Congregation Shema Yisrael

This week’s parasha is entitled, B’shalach, which means “when he sent” and covers Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  When he sent refers to pharaoh letting the Israelis depart from Egypt after the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn. After their release, the Lord does not lead the Israelis in a direct route towards their final […] Source

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Messiah Yeshua. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Messiah Yeshua, our God and Savior. May God give you more and more grace and peace […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series through the attributes of God with a discussion of God’s Transcendence & Immanence. He discusses how God’s otherness and closeness to us comes together to create a correct view of who He is. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

We’re continuing with the second letter that Peter wrote. Peter’s first letter, written with the help of Silas, was addressed to Messianic Jews living in the Diaspora, outside of Israel, in ancient Asia Minor – present day Turkey. This letter is written to a more general audience – to all believers everywhere. It’s written by […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Bo, which means “Go,” and covers Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 In the previous parasha, we saw the first seven plagues unleashed on Egypt. In chapter 10, the Lord commands Moses to go before Pharaoh to continue to demonstrate Adonai’s superiority over the false gods of Egypt. Moses was instructed to […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry teaches on the infinite nature of God through His omnipresence and immensity. He also discusses how God’s nearness reminds us that we are never hidden from His sight and can access His comforting presence anywhere and at any time. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s Notes. Watch Below:   Source

This week David Brickner shares a message from the life of Gideon. Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vaiera, meaning “And I appeared.” Adonai redeemed His people by manifesting His power to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods. He alone is the one true and living God. Chapter six opens with a discouraged Moses. He had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, and the result was an increase […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion of God’s infinite nature in relation to Time. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source

Shabbat Shalom. This morning, I would like to start with a story, a true story you may have heard before… In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the […] Source

Our Torah reading this Shabbat bears the same name as the book it introduces: Shemot meaning ‘names’, since it begins with a recitation of the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, who, with their father and their families, had settled in Egypt after being reunited with Joseph. The English name for the book, Exodus, is borrowed […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion of God’s infinite nature. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes.   Source

Peter is writing to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey. They are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as the promised Messiah, […] Source

This week, we end the book of Genesis with parasha Vayechi, which translates to “and he lived”. Vayechi covers Genesis 47:28-50:26 and finishes the book of Genesis. This parasha contains the final Messianic prophecy of Genesis as well as a powerful reminder that the Lord is always in control. Our parasha begins with Jacob making Joseph […] Source

Peter is writing to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey. They are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as the promised Messiah, […] Source

This Shabbat we have two parashas; MiKetz, meaning “At the conclusion” and Vayigash, meaning “And he drew near” covering Genesis chapters 41-47. Joseph is in prison on a false charge of attempted rape. Poor Joseph; betrayed by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, wrongfully accused. Yet despite it all, Joseph conducted himself with integrity, and God […] Source

I find it fascinating that Chanukkah and Christmas arrive at nearly the same time each year. Many people assume Chanukkah is a “Jewish holiday” and Christmas is a “Christian holiday,” as though they mutually exclusive observances. However, they are not opposing stories. They are parts of the same divine story. When we see them together […] Source

Today, during Chanukkah, I have the privilege of being made an elder of Congregation Shema Yisrael. I am blessed to be a shepherd in the community, which I have been a part of my whole life. There are so many familiar faces here today, many of whom I remember from when I was 13 years […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his discussion on God’s unchanging nature and addresses passages that seem to indicate that God changes His mind, repents, or regrets. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here for additional notes. Watch Below: Source

Peter is writing to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey. They are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as the promised Messiah, […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Vayeshev which means “and he dwelt” It covers Genesis 37:1-40:23 We begin the parasha with Joseph, who was Jacob’s favored son, receiving a special multi-colored robe and having dreams suggesting he would one day rule over his family. His brothers grow jealous and resentful of him and plot to kill […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes. This week he begins a two-part discussion on the unchanging aspects of the Lord known as immutability. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below: Source

Peter is writing to Messianic Jews living outside of the land of Israel in Asia Minor – modern‑day Turkey. They are facing trials and opposition because of their faith in Yeshua. Gentiles around them mock their devotion to the God of Israel, while fellow Jews who have not yet embraced Yeshua as the promised Messiah, […] Source

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayishlach, meaning “and he sent.”Vayishlach – “And He Sent” Jacob, knowing Esau still held the memory of his stolen blessing, sent messengers before him to his brother, who was living in the region of Seir. In chapter 32, Jacob contacts Esau by sending messengers ahead with a message of humility. […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes. He discusses how the Lord has always existed and does not depend on or need us for anything. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below:   Source