Friends of Jesus Bless Israel Association

08/18/2026

Practical friendship and prayer in action! Friends of Jesus Campus Ministries took time during their Rowan University prayer walk to stop by the future home of Chabad at Rowan and pray for Rabbi Hersh, Fraidy, and the Jewish student community.

Out on campus today for a prayer walk at Rowan University! As thousands of students prepare to return for the fall semester, our campus ministry is lifting up the campus and every student, faculty and staff who will be walking these halls and sidewalks.

One of our intentional stops today was the future home of the Stanley and Susan Middleman Center for Jewish Life. This brand-new facility will serve as the future home for Chabad at Rowan, a vital campus organization led by Rabbi Hersh and Fraidy Loschak that provides a vibrant Jewish community, hot Shabbat meals, and a home away from home for Jewish students.

Though Rabbi Hersh and Fraidy weren't there in person, we stopped by the site to cover their organization in prayer as they prepare to lead and guide Chabad students in the Jewish faith in a new academic year.

Through our sister initiative, Friends of Jesus Bless Israel Association, we believe deeply in practical friendship and prayer support for our Jewish neighbors and campus leaders.

We are believing for a safe and blessed year for all our Rowan students and the entire campus community!

07/14/2026

A few days ago, we shared Chabad at Rowan’s post about their annual drawing. With the deadline officially tomorrow night (Wednesday, July 15th at 11:59 PM EDT), we wanted to bring it back to the top of your feed as a quick reminder!

Supporting Jewish college students on our local campuses is such a powerful, practical way for Christians to stand in solidarity as antisemitism continues to rise.

Chabad at Rowan is a vital, safe, and welcoming home for students. They just reached out to let us know that because all of the raffle prizes are 100% donated, every single dollar raised goes directly to Jewish programming and keeping students safe on campus as they head into the Fall semester.

For a $36 entry (representing "Double Chai" or life), you can directly support their campus mission—and enter for a chance to win the $18,000 grand prize, a trip for two to Israel, or other great prizes!

If you saw our post a few days ago and meant to jump in, now is the perfect time. Let's show Rabbi Hersh and the students at Rowan Chabad our community's strong friendship and support before the clock runs out!

👉 Enter before tomorrow's deadline (link in comments).

07/11/2026

06/04/2026

Today marks Holocaust Survivor Day, where we honor the stories of those who endured the Shoah. Tragically, this year’s Holocaust Survivor Day is marked by fresh pain as antisemitism surges around the world reminding us that the hatred they once endured in Europe continues to threaten Jewish lives today, even in places where they sought safety and peace.

This day is not only about memory; it is a call to vigilance and solidarity. We must honor survivors not only with our remembrance, but with our commitment to fighting antisemitism in all its forms, wherever and whenever it appears.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

Mr. Shreiber’s obituary listed organizations for anyone wishing to send donations. One is the Zionist Organization of America.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend, Gerald B “Gerry” Shreiber.

Over the past few years, as we had the privilege of getting to know Gerry and his wife Melanie, we saw firsthand how deeply Gerry cared about the Jewish community and how much love he had for the Rowan community. Gerry believed in students, believed in building community, and believed in creating spaces where young people could feel supported, connected, and proud of who they are.

The new Chabad center proudly bears Gerry and Melanie's name, and because of their incredible generosity and vision, thousands of students for generations to come will benefit from the warmth, Jewish life, friendship, and opportunities that will fill its halls. The impact and legacy on Rowan will truly live on for decades.

We have also seen firsthand the incredible difference Gerry made through the pet therapy program he funded at Rowan. So many students found comfort, relief, and support during difficult moments because of his care and commitment to student wellbeing. That same vision and care can also be seen through the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, the first veterinary school in New Jersey, which opened their doors this past fall and will have a lasting impact on the broader community and country for generations to come.

This past Purim, we had the chance to visit Gerry and Melanie together with our children to deliver Mishloach Manot (the traditional holiday food basket) dressed in our Purim costumes. Gerry was so gentle, warm, and genuinely excited to see the kids. We are so grateful that our children had the opportunity to meet him and experience his kindness personally. It is a memory we will cherish.

Our hearts are with Melanie and the entire Shreiber family during this difficult time.

The family would deeply appreciate the presence of any students or community members who are able to attend the funeral and pay their respects.

Obituary and funeral information:
https://www.jsgfunerals.com/obituaries/Gerald-B-Shreiber?obId=48347929

May Gerry’s memory be a blessing, and may his legacy continue to inspire kindness, generosity, and community for many years to come.

05/02/2026

Why care about Jewish heritage anyway?

I write a lot about Jewish communities around the world that faced persecution and forced conversion, and people sometimes ask: why does it even matter? Judaism is just a religion, so what?

My answer is simple. Judaism is not just a religion. It’s also an ethnicity, you can trace it in DNA. And beyond that, it’s heritage.

So imagine this.

You wake up one morning and your DNA results show that you have Jewish ancestry.

Think about it for a moment.

Your great-great-grandparents belonged to an ancient heritage. Maybe priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. Maybe Jewish rebels against the Romans in Judea. Maybe part of a long rabbinical line.

Then one day, a ruling power decides they can no longer live as Jews. Convert or die.

So they pretend.

They hide.

They protect what they can, quietly, at great risk.

Think about the courage that takes.

Generations later, their descendants discover what was lost.

It’s a big moment.
A moment of connection.
A moment of rediscovery.
A moment of identity.

That’s why it’s not a “whatever” kind of discovery.

It’s something much deeper.

Image credit: Temple menorah replica - Temple Institute (public domain)

🇮🇱 The Nation of Israel Lives

05/02/2026