzah
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or margarine for frying

Directions

• Break the matzah into pieces in a bowl. Cover with water for a minute. Then squeeze out the water.
• In another bowl, beat egg with salt and pepper to taste and add to matzah and toss to coat. Be careful not break down the individual pieces you do not want it to be a batter!
• Heat frying pan with butter or margarine. Pour mixture into the pan. Brown one side, break up and turn, until entire batch is golden brown.
• Serve with sugar, honey, or preserves.

The First Thing – Uniting in Prayer to Oppose Antisemitic Hate

The Jewish festival of Purim is this week. This remarkable true story of God’s behind-the-scenes sovereignty and protection of His people is told in the Book of Esther. It recounts a devious plot of antisemitic hatred and how one woman’s courage helped save her people in a time of crisis.

All around us, we see evidence of hatred toward Jewish people. We want to be brave and have influence too, like Esther.

But what can we do? The first thing we can do is pray. And, as we pray, we can ask the Lord to show us how He wants us to act and respond.

Here are some ways you can pray right now:

Jewish Voice Ministries’ Southern Ethiopia Medical Outreach, in its last couple of days. Ethiopian Jewish people have long experienced antisemitism and, at times, very real and harmful persecution, including physical violence. Pray for the Lord to use Jewish Voice’s ministry there to have a lasting impact, bringing the salvation, love, and shalom (peace) of Yeshua (Jesus) not only to the Jewish people but to their neighbors as well.

Our Upcoming Outreach in South Africa. May we develop and, by God’s grace, sustain favorable relationships with those in authority at every level. May Jewish hearts be open to the Gospel, and others be open to learning more about God’s love and plans for the Jewish people. Watch for our next Prayer Points email, which will have more details on how to pray.

Love Your Jewish Neighbor. JVMI launched Love Your Jewish Neighbor in response to the extraordinary rise of antisemitism since October 7th. Love Your Jewish Neighbor equips followers of Jesus and churches with spiritual and practical tools to actively combat antisemitism. Rooted in Jesus’ teachings, the mission is to put love into action and stand with our Jewish neighbors locally and worldwide. By embodying love and compassion, we aim to build bridges of understanding through education and storytelling. You can learn more at loveyourjewishneighbor.com. Here’s how you can pray for this movement:

• That it will have real and positive impact and be a blessing to the Jewish people
• For wisdom regarding new strategies and avenues of influence as Love Your Jewish Neighbor reaches out to educate and inspire
• That more churches will be educated on antisemitism and why it’s important to stand with our Jewish neighbors and pray for them
• For fruitful partnerships with like-minded organizations
• That allies to the Jewish people would become more courageous and visible in their local communities, letting their light shine through acts of love in Yeshua
• That many would visit the loveyourjewishneighbor.com website, become educated, make use of the resources, and make a real difference in the lives of Jewish people they know

Let’s Pray

Lord, You had Your hand on Esther all along. When the time came, she had to make a choice: whether to act or not act. Thank You that she rose to the occasion. May we seek You, trust You, and do the same through our prayers and actions, for such a time as this! In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

Coming SOON: An important Scouting Trip to three nations and our first Medical Outreach of 2025!

We are praying that this year’s Outreach season will be one of our most fruitful ever. We’re also praying that our scouting trip will set the stage for even more opportunities to bless the Jewish people and tell them about Yeshua (Jesus).

We are living in times that deeply underscore not only the tumultuousness in the nations but also the deep need for the Jewish people and their neighbors to have a living and personal relationship with the Lord through Yeshua.

Please pray for us. We consider your fervent and effective prayer a strategic key to the Lord’s provision of success for this work!

Ways to Pray

Here’s how to cover this Scouting Trip and Medical Outreach in prayer:

• Use the day-by-day Prayer Points below to help you pray with insight
• SIGN UP on our Prayer Schedule, referring to the dates below

Please pray for these trips.

Scouting Trip

Last Week of February through First Week of March

Please pray for safe travels and divine connections with the right people in each nation:

• South Africa, where we will hold our second 2025 Outreach
• Malawi, where we are praying to hold an Outreach later this year
• An area in another nation that will require much protection and sensitivity to the Lord’s leading

Southern Ethiopia Medical Outreach

March 6–16

Before the Outreach

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

— Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

Wednesday, February 26 – Wednesday, March 5

• All preparations, including VISAS, medical supplies, and site preparations, come together and be fully in place in good time
• Great team unity and excellent community relationships
• The Lord to prepare people’s hearts and the spiritual atmosphere in Southern Ethiopia, causing spiritual forces of darkness to flee and making way for the King of Glory to come with salvation, healing and deliverance

Thursday, March 6

• Protection, health, safety and favor as our team and partners prepare and travel
• For favor with all flights, and that all passengers and luggage will arrive on time and in good condition
• That all involved will prepare their hearts to serve during the Outreach and get a sense of the Lord’s desire for them in that

Friday, March 7

• All flights to be timely and everyone and everything on board – there is a close timing issue today
• Strong unity among all team members – JVMI staff, medical and dental professionals, Ethiopian staff, local congregational members, and Outreach Partners – to begin quickly and continue that way throughout the week
• Grace regarding the accommodations, as they are said to be quite rustic

Saturday, March 8

• All partners and other team members as they acclimate to the time zone, local food, and lodging
• Favorable and mild weather (it is springtime and may be warm) and protection from illness, accidents and any other maladies – under the caring and healing hand of Yeshua
• Again, pray for the physical and spiritual protection of the whole team and their families, including the Zehra Kids Program team. Ask God to keep them healthy, safe, and protected from any challenges or distractions that may arise as they serve
• Team training and set-up that will take place today

During the Outreach

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

— Luke 4:18

Sunday, March 9

• Word regarding the Clinic to spread quickly so that many are drawn to receive not only medical care but also the Good News of Yeshua
• The Lord to move powerfully through the Gospel and the Holy Spirit
• Great effectiveness, order and shalom as the Clinic opens today and throughout the week
• Spirit-led collaboration in the Spiritual Care tent between local Believers and Outreach team members

Monday, March 10

• Healing through effective medical and dental care and also through God’s supernatural intervention
• The Lord to give us wisdom, favor, discernment, and protection regarding any unique factors regarding this new location, conditions or timeframe
• Great favor with local authorities and the community; may they be abundantly blessed, seek the Lord, and extend blessing to their Jewish neighbors

Tuesday, March 11

• Strength, unity, and seamless collaboration between Global Outreach staff, the Zehra Kids Program team, Outreach Partners, medical professionals, local volunteers, and indigenous leadership
• The Zehra program to have a lasting spiritual impact on the young people it serves, and as God grows the program, it will bear the fruit of strengthened faith, deepened Jewish identity, and a commitment to sharing the Good News with others
• For the large group of young Jewish Believers – part of an Israeli discipleship program – who will serve on this Outreach. Please pray they have meaningful connections/encounters with the Lord and the local Jewish community. May their hearts be touched and their relationships with the Lord deepened. May they receive clarity regarding His calling on their lives

Wednesday, March 12

• The Spiritual Care and Living Waters teams to leave an eternal impact in the community through salvations, love, and provision
• Spiritual strength and stamina for our team, renewed by intimacy with the Lord and through daily prayer and worship times together
• Salvation, healing and deliverance as the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit go forth in great power
• Protection from the schemes of the enemy and openness to the Good News as we break new ground in this new region near a Jewish community

Thursday, March 13

• The ability to treat everyone the Lord has for us on the last day
• Supernatural healing for those we can’t treat before the Clinic has to close
• Safety as we close Clinic, pack everything up, and pay local workers. Pray they come to know Yeshua!

After the Outreach

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Messiah] Jesus.

— Philippians 1:4–6

Friday, March 14

• Pray once more for flights, passengers, and luggage, as this is a tight travel day from the Outreach location back to the capital city

• Continued healing, salvation, and testimony of all the Lord did. Even though our team will leave, may the Lord continue working by His Spirit
• A restful Erev Shabbat, accompanied by many praises of the Lord’s goodness and an assurance of His “well done, good and faithful servant” over each participant

Saturday, March 15 and beyond

• Safe travels home for all national and international participants
• The Lord to continue working, bringing a great movement of His Holy Spirit among the Jewish people and their neighbors in Southern Ethiopia
• Effective and timely follow-up with all who want to hear more about Yeshua
• The Lord to continue establishing His Kingdom in Ethiopia and developing healthy congregations

Let’s Pray

Lord, please use us to help and bless the Jewish people and their neighbors in Southern Ethiopia. Please lead us and enable us to do the same in the other places we will explore during the scouting trip that precedes this Outreach. We need, ask for, and rely upon Your help in every area. Thank You for those who commit to pray alongside us. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

The book of Esther recounts the events of the Jewish holiday of Purim. It’s the powerful story of God’s orchestration of events, people, and timing in the fifth century B.C.E. to rescue the Jewish people in ancient Persia from annihilation.

The Purim Story

After the first group of Jewish exiles returned to Israel from the Babylonian captivity, many Jewish people remained in the Persian Empire. During this time, King Ahasuerus sought a new queen, conscripting young women from across all 127 provinces of his kingdom. Among them was Esther, an orphaned Jewish maiden who had kept her Jewish identity hidden at the advice of her cousin and guardian, Mordecai.

The king chose Esther as his queen, but she learned her people were in danger. Haman, the king’s second in command, hated Mordecai for refusing to bow to him. Haman devised a plan to destroy not just Mordecai but all the Jewish people. He persuaded the king to seal an irrevocable decree and set a date for the massacre. God used Esther and Mordecai to overturn the plot, save their people, and bring great victory.  

The Unseen Hand of God

Interestingly, the book of Esther doesn’t explicitly mention God, but His hand is undeniable throughout the story. We see His divine orchestration and intervention at every turn, encouraging us for the times in our own lives when we can’t see Him working. Consider the following:

Esther’s Journey to Queenship

Thousands of women from across the Persian Empire were likely conscripted as candidates for the prospective role of queen. Esther was among the many, yet she gained favor with the overseer, received his special attention and advice, and won the king’s heart. Ahasuerus chose her to be his queen at just the right time to fulfill her destiny.

Mordecai’s Critical Role

Mordecai overheard a plot to assassinate the king. He conveyed the information to Esther and saved the king’s life. Mordecai’s act was initially overlooked, but God used the delay to bring this trustworthy man to the king’s attention at the right moment to become an integral part of God’s plan to save the Jewish people.

Esther’s Courage and Wisdom

When Mordecai learned about Haman’s decree, he urged Esther to intervene, explaining that she may have become queen “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Approaching the king uninvited could have cost her life, so Esther had Mordecai enlist all the Jewish people to fast for three days as she would also do. She boldly accepted her divine appointment.

Ahasuerus generously accepted Esther’s visit, and she followed through with an extraordinary plan. She invited the king and Haman to a banquet she had prepared. At the feast, she postponed her request, inviting the two men to a second banquet the following day.

Miracles of Timing

 A sleepless night before Esther’s second banquet compelled King Ahasuerus to summon the records of his reign to be read to him. He learned that nothing had been done for the man Mordecai, who had saved him from assassination. At that exact moment, Haman approached the king’s chamber with plans to execute Mordecai. Instead, the king ordered Haman to immediately carry out a lavish public display honoring Mordecai for saving his life. With Mordecai’s loyalty and integrity fresh on his mind, the king went to Esther’s second banquet.

Esther’s Secret Proves Pivotal

At the feast, Esther shared her request, asking that her life and the lives of her people be spared from the threat against them. When Ahasuerus demanded to know who threatened his queen’s life, Esther exposed Haman, disclosing her Jewish identity at the perfect time. The king stormed out enraged and returned at the exact right moment to see Haman seemingly assaulting Esther as he begged for his life.

Mordecai’s Greater Reward

Haman was hanged for his treachery, and Mordecai received even more honor by receiving a position of authority in the king’s court. Ahasuerus charged Mordecai and Esther with doing whatever they saw fit to counteract the irrevocable decree, thus saving the Jewish people in Persia from certain destruction.

God’s Overseeing Hand

The word Purim means “lots.” Haman cast lots to determine the day of the Jewish massacre, but God ensured the date fell many months later, giving Esther and Mordecai time to act. Through God’s timing, the Jewish people were prepared to defend themselves and triumphed over their enemies.

Why Do We Celebrate Purim?

Purim is a story of God’s protection of the Jewish people and His divine orchestration of events for the good of His people and fulfillment of His purposes. It reveals His faithfulness to His promises and His unending love for His people. Today, Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar — the day intended for our destruction, which was turned to joy instead. Mordecai pronounced it a day of rejoicing and giving gifts to one another throughout our generations.

Lessons from Purim Today

Purim is far more than costume parties, feasts, and the reading of the Megillah (book of Esther). It is a reminder of the power of courage, faith, and God’s faithful activity in our lives. Purim shows us that we can trust that God continually works to bring about His good and perfect will in our lives — even when His hand isn’t apparent. When we trust Him, pray, and submit ourselves to Him — as Esther and Mordecai did — He can do mighty things for us and through us.

Think about the “coincidences” in your own life. How might the unseen hand of God be working in your life today? Reflecting on this question is a meaningful way to honor the spirit of Purim and the enduring story of Esther and Mordecai.

Maturing Leaders in Africa – Praise and Prayers

Last November, we asked you to pray for our Discipleship Trips. For those trips, some of our staff rabbis traveled to Africa and met with senior leaders of the Messianic Jewish congregational networks in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. We want to update you on how your prayers were answered! Here are some praises from their trip, which are also ongoing prayer requests.

• There were effective times of discovering the joy of studying the Torah in small groups — a common and traditional Jewish way of approaching the sacred text together. That’s a praise! Pray this practice continues, enriching both the leaders and those they lead

• Our rabbis thank you for praying for the national Messianic Jewish leaders in both countries. We have seen them mature in three primary ways, and ask that you keep praying for continued growth in these leadership areas:

  • Embracing their Jewish identity in a deeper way as followers of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) from among the people of Israel

  • Developing national governance structures to serve the congregations they’re planting among fellow Jewish Jesus followers

  • Strategizing how to sustain their growth and self-sustainability for generations to come

• Please pray on an ongoing basis for these leaders in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. They live in nations undergoing governmental, societal, and even natural crises. They are leading both their families and congregations to live out the Good News with faith and hope in troubled times. They seek not only to effectively shepherd and disciple others but also to mobilize outreach and care for those in their neighborhoods and communities. Please cover them in prayer as you would your own pastor or rabbi. They are giving themselves to the Lord and the work of His Kingdom, spreading and living out the Good News of Yeshua

• Pray also for the two Jewish Voice staff rabbis, who, among other critical responsibilities, support these leaders in their roles of spiritual influence, shepherding, care of their flocks, and outreach. These two staff rabbis do this through example and mentorship, training in the Word and leadership, equipping and resources, and relational support

• Pray, too, for the families of all the rabbis and leaders mentioned, both here and in Africa. Their families have also been called into ministry as they support these leaders and God’s Kingdom work. May the Lord bless and protect them and all that pertains to them

Let’s Pray

Lord, we thank You for our staff rabbis, who lend their own leadership skills as men of God and men of the Word to the establishment, growth, and effective ministry of Messianic Jewish leaders and congregations in Africa. May You bless them and give them the opportunities to see great growth and Kingdom impact from their labors. We pray the same for these congregational leaders. May our prayers be joined with theirs as Your Kingdom comes and Your will is done in their families, congregations, communities and nations. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

“Firsts” are worth celebrating. A baby’s first giggle, first word, and first steps delight and thrill us because they’re such milestones. The first day of school each year is a big day for our children. First jobs, first cars, first anniversaries – life is full of firsts.

Jewish people have a beautiful custom of saying a particular blessing when encountering firsts, new milestones, and special occasions. It’s called the Shehecheyanu, and more than thanking God for the event, this prayer expresses worship of the God who sustained us through all our days to get us to that particular moment when we could experience its joy. 

Giving thanks and blessing God are ongoing privileges, so the Jewish custom of blessing God for firsts isn’t limited to first-in-your-life events; it’s a cycle that renews each year. Jewish tradition calls for saying the Shehecheyanu blessing for a wide variety of first moments each year, including…

• At most Jewish holidays, such as waving the lulav on the first day of Sukkot or when lighting the first Chanukah candle
• When reading the book of Esther (the Megillah Esther) at Purim
• When buying a new home
• Upon arriving in Israel
• When performing a mikvah (ritual water cleansing)
• When eating a seasonal fruit for the first time in the year

Many recite it for personal first experiences each year. It’s a way of staying awake to the wonder of life and celebrating its offerings as gifts from God.

We’re still at the beginning of a new year, so here’s a challenge. Let’s ask the Lord to make us aware of “first” moments as they occur in the days and months ahead.

Firsts In Nature

One way to do that is to observe the changing seasons. Each season brings its own firsts to the year. Your firsts could be noticing such things as:

• Spring’s first robin’s song, wildflower, or leaf buds; the first spring rain or warm day
• Your first summer watermelon, pool party, or garden-grown tomato
• Autumn’s first yellow leaf, chilly morning, or whiff of a fireplace warming a neighborhood home
• Winter’s first snowfall, the first holiday lights, and your own holiday decorations and traditions

The opportunities to notice God’s “first” gifts each season are almost endless. May they bring you gratitude and joy and cause you to bless God for sustaining you, for keeping you alive, and bringing you to those moments when He would show you, His wonders.

Other Places to Look for “Firsts”

We say the Shehecheyanu upon seeing someone we haven’t seen in a long time, so look for “firsts” this year in your relationships as well. Among them, you might note and give thanks for the first lunch of the year with a friend, the first holiday dinner you host or attend, firsts in your children’s lives, a first visit from the grandchildren this year, or the first heart-to-heart conversation with a family member or friend.

Firsts-of-the-year in your spiritual life are also worth marking. What about when you open your Bible to begin reading a new book? The first prayer spoken over you or a loved one this year, the first meeting of a new Bible study, or the first time serving in a new aspect of your congregation’s ministry life? Those are worth stopping to thank God for and note His grace in bringing you to receive those gifts.

Your work life is another place to look for thanks-worthy firsts each year: your first project completed, your first affirmation of the year received or given, joining a new micro-team for a new assignment. Depending on your job, you may be marking things like your first class taught, first life saved, first art piece produced, or the first person whose day you turned around because of your kind service. You could even note these occasions monthly or quarterly.

Each of these occasions can be enhanced by taking a minute to revel in them and glorify your gift-giving God. He brought you through many days to reach these moments of delight, warmth, and blessing that He ordained for you to experience. Ask Him to make you aware of more “firsts” this year, and may He bring you much joy through them.

The Shehecheyanu

Barukah atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech ha’olam

Shehecheyanu v’keyamnu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh

English Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe

who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment.

Click below to hear this blessing in Hebrew.