“I’m Jewish?!”
The Book and the Bench is a blog from CWI (N America) that sets forth principles from the Book and conversations from the Park-Bench in the world of Jewish mission.
Blog #5 : I’m Jewish?!
That was the response that Julie gave her mother when she was told that her side of the family was Jewish.
Julie had grown up in a home where her dad was a practicing Catholic and her mom Presbyterian. Julie loved going to Catholic church with her dad when she was a child. But when Julie’s mom and dad divorced, she lived with her mom. So then Julie started attending a Presbyterian church regularly.
A Chance Discovery
How we met Julie was truly a God thing. But first a little background.
Julie’s dad was runner-up for the Nobel Prize in Physics in the seventies. He had a brain injury some years ago and has never been the same and recently had to be placed in a nursing home. When he got sick, Julie needed to come back to Pittsburgh to help be her dad’s caretaker. (Julie lives in West Virginia). As she was looking for a Bed and Breakfast near her dad’s nursing home, the one which was the closest was already booked. However the day before she was leaving West Virginia she checked again and found the original B&B she wanted was now open due to a cancelation. This particular Bed and Breakfast happens to be owned by our great friend and fellow Squirrel Hill volunteer, Linda Stewart. So while Julie was staying with Linda, Julie shared her story with Linda and told her that she recently found out that she was Jewish.
Some time ago when Julie’s aunt died, Julie’s mom and her went to the aunt’s house to go through her belongings. While Julie was in the attic looking through boxes, she found a box that was filled with a Tanakh (a Jewish Old Testament), a Hannukah menorah, a kippah (Jewish head covering), a tallit (a prayer shawl), and various other Jewish items. When Julie asked her mom about the box, her mom told a story of how Julie’s grandparents were Jewish but changed their last name because of living in Germany and hiding their Jewish identity.
They had never shared this information with Julie. She was totally unaware of this until that moment in the attic. WOW! What a revelation to Julie. Linda told Julie that she was part of a Messianic fellowship and would like her to talk to a Jewish couple that also attended the congregation. That Jewish couple was called Mitch and Mia Tepper!
A Complex Dynamic
So we (Mitch & Mia) were introduced to a woman who grew up with a Catholic dad who slowly became an agnostic, and a Jewish mother who brought Julie up as a Presbyterian! There were lots of things to unravel!
Linda obviously was excited to tell her that Jesus was the Messiah of both Jewish and Gentiles and in fact He is the Savior of all people whom He has called. After Julie started realizing all the connections between our church upbringing and her newly found Jewish heritage, Linda turned her over to Mia and I to help her understand true Christianity with all its Jewish roots.
Since that time we have met with Julie a half-dozen times and we are amazed at the passion in this young woman as she discovers more about her Messiah, Lord, and Savior each day!
Pray for Julie’s development in understanding as we seek to help her and also as she seeks a local fellowship in West Virginia to grow in and serve.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)
“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Shalom and AMEN to all!
-Mitch Tepper
