A photo from long ago

     Here is a snap shot of me and our four kids maybe 33 years ago. I would have been 31. This is a staged shot but maybe some would believe we were a farming family in the 1930's. Leslye was the photographer no doubt. We could fill a museum with all of our photos especially if we printed all of the digital ones! Shalom, David Schneier

Calm before the storm? Some words from Ukraine.

      Another touching communique from Odessa, Ukraine. We will be there in late April, God willing. Pray for  and encourage the believers in Ukraine. Shalom, David Schneier

"Shalom Rabbi David!
      I began to write less because the news in the country and the city is not much. The country lives a bit in unstable condition. Mobilization suspended, at least in Odessa. Life goes on, and no significant changes are observed, in addition slightly increased the prices of food products. But it is not critical, so there was no panic or discontent in the society. People live their lives, but there is pretty tight news from the border of Ukraine and Russia. There are going more and more military forces from Russian side. Putin has said that they will not attack the Ukraine, and we so want to believe! But we know all too well how much are the words of this man! And we are pray before going to sleep that at night was no attack.
Your prayers are very much help us! Confidence in the prayer support from your side gives strength for me to believe in happy future! Thank you very much!!!
Shalom,_________"

     This is a shop in Jerusalem. Is this a sign that God is for Alabama? Shalom. David Schneier

    Putin annexes (steals) Crimea from Ukraine and the West imposes travel bans. First Georgia and now Ukraine. What will it take to stop such dictators? Or shall we wait like we did in the 1930's with Hitler. Please pray for us as we travel to Ukraine on April 26th to encourage our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in the Messianic Jewish movement there. Want to help? Leave your contacts in a comment and we will get in touch. Shalom. David Schneier

Putin's future for Ukraine - Please pray his plans like Haman's are thwarted!

  This map was sent by a friend in Ukraine and you'll see what Putin's real intentions are in Eastern Europe. Shalom, David Schneier

"Shalom Rabbi David.
Here is how Putin sees Ukraine
Green highlighted part that should belong to Russia, according to Putin. This photo was published in the British newspaper Daily Mail."

Please click on the map to make it larger

       

An Urgent Appeal for Help for Our Friends in Ukraine

 Most of you know that I, David, am the IAMCS representative for Europe which includes Ukraine. There are bout 18-20 IAMCS congregations in Ukraine that I work closely with on a day to day basis. Eight of those congregations are from Crimea.We will be leading the Central and Eastern IAMCS regional conference in late April in Odessa. All of the IAMCS congregations in Ukraine will be participating. We are entering our 19th year of encouraging the Messianic Jewish movement there and are very aware of how the turmoil in Ukraine is affecting the IAMCS congregations and their members. We have established ways of successfully channeling funds to the most needy there and have taken on a role here in Birmingham to make that happen if any one is interested. We do not have any admin costs related to gifts except for the cost of the wires.

  Unless there is war in the streets, we will be going to Ukraine to encourage our brothers and sisters in a month. We leave the US on April 26th so anyone who wants to participate in our efforts to raise funds can e-mail me at schneiers@aol.com or go to our website at www.shalombirmingham.com (Donation button, then financial info and then purpose of “Ukraine Relief” on the next page). This is a “such a time as this”moment, and we should carefully and prayerfully consider what all of us can do so that the Messianic Jewish movement survives this crisis. You should understand that many people who would help to support their congregations and their leaders are fearful now because no one knows what will happen if Russia annexes Crimea. Without help, these IAMCS congregational life lines could collapse within days or weeks. Please pray for Leslye and I as we prepare to stand next to our IAMCS congregations in Ukraine. Love and Shalom, David & Leslye Schneier

Purim and Crimea: For such a time as this!

Dear Friends of Ukraine,

    This coming Sunday Putin will conduct, behind the scenes, a referendum in Crimea to see if the people want to join mother Russia again. Here is a report from Odessa which points out that the referendum occurs on Purim. This is another "for such a time as this" moment and once again the freedom of an oppressed people is at stake. Please pray for God's hand to cover the people of Crimea and Ukraine and the many believers, including Messianic Jewish congregations who belong to the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues which is based in Philadelphia, PA. I am the European Representative of the IAMCS which includes Ukraine. We lived in Odessa for 12 years and have worked with the Messianic leaders in our Alliance for 18 years. Many of our congregations are located in Crimea and all of our congregations throughout Ukraine need your help.
Please write me if you want to provide relief to these brave Ukrainian Messianic believers. Shalom, David Schneier

'A lot of news from Ukraine, but they are all like a rumors because there is an information blockade of the Crimea. Russian military did not allow into the territory of Crimea journalists and observers from Europe and Ukraine. We only know that everywhere there are captured military units. Praise the Lord that there are no dead or wounded! And we pray for all brothers and sisters in the Crimea!
Putin's people in the Crimea appointed referendum ( vote on the annexation of Crimea to Russia). America, Europe and Ukraine recognized these illegal actions ! But Putin does what he wants . And what's interesting : the referendum appointed on March 16 - a day of Purim ! Is it a coincidence ? " Pur is cast ! " More than ever, we are praying in the days of Purim in 2014! Fast of Esther becomes very vital significance for us all! Lord, save your people !'

Here are some pictures of demonstrations in Odessa against Russia:

Demonstrations on Deribosovskaya

The Potemkin Steps