Bagels and Blessings

Yosef was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, then at fourteen years old he was placed in the Foster Care system when his parents passed away. Yosef attended Illinois State University.  He remembers hearing the rock song “Jesus Christ Superstar” and it made an impression on him. A representative of Campus Crusade for Christ came to his dormitory and seeds were sewn.  There came a time when God spoke to him and told him about Yeshua.   He was challenged to read the New Testament.  The next morning there was a box of free books near the mailbox.  He began reading “Good News for Modern Man”  and it all started to make sense.   He met a Methodist minister and began going to his church. Then at 20 years old he became the youth director there.  Yosef still didn’t know that there were other Jewish believers.  He obtained a Masters degree from Messiah Biblical Institute in Washington, DC and another from Gratz College in Philadelphia.  He lived in Israel for a while and teaches Yeshiva courses online. 

Joyce Dorian is the host of The Bridge Podcast, where she seeks to build understanding, compassion, and healing between Jews and Christians through honest conversations, education, history, and personal stories. A self-described "nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn," Joyce spent many years spiritually searching before encountering Jesus as her Messiah through reading the Bible in 2021. Her journey has deepened both her faith and her appreciation for the Jewish roots of Christianity. Through speaking, writing, and podcasting, Joyce encourages others to ask questions, dig deeper into Scripture, and discover the beauty of God's interconnected story.

Toni Bogart currently serves as a producer researcher at Sid Roth Ministries, bringing a wealth of insight and experience to her impactful work in media. As a Messianic believer who deeply loves God and people, her life and career are firmly rooted in her faith and a passion for ministry. With over forty years of professional accomplishments, Toni is a gifted worship leader and keyboardist who previously shared her talents as an inspirational PTL singer. She is also a dynamic keynote speaker who uniquely balances her vibrant creative spirit with a sharp acumen for business. Throughout her diverse journey, Toni remains dedicated to using her multi-faceted gifts to inspire others and lead them into the presence of God.

Stephanie Caracelo is a fourth generation Messianic Jew and has formerly served on the Executive Boards of the MJAA and YMJA. She is the former Ministries Director for the YMJA, leading youth conferences around the country. She serves as the B’nei MitzvahDirector and has a passion for teaching the foundations of the Jewish faith and inspiring the minds of the B'nei Mitzvah candidates. She also works on the daytime conference committee of the Messiah Conference.She serves as a Shammash alongside her husband of 24 years at Congregation Beth Hallel in Roswell, GA. She has two amazing children who inspire her each day to be a Godly parent. She earned her Doctor of Education degreein Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and works as an elementary school teacher. She loves cooking, reading, and spending time with her family playing board games and enjoying the outdoors.

Katherine Thomas was born and raised in San Diego, attending a Lutheran church throughout her childhood.  She was introduced to the Messianic Movement in her mid-twenties when Tree of Life Messianic Congregation moved to the campus of the church she attended.  Katherine fell in love with the messianic congregation and enjoyed learning about the Jewish roots of her faith for the first time. Now years later, Katherine volunteers with the worship dance team, children’s ministry, and prayer team. She currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician, serving young children with autism and their families.

Rebbitzin Jill Kamp Aaronson is an experienced executive leadership coach, communications consultant, author and organization development specialist, strategic planner, motivational speaker, bridge builder, conflict resolution facilitator, public relations spokesperson, and message developer.For four years she developed courses and taught at CMEL, Center for Management and Executive Leadership for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and became a senior advisor at FAA headquarters. Jill spends most of her time leading and coaching leaders, asking challenging questions, setting direction for others to grow, strategic planning, disciplining others, and facilitating Bible contemplation.Jill also founded American Showcase Theatre Company, now Metro Stage, a professional company that won Helen Hayes awards and nominations and she trained over 6000 actors. In 1990 she received their Woman of Distinction Award for her achievements as an entrepreneur and leader.She earned her MA from New York University in theatre arts and has had seven careers in the DC area including part time teaching for almost every college and university in the DC metro area. Trademarked as Queen of Bargains, she had a column in The Washington Times for five years, a call in radio show on WAVA, weekly features on Channel 7 TV and many personal appearances.Jill currently resides in Texas with her husband, Rabbi Ron Aaronson . Jill is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of six.

Nathan is the first-born son of Paul and Luanne Wilbur and is currently operating as the Director of Wilbur Ministries. After finishing two years of undergraduate work, a semester of Jewish studies at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas, and graduating from the Jacksonville Police Academy, Nathan was hired to manage the ministry office and oversee the ministry travel schedule.When ten years of service and travel as a part of the team had been completed, Nathan was ordained as a minister of the gospel with several leading pastor’s affirmation and participation. Today Nathan continues as the Director of the ministry which also includes oversight of the monthly streamed service called First Friday. Nathan also continues to travel and minister as a part of the Wilbur team, sharing preaching, ministry and administrative duties.Nathan, along with his wife Malki and their eight-year-old son, Caleb currently live near Jacksonville, Florida.

Josh and Sarah are husband and wife.  In their words, "God created; thus, we as His creation create things in return. One of our favorite ways to worship is singing- an act of creation that requires body, mind, and soul to unite together in a beautiful display of devotion. Our heart is that the music will bring you closer to God's own heart, and that you leave more in tune with His Spirit, through the mighty power of our Savior, Yeshua." They are both part of the group The Nesbitts and are expecting their first child in September.

 Rabbi Ron Goldberg was raised in a Jewish family in New York City.  He began sneaking out to church during his senior year of High School. A friend then gave him the "forbidden" New Testament to read and he soon discovered that Yeshua (Jesus) really is the Jewish Messiah. "After coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua my parents thought about having a funeral for me," Ron stated. "Instead, they sent me to a rabbi for deprogramming and intensive counseling!"His relationship with his parents was very difficult for several years but giving them grandchildren helped restore it. Rabbi Goldberg's wife, Vinu and he, are an inter-faith couple with 5 children.Since 1989 he has served at Messianic Congregations and spoken at churches and Bible studies. "God has called me to raise my voice like a shofar (Isa. 58). I teach about Israel, the Messiah of Israel and the Feasts of Israel (God's Appointments with His children).

Lisa Hellermann grew up in a Jewish family. After completing college,  she worked in Manhattan on her way to a successful future. At this time she started to have questions about God and the meaning of life. Her search for truth offered absolutely nothing. One day commuting back from work on the Long Island Railroad, Lisa prayed to God and said, “God if you are real I want to see you,” Then she fell asleep on the train and had a very vivid dream of Jesus. She felt awake in this dream as if she were truly seeing Him and she was scared, yet curious. He drew her to Himself by His power as she saw Him from a distance. He then put His hands on top of hers and said, “don’t be afraid, it is Me and I’ll be with you always.” Lisa woke up changed, but not knowing what happened as she thought why would she see Jesus since she is Jewish and never thought of Him before. Since that visitation in response to her prayer, God placed people in her path to invite her to church, give her the Bible and get her into fellowship. Over time Lisa understood the gospel message of salvation and went on to tell the good news to her family who mostly came to know Yeshua as their Messiah. She is now an ordained minister and published prophetic words at lisahellermann.com

Apostle LYNN JORDAN is the Founder/CEO of I AM FOUNDation. She studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York as a NISHMA Fellow, attended Columbia University, N.Y.U., studied at a Bible Institute in NYC, teaches Scripture on various platforms, worked as a reporter on several publications and loves to worship.Lynn is the author of The Year in Torah (Bible) Portions for Christians, Jews & Everyone Else! 

Dee grew up in a non- Jewish home and fell in love with the Jewish root of her faith and the Jewish people many years ago. She encountered the Lord many times, from being rescued from a harmful marriage, to being healed of cancer several times, and even when she had an out of body experience. She loves to share her joy of the Lord with anyone who will listen. I know you will enjoy this interview with a very sweet woman who loves the Lord!

Henry W. Wright was the president and founder of Be in Health Global. He was exposed to the power of spiritual healing at an early age when his mother was miraculously cured of terminal cancer and a fatal tumor that was wrapped around her jugular vein. Wright was committed to the belief that human problems are fundamentally spiritual, with associated physical and psychological manifestations. With his pre-med background and insights into the medical as well as the spiritual aspects of disease, he brought a fresh perspective to the process of ministering to the sick. He authored two books, A More Excellent Way and Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease. He also has presented seminars worldwide and across broad denominational lines for a number of years and was a frequent guest on many well-known television and radio programs. Wright was also the pastor of Hope of the Generations Church in Thomaston, Georgia.