Dear Friends,
It’s a brisk day here in Jerusalem. Just the way I love it. The cooler climate complements the blue skies and puffy white clouds—a day in paradise and a delightful time to roam the internationally famous city. Being the Sabbath makes it easy to get around. Israel’s biblically sanctioned capital city shuts down, obeying God’s mandate to cease business-related activities and “rest.”
They mean no disrespect, but the pilgrims journeying with us aren’t in the “resting” mood. Their hearts and minds are at rest—to be sure—but that’s about it. Intoxicated by enthusiasm at being in the heart of the ancestral Jewish homeland, they seem more excited about experiencing the sites during the day than resting in their beds at nights.
Who can blame them? I certainly can’t.
For Sandra, every trip to Israel seems a “first time” experience for her. She loves it all and takes a personal interest in leading pilgrims, like a mother goose leading around her goslings. I enjoy watching her “at work.” I don’t want to minimize my own interest, but I derive as much satisfaction from seeing the pilgrims’ faces as I do the pilgrim places—and this is something I think I inherited from Zola.
I first came to Israel with Zola a number of years ago. When we finally got to Jerusalem, I was “bursting at the seams” with raw enthusiasm. I was disappointed that we arrived from the Galilee at night, forcing us to wait until morning to start touring the city—a delay I really did not want. Sensing, perhaps, that my eager expectation and impatience were too much to bear, Zola had mercy on me: he whisked me out of the hotel, secured a taxi for the two of us, and took me to the Western Wall.
Once there, I became elated. I was in Jerusalem, the homeland of the Jewish people and the heartland of biblical faith! My heart was thrilled!
Was Zola simply extending a professional courtesy to me by taking me out that night? Perhaps. I couldn’t read his mind then and cannot second guess it now. I can report sensing, though, that he was tapping into something within me and drawing from the energy I was generating. I recall him saying as much.
I share my musings with you because I have just arrived in Jerusalem with a busload of Holy Land pilgrims, most beaming with enthusiasm. Like Zola before me, I find myself getting something from them, much as they say they are getting something from me, from us, from this—their Holy Land experience.
One of our pilgrims, a pastor, said, in effect, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” His church gifted him with a trip to Israel, something he will be grateful for forever, as you might well imagine. Sandra interviewed a female pilgrim in her mid-twenties brought here by her mom and dad. Quite a few parents, in fact, brought grown children on this trip. Why? They’d need to answer that themselves, of course—but they seem to know the experience will mark them all for life. What a gift! Those who treat themselves or others to Israel are contributing to their lives and spirituality in ways that are hard to articulate.
Though I can’t read the hearts and minds of those who travel with us, I can read their words. A few folks have told me in their own ways that, in addition to the joy of their anticipated trips, they experienced some concern from well-meaning friends who wondered how they could do something so dangerous. I would love to counter that misperception and describe how joyful and peaceful it is here. I doubt many would believe me, but would assume that I am overstating the point in order to generate tourist business. However, I wouldn’t risk my life on Earth for a week in paradise. And Israel remains safer than America’s major cities.
Before take-off, pilots check out their aircraft to guarantee they’re airworthy. You can be sure they care about their own safety and thus check out the aircraft for their own sakes, if not for others’. When I encourage you to visit Israel, I don’t say, “Go to Israel,” but rather I invite you to “travel with me and join me in Israel.” We’ll deal with the issue if travel there becomes unsafe, but right now we are putting together some of our best trips ever! So,at the risk of sounding like a travel agent, let me exhort you with the following: “Join me in Israel!”
From the start, Mark Levitt, our business manager has told me he wants me to go to Israel and also to get out and speak in increasingly more churches. Doing so keeps me in touch with you: Bible-loving, Israel-loving people—God’s people—the backbone of our ministry. Many worthy causes compete for your time and attention, so meeting with you and discussing your concerns helps me set the course for this ministry. I guess that’s why I always feel like the real winner after an Israel tour or a visit to your church. I am more confident and able to stand up strongly in the world—something I very much want to do.
I do feel pressure, but not from you—goodness no! You have graciously stood behind us—and for this I am grateful. The relentless pressure I feel comes from the knowledge that Jews are being incessantly beaten down in the world today, seemingly abandoned to their fate by too many nominal Christians. Though this bothers me greatly, my frustration is counterbalanced by the realization that our ministry speaks both for millions upon millions of people and to millions upon millions more, many of whom are not sympathizers.
We recently have begun broadcasting in Europe and around the world. Thanks for supporting ZLM and being a part of that. Thanks for helping Sandra Levitt and me reach millions of new households, heads, and hearts. I’ll keep you updated on the fruits of our outwardly-expanding ministry. Meanwhile, if you would like to join us on a trip to Israel, then come on our Fall Tour, which offers 10-, 14-, 15- and 20-day itineraries:
Tony Derrick, our Travel Manager, has a tour brochure for you, so please call him at (214) 696-9760 during office hours or dial 1-800-WONDERS (966-3377) anytime.
Your Messenger,
Jeffrey Seif
P.S. Now that Zola Levitt Presents reaches Europe, we are producing the new television series Lights Out for Christian Europe. It’s an exciting stretch for us to expand overseas, and your enthusiastic responses have encouraged us. Thank you!
Dear Jeff,
Your intoxicating enthusiasm is contagious. Your fearless faithfulness is an inspiration to Jew, gentile, American, Middle Easterner and, now, European!
“Here is my gift for May. Godspeed on sharing the Bible on location from the Holy Land and Europe via broadcast, cable TV, satellite and the Internet.”
This 2-color, 36-page book guides you through the traditional Passover Seder dinner, step-by-step. This observance reminds us of the Israelites’ rescue from Egyptian bondage, plus we remember Messiah’s last supper, a Passover Seder. What’s so unique about this Haggadah is its focus on Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and his teaching, especially on his last night in the upper room. You'll find words and sheet music for the songs traditionally sung on Passover. The popular Complete Jewish Bible is used for translations where Scripture is quoted.
In this video, Zola explains the origin and significance of Passover, the crown jewel of the Biblical feasts, and demonstrates the feast, where Christ is revealed through its very elements. This is one of the most basic and important Bible studies, shedding clear light on the mysteries of the Lord’s Supper and unearthing Jewish roots of Christianity.
