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Dear Friend,

Newlyweds Chaim and Esther Cohen visited me recently, and the question of family size came up. Esther said she definitely wanted three children, but Chaim said that two would be plenty. After kicking it around some and jostling with one another, Chaim opted to put an end to the discussion that was getting nowhere. “After our second child, I’ll just have a vasectomy,” he declared. Without hesitation, his new wife retorted, “Well then, I hope you’ll love the third child as if he’s your own.”

In response to our evolving American political family, and with the Esther joke in mind, I can only say, “I hope we’ll respect the new president as if he’s our own.” Of course, in many ways, it will be difficult for those of us who say he is not.

To be frank, Obama was not my pick for the presidency. My displeasure with him had nothing to do with his race, religion, or party affiliation as much as his core values which differ from mine. With many other Evangelicals, I felt drawn to Sarah Palin given the biblical virtues that resonated from her. ’Twas not to be this go-round, however, and frankly I am a bit sad about the results—much as I am invigorated by the associated challenges now.

I am inclined to respect the office of the presidency over the personality who inhabits it. Therefore, I will still try to give a respectful salute to our Commander and Chief. Unlike in other places where people “take to arms” to gain and maintain control, we civilized citizens here prefer to pull the lever and not the trigger. We Americans must respect the vote and accept the results. Now let’s pray for our president and for our country, and get on down the road.

Just yesterday, I finished filming the teaching segments for our new television series. And, just yesterday, I was informed that some 1,000,000 Jewish Israelis have left the Holy Land to live elsewhere! I knew this emigration was happening to a certain extent, but never attached a number to it. America’s seemingly weakened religious and moral state is disconcerting (evidenced by family instability, etc.). It is similarly disconcerting that the “political Zionism” dream ceases to capture the hearts and imaginations of so many Jews who seek a better life elsewhere. How remarkable that the waning Zionist dream coincides with the waning American Christian dream. Just as we have hope for America, even now, let’s have hope for Israel.

I believe that Israel will be reinvigorated by “biblical Zionism”—a vision for a national identity rooted in biblical moorings. Temporary difficulties aside, Israel will one day be reconstituted by enthusiasts who not only subscribe to Zionism as a political theory but who wholeheartedly say: “Come let us go to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob… for out of Zion will go forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3). The dream that is Israel is thus not simply material as much as it is spiritual. Similarly, with you, I long for a revival in America—and, with your help, labor to that end.

At 53 years of age, I have seen leaders come and go. And I have observed a variety of political situations in our country and world. We Believers experience various highs and lows and must take the good with the bad while patiently impressing the biblical virtues that we hold so dearly.

Looking back over 2008, I want to thank you lovers of Zion who assisted us with our cares and prayers as our Messianic Jewish ministry made its way through some challenging times and into millions of households.

Like many of you, this ministry has tightened its belt and spent more conservatively. Not content to simply survive, we kept making Bible television that is informative and transformative, and that taps into the modern times in which we live. You enabled Zola Levitt Ministries to keep making Jesus known in our rapidly changing world.

Frankly, with all that’s happening in the world, I think it’s a ideal time to open our Bibles and see what God is up to—for He is in control! This ministry’s longstanding, well-tested, and nationally-syndicated media platform gives me the opportunity to do just that.

Warrior King: David-like Leadership for Goliath-like Timesthe new television series funded by your donations—confronts viewers with David’s rise and fall. They will follow his agonies and ecstasies in the human experience. More importantly, faith-based viewers will learn how God can and does lead His people in eventual triumph. This is a message for today!

With the production phase almost paid for, the next step will be buying the national and overseas airtime to distribute the program in conjunction with next month’s presidential inauguration.

Zola Levitt Ministries runs to the battle with slingshot in hand, ready to slaughter the spiritual Goliaths taunting us Believers in the valleys! You don’t need to guess what cataclysmic events are coming next: you can read all about them in the Bible.

With your help, Warrior King will air to our national and international audiences in January 2009, and extend through February and March.

Once Warrior King is successfully funded and running, I’ll be developing a revealing prophetic series that focuses on the political intrigue involving a resurgent Russia interacting with China, Iran, Israel, and others. My working title is When the Devil Has His Day. But to talk about the Devil having his day tomorrow, I need some help today.

The multimillion dollar expenses of this ministry are so great that no one person can make it happen—unless Bill Gates happens to be reading this letter. If we each do something, however, this ministry will not only survive but also thrive!

This is an optimal time—the end of the year—to contribute to our effort when your donation can still qualify for a 2008 tax deduction. We not only need to make up for some lean months in 2008, but we are eager to break out in 2009. There’s so much work to do, right now.

Speaking of “right now,” and writing from Israel, let me encourage you to call Abel at (214) 696-9760 to learn about our Holy Land trips in the new year. After hours, you can leave a message with our answering service at 1-800-966-3377. Our next two tours will leave March 15 and return on March 25 (Israel only) and March 29 (Israel and Petra). I’d love for you to personally experience the Israel that I know.

Some of you may be saying, “Once tensions simmer down, then I’ll go to Israel” or “I’ll take that step when I can better afford it.” While this makes sense at one level, please remember that people often take milestone steps they think they cannot afford: marrying, having children, starting a business. Happily, however, forwardthinking people seem to manage. What If Jesus had waited until circumstances “settled down” before coming to Israel? I doubt He’d have come to first century Israel during the days of the brutal and oppressive Roman occupation. If it’s God’s time to do something, never mind your doubts or fears!

I’ll close with two points. First, if you want to go to Israel, go! You don’t have to justify doing what’s in your heart to do. Second, if it has been on your heart to support this ministry financially, please pick up a pen and just do it. A little help from everyone adds up to a lot. By enabling us to bring God’s saving light into the world, you’re not only giving the Ministry a boost, you’re giving the world a much needed Christmas present at a much needed time.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeffrey Seif

P.S. This is also an opportune time of year to invite me to speak in your church. I love visiting cozy churches during cold months, and I especially enjoy seeing the spring blossoms and greenery that shoot forth to celebrate His Resurrection!

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Donation

Donation

“Here is my gift for December. I love what Zola Levitt Ministries stands for, and you can count on my prayer support.”

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Seven major doctrines of Scripture explained in Zola’s clear and informative style. The Bible is covered from Genesis to Revelation. A useful teaching tool for beginner and expert alike.

Zola’s Notebook — The Bible: The Whole Story

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Seven vital doctrines are chosen and examined in a very readable and clear style. One of the most popular items offered by this ministry, Zola’s Notebook explains the Bible cover to cover.

Jewish Heritage Calendar

Jewish Heritage Calendar

Beautiful and useful, this lovely Jewish calendar provides the dates of all the biblical feasts and sabbaths. Learn the names of the months, the Holy Days and all the rest through the English phonetics like in our monthly Hebrew Lesson in the Levitt Letter.

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“How Can a Gentile Be Saved?” study booklet

In this thought-provoking Bible study, Zola turns the tables by asking, “How can a Gentile be saved?” An interesting, unique look at the grafting in of the Gentiles to God’s plan.

In My Father’s House

“In My Father’s House” study booklet

A very different and very important study. Most people plan more carefully for a two-week vacation than for the seven years we will spend as guests in our Messiah’s Father’s house. What will we do during the time we spend among the “many mansions” and how do we prepare for it?

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