I Was Shocked Last Night!

Last night, we lit the third Hanukkah candle at my daughter's restaurant. It was a public, advertised Hanukkah event, and to be honest, I felt a bit of unease. With the backdrop of the recent violence in Sydney at Bondi Beach, I wondered whether people would stay away out of fear, and worse, I was concerned for everyone’s safety!  

To my surprise and delight, the restaurant was packed. 

People showed up not just to celebrate Hanukkah, but to stand strong together, refusing to be intimidated by the shadow of antisemitism.

Potato latkes - a holiday treat

Yet, it's a strange and sobering reality that we even have to think this way—that attending a Hanukkah event might be a cause for anxiety because of rising antisemitism. We've seen it from many angles: not only from far-left anti-Israel sentiment but also a revival of age-old prejudices on the far right. 

Tune in tonight at 8 PM EST as Ron Cantor sits down with Julie Roys to talk about the evils of antisemitism and its infiltration into the Church. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpSBCV-Qp1Y

The term "antisemitism" itself was coined in the 1800s by Wilhelm Marr, who used the German word Antisemitismus to describe hostility toward Jews—not merely a religious vilification, but as a racial and ethnic smear. He wanted to move hatred of Jews away from religion (which could, in theory, be changed by conversion) and redefine it as something biological—in the blood—that Jews were inherently dangerous simply by birth. This is why Hitler was terrified that his grandfather may have been Jewish. 

Tragically, these same old lies are resurfacing today, even from prominent voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and, shockingly, from some within the Church. 

This is why our mission is so critical. Messiah's Mandate stands firm not only in preaching the gospel of Jesus to Jewish people, but also in educating and equipping the Church to recognize and reject antisemitism in all its forms. Jesus is not returning for a Bride who hates his physical brothers. We have to protect the Church against these ideologies, lest they find themselves fighting against Jesus himself (still Jewish according to Scripture), who returns to defend Israel (Zech. 14:1-4). 

We do this together with you. Your support helps us continue this vital work of advocacy, education, and gospel outreach. 

So as we close out the year, I invite you to partner with us. Let's stand united against the darkness of antisemitism and shine the light of truth and love even brighter. Thank you for being a part of this mission.

This issue is not going away and Messiah’s Mandate is being positioned by the Lord to speak truth in the darkness. But we can’t do it alone. Please consider a generous end-of-the-year gift to MMI. We can’t thank you enough. The days are dark, and the time is critical. Thank you.