Separatists backed by Russia attack a police station in Odessa where their co-conspirators were being held

    We're at the Warsaw airport waiting to travel to Paris on the way back to Birmingham. We just learned that, today, Russian backed separatists attacked an Odessa police station where their co-conspirators in the riots yesterday were being held. Some video can be found at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27277231. Please keep up the prayer as these brazen attempt to destabilize Ukraine continue. Shalom, David and Leslye Schneier

Thirty-eight people die in blaze at trade union bldg in Odessa during pro-Russia riots

People wait to be rescued on the second story's ledge during a fire at the trade union building in Odessa (Reuters)

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/More-than-30-die-in-Odessa-blaze/tabid/417/articleID/342573/Default.aspx#ixzz30ayxv4qR

     Thirty eight people died in a fire after pro-Russian rioters took over a trade union building in Odessa, Ukraine. The riots started near our hotel in the center of Odessa. We could hear the gun fire and police stun grenades going off from our room. The trade union building was set on fire and people died from smoke inhalation, gun fire and injuries when they jumped out of the building to avoid the flames. The streets are calm near us now but we don't know what is happening elsewhere. We are schduled to fly out of Odessa on Sunday so please pray for our safe journey home.
Shalom, David Schneier

Riots in Odessa/Three to four are dead!

  There were riots in the streets started probably by Russian provocateurs. They are continuing near the train station where it was reported that the regional government building was taken over. Earlier a van was found by pro-Ukrainian supporters near our hotel that contained guns, ammo and molotov cocktails. The van had Russian markings.
  When the people in the van were questioned the riots broke out. We could hear gunfire and police stun grenades for several hours. Three or four people have been been killed The police used stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Protestors were using rocks and pistols. The smell of burning rubber and gun powder was in the air.  This is the first I have had access to the internet since all of this began at about 3:45 pm local time. Please pass this e-mail on to all who will pray. We are scheduled to leave here on Sunday. Shalom. David and Leslye Schneier



Smoke filling the main pedestrian walking street

Police bus taking those who started the deadly riot.They were given a choice: Surrender or we'll give to the gathered Ukrainians who wanted to, at the very least, beat them. They surrendered!

Synagogue recently firebombed in the city where Rabbi Yura lives in Ukraine.

Leslye and I have been by this synagogue many times in the last 18 years. There is a video of the bombing (you have to wait a while to see it in the video) at  http://antisemitism.org.il/article/86636/synagogue-firebombed. On to Ukraine tomorrow. Shalom, David Schneier

Ukraine / 19-04-2014

Synagogue Firebombed

Source: news.pn

Nikolaev - At 2:00 am Friday night the main shul in Nikolaev was attacked by firebombs. B"H the shul was empty at the time. One firebomb was thrown at the door and the other was thrown at a window. Tomim Yisroelik Gottleib, son of Shliach Rabbi Sholom Gottleib, told Shturem that miraculously a person passing by the shul was equipped with a fire extinguisher, and immediately putout the fire that had erupted, preventing massive damage.

In Paris and on to Odessa!

 
     We arrived in Paris this morning and leave for Odessa tomorrow at 7:15 am. Please pray for our two flights through Warsaw to Odessa, that our baggage arrives in Odessa and that we pass through Passport Control and customs without incident. Also please pray for Sally and Alice from our Birmingham congregation, Rabbi Emmanuel from Paris (we are on the same plane as Emmanuel), congregational leader Jarda from Czech Republic, Pastor Darko from Croatia and Pastor Barry Boucher from Ottawa on their journeys tomorrow to Odessa for our leadership conference. This will be an important moment to encourage Messianic leaders from all over Ukraine. Shalom from David & Leslye Schneier

On to Odessa: We're in His hands!

   Lesye and I leave for Europe this Saturday landing in Odessa, Ukraine Monday afternoon. We will be joined in Paris by Emmanuel Rodriguez, the Rabbi of the IAMCS congregation there. When we land in Odessa leaders from Czech Republic (Messianic Leader Jarda Kupka, Croatia (Pastor Darko), Canada (Pastor Barry Boucher) and from all over Ukraine will have arrived for our semi-annual IAMCS leadership conference. This will be truly a "such a time as this" moment as President Putin again threatened to invade Ukraine to protect "Russian citizens" who don't live in Russia. It's hard to understand that kind of thinking but we're not there for politics. Our brothers and sisters in the Messianic movement in Ukraine need a cup of cold water from a distant land. You can be part of this visit through your prayers and gifts for our work there. Please contact us through our blog if you want more information on how you can help. Shalom, David & Leslye Schneier

Passover in Birmingham, AL

       Leslye and I want to thank all at Beth Hallel for their over the top efforts in making our Community Seder last night a huge success. We had over 1,000 people attend, including Chief Justice Moore and Associate Justice Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court, Mayor Bell of Birmingham and many pastors and ministry leaders. One of the key goals of the seder was to bring the body of Messiah together in the Birmingham area and much was achieved in that direction. Worship with Paul Wilbur was awesome and even the men were dancing throughout the ball room. We plan to have a DVD available some time soon so if you want a copy please contact the Beth Hallel offices. And please visit us in person on Friday nights at 7:30 pm or on live stream at shalombirmingham.com. Blessings. Rabbi David and Rebbetzin Leslye Schneier