Jews For Jesus coming to House of Prayer in Blairsville

For most people, Jews and Jesus go together like matzo balls and Christmas. If you agree with that notion, Jews for Jesus' music team, The Liberated Wailing Wall, is out to prove you wrong. This group of traveling musical missionaries will be coming to Blairsville on Sunday, March 2nd, and presenting a program of music, drama and testimony at House of Prayer Church, 2925 Pat Colwell Road, at 6:00 p.m.

Jews for Jesus developed Jewish gospel style music over two decades ago. They wanted music with a harmony and rhythm that could blend their Jewishness with a message proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. Jews for Jesus say they were surprised and delighted to find that others enjoyed their minor key music, too.

The music reflects many styles of Jewish and Christian worship. They use a variety of instruments to achieve their sound, including piano, guitar, violin, and dunbek (Middle Eastern drum). Some songs capture the poignant longing that has been a part of our synagogue worship throughout the ages. Some are in the style of the Eastern European klezmorim. Others are bursting with the same joyful exuberance you expect to find at an American Jewish wedding. All the lyrics are taken from the Bible - the Hebrew Scriptures as well as the New Testament.

The team members respresent a wide range of musical talent, but all of the Liberated Wailing Wall see themselves as part of the Jews for Jesus missionary staff.

Jews for Jesus is an independent missionary organization founded in 1973 by Moishe Rosen. The Executive Director is David Brickner whose staff consists of more than 100 workers based in United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, South America, and Australia. Their goal is to let Jewish people know that the gospel is for them - that belief in Jesus does not take away one's Jewish culture and heritage. Says Brickner, "Jews for Jesus began as a slogan; became a movement, and then an organization. It is now the generic name for tens of thousands of Jews who have come to faith in Jesus in recent years. Our message is that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. We are Jews who think this is good news to tell everyone."

"What could be more Jewish than following the Messiah?" continues Brickner, who considers himself living proof that following Jesus does not lead people to abandon their Jewish identity. "Both my parents are Jewish believers in Jesus. I was taught to cherish my roots and heritage."

House of Prayer Interdenominational Church, 2925 Pat Colwell Rd., P.O. Box 1475, Blairsville, GA 30514

Jews for Jesus uses drama, music, the spoken and the written word to get the point across - and all with a distinctly Jewish accent. They see themselves as communicators, ambassadors who promote understanding and reconciliation among Christians and Jews. The Liberated Wailing Wall fills this role in a unique way. Woven into their music program are short personal testimonies of how they came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Team members feel that the message is the most important part of the Liberated Wailing Wall's music. Their philosophy is: "Whether you're Jewish or Gentile, we hope that our music is going to help you understand. If you're Jewish, it will give you insight into Christian thinking, and if you're Gentile, you will learn about the Jewish roots of faith in Jesus. We want people to understand how Jewishness and the gospel fit together."

Staff members who qualify and opt to join the team agree to be "on the road" for eighteen months at a time. They live out of a suitcase, traveling in a custom built 45-foot Van Hool bus with bold JEWS FOR JESUS lettering on its side - a traveling billboard on highways all across the country. In the course of a year's travel the group covers approximately one hundred thousand miles.

The Liberated Wailing Wall has recorded over ten albums; most recently Behold Your God. Other musical recordings by Jews for Jesus are also available through Purple Pomegranate Productions, the merchandising division of Jews for Jesus.

Anyone who would like to understand what being Jewish has to do with believing in Jesus is invited to come enjoy the stories, Hebrew music and ethnic costumes of the Liberated Wailing Wall. There will be no admission charge.