Congregation Shema Yisrael

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

This is a time of year when many people reflect on all the ways they are thankful. Our self-reflection is needed more than ever because of the age we live in. We live in a time of unprecedented selfishness. In fact selfishness has become a legitimized job for people who are famous for exploiting and […] Source

The Torah reading for this week is entitled Vayetze, which means “And He Went Out.” It is taken from the book of Genesis 28:10–32:2. In obedience to his father’s command, “Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran to seek a wife.” He also went out to comply with his mother’s counsel to escape […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry continues his series on God’s attributes with a discussion on how God is beyond our comprehension, but has made Himself known. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Watch Below: Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a new series on the nature and attributes of the Lord. 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 morning’s parasha is entitled Tol’dot, meaning ‘generations’ and covers Genesis 25:19 to 28:9. In last week’s parasha, we observed that God is showing us an ever-narrowing and increasingly selective genealogical line meant to point us to the Redeemer, Messiah Yeshua, the ‘seed of the woman’ in Genesis 3 and again the ‘seed of Abraham’ […] Source

This week David Brickner, Executive Chairman of the Board For Jews For Jesus, shares a message on courage from Judges 6. Source

This week’s parasha is entitled Chayei Sarah, meaning “The Life of Sarah” and covers Genesis 23:1-25:18. In this parasha, we see God’s plan to continue His promises through Abraham’s son Isaac, and a teaching for us on what it means to be servants of the Lord. We open with the death of Abraham’s wife, Sarah, […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a two-part series on Bible Word Studies. He introduces the concept of word studies and examines their theological importance. Using a paper by Rabbi Glenn, Rabbi Jerry explains a debate over Exodus 21:22 and its importance in the Sanctity of Human Life. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here […] Source

Peter has been addressing our relationships. He gives more instructions for the way Christians and Messianic Jews should be relating to each other. We are to be a united and loving community that knows the truth. Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and […] Source

This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vayera meaning, “And He Appeared.”  It covers Genesis, chapter 18:1 to chapter 22:24. Chapter 18 opens with Abraham sitting by his tent and God, manifested in the flesh as Yeshua, appears before him with two angels.  Abraham invites these three to a meal and quickly tells Sarah to prepare […] Source

This week Rabbi Jerry begins a two-part series on Bible Word Studies. He introduces the concept of word studies and examines their theological importance. Using a paper by Rabbi Glenn, Rabbi Jerry explains a debate over Exodus 21:22 and its importance in the Sanctity of Human Life. Click here for Rabbi Jerry’s notes. Click here […] Source

Peter has been addressing our relationships with our fellow believers, with our unbelieving neighbors and with governmental authorities. Next, Peter addresses the master-slave relationship. In Peter’s day, slavery was a brutal reality. About 15% of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. Millions of human beings were owned as property. They were often treated […] Source

This week’s Parasha is entitled Lech L’cha and means You Go. It covers Genesis 12:1–17:27. It recounts Abraham’s first encounter with God, his journey to Canaan, the birth of his son Ishmael, the covenant between Abraham, his descendants, and God, and God’s commandment to circumcise the males of his household. Abraham is referred to here […] Source