JEWISH VOICE BLOG

September 11, 2018

Scripture encourages us to make the most of every opportunity considering the times in which we live (Ephesians 5:16). In October, we are doing just that by visiting two separate areas in Ethiopia to conduct two different types of Medical Clinics, one right after the other. We will begin with an Outreach in Alamata and then travel to Jijiga for a shorter Clinic focused solely on dental and eye care. Both areas are new to us, and these will be our first Clinics there. We know that despite thes...

September 07, 2018

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Madelaine “Maddy” Lindvall, beloved member of the Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI) family, on September 3, 2018. Maddy was a dedicated employee of the ministry back when it was called Jewish Voice Broadcasts. She was also a personal friend of founder Louis Kaplan and his wife, Chira, as well as to JVMI CEO Jonathan Bernis. “Without Maddy, this ministry might not be here today,” Jonathan reflected upon hearing the news. “...

September 07, 2018

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week praised the Trump Administration’s decision to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This is a body created to aid Palestinians who left their homes after Israel became a nation in 1948. Until Friday, 30 percent – $300 million – of the agency’s funding came directly from U.S. coffers. That high price tag is, in part, because these “refugees” fall under a very liberal definition. UNRWA treats the descendants of ...

September 04, 2018

Our team of Outreach Partners saw more than 800 patients on the opening day of the Mudanda, Zimbabwe, Medical Outreach this week. And that was only a half day!

August 31, 2018

The Jerusalem Post in mid-August reported that the Islamic State (ISIS), “Is much larger than previously thought and still poses a significant threat.” The U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Congress and the United Nations estimate there are up to 30,000 ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria, and the jihadis now are “eyeing a new caliphate in Afghanistan.” What, if anything, does the resurgence of ISIS mean to the Jewish people? The ISIS Threat to Israel ISIS leadership hasn’t yet shown a di...

August 30, 2018

Last Friday, an enthusiastic team of Outreach Partners arrived in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. They checked into their hotel and spent the evening resting up from their travel and enjoying a Shabbat service together. The next day, they headed out to the rural region of Mudanda for the 2018 Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI) Mudanda, Zimbabwe Medical Outreach. A typical Medical Outreach with JVMI begins on Sunday. After completing the final set-up and organization of ex...

August 30, 2018

Sons, tribes, kingdoms. The 12 tribes, southern tribes, northern tribes … It can be confusing. So who are the Tribes of Judah, and was Judah a person, a tribe or a kingdom?” The equally confusing answer is: Yes. Judah is all three. Judah, son of Jacob, founded the tribe of Judah, which in turn become the name of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, comprised of two family lines or the Tribes of Judah. Let’s back up. Jacob –son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham – fathered 12 sons, including Jud...

August 30, 2018

One aspect of any kind of new year is an opportunity to reflect on the previous 12 months and the hopes for the year ahead. But when it comes to Rosh Hashanah (Roshe Hah-SHAH-nah), the Jewish New Year, this is the very meaning and purpose of the holiday. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year.” Jewish tradition teaches that God made the earth on the same date as the biblical Feast of Trumpets, or Yom Teruah (YOM teh-ROO-ah). For this reason, Rosh Hashanah and the Feast of Trumpets a...

August 28, 2018

The rhythm of a year is established through changing seasons and the marking of special days. The biblical feasts that God commanded Israel to observe create the framework of a Jewish year. In Leviticus chapter 23, God called these holy days moadim (mo-eh-DEEM), or “appointed times.” They are appointments initiated by Him to meet with His people on special occasions throughout the year. These moadim form the life cycle of a year in Messianic Judaism, and are known to contain foreshadowing of eve...

August 28, 2018

“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me, and know my anxious thoughts, and see if there be any offensive way within me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” ―Psalm 139:23‒24 At Rosh Hashanah (ROSHE Hah-SHAH-nah), Jewish people around the world spend time in reflection and repentance. The Jewish New Year offers the opportunity to examine our lives and our relationships with God. David laid his life open before God asking Him to search his heart and show him where he fell s...