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Letter from Our Executive Director
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)
“Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15, TLV)
Dear Beloved Supporters,
In these tumultuous times, as the world faces the upheaval of conflict and unrest, I am compelled to express my deepest gratitude for your steadfast support of our mission to share the good news of Yeshua the Messiah with our Jewish people. Your unwavering dedication comes at a crucial moment, as our global Jewish community grapples with the harrowing realities of war in the Middle East and the alarming rise of antisemitism across the world.
Amidst these challenges, our mission, “Bringing the Message to the Original Messengers,” takes on an even greater significance. The urgency to offer hope, healing, and salvation to our Jewish brothers and sisters has never been more pressing. As they navigate the complexities of a world filled with uncertainty and hostility, our commitment to giving all Jewish people the opportunity to hear, understand, and follow Yeshua, the promised Messiah, stands as a beacon of light in the darkness.
Your generosity has been the cornerstone of our efforts, and we are deeply thankful for each and every donation you have made.
Through your support, we have been able to carry out our work in various key areas: evangelism, hospitality, teaching, benevolence, and building community. Each aspect plays a vital role in our overarching goal of spreading the message of hope and salvation to our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Your donations have enabled us to reach countless individuals, offering them a glimpse of the love and grace that Yeshua offers. Whether through evangelistic outreach, providing hospitality to those in need, teaching the truths of Scripture, extending benevolent assistance, or fostering a sense of belonging within our community, your contributions have made a tangible difference in the lives of many.
As we approach the end of the financial year, I appeal to you to prayerfully consider making a generous donation to “your mission to the Jewish people.” Your continued partnership is essential in enabling us to sustain and expand our efforts in the midst of these challenging times. Together, let us stand as a beacon of hope and solidarity, offering a message of shalom and reconciliation in a world that is desperate for healing and redemption.
Dear friends, let us remember the Apostle Paul’s commission to “preach the Word in and out of season” with boldness and compassion, knowing that we carry within us the transformative message of hope and salvation. As we live in a world marred by turmoil and uncertainty, let us be ready to give an answer for the unwavering hope that is in us of the redemptive power of Yeshua our Messiah.
Together, let us continue to be vessels of His love and messengers of His truth. Thank you for standing with us in this important work of Celebrate Messiah. May God bless you abundantly for your faithfulness and generosity.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Lawrence Hirsch
Executive Director, Celebrate Messiah
Partner with Us: Bring Hope to the Jewish Community in Australia
Our mission is clear: “Bringing the Message to the Original Messengers.” We seek to bring the message of the hope, love, and salvation of Yeshua the Messiah to the unsaved Jewish community in Australia. But we can’t do it alone.
Every day, countless Jewish individuals in Australia are searching for spiritual fulfilment, longing to reconnect with their heritage and faith in a meaningful way. At Celebrate Messiah, we are committed to being a beacon of light, offering them a path to discover the truth of Yeshua as their Messiah.
Here’s how your support can make a difference:
Evangelism: Through outreach programs like Tikkun Olam, community events hosted by our local congregations, and interpersonal relationships, we are actively engaging with Jewish individuals, sharing the message of Yeshua’s love and redemption.
Food Hampers: Many families within the Jewish community are facing economic hardship. Your donation can help us provide essential food hampers, offering not just sustenance but also demonstrating the care and compassion of our Messiah.
ZulaRoo Surf House: Our Surf House in Apollo Bay provides a welcoming space where Israelis can find a peaceful place to stay on their Australia trip, connect with their roots, explore their faith, and encounter Yeshua in a supportive environment. We are in need of $1.4 million to pay off the purchase of the property. Will you join us in support?
Messianic Congregations: These congregations in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra serve as a bridge between Jewish heritage and belief in Yeshua, offering fellowship, discipleship, and a vibrant community where believers can grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Your generosity can truly transform lives. Whether it is through a one-time gift or becoming a monthly partner, every contribution plays a vital role in our mission to reach the Jewish community with the message of hope and salvation.
Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of Jewish people across Australia. As we approach the end of this financial year, thank you for considering joining us in this important work.
Tikkun Olam
By Barry Buirski
Thank you, for standing together with us for the salvation of Israel and our Jewish community at a time such as this. Now more than ever I/we see the need of the urgency of the gospel to go forward into the lives and hearts of our Jewish brethren.
Tikkun Olam has been reaching out into the Jewish community around Australia for the past 14 years by way of gift hampers, food vouchers and monthly luncheons. Recently we have been visiting with some of the Jewish recipients who receive assistance from Tikkun Olam. Following is some of the conversations we have established.
From Uzbekistan Tashkent – “O” Levi (husband) passed away 9 months ago and presently is in mourning. One of the main reasons “O” loves to attend the luncheons is because it helps her to enjoy the company of friends, as she mostly remains at home.
From Moldova – “Z” very happy with anything we do with them. Love everything that is inside the hampers. “Z” was an engineer and loves to turn photos into slides/videos. Their mother passed away 2 days ago. They are very happy to help us with any voluntary work that is required.
From Ukraine – “S” had cardio test yesterday, results were not positive. This family are parents and grandparents and have recently been granted a humanitarian visa to be in Australia for 3 years. Half of this period has already expired. They fled from the war and now at a senior age they need to re-establish themselves again. Recently their daughter died from cancer.
From Uzbekistan – close to Iran. “L” very touched and very beautiful luncheons. Gives hamper to her son. No government assistance with medical bills. “L” was a Microbiologist in an Israeli hospital. Met and married her husband within 2 weeks, then moved to Australia. Most of her family is still in Israel – two sisters and brother in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. One sister lives in Melbourne.
Pray for the seeds that have been sown and continue to be sown amongst my brethren in the Jewish community. •
Beit Shalom in Sydney
By Daniel & Monica Valle
Since arriving in Australia, Daniel and Monica led the transition of the Messianic fellowship called Brit Chadashah, which for a number of years had been meeting as a Bible study in St Ives, Sydney, into a Messianic congregation called Beit Shalom Sydney. During this process the Lord has continued to bless His ministry in St Ives, doubling the attendance, and bringing more Jewish people who could hear about the Good News of Messiah in a familiar and non-threatening context.
Just recently, an older Jewish man accepted Yeshua as his Messiah when he visited Beit Shalom Sydney for the first time, after many years of his life searching for meaning. According to him: “He felt at home and heard the message of the Scripture and the Jewish Messiah like never before.”
Daniel: “After October 7th, we have been able to minister and support our local Jewish community and strengthen our relationship with them. Because our congregation is located on the way of many people to synagogue, one of the things we started doing is to use chalk to write messages of encouragement on the curve, such as “Shabbat Shalom!” A couple of people would stand next to the messages to greet and show support to the Jewish people passing by.”
Outside the ministry at Beit Shalom Sydney, Daniel continually visits congregations to support them by sharing about the Hebrew foundations of the Christian faith, as well as by leading presentations about the Biblical feasts.
Monica: “Ministry is always full on, especially for families, but the last 12 months have been a difficult time for our family, taking on lots of responsibilities at the congregation. Daniel and I have been leading most of the ministry areas (worship, children’s, youth, kitchen, celebrations, sermons, leadership, …). Nonetheless, God’s faithfulness has been evident through the growth of the ministry and His grace has kept and protected our family.”
Daniel and Monica: Our main prayer request is for the Lord to provide Messianic leaders who can support us in the growing ministry at Beit Shalom Sydney. •
Hineh Yeshua in Canberra
By Robert Miles
We came to Australia in October 2013 and settled in Canberra near my family. We knew before coming that there was not a Messianic Congregation in Canberra, so our rabbi in Texas encouraged us to start one and get our ordination with the IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues). We started meeting in our home for Friday night Erev Shabbat dinners and then officially launched Hineh Yeshua Congregation in January 2015. The last two years Eleanor has been teaching Hebrew for Celebrate Messiah’s Messianic Training Centre while also working on her MDiv. Eleanor is excited to see many people learning Hebrew and continuing their study.
Although we are continually discipling people through small groups, home groups, Recovery groups, etc., we do feel the need to begin raising up the next generation of congregational leaders. Since COVID, our congregation has grown to around 70 people a week, and we are asking that the Lord will help us to train them and lead them. We had a joint service in May with a congregation in Yass. They reached out to us after Oct. 7 and wanted to see how they could help us and work with us. We are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will work through this growing friendship.
We recently hosted a city-wide Passover celebration. At this event, we had 11 unbelieving Jewish friends attend. We continue to pray for their salvation, and ask Yeshua to reveal Himself to them. One of these families joins us for all the Feast Days and has done so for 10 years now. Even though they know we will always share about Messiah Yeshua, they continue to come because they feel loved. The Israeli-Hamas Conflict has brought us even closer, and they acknowledge that Israel has relied too much on her own ability and needs to return to God. Another Jewish lady who attends our Shabbat services regularly, was also able to join us for Passover this year. We also deliver half-a-dozen Tikkun Olam parcels at every feast.
The events of Oct. 7th have affected us more than I would have imagined. It is not just that Hamas terrorized people, but it is that before the Jewish people were even buried there were Anti-Israel rallies across this country of Australia with people calling for the death of the Jews of Australia and the world. It is one thing to see events happening half-way around the world, it is another thing when they are in your back yard. For the first time, we have considered hiring security guards, and asking the Police to drive by during our service times. Thankfully we have not had any personal threats, nor any Pro-Hamas activists at our congregation. Please pray that Adonai’s angelic hosts would stand guard, not just over our congregation, but over all of the Jewish Congregations and Synagogues in Australia. •
Celebrate Messiah and Beit HaMashiach
By Lawrence Hirsch
Dear Friends,
In these challenging times, we draw strength from the words of 2 Corinthians 2:14–16: “But thanks be to God, who in Messiah always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us reveals everywhere the aroma of the knowledge of Himself. For we are the aroma of Messiah to God…” (TLV)
Facing Trials, Growing Engagement
Over the past 7 months, we’ve encountered some of the most testing moments in our ministry journey, amidst a world seemingly in turmoil. The October 7, 2023 attack on Israel marked a somber turning point, leaving Israelis and Jewish communities worldwide deeply shaken. The subsequent rise in antisemitism, even here in Australia, has been alarming, compounded by misinformation and media bias that echo dark periods in history.
Yet, amid these challenges, our engagement with the Jewish community has flourished. Celebrate Messiah stands uniquely positioned to bring a message of hope and peace through Yeshua the Messiah. Our outreach efforts have connected with hundreds of Jewish individuals, sharing the love of Yeshua through personal ministry and evangelistic visits.
Equipping and Empowering
Celebrate Messiah also plays a crucial role in helping the church understand its Jewish roots and reach out to Jewish people with love. In the past year alone, our outreach workers have spoken in over 115 churches across Australia, equipping Christians to share their faith sensitively and pray fervently for Israel and the Jewish people.
Global Impact
God’s providence is evident in our initiatives like the Host Israelis Network and the ZulaRoo Surf House, providing a safe haven for Israeli travelers and making a tangible impact in their lives. Since acquiring the Surf House on the Great Ocean Road, ZulaRoo has hosted over 60 Israelis, fostering meaningful connections and experiences.
Beyond Australia, our ministry extends to New Zealand, the Far East of Russia, and Israel itself. From outreach to Israeli backpackers in New Zealand to nurturing a vibrant messianic congregation in the Far East of Russia, our work continues to bear fruit. In Israel, we participate in special ministry events, including retreats for young believers and humanitarian efforts reaching out to various segments of society, including Holocaust survivors.
Leading Beit HaMashiach
As leaders of Beit HaMashiach Messianic Congregation, we’re witnessing significant growth in our congregation’s numbers, both in attendance and online engagement. Situated in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community, Beit HaMashiach serves as a beacon for Yeshua’s love and truth.
Personal Challenges, Seeking Support
Amidst these ministry endeavors, our family faces personal challenges. We covet your prayers as we support our daughter-in-law, Abigail, in her battle against cancer, and care for our daughter Sarah, whose health demands round-the-clock attention. Additionally, we care for Louise’s parents, adding to the dynamics of our home, bustling with activity and outreach efforts.
Continued Prayer Support
As we press on, we seek your prayers. Pray that the fragrance of the Lord continues to emanate through our ministry, touching lives and hearts. Pray for the Australian Jewish community, facing mounting antisemitism and uncertainty. May we, as believers, be a source of comfort and support, fulfilling God’s call to “comfort, comfort my people” (Isaiah 40:1).
Yours for the Kingdom of Messiah,
Lawrence Hirsch
Paul Cohen of the Messianic Training Centre
Like many, I’ve delved into my family history, not just to uncover names and dates; no it because part of my journey into my Jewish identity and heritage. Last year, while in the Netherlands, I collaborated with Sue and other family members on a documentary about my grandfather. He was the first Jew taken from our hometown. Prior to the Nazi occupation, my grandfather’s life seemed ordinary yet fulfilling. He was a respected member of the Dutch community, as after he had served in the army, he eventually became a director in a security firm, protecting the railways. Initially, the war didn’t disrupt his work. But the illusion of normalcy was quickly shattered when the “Sicherheitspolizei” (SiPo) arrested him under false pretences and quickly sent him to a transit camp called Kamp Amersfoort.
For the documentary we visited Kamp Amersfoort, and were shocked at the inhumanity he and other inmates endured there, it was a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty. Here, guards revelled in inflicting misery on Jews, Roma, and others deemed undesirable. While I knew of such horrors occurring in Eastern Europe, the knowledge that Dutch collaborators participated in these kinds of atrocities added a new layer of shock.
From Amersfoort, my grandfather’s journey led to the infamous Auschwitz, where he was reduced from a person to a mere number (48071) only to be sent to the gas chambers, where he was murdered shortly after his 50th birthday. His story, though singular, reflects the countless Jewish lives extinguished during the Holocaust. They weren’t celebrities or historical figures; they were ordinary men, women and children like my grandfather, targeted solely for their ethnicity.
Friends, thank you for your support enabling me to participate in this documentary, and teaching at the Messianic Training Centre. Will you pray for safety upon the Jewish people here in Australia, and for our governments to make wise decisions regarding Israel and the current situation?
The documentary about my grandfather (in Dutch) will be made available to all educational institutions in the Netherlands. •
ZulaRoo Surf House
By Corey & Sarah Bolton
For our family in Apollo Bay, the year started off busy with a steady flow of Israeli guests. Some have come through just for a very short visit, others have stayed for several days. We’ve really enjoyed meeting so many travellers from many different backgrounds and places within Israel. Many soldiers are beginning to be released from their Reserves duty which means there are many more travellers around now. Some have come to us after seeing some difficult things; all of them come to us knowing personally someone who was killed on October 7, taken hostage or wounded/killed in battle.
Please pray that as they visit us and travel throughout Australia that they will find rest, recovery and healing through Yeshua. And that we can speak words of life and restoration to them.
As we have had many people come and go, we are learning how we can change, improve and upgrade our guest areas. One area that needs upgrading is the kitchen area. Our guests love to cook, so we need to upgrade the cooking facilities. We have ideas and plans to renovate the downstairs kitchen. We will be planning and preparing over the next few months. Hopefully the work will take place in the winter off-season when all the Israelis go north in search of warmer weather. Please pray that we can accomplish this task in a professional yet economical way, improving and enhancing the functionality and experience for our guests.
The conversations and time we get to spend with our guests is crucial and truly amazing. We have had singles, couples, even a number on their honeymoon and many mixed groups of 2-5 people. And we love spending time with them, especially around the meal table. We’ve had many amazing opportunities to show them love and support during this difficult time, but also share about the Hope we have in Yeshua.
We had one very religious couple stay with us who were really interested to know more about our beliefs and to hear answers about Yeshua they’ve never heard before. Please pray that our conversations planted seeds that will bear great fruit.
On another occasion, Corey struck up a conversation with a young guy in a car park, who he suspected to be Israeli, which he was. Corey invited him to stay and he was truly amazed that such a place existed. He was with us for several days and we were able to really love and bless him during his stay. He is a solo traveller and has found it difficult to deal with the conflict from afar on his own. We were able to share the Gospel message with him and he excitedly received a New Testament to read as he continues his travels. Please pray that he will read it and that the Words of God will speak directly to his heart in a powerful way. •
Our aim is to raise $1.4 million to secure the ZulaRoo property entirely. You can go to celebratemessiah.com.au/zularoo to learn more about the Surf House, and celebratemessiah.com.au/donate to support us.
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