(my journey) (parental warning) (conduit) (generational view) (purpose) (Judaic identity)
This transforming journey begin when I was 17 years of age, during the “Six Day War”, and took a dramatic leap forward in May of 1973, around 3 ½ years before the October, Yom Kippur War, when the Holy Ghost of Yeshua/Jesus revealed Him to me as a Jew, even King thereof.
Of course, being brought up in a Christian-Southern Baptist household, and going to Sunday school, the only person that I knew with Judaic identity, was/is the coolest guy ever, Jesus Christ, a highly famous Jew of antiquity, along with the ancient people from whence He is of, etc.
In a loud, warning shout throughout the house, that “They (meaning the Arabs, et al) had better leave GOD’s chosen people alone or else HE will judge them severely”, instilled a healthy respect and curiosity, of the Jews.
Unfortunately, that identity of Yeshua was confusing and corrupted by European-style Christianity imagery of a white guy, who was essentially a Christian, in whose name, they murdered Jews,
Note: Such views contradicted the Mizrahi view of the most famous Nazarene Galilean, of so called, “Christianity”, was established first in North Africa, where there was not subjugation of Abba Abraham’s children.
The root of my awareness and experience to and with “the Jews”, as the “baptism” into my first, cognizant conversion into Judaism, remains my conversion in transformative growth that will continue until GOD’s commission to me is completed.
Also, the people at the Aberdeen community, corner market, who often gave my mom credit on groceries, because they trusted that black lady, were my first closeup relationship with Jews, whom I shall never forget.
When I was a younger man of 33 years of age, my developing relationship with the Spirit of Yeshua/Jesus, I was led of Him to willfully dwell 8 years on LA city sidewalks (Skid Row) with homeless peoples, most who were/are black>
It was there I politically championed their cause as instructed by Him, for which I’m known, the plight of Jews worldwide, and Eretz Israel, became more aggressively into my focus of activism.
*** My Confession ***
During the early 80’s, I began visiting the small chapels of synagogues, wherein I communed with ADONAI, Elohim El Elyon, The Almighty GOD of Abraham, confessing my Faith in HIM as a Jew.
This confession was/is based or according to what I read in the Hebrew Scriptures of wherein as a Believer, my spirit and soul was born-again, grafted into the Tree, and Household of GOD.
With trembling, I began to publicly confess my Judaic, not Christian Faith in The GOD through which it became stronger, and my spiritual insight of HIM was more blessed to this day.
The first major public confession of my growing Judaic Faith came on radio station KJLH, owned by Mr. Stevie Wonder, when asked about why I publicly support Jews, being seen on the Kabab Telethon.
My reply was, I like them. They like me. I love them. The love me. Besides, I a Jew. Of which there was a long silence from the questioner, then an “Okay. Cool.” Ever since, this profession was widely accepted by my black brethren.
Of course, my interest in blessing Jews, and protecting the sanctity of Eretz Israel became more profound, correlating with the decades of my intercessory prayer for them, even subscribing to the Jerusalem Journal with the hopes of someday journeying to “The Holy Land”.
*** Menachem Begin and Me ***
Shortly prior to the June 6, 1982 “Operation Break the Arm of the Wicked” war in Lebanon against Hezbollah, in which Israel contemplating the move, I wrote two letters of support to the Hon. now late, Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
In them, I stated my Judaic Faith, and presented certain, Torah-Tanakh, prophetic Scriptures which encouraged him to take action against Israels’ enemy, to my pleasant surprise, I received a letter, i.e., short notes of acknowledgement of them with thanks and gratitude.
As time move on, I participated in several pro-Israel-Jews rallies in Los Angles, which eventually led to my 10-day journey to Eretz Israel via “Stand With Us”, a leading Judaic advocacy organization, from December 23, 2009 to January 1, 2010.
Also, since the mid-1980’s, I have had a good relationship the leaders of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, as well as with those of other such entities and synagogues.
Since circa 2008, my spiritual journey led me to the Judaic Household of Benjamin and Janet Abishoor, wherein I have participated in regular Shabbat dinners, family weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and received Abrahamic blessings from my patriarch, abba Benjamin.
Assisting me in my homelessness advocacy works was/are the Abishoors two eldest children, Maytal and Shai, who even traveled twice with me to the White House in the autumn of 2019, as well as financed other projects of our joint organizations of LIRM (Love Is Real Movement) and Justiceville for “Black and Jewish” unity.
Presently, being more focused on the defense and promulgation of Jews and the State of Israel, I have begun a movement entitled, “Blessing the Children of Abraham”, by which, US, Federal Black citizens, who believe in the GOD of Abraham via Jesus Christ, speak comfortably to, and bless all Jews worldwide.
This first event of such occurred on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at the Beverly Hills City Hall, with a second scheduled for Sunday, December 22, 2024. Please “Standing With Michael” @ https://tedehayes.us/hambless/