I am often asked, “Rabbi what does the Children of Jacob International Ministries do?” Well there is not a quick and simple answer for the many things that the International Ministries does and what is has been involved with over the last 15 + years. I have decided that it would be best to highlight some of the many exciting things that are happening!
Ethiopia is one of the most exciting works that Children of Jacob International Ministries is involved with. Did you know that Ethiopian Jewish people can trace their roots to the 325 CE. They are well known and active during the David and Soloman and have some of the deep Jewish heritage. However these Ethiopian Jews are seldom though of as part of the Jewish people of Israel.
You will not find a more worthwhile cause that the Ethiopian Jewish People. They are certainly God’s chosen people in need. Whether it is food, shelter, clothing, education or hope …. these are a people in need. That is what the Children of Jacob International Ministries is called to do. “Bless Any Jewish Person, Anywhere in the World, in Any Way Possible.”
Life for the Messianic Community
It is nearly impossible to fully comprehend the challenges of living in Ethiopia. Adding on to that the additional challenges of living a Torah observant life in a society that is not known to embrace different cultures. Intermittent power, little or no plumbing, running water is a luxury, yet their happiness is not based upon what they have or not have. Their happiness is based on relationship. What we would consider a necessity they would consider a luxury. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some pictures of the daily life for our messianic community.
Education
As blessed Americans, we all to one degree or another have tremendous opportunities for education. Whether that is formal education through a public or private school system, trade school or even online courses, the opportunity to better ourselves, to learn a new skill, to learn about Torah or to access information to make us more qualified for jobs, we have access to opportunities. Education provides hope.
In Africa those opportunities do not exist. While public school is available in places, the teachers are not educated, the children have to pay their teachers salaries. If a child does not have money to attend the class, they are often times asked to leave, or cannot progress to the next grade level because they have not paid the teacher. I could go on, but let me say things are definitely not the same, the opportunities that we have are certainly not shared throughout the world!
Today the we are involved in providing education to nearly 100 children in this small Messianic Jewish Community. Education opportunities that without the International Ministries assistance and your support these children would not have an opportunity to learn the basic principles of education. Reading, writing and arithmetic are just the start. These children not only get to learn, but they get to learn from a jewish cultural perspective. They get to learn about their heritage and why they are God’s chosen people. With your help we have been able to provide them with not only educational opportunities but also clothing and school supplies!
Food Program
Every month Children of Jacob International Ministries provides food for the families of the Ethiopian Messianic Jewish Community. Every month not only are we involved in meeting their needs spiritually, but also understanding that as Jewish people we have a Biblical mandate to ensure that our brothers and sisters do not go hungry. We care for them spiritually and physically. Ee give, and we buy food, so God’s chosen people can realize that there are people around the world, that are not only praying for them, but we care enough about them to buy them rice or vegetables. Nothing fancy, they are not going to Starbucks and ordering Frappuccino’s, but for them the rice, bread and vegetables that we can provide help to supplement their diets.
Micro Finance Loans
The old adage “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for his life time.” No one wants to be dependent on anyone else. Self-Reliance is the goal of these Micro Finance Loans. We give money to help the Ethiopian Messianic Jewish Community not just survive but flourish. Whether it is helping them buy sewing machines, printing presses or other equipment to start a business, we want to help. However, this is not a handout. They must have a business plan. That business plan is presented before a board. If approved, they are required to repay the loan in accordance to the terms of the contract. That money is then used to help out someone else. It is perpetual program designed to “Teach a man to fish.” So that they can be self-sufficient.
What’s Next?
My heart is burden for the youth. I certainly believe, that the hope for the future of the Messianic Believers in Ethiopia rests in the providing opportunities for the youth. While it is a tremendous blessing what we have accomplished thus far, it is not enough. More can be done for the children, many only eat once a day, the class sizes are too big, they have to share educational materials.
Will you consider not just praying over these children, but asking God what He wants Children of Jacob International Ministries to do. No one else is working with this community, its only us. Think about it, pray about it. Send me a email and let me know what God has placed upon your heart.
Blessings
Rabbi Jeff Friedman
cojmessianicministries@gmail.com
rabbijefff@msn.com