Chosen People Ministries has been taking the love of the Messiah to Jewish people worldwide since 1894.

Chosen People Ministries UK Board of Directors: Mr. Tim Bath • Mrs. Yvonne Bath • Mrs. Elizabeth Bentley (advisor) • Dr. Mitch Glaser • Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kopsch, Chair • Mr. Daniel Nessim • Rev. Keith Page • Dr. John Pretlove • Mr. Peter Pretlove, Treasurer • Dr. Calvin Smith

Serving in: Argentina • Australia • Canada • France • Germany • Great Britain • Hong Kong • Israel • Mexico • New Zealand • Russia • Ukraine • United States

The Chosen People UK Edition newsletter is published bimonthly by Chosen People Ministries (UK). To receive a copy or for more information write to: Chosen People Ministries PO Box 47871, Golders Green, LONDON, NW11 1AL, call us on 020 8455 7911, or email us at info@chosenpeople.org.uk. Design: Lois Gable.

Visit us on the web at www.chosenpeople.oRG.uk.

wRite to us at: info@chosenpeople.org.uk

©2010 chosen people Ministries (uk) Registered charity no. 1095644, a company limited by guarantee in england no. 4611406. printed in the united kingdom.

Please remember Chosen People

Ministries in your will. “I will bless those who bless

you.” (Genesis 12:3)

September 2010 / Tishrei 5771Volume 6, Issue 1

n e w s a n d p r a y e r b r i e f s

Now is the time to order your copy of

our Messianic Jewish Art calendar for September 2010 through the next September with an additional leaf for the rest of 2011. Each month will greet you with a breathtaking photo of a different aspect of Jewish life, a relevant word of Scripture and an encouraging thought about Messiah’s promise to His people. They make great gifts and we’ve got deep volume discounts, so don’t forget to order extras!

The Fall Feasts of Israel will help you understand three of Israel’s most significant festivals: Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. A complete examination of each feast includes a look at its biblical institution, its celebration in the time of our Messiah, and its observance by Jewish people today. The book is by Dr. Mitch Glaser, Chosen People Ministries’ international president, and his wife, Zhava.

For more messianic Jewish products, visit us online at

www.chosenpeople.org.uk

AND JOYREPENTANCE

IsaIah 53 opens a heartbobby walter, a chosen people Ministries missionary in brooklyn and student at the charles Feinberg center, reports: ‘a Jewish man, Jonathan*, has been attend-ing the Mission’s Friday evening fellowship in brooklyn since early January. each week, he comes to the study with new, probing questions. as believers befriend-ed him and answered his questions with honesty and clarity from the scriptures, he became more open. he recently attended simcha, the chosen people Ministries messianic conference, and after the message (which was on isaiah 53), he chatted with me and other staff members, and we again encouraged him to pray to God asking for help with his unbelief.’ pray for Jonathan, that he would indeed continue to seek the lord and would find him.

JewIsh FaIth DecIsIons In Far east russIacelebrate Messiah, chosen people Ministries’ partner in australia, continues to bear fruit in Far east Russia under the leadership of lawrence hirsch. During the latest outreach, God provided remarkable opportunities for team members to share the Gospel, and over 23 Jewish people came to faith in Messiah. on one such occasion, as staff member Rita ivenskis was leading a group of Jewish people in prayer to receive the lord, lawrence noticed one man in particular. he had a beautiful smile on his face as he closed his eyes and repeated the words of the prayer. lawrence writes, ‘we found out later that he was an accomplished surgeon and that it was his birthday. please pray for this man, as he is now leading others to the saving power of the Messiah.’

IsraelI holocaust survIvors return to polanDas part of his ongoing ministry to israeli holocaust survivors, Maxim k. organized a trip to poland for these precious men and women. the group consisted of mainly secular Jewish people between 74 and 86 years of age. For twelve days, they travelled to meaningful sites, meeting every morning and evening to study the scriptures. Maxim reports, ‘this trip has changed many of these dear people. our programmes, God’s word, and, most importantly, the love they saw in the polish believers who invited us—all this made them consider God’s existence and salvation. one woman said that she has never prayed or turned to God, but now she has started to pray together with her husband and they are seeking the lord!’

* names have been changed.

In MeMorIaM – MoIshe rosenchosen people Ministries notes the passing of Moishe Rosen, founder of Jews for Jesus, at the age of 78 in san Francisco on May 19, 2010. Rosen and his wife ceil were originally from Denver, colorado and came to faith through chosen people Ministries (at that time known as the american board of Missions to the Jews) in 1953 through the visitation ministry of Mrs. oscar wago. chosen people Ministries paid Rosen’s way through bible college, and he went on to serve with the Mission in various capacities, including as the director of the work in los angeles, as director of training in new York city and as a missionary in san Francisco. he left chosen people Ministries in the early 1970s, in the midst of the Jesus movement, and started Jews for Jesus.

Rosen was an innovative evangelist who helped the world know that one could be Jewish and believe in Jesus. he leaves his wife ceil, daughters lyn bond and Ruth Rosen and grandchildren asher and bethany bond.

The Fall Feasts of Israel£10 plus £2 P&P

Jewish Art Calendar£8 plus £2 p&p (multiple copies are

only £6 plus £1 p&p each)

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ou might think this is early, but Happy New Year!

On the Jewish calendar, we have now reached 5771 years since the creation of the world. That is surprisingly close to

the marginal note in some old Bibles that dates Creation at 4004 BC.

In the midst of this special season, Golders Green has a different air. On holidays the streets are quiet, with little traffic. People are walking everywhere, relaxing or going to and from their

synagogues. We too are holding special services that celebrate these festivals first given to Israel at the mountain of God in the wilderness over 3000 years ago.

Each of these autumn feasts has a tremendous significance, prefiguring Yeshua (Jesus), our Messiah, Lord and Saviour. Rosh HaShanah (New Year)—often called the Feast of Trumpets—not

only celebrates a new calendar year but prefigures the day when our Lord shall appear with the voice of the archangel and the sound of a trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, prefigures the ‘good things to come’ (Hebrews 10:1): the atonement provided by Messiah, that does not depend on sacrifices of bulls and goats. The third and final autumn holiday, Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), prefigures beautifully the day when the Lord shall reign. Long ago Israel dwelt in tents (tabernacles) and the Lord had His own Tabernacle in the wilderness. The wonder was that God was then dwelling with Israel. So it will be when our Lord returns. Indeed, He has already dwelt with us ‘and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father’ (John 1:14).

These feasts show why evangelism and discipleship among Jewish people is unique in the world. The very Bible God gave to us through Jewish prophets and which was preserved for us by the Jewish people is the same Bible the Jewish people revere today. To Jews, as to no other people, we proclaim the Gospel from their own book! Therein is the rub. My Jewish family, friends and neighbours are so used to not seeing Yeshua in their own book, that they can’t. That is where we need patience, God’s love, and persistence.

As always, we could not reach the Jewish people without your prayers and support. Thank you!

Yours in Him

Daniel Nessim

d i r e c t o r ’ s L e t t e r

YCelebrating the High Holidays in Israel

There is an air of excitement in Israel in the days leading up to the autumn High Holidays, and the sights, sounds, and smells are wonderful! The weather has finally become cooler, ripe pomegranates are arriving in the market, and there is delicious golden round challah to eat. Beware of getting caught in the market a day or two before the holidays, as it is extremely crowded—everyone is trying to prepare enough food to last for days on end as shops, buses, schools and businesses all shut down during these festivals.

Rosh HaShanah (New Year) is the first of the holidays to occur. Both locals and tourists wish each other ‘Leshanah tovah umetukah’—a good and sweet year! During Rosh HaShanah, you can expect to hear the piercing blast of the shofar (ram’s horn). Used at many different times in the history of Israel, the sound of the shofar always meant that something important was about to take place.

The first mention of a ram’s horn in the Bible occurs in Genesis 22, when the ram that was to replace Isaac on the altar was caught in the thicket by its horns. In this regard, the shofar reminds us of Abraham’s obedience and God’s mercy in providing atonement for our sins.

In the days of the Temple, the shofar blast marked the beginning of the ten-day period leading up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), when the sacrifice presented to the Lord by the High Priest on behalf of the nation would be either accepted or rejected as payment for the sins of the people. As believers, we know that a perfect, complete, and eternal sacrifice has been made for us—that of Jesus our High Priest!

Ten days after Rosh HaShanah comes Yom Kippur, and many Israelis—whether religious or not—flock to the synagogues (the same way many people in Britain attend church at Christmas and Easter). Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the year, and it is spent fasting and remembering the sacrifices made in the Holy of Holies in the Temple by the High Priest.

Nowadays, Israelis seek forgiveness from others and try to do mitzvot (good deeds) to win merit in God’s eyes. On Yom Kippur, you could hear a pin drop all around the country, as not a single shop, business, bus or car is in motion. Children look forward to the one day they can freely ride their bikes down the middle of the street!

The third High Holiday is Sukkot—the ‘feast’ mentioned in John 7:37-38. As the sun goes down on Yom Kippur,

DanIel nessIM

Friday and Saturday, 8-9 October, 2010, on the campus of London School of Theology, held in conjunction with King’s Evangelical Divinity School. £30 registration fee.

Don’t miss this important conference, which will address issues related to the Church and Israel! Speakers from the UK and

abroad will be addressing these vital topics. The programme will include a special banquet and a final concert by renowned

Messianic singer Marty Goetz.

www.israelandthechurch.com

you can hear nails being hammered into wooden boards as each family builds a sukkah (booth, or tabernacle). For eight days, you are supposed to eat and sleep in the sukkah as a reminder of how God provided for the Israelites in the desert and how He provides for us today.

This time of year is the harvest season, and rain is expected to come any day. It has not rained in Israel since March or April, so you can imagine how joyous it is when it does rain. The rain’s effects on the scenery are dramatic—it washes away all the dirt and dust and refreshes the city. We are told to pray for rain so that the crops would grow and the rivers would be filled again (Joel 2:23-24).

There are many layers of profound meaning in Sukkot. We can understand how much we rely on the Lord for our provision as we see the parched land around us revived by the rain. At the end of Sukkot, Isaiah 12:3 is read: ‘Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.’ There is a fascinating play on words in this verse, as the word ‘salvation’ is ‘Yeshua’—the Hebrew name of Jesus. Just as the Lord provided food, water and shelter for the children of Israel in the desert (and continues to provide today), He also provided eternal salvation in Yeshua, Jesus. His salvation washes away all the dirt (sin) in our lives and has revived our souls for eternity!

Israelis approach these holidays in two ways—some are earnestly seeking the Lord’s forgiveness, and others just enjoy the extra days off work and special time with family.

Unfortunately, many Israelis miss the tremendous spiritual and biblical understanding of these holidays. This season is a wonderful time to talk about spiritual things with neighbours and friends. Hearts are a little more open at this time of year as Israelis consider the God of Israel who provides, protects and preserves His people.

Coming to Israel during Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot is an amazing experience. You are welcome to come and see for yourself, as there are many opportunities to volunteer with Chosen People Ministries in Israel! Perhaps you understand the biblical and cultural background of the High Holidays from your studies, but there is nothing like seeing the rain quench the parched hills of Israel or savouring the smells of Rosh HaShanah home cooking coming through an open window.

Our Lord has mercifully kept and sustained Israel for thousands of years—both when His people were obedient and when they were disobedient. All over Israel, the beginning and end of each holiday is marked by the sound of an air raid siren, the same siren used to alert civilians of rockets falling on their towns. This is a sombre reminder that there are those who seek to destroy Israel, and yet the God of Israel has kept watch over the Land. During the autumn High Holidays, Israelis—no matter what their beliefs—realize the depth of God’s love and covenant for His chosen people.

by Rachel G. in Israel. A special Mazal Tov (congratulations) on her recent marriage to Steven from Sheffield. The new couple reside in Israel.

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