Times are tough and we need to laugh. When we started The Jewish Road Podcast, we knew we wanted to take the Word of God seriously, live urgently and be aware of the times we are in, and be sure to laugh a bit - because life is short.

So we tell our own brand of jokes, Jewish humor.

Hanukkah and Christmas for many American Jews can cause confusion about which holiday to celebrate and how. Hanukkah, specifically, has lost much of its original meaning, and the birth of the Messiah, Christmas, is no different.

Now more than ever is a time to celebrate Hanukkah and hold onto the light of hope that it provides us. In 1932, Anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe and many Jewish families could personally feel evil making its way towards them.

Despite what they saw out their window everyday, those with menorahs kept those lights alight and celebrated this historical holiday that not only brought light into their homes but brought a sense of strength and courage as well.

On this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we dive into why we should find reason to celebrate Hanukkah today in a time when Anti-Semitism seems more persistent than ever: to provide strength, promise, and hope for the future - even in dark times.

We travel back into the timeline of the Bible to uncover a fascinating connection between the stories of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and Jesus.

While Hanukkah is widely known as the Festival of Lights, and is enjoyed by millions around the world each year, many are unaware of its Biblical backstory.

Through this episode, we can better understand Hanukkah's significance, and also discover why it is so important to be ready for another tumultuous time in Jewish history.

I saw a show the other day where a famous musician put on a costume and showed up at a karaoke bar. This person who normally sells out arenas was on stage in front of thirty people. She started singing one of her songs and the people loved it, except they didn't know it was her. They missed it - until the end of the show and the big reveal. Then it all made sense.

On this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we'll be talking about how the Jews of Jesus' day missed the Messiah and how we can avoid missing Him when He comes again.

In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples of the image of many rooms in His father’s house - He gives an invitation to come and take up residence. This is more than just a dry statement of faith. Jesus speaks in metaphor, using the concept of a marriage to illustrate the human relationship with God.

In first-century culture, men would often go away to prepare a ‘place’ for their bride - usually encountered for the first time at the wedding feast. In essence, Jesus both foretells and promises his return. He will come back for us like a groom coming for His bride.

In waiting and preparation, our role is uniquely transformational: we live not in static uncertainty but in proactive anticipation of The Day when the Messiah returns as promised with all eagerly awaiting joy!

As the world awaits this season to remember the birth of the Messiah in His first coming, let it also point us to His assured return. Waiting can be hard, especially in days like these. In this 50th episode of The Jewish Road Podcast, may you be encouraged and enlightened to gain a deeper understanding of an old passage made new. May this season be one where each of us draws closer to the Lord as we anticipate His coming again! Blessings in your journey as you wait upon Him like a Bride waiting her Groom!

This Thanksgiving week, there is much to be grateful for. As Jews, we are familiar with the concept of "Tikkun Olam" - translated from Hebrew as “Repair The World” - to remind us that though brokenness abides in our world, we've been invited to partner with God to help repair it.

Far beyond humanitarian acts or green initiatives, we are called to bring a greater repair, one that brings salvation through the Messiah. We do not do this on our own: ultimately, it is only through Jesus that perfect order shall be restored in the world one day soon! 

What an incredible gift to offer thanks for this Thanksgiving week!

The barriers preventing many Jewish people from believing in Jesus are numerous and deeply entrenched. Unfortunately, much of this is due to the history between the Jewish people and the church throughout history. From the early church fathers to the Crusades, and extending from Martin Luther to the Holocaust, in the mind of the Jewish people, there is a history of how Christians have caused pain and suffering for Jewish people.

This podcast episode recounts a short history of Anti-Semitism for those unaware of how deep the roots go. We also give some initial steps Christians can take to overcome these barriers and extend an olive branch to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

On this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we sit down with our friend, Rich Ferreira, from GTI Tours on his podcast. We talked about everything from an overview of the Jewish holidays that take place in the Fall as well as our upcoming trip to Israel.

It seems as though Jesus keeps showing up at the right time unless you're part of the crowd trying to keep the same old traditions unchanged. He shows up and brings a whole new meaning to an ancient feast.

The Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. It is a pilgrimage feast when Jews worldwide celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the earth's bounty.

In this episode of the Jewish Road podcast, we take a look at the Jewish High Holy Day of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement.

This holiday has roots in both the Old and New Testaments, and its implications are still relevant to how we live today.

Rosh Hashanah - Feast of Trumpets - Yom Teruah - Zikaron Teruah - the Jewish New Year. That's right, so many different names describing one holiday.

It is one of the biggest holidays on the Jewish calendar and is the start of the High Holy Days season. Synagogues are packed with Jewish people today, gathered to hear the blowing of the shofar and beginning 10 Days of Awe and repentance, hoping they will be inscribed in the Book of Life for one more year.

Yet, not one thing of all of that is found in Scripture. It is strictly tradition.

Maybe it's time we take a deeper look and rethink Rosh Hashanah.

On this episode of the Jewish Road podcast, we explore replacement theology and hone in on the book of Romans for a deeper look. The idea that "God is done with the Jews" is not new, but it has been gaining traction in recent years.

But where does this thinking come from?

And what does the Bible actually say about God's relationship with the Jewish people? We'll dig into all of that in this episode and offer some ways to respond to this line of thinking.

So whether you're a Jew struggling with this issue or a Christian who wants to learn more about what the Bible has to say on the matter, this episode is for you. Join us as we unpack replacement theology and explore what the Bible really says about God's relationship with the Jewish people.

Are God's people, the Jewish people, still His chosen people? We'll give you the punchline now: Absolutely.

Are we talking about an old relationship that once was, and now God has moved on to another love, the church? We believe the Jewish are still chosen, still loved, still the apple of His eye.

In this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we explore why are the Jewish people God's chosen people and why did He choose them - all from a Messianic perspective. We talk about how the Abrahamic covenant plays a big role in this eternal relationship between God and His chosen people. We also explore how being part of the redemption story changes everything and gives meaning to being chosen.

If you've ever been curious about Israel, now is the time to take the plunge and join The Jewish Road on an unforgettable trip to the Promised Land. Israel is not only the epicenter of the story of God - past, present, and future - but it's also a place where you can deepen your faith and gain a new perspective on the Bible.

Israel holds a special place in the hearts of Jews and Christians alike. For Jews, it is the Promised Land, a land that has been promised to them by God for centuries. For Christians, Israel is the place where Jesus lived, preached, died, and rose again to ascend to the right hand of the Father. On our trip, you'll have the opportunity to see Act One and Act Two come together in the classroom of Jesus, and you'll be able to explore all that Israel has to offer - from its stunning landscapes to its fascinating history. A trip to Israel is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Bible come to life.

We are currently planning a trip for Spring 2023. Join us on The Jewish Road to Israel! If you're ready to experience Israel in a whole new way, visit thejewishroad.com/israel today and sign up for our interest list. We can't wait to show you Israel through our eyes!