Dear Friend,
The Messianic movement is coming of age in Israel! The number of congregations there is growing; in fact in June, I’ll be speaking at one of them: “King of Kings” in Jerusalem. This Messianic community is the equivalent of a mega-church in America and its enormous congregation’s presence in Jerusalem—with the other ministries there—serves as proof that revival fires are burning throughout the Land.
Christians in North America rallied behind that ministry, and King of Kings raised millions of dollars to acquire and renovate facilities. This outpouring of kindness not only reflects God’s moving among us Jews, but also indicates that God is moving through evangelical Believers to support the Jews.
Jews and their relationship to Jesus are having an impact outside Israel, too.
Hashivenu is Hebrew for “renew.” It’s also the name of a controversial scholarly movement within the Messianic Jewish community whose adherents explore what it means to be a “Jewish” follower of Jesus, as distinct from, say, a Jew who finds Jesus and leaves the Jewish culture to assimilate into the “Christian” culture. I’m writing this letter from a Hashivenu conference in Pasadena, California, and I’m excited about the attention Jewish Believers in Jesus are drawing worldwide. The question of what it means to actually be and live as a “Jew” who is for “Jesus” is being raised in a variety of other contexts.
Fuller Theological Seminary is right around the corner from me, here in Pasadena. Years ago, Fuller took the lead in developing a graduate program that combines Jewish studies and Christian studies. A few miles away, in Van Nuys, Dr. Jack Hayford recently established Kings Seminary where they have now created Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees in Jewish Studies. (Jack loves Israel and the Jews, and once invited me to join his faculty.) A few weeks ago, Denver Seminary asked me to serve as an adjunct professor in their Master of Divinity in Messianic Judaism program. And the list of seminaries adding Jewish-Christian studies grows. Denver Seminary joins Fuller, Kings Seminary, Talbot Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Christ for the Nations Institute, and others who are interested in studying Jesus within Judaism and working out the implications. As you can see, your interest in Jesus and Jews is not unique to you at all: actually, you are part of a worldwide revival.
A few years ago, I had a grant to explore the Messianic Jewish experience in Israel and reported my findings in a book, Dawn of Devotion. Helped along by information from the Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies, in downtown Jerusalem, I discovered that a movement with about eighteen devotees in 1948, when Israel became a modern nation, now has well over 10,000 adherents in congregations throughout Israel. That’s a revival!
The Messianic Jewish Theological Institute in America recently received millions of donated dollars. The MJTI is a consortium of Messianic Jewish scholars who work together on questions related to Jews, Judaism, Israel, outreach, in reach, and more. God is moving. There truly is a revival among Jewish people—and it is spirited along by Believers like you. Thank you. Zola Levitt Ministries is playing a part in this incredible drama and you are playing the part with us.
When I first responded to the call to ministry and wanted to attend seminary to prepare for it, I didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Working as a janitor in downtown Chicago for paltry pay, I couldn’t afford seminary. That “next step” was made available at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, however, by a benevolent stranger who set up a fund at Moody to help students like me. Because funds were set aside, I was able to step aside from life’s “rat race” and prepare to “run the race.” My master’s degree and doctorate were made possible through funds donated to help disciples like me prepare to minister to readers and viewers like you. Again, thank you for all you do.
Our ministry could use some extra support right now, but I didn’t develop the previous stories to solicit help. Rather, I want to let you know that, after a nearly two-thousand-year exile, Jewish people are returning to Israel’s Messiah and some of Jesus’ people are returning to the Jews. Wow!
It’s amazing to realize that I am really a spokesperson for a movement that is much, much larger than I am, and you are participating in something much bigger than either of us. We’re all swept up in a revival wave, one that is carrying us to places we have not been before.
It seems that those revival waves have swept us onto your shores, evidenced by the fact that you are reading this letter. And you can help us greatly with very little effort. If you know of other Jewish-loving and Israel-loving Jesus-follower-types, would you kindly let them know about our ministry and encourage them to sign up to receive our free magazine, the Levitt Letter? They can request it at www.levitt.com or call us at (214) 696-8844. It’s free for the asking.
Now, with a little more effort—but well worth it—would you prayerfully consider going to Israel with us? It not only will enhance your personal walk with Jesus, but it supports Zola Levitt Ministries and Israel. This year Israel celebrates its 60th birthday as a modern nation. Our 60th anniversary tour runs from June 9–19; the fall trips depart on October 14 and 19 and return on October 29 and November 2. Contact our travel manager Abel at (214) 696-9760 during office hours (CT), or call 1-800-WONDERS (800-966-3377) anytime. Why not join Sandra and me for an experience of a lifetime?
Whether or not you travel to Israel with us, please know that we appreciate you for going down life’s highway with us. Many thanks for your prayer support and financial support for the work of God being accomplished through Zola Levitt Ministries’ national and international outreaches.
As we travel together down life’s highway, your contributions get us up on life’s airwaves. We’re getting ready to shoot on location television footage in Israel again. This new TV series, Ezekiel and the Middle East “Piece” Process, will provide a much-needed prophecy report of what is happening in Israel and what will happen. Can you please help us make it happen?
Blessings,
Jeff Seif
P.S. Our outreach appreciates all donations and uses them to offset the many expenses associated with the top-notch TV production that we offer for free to the world.
Dear Jeff,
The many examples in your letter prove that the Messianic movement is coming of age in Israel, in America and around the world.
“Here is my gift for March. I look forward to seeing the upcoming prophecy report in the pending TV series, Ezekiel and the Middle East “Piece” Process.”
The holidays our Lord celebrated, filmed on location in Israel. These celebrations provide one of the most fascinating studies of biblical types and shadows.
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.
This unique full-color pin, with America’s and Israel’s flags, proudly encourages the unity of the U.S.A. and the Holy Land.
