Jewish Pop Star Finds Joy in Jesus israeltoday.co.il - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from israeltoday.co.il Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Courtesy Brian Greenaway
Londoner Brian Greenaway grew up in a loving family very much aware of his Jewish identity – but from a political Zionist rather than a religious point of view.
He was prejudiced against Arabs as he felt they were trying to destroy his people, and he hated Christians because of the history of terrible persecution they have suffered at the hands of the Church.
So it may surprise you to learn that he is now not only a believer in Jesus, but also an ordained minister who heads up the UK branch of an organisation reaching out to both Jews and Arabs in Israel.
Mendy Hechtman/Flash90
As we celebrate a feast known as the Festival of Light, I am reminded of what Jewish colleague Julia Pascoe told me last week that
“If it wasn’t for Hanukkah, we wouldn’t have Christmas!”
Hanukkah (or Chanukah), which begins today and continues till next Friday, marks the rescue of the Jews from the genocidal threats of Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century before Christ, who of course came through the Jewish people.
Thanks to the Maccabees, who bravely revolted against the tyrant, Jewish life was restored and the Temple, which had been desecrated, was re-dedicated with the lighting of the menorah (seven-branched candlestick), which burned miraculously for eight days with only enough oil for a day – the Greeks had polluted the rest.