The Schindler Society

Bible / Tanakh Study

Well Versed has had the privilege of co-sponsoring the “Schindler Society Bible/Tanakh Study” in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem. The sessions are taught by Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a profoundly gifted teacher of Torah. Well Versed co-sponsors the study with a wonderful Jewish organization called “Israel365” and Rabbi Tuly Weisz, who is also a profoundly anointed teacher of the Hebrew scriptures. It is an honor for us to partner with these two great leaders along with Donna Jollay, a lovely Christian Zionist, who (pre-Covid) assisted with many details.

When we first inquired about beginning the study of the Hebrew Scriptures in the Knesset, a person said, “Are you saying the Christians are coming here to teach the Jews?” “No,” we explained, “We Christians are coming to learn the Hebrew Scriptures from the Jews.” And that is exactly what has happened. The insights have been magnificent. Our meeting room in the Knesset– which holds around 100 to 120 people – was generally at capacity, with approximately two-thirds of the room being Christian and one-third being Jews. We Christians have received deep insights into the Bible and leave having learned so much about the Hebrew roots of the faith. The effervescent Rabbi Yehuda Glick is profoundly fond of the song Jews sing as they ascend to the Temple Mount, “This is the Day that the Lord has Made, Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad In It” which is based on Psalm 118:24, and will often have us begin and end the Tanakh study by singing this song.

We Gather as Jews and Christians to fulfill Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:2

People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us His ways, that we may walk in His paths.” 
For the Lord’s teaching (Torah) will go out from Zion; and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 
How the Schindler Society Bible/Tanakh Study came into being

Rabbi Yehudah is a Jewish orthodox rabbi, a remarkable teacher of Torah, a Member of Knesset (2016-2019) and human rights activist.

We happened to be in the hotel across the street from where and when an assassination attempt on his life took place on the night of October 29, 2014. Rabbi Glick was shot four times point blank. We were there as emergency police vehicles went by. He miraculously survived.

We happened to be at – or should I say we providentially were in – the Israeli Parliament the day Rabbi Glick was sworn in as a Member of the Knesset, May 25, 2016. We met him on that occasion, as he came out of the Prime Minister’s office, just before his swearing in.

At an event a year later in the Knesset, I was standing alongside him when I said, “It would be good to have a Bible study here in the Knesset.” He responded with a “Hmmm.” Unknown to me, he had felt led to begin a “Knesset Allies Caucus for the Encouragement of the Study of the Bible.”

Member of the Knesset (at that time) Robert Ilotov, an Orthodox Jew and a wonderful friend, led the “Christian Allies Caucus,” laid out the procedure for beginning a co-sponsored Hebrew Scripture study in the Knesset. His insights were so helpful.

We then connected with Rabbi Tuly Weisz, a young and brilliant Orthodox Jew, with a most unusual gifting for teaching Torah. His remarkable organization – Israel 365 – became a co-sponsor with Well Versed of the “Schindler Society Bible/Tanakh Studies.” Assisting him was the amazing organizer Donna Jollay, Director of Christian Outreach for Israel 365, who made this all possible. Donna is amazing.

Tsofia Nahon worked with us, Well Versed, and gave remarkable leadership gifts to the launch of the Knesset Bible study. We could never have done it without her tireless work. She is a most powerfully gifted leader, a total delight, and a special friend whom we admire.

Reminder: The purpose of this Tanakh Bible study is not for Christians to teach Jews. It is for Jews to instruct Christians in the Torah. The insights of Rabbi Yehudah Glick and Rabbi Tuly Weisz – along with other rabbis they have invited – have been remarkable. We leave with a sense of spiritual exhilaration.

The studies are not weekly or monthly. They are “occasional” based on the Hebrew calendar, the Israeli government, events within Israel and trips to Israel, the long closures because of Covid, and the inability to meet during times when Israel is facing another election and thus technically between governments (which has been quite often in recent years). Six Schindler Bible studies have been held thus far. “For all this, Hashem our God, we thank You and praise You. May Your Name be continuously praised by every living thing forever and ever…”.
Left to right: Rosemary Schindler Garlow, Dr. Jim Garlow (co-sponsors), Rabbi Yehudah Glick (teacher), Rabbi Tully Weisz (co-teacher) of Israel365, Donna Jollay (organizer) of Israel365. 

Schindler Society Prayer Page

Like the other pages on this website, this is not a photo gallery. This is a prayer page. As you view these pictures, we ask you not merely to pray for the persons listed, but to prayer earnestly for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the protection of the Jewish people. No people group on earth has ever faced continual persecution like the Jews.

Why are the Jews so persecuted?

That is an important question. Why? Why have the Jews been so continuously persecuted?

At Well Versed, we believe the Jews have been persecuted because they, as a people, remind us all of God. It is through them that the law of God was given. It was them that the Torah – the teaching – was given. It was through them that the prophets came.

The existence of the Jewish people today, after three millennia of persecution, and the existence of the nation of Israel, after going out of existence for nearly two millennia, and the return of the Hebrew language after being extinct for thousands of years, is a miracle. All of these remind us of God.

And in that fact is the problem. Rebellious humans don’t want to be reminded of God. Why? Because if there is a God, He is God, and we are not. And if there is a God, there is a moral law. And rebellious humanity does not want to follow moral law. And if there is a moral law, then rebellious humanity is not measuring up. And if that is the case, humanity is capable of sin. Many humans don’t want to be told that they are sinning. And if they have to admit that they are sinning, then humans have to acknowledge the need for redemption. And to do that requires humility. Stubborn humanity does not want to walk in humility.

And that is why the Jews have been so persecuted – for so long – by so many different civilizations. They remind people of God. 
Now, back to our premise. This is not a photo gallery. This is a prayer page. And there is a miracle here.

What is that miracle? For generations, Christians – or persons who claimed to be Christians – have persecuted Jews. The accounts are horrific. But the good news is, that day is over. Christians are gathering to honor the Jewish people. Christians are recognizing the “law shall go forth from Zion” and are coming to be taught the Hebrew roots of our faith that so many Christians have not understood.

We, as Christians, are standing with the Jewish people. We stand with the State of Israel. And in so doing, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Use these photos as prayer motivators to pray for blessings and protection on the State Israel and the Jewish people.
Posing for a picture of Rabbi Yehudah Glick at the Knesset
Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick teaching the Schindler Society 
Mario Bramnick brought the Latino Coalition for Israel to the Schindler Society 
Listening to Member of the Knesset Sharren Haskel 
Isaiah 2:3
The theme verse for the Schindler Society is Isaiah 2:3, Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 
Listening to Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick 
One of the many delightful times we have had with our good friend, Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick, a delightul, passionate man with a keen sense of humor and an anointing for teaching Torah.
Studying the Tanakh/Hebrew Scriptures
The Schindler Society study of the Tanakh
Members of the Knesset attending the Schindler Society
The Harrari Harp – the restored harp of David – for the first time ever was played in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) at the Schindler Society study of the Tanakh
The Harrari Harp – the restored harp of David – for the first time ever was played in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) at the Schindler Society study of the Tanakh
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick, Dr. Jim Garlow, Rosemary Schindler Garlow and (far left) Tsofia Nahon listening to the remarkable teaching of Rabbi Tuly Weisz
Hadassa and Clila Bau, daughters of Joseph and Rebecca Bau (of “Schindler’s List” movie fame, the couple who were “married” in the concentration camp) holding up the art work of their father announcing the Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 passages that someday the nations would stream up to Zion.
The Knesset
Daniel and Carol Ketchum helped to found the Schindler Society
Daniel and Carol Ketchum, passionate lovers of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, helped found the Schindler Society.
Rabbi Tuly Weisz is Founder of “Israel365” and the Co-Sponsor with Well Versed of the Schindler Society
A tender moment in which Dr. Jim Garlow and Rabbi Yehuda Glick acknowledged their common pain in that both of their wives had passed away. (In God’s graciousness, both were later remarried to wonderful women.)
Rabbi Ori Einhorn teaching Torah at the Schindler Society.
Rabbi Ori Einhorn presenting Jim Garlow with a gift of a Nano Bible, the world’s smallest scripture.
Rabbi Tuly Weisz and wife with Rosemary and Jim Garlow – going to listen to Rabbi teach Torah
Rosemary Schindler Garlow proclaiming her love for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has played a profound role in the life of Well Versed in that she was our sponsor in the U.S. Congress. She later became the first person to lead Well Versed at the U.N. in New York City. Her passionate love for Israel means that she gave great impetus to the Schindler Society in Jerusalem.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann expressing her love for the Jewish people
Dr. Jim Garlow thanking the Rabbis for their wonderful teaching of Torah
In the Knesset – Learning from the Tanakh
Praying for Israel at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast
Congresswoman Michele Bachman at the
Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast

Marching in the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem

Our Inaugural Event

Our Schindler Society Inaugural event was held in the beautiful Beit Shmuel Hotel in Jerusalem. It was a remarkable evening complete with many guests – including Members of the Israeli Knesset and Members of the U.S. Congress.

Working with Well Versed was the remarkably gifted Tsofia Nahon who organized the event. It was an evening in which Christians affirmed their solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

Well Versed believes in “Christian Zionism”

What is Zionism or what is a Zionist?

A Zionist is one who believes that:
  • God’s Word is clear that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people,
  • the Jews have a right to exist,
  • the Jews have a right to defend themselves,
  • the Jews have a right to regather to Israel from all over the world,
  • and since that is God’s declared Word, we, as Christians, should support them and help in that endeavor,
  • Jerusalem is the indivisible and eternal capital of Israel,
  • the State of Israel should not be divided,
  • the Jews are not “occupying” the land, but rather they “own” it,
  • the “West Bank” is not a biblical name, thus the area should be called by its proper Scriptural names: Judea and Samaria,
  • Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria and not “encroachments,” or merely “settlements,” but are legitimate and legal communities, according to the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the San Remo Conference of 1920, two lawful, multi-nationally recognized documents.
To be “pro-Jewish” or “pro-Israel” or “pro-Zionist” is not to be anti the Palestinian people. The Palestinian people have suffered greatly. Well Versed cares. However, the suffering of the Palestinian people has been at the hands of the corrupt and terroristic Palestinian Authority. We care deeply about all people – Jews or Palestinians.

It is not wrong for the Jews to have their own nation which, by the way, is only approximately ½ of 1% of all of the Middle East. It seems that Israel’s neighbors ought to be able to accept the existence of Israel, given that these neighbors have 99 ½ % of the land of the Middle East.
Having said that, let us return to the glorious inaugural night of the Schindler Society.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Rabbi Yehudah Glick
Congressman Trent Franks
Congressman Trent Franks and Rabbi Yehudah Glick
Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick
Uri Y. Bank, Chief of Staff for Yehudah Glick with Congressman Trent Franks and Rabbi Yehudah Glick
Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick 
Member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehudah Glick with his translator Grace Wang
Tsofia Nahon, organizer of the event
Rosemary Schindler Garlow has made more than 70 trips to Israel
Dr. Jim and Rosemary Garlow
Daniel and Carol Ketchum who helped found the Schindler Society
The beautiful Beit Shmuel Hotel
The beautiful Beit Shmuel Hotel
The beautiful Beit Shmuel Hotel
The beautiful Beit Shmuel Hotel
Christian Zionists who love Israel
Anticipating the event
Announcing the Schindler Society
Announcing the Schindler Society
Announcing the Schindler Society
Hadassa and Clila Bau, daughters of “Schindler’s List” survivor Joseph Bau
In the movie “Schindler’s List” is a well-known scene of a “wedding” between two prisoners. In real life, they were Joseph and Rebecca Bau. They miraculously survived the horrors of the concentration camp. Joseph went on to become essentially the “Walt Disney” of Israel, creating animation long before others. Their two daughters – Hadassa and Clila – (pictured here) have carried on the amazing Bau story in the remarkable and engaging Joseph Bau Museum in Tel Aviv, which is considered the smallest museum in the world. In addition to Joseph’s inventive skills was a powerful sense of humor that sustained him through imprisonment and blessed his family throughout his life.

Joseph proclaimed the Isaiah and Micah passages that people would again stream up to Jerusalem. That seemed impossible at that time. However the Scriptures are now being fulfilled. The Schindler Society is small part of affirming that the law goes forth from Zion.
Joseph Bau, depicting Isaiah 2 and Micah 4, the nations streaming up to Zion
Standing with the State of Israel and the Jewish people
Anticipating the event
Excited about the event

In Memory of Oskar Schindler
 

Rosemary Schindler Garlow standing by the tree planted by Oskar Schindler (Schindler’s List) on the “Boulevard of the Righteous Among the Nations” at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, Mt. Hertzel, Jerusalem.
One of the most inspiring moments in Israel is when Rosemary Schindler Garlow lectures at the grave of Oskar Schindler in Jerusalem.
The Jews have a custom of putting small stones on the grave as a sign of respect.

Standing With The Jewish People

We close this section with pictures from another country, but it fits here. Well Versed unabashedly stands with the Jewish people, and their right to a homeland, the State of Israel. The Jewish people are the longest persecuted people group in the history of the world. One can go to almost any country in the world and find examples of attacks on Jews.

While in Kiev, Ukraine, we visited Babi Yar. On September 29-30, 1941 nearly 34,000 Jewish children, mothers, fathers and grandparents were lined up, shot by Nazis, bodies falling into this ravine, and dirt thrown over the stacks of bodies, part of 150,000 Jews killed here. Under the green grass you see here are the remains of these tens of thousands of Jewish people. Painful to contemplate. Hallowed ground. Take a moment to look at the beautiful rolling terrain with bright green grass. Overnight – in just a few hours, 34,000 people were slaughtered – just for being Jews!

And tragically, anti-Semitism is increasing in the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the calling of Well Versed is to stand with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.