News

March 15, 2012

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT

It has been a long time since you have heard from me. So much has transpired and so much is going on - I am inundated with work, and with responsibilities and so the Ami Updates have been temporarily neglected - but here we go again!

Ami started school in the beginning of January at a college in upstate NY. He got on their basketball team as well even though he couldn't play this semester as they were in the middle of the season and he didn't know their plays, etc. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise as starting in the middle of the year was like being thrown into the water and learning to swim. He arrived at school on a Sunday and began class on Monday, and he had to get used to studying in English on a college level, make new friends in the middle of the year when most had already settled into their social niche, and find his place on the basketball team as well. However, Ami has learned to go with the flow and roll with the punches. He has learned to be patient, and to let the Lord lead him step by step. He is a very calm, cool and collected kid. He has also had lots of help and support from the staff and students who are very tuned into foreign students - a professor at the college was the one who coined the term and wrote the book on "Third Culture Kids" and taught at the school 20 years ago, establishing their intercultural department. They have at least 50 foreign students every year (out of 1,200 students). It is a Bible based college and we are very happy he is there.

He told me that his roommate and his friends had decided, before they knew Ami was going to be studying there, to celebrate the Spring Jewish holidays. Then Ami said, "I appeared! Ta-dah!" Anyway, they had a Purim celebration with a festive holiday dinner, Hamentaschen (Haman's Ears in Hebrew), and the reading of the Book of Esther, together with the appropriate boo's when Haman's name is mentioned, and Yay's when Mordecai is mentioned. They will also have a Passover Seder, and onward, I imagine.

PURIM 2012

Back home, we had another Purim drama this year on the fourth anniversary of the bomb attack on our home which so severely wounded Ami. At about 12:30 in the afternoon, a large, closed, brown carton was brought to our door and left by someone. When we looked on our security cameras, we saw a young man wearing a kippa, with a Purim mask not on his face but put up on his head, bringing the package, ringing the doorbell and then running down the stairs. We immediately called the police, locked our steel enforced front door and went into the bedroom furthest away from the hallway. Then we called all the believers in town to warn them about any suspicious packages at their doors or next to their property.

At least 20 policemen arrived, along with the bomb squad that had to came from an IDF base in the Shechem area around 20 kilometers from Ariel, two fire trucks, police cars, etc. blocking off the street. It took about an hour and a half for the security services to understand the layout of the apartment. They thought it was better to not come in through the stairs in case they were booby trapped and because the hallway is an enclosed area. They decided it was better to come in through the window and to take us out through the window. All this was coordinated with the help of our sons who were outside. It took a couple of hours to take us out of our 3rd floor apartment by the window using a crane lift on one of the fire trucks. We had to be taken down two by two - we were four adults and two small children in the apartment- they said they had to be careful as it was a new, computerized lift that they had never used before.

The bomb squad also lifted themselves up through the window with the bomb robot and when they saw the box, they were very alarmed and they called out to the others from the window, saying it wasn't like a traditional Purim gift package and it was suspicious. They told everyone to get back. They sent the robot into the hallway, and destroyed the box which turned out to be filled with food products, which was a relief not only to us but also to our neighbors who had also been evacuated from their apartments as well. They had to move their cars away from the building also.

All these efforts lasted for 3 hours.

The media showed up on the scene, and a report was given on the evening news that night. A representative from the Orthodox community showed up and said that they were doing a project through the elementary school in town to give food packages to needy families and it was delivered to us by mistake, but the media and the security services said they didn't buy that story so quickly and they're trying to find out if it was a bad joke to scare us or if it was truly a mistake.

This is the link to the evening news report where you can see the package being brought to our door. (There is a commercial first, the report will appear after that)

http://www.mako.co.il/news-channel2/Channel-2-Newscast/Article-9a2fe905b83f531018.htm

On the video, in short, the reporter said it was a regular Purim package that was put by our door by mistake, that the package was for another family at another address.

The event was very costly - bringing in all that equipment and man power. The people from the media continue to called us up sounding upset and are telling us that it sounds very suspicious to them, and that if it is a mistake it is inexcusable. The head of the bomb squad told us he had been at our house four years ago, and that we have to always be very careful and not hesitate to call them when something suspicious happens. He commended us for doing the right thing. You can check out more reports www.amiortiz.com

COURT CASE

We were shocked to find out by a leak to the media that Teitel's lawyers and the prosecution were making a plea bargain secretly without the knowledge of the victims' families and victims. His lawyers strategy is to cancel some of the convictions , to plead guilty so there won't be a trial, and then to claim he wasn't responsible for his actions in the past. Their tactic is to have him sentenced to a psychiatric institution where he will be treated for a few years and then released. We have Messianic lawyers working on this, preparing a case for the Supreme Court to block this action if necessary. We trust the Lord but please pray for this as a hearing is set for March 27th when the defense will argue their case. As our lawyer told us from the beginning, because our case is a precedent setting case, if Jack Teitel gets off without serving significant time in jail, there are many people like him who would gladly give up a few years of their lives in a psychiatric hospital in order to do damage to believers.

Psalm 27:2-4

2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.

Thank you for your fellowship in Yeshua,

Leah

January 4, 2012

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT

"16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." 21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men] held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared." -Nehemiah 4:16-21

DREADFUL DREAM

Last night I had a dream. I heard an announcement that was made from Hell, saying, "There is a sword that has been issued to cut down those that are declaring the message of salvation to the Jewish people that Yeshua is the Messiah. It should cut them down to pieces." I could hear that the order was given from far away and from a very deep pit. The believers were in a type of a dark catacomb, caves where there were many passage ways. Soon a very tall man came out who had a very dark shadow on him. He came out running and swinging a machete with all his might. People began fleeing from before him. As he ran towards the groups of people, one of the brothers braced himself as the man was swinging and coming in his direction, but he bypassed this brother and made it clear that he wasn't the target, but the others were. As he chased the others, I could hear the clinking sound of the weapon hitting solid rock when the machete didn't hit its mark, but some were hit. But just because he wasn't able to hit some, that didn't deter him from continuing to pursue the people in the catacombs and didn't stop him from his goal. The brother that was spared by being bypassed was gripped with fear and backed up to the cold wall behind him in order to not be seen. Once again, the assassin bypassed him, but this time made it clearer that he would not be targeted as long as he didn't get involved. The brother felt relieved that his life had been spared.

Among the courts of men, people's motives aren't always clear-cut and identifiable. Sometimes it isn't immediately clear if the crime was intentional, 1st degree, 2nd degree, or done out of ignorance, because man doesn't know the heart and it can take a long period of time or even years before the true motive is revealed. But with God this is not the case. Truth is evident in less than a second because all the intentions of a man's heart are laid bare and not hidden. Man stands before God completely naked and without excuse (Hebrews 4:12-13), and in the dream this was plainly understood and evident. The reason why the brother did not get involved and didn't take interest in trying to save the others is because he was relieved that his life had been spared. It was almost like he was in the heat of a hot a desert with no relief in sight and all of a sudden he was transported to a room that was fully air conditioned and comfortable and had all the amenities he needed to refresh himself from the trauma of what he had seen. At least he thought so, because little did he know that his escape was temporary and he would also meet the same fate.

When I woke up, I was in shock that I had even dreamt something like this so clearly and plainly. These words from the book of Esther came immediately to my mind:

"13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" -Esther 4:13-14

I am a student of history, like many of us are. As a child I always wondered how people could stand by and let others be mistreated, just so their lives could be spared. I wondered because I was raised in a home and in a certain group of people with the mentality that felt that it was a cowardly act to stand by when others were being attacked and abusedespecially if it was in your power to do something about it. But my experience growing up and examples in history show us that when people don't stand up for others, it allows aggressors to hurt whole people groups and communities. The Bible says:

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" -1 John 3:17

As we see, read and hear, the Ministry of Interior, other government agencies, anti-missionary groups and non-believing religious groups that purposely target Christian groups to get funds and benefits, are making it clear that all those who work with Messianic believers will be harassed directly or indirectly, and when applicable, visas will be taken away or put into question. The College in Ariel has made it completely clear to Christians that come to study in their programs that if they work with or even fellowship with Messianic Jews, their visas will be revoked. Born-again believers submit to that threat and intimidation, thereby even considering to have their right eye to be removed like in the book of 1Samuel 11. The Ammonites came against a tribe of Israel, and the Israelites who were badly outnumbered wanted to make a peace treaty with them. The Ammonites said they would consider that only if the Israelites would allow them to gouge out their right eyes, and thus bring a reproach to Israel. In the same manner, believers allow their God-given freedom of choice and worship to be taken away in order to spare themselves. May God give us the strength when the time comes to cling to the words of Yeshua,

"Greater love has no man, than to lay down his life (or his self-interest, or his ministry) for his brother." -John 15:13

And to stand up for His bride that He gave and shed His blood for.

"3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also." -Hebrews 13:3

PRACTICAL STEPS

Here are some practical steps you can take to help Jewish Believers who have made Yeshua Lord and Savior of their lives in Israel.

Psalm 122:6 / Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure."

Pray for body of the Lord that lives in Israel.

Adopt a person, family or congregation in prayer.

Support businesses and buy things made by believers in Yeshua.

Request newsletters from credible ministries in Israel so you can stay informed.

Support the more than 120 Messianic Congregations which are spread from the Northernmost to the Southernmost part of the country.

Read your Bible, understand history, the economy, up to date events, understand disputes, facts about Israel, past present and future, know who are the Ethnic groups and religions that live here.

World War II was won with more than tanks, missiles and an army. It was won also by something called "The Home Front" who were people who took it upon themselves to write letters, make phone calls, send pictures, remember people's birthdays, send care packages, and in doing so encourage and strengthen the soldiers on the front lines. There are numerous ministries in Israel that are doing a tremendous work for the Lord in spiritual and physical ways that the home front can strengthen and encourage. To name a few of the outstanding ministries that are operating here;

Maoz (www.maozisrael.org)

Joseph's Storehouse (www.visionforisrael.com)

Jerusalem Institute for Justice (www.jij.org.il)

Hope for Israel (www.hope4israel.org)

iGod (www.iGod.co.il)

Tents of Abraham (www.rescueisrael.org)

Christian Friends of Israel (www.cfijerusalem.net)

King of Kings community in Jerusalem (www.kkcj.org)

Brian Slater (ruachyeshua@yahoo.com)

The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net)

These are just a few of many who are doing an excellent and vital work in Israel, and who are glorifying the Lord in this land.

In the Messiah,

David Ortiz

December 8, 2011

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:00:00 GMT

We have good news to share! First of all, Ami was accepted into College in the U.S. and onto the school basketball team! I'm not going to mention the name or location of the college because of the scrutiny of anti-missionaries (anti-freedom of religion groups) but we are all very happy. He will be starting this Spring semester, and we are in a flurry of getting ready to let him go!! It will be hard for our family to be separated from him for long periods of time over the next four years, but it has been Ami's dream to study and play basketball in the States, and the Lord put it together as only He can. I will share more of this part of the journey when I can. Thank you for praying him through this process as well. (I'm sorry how this update's layout looks, I had a battle trying to get it out!)

COURT CASE

Today we received word that the panel of Judges presiding over the Jack Teitel case made their decision officially that he is mentally fit to stand trial! They said the trial will begin in the coming weeks. Teitel's lawyers tried to bring up an appeal, saying he wasn't responsible for his actions when he carried out his crimes, but the judges said that they will have to bring that up during the trial, not before. The decision was reported on widely in the news media. The English newspapers were, as always, the most troublesome in their reporting. In Ynet news, even though our family was mentioned as victims in the Hebrew article, the English article left us out completely. We sent out an emergency plea for believers in Israel and around the world to write in to protest this omission, and within an hour the article was changed to a translation of the Hebrew article which included us. We would like to say that even if emails arrived after the fact, they are still important to reaffirm to the editors that people are concerned.

In the Jerusalem Post, our family were called "American Christian missionaries". I liked very much the prompt response posted by Donna Diorio of www.israelprayer.com, a faithful and true friend of Messianic believers in Israel who tirelessly reports on the news and prayer needs of the Body here. Donna wrote: Jerusalem Post mentions Teitel's bombing of the Messianic Ortiz family only EIGHT paragraphs into the article! The most intense in terms of planning and device used in all of his murders and attempted murders, yet it is mentioned so low in the article. And the article misidentifies the family as "American Christian Missionaries". The reality is that the family holds dual American and Israeli citizenship. Leah, a Jew, married David, a Puerto Rican and their children are Israeli Jews. David and his sons have served in the Israeli IDF- several in elite units of the IDF. They deserve to be called what they are, Israeli Messianic Jews. Donna also is an investigative reporter. Her reports are accurate and comprehensive. We recommend her website for all who pray for our nation and the Israeli Messianic Body.

ARTICLES

THIS IS THE REVISED ARTICLE FROM YNET

Court: Jack Teitel fit to stand trial

Trial of 'Jewish terrorist' charged with murder of two Arabs set to resume in coming weeks

by Aviad Glickman

Published:
12.07.11, 16:38 / Israel News

The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday ruled that the alleged "Jewish terrorist" Jack Teitel's fit to stand trial for the murder of two Arabs and a series of other serious offences. The court considered various opinions on the matter before reaching a decision. Teitel's trial is set to resume in the following weeks.

Attorney Michael Ironi, representing Teitel, motioned for a hearing on his client's criminal accountability. The panel ruled that there are no grounds for summoning expert witnesses again and that a hearing on the issue of accountability will be held during the trial.

Teitel was seen reading a book and paying little attention to what was going on during Wednesday's court hearing.

An indictment containing 14 counts was filed against Teitel in November 2009. Teitel, 37, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, was indicted for the murder of
Palestinian taxi driver, Samir Balbisi, in June 1997, and the murder of a Palestinian shepherd just a few months later. He was also charged with laying an explosive device
next to a Palestinian home near the West Bank settlement of Eli.

He was also indicted for attempting to murder the son of a Messianic family living in Ariel when he sent an explosive device disguised as a Purim gift to their home. In addition, he is charged with rigging a bomb next to Prof. Zeev Sternhell's home.

In May 2010, a professional psychiatric opinion deemed him unfit for trial. "I don't know if I'm sane. I don't recognize the jurisdiction of this court. I feel good," Teitel said at the time. Last August, a second psychiatric evaluation determined the opposite.

*Omri Efraim contributed to this report

This is the original article as it appeared on Ynet.

YNET

Court: Jack Teitel fit to stand trial

Trial of 'Jewish terrorist' charged with murder of two Arabs set to resume in coming weeks

The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday ruled that "Jewish terrorist" Jack Teitel is fit to stand trial for the murder of two Arabs and other serious offences. The court considered various opinions on the matter before reaching a decision. Teitel's trial is set to resume in the following weeks.

Attorney Michael Ironi, representing Teitel, motioned for a hearing on his client's criminal accountability. The panel ruled that there are no grounds for summoning experts again and that a discussion on the issue of accountability will be held during the trial.

Teitel was seen reading a book and paying little attention to what was going on during Wednesday's court hearing.

An indictment containing 14 counts was filed against Teitel in November 2009. Teitel, 37, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, was indicted for the murder of Palestinian taxi driver, Samir Balbisi, in June 1997, and the murder of a Palestinian shepherd just a few months later. He was also charged with laying an explosive device next to a Palestinian home near the West Bank settlement of Eli. In May 2010, a professional psychiatric opinion deemed him unfit for trial. "I don't know if I'm sane.
I don't recognize the jurisdiction of this court. I feel good," Teitel said at the time. Last August, a second psychiatric evaluation determined the opposite.

Omri Efraim contributed to this report

This is the Jerusalem Post article:

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=248530

JERUSALEM POST

Court rules Yaakov 'Jack' Teitel fit to stand trial

By JOANNA PARASZCZUK

07/12/2011

American-born "Jewish Terrorist" indicted on 14 charges including two counts of murder and one of attempted murder

The Jerusalem District Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday that Ya'acov 'Jack' Teitel, the American- Israeli indicted on murder and attempted murder charges, is fit to stand trial. The panel of three judges, Zvi Segal, Moshe Hacohen and Moshe Yair Drori, said in Wednesday's hearing that Teitel's ability to conduct his defense was "beyond question" and therefore he is fit to stand trial.

For a court to rule that a defendant is not fit to stand trial, his attorneys must convince judges that he is suffering from a mental disorder such that he is unable to conduct his
defense or instruct an attorney to do so, because he cannot understand the charges against him, the nature of the criminal proceedings or communicate with his counsel.

Dubbed "the Jewish terrorist," Florida-born Teitel, 39, was indicted in 2009 on 14 separate charges including the 1997 murder of Palestinian taxi driver Samir Balbisi, who was found shot dead in his taxicab.

The indictment also charges Teitel with the murder of a second Palestinian man, Beduin shepherd Isaa Mousa'af Mahamada, who was shot dead near the West Bank settlement of Carmel, near Hebron, in August 1997.

Teitel is alleged to have committed both those murders while he was still a US citizen on vacation in Israel.

In 2000, Teitel immigrated to Israel and lived in Shvut Rachel, a West Bank settlement north of Jerusalem, where he married and had four children. That same year, he was
arrested by police on suspicion of carrying out both the 1997 murders, but later released for lack of evidence.

In March 2008, according to the indictment, Teitel attempted to murder 15-year-old Amiel Ortiz, the son of American Christian missionaries in Ariel.

Teitel allegedly sent a bomb in a Purim gift basket to the Ortiz's home, which exploded when Ortiz opened it.

Other charges include planting homemade explosives at the home of Prof. Ze'ev Sternhell, a left-wing scholar from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in September 2008 and attacking a police station in 2006 during a gay pride parade.

Teitel was arrested in Jerusalem in 2009, while distributing leaflets lauding a deadly shooting at a Tel Aviv gay youth center, although police do not believe he was involved
in that attack.

Teitel was remanded in custody in a secure psychiatric facility, and though an initial psychiatric assessment in 2010 deemed Teitel unfit to stand trial, later tests showed
that he was able to face prosecution.

"We conclude that [Teitel] is not detached from reality, he possesses an impressive verbal ability and is capable of maintaining a good connection with those talking to him,
that he is well aware of the legal process and its outcomes, he knows he is in court and is aware of the various functions of the legal process," Segal said.

PLEASE PRAY

Please continue to pray for the trial as it will commence in a few weeks, God willing. Please continue to pray that justice will prevail, and that whatever is in darkness will be brought out into the light. Please pray that the Name of Yeshua will be lifted up and honoured.

Please pray for Ami as he goes off to college, for easy adjustment to his surroundings, English studies, new friends, different mentalities, and all that goes with it.

Thank you for your fellowship and prayer for all these matters. Remember to check out www.amiortiz.com for updated information.

Blessings in the Messiah,

Leah

October 19, 2011

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:20:00 GMT

Yesterday, Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by the Hamas and held in captivity in Gaza since 2006 for five years and four months, came home. The number of Palestinian prisoners exchanged for him was 1,027. Many are terrorists who were involved in the most heinous terror attacks in Israel, such as the bombing of the Sbarro Pizzeria in 2001 in which 15 Israelis were killed, seven of whom were under the age of 18, and scores wounded. Many of the terrorists who were released had been given multiple life sentences, as they were responsible for many deaths. They have been released to Gaza, some to the West Bank, and others to foreign countries such as Turkey. There have been very mixed feelings over this in Israel, although 70-80% of Israelis were in favor of the swap. But the bottom line is, Gilad is alive, and he has to be brought home.

REACTION

However, in reaction to the release of the terrorists that wreaked such havoc in the lives of so many, and in the collective morale of Israel, certain Ministers in the Knesset, including Eli Yishai of the Ultra Orthodox Shas party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shas_Party) are petitioning the government to release Jewish terrorists that have murdered Arabs and are in jail for their crimes. On the list is Jack Teitel. We got a phone call from a well-known TV journalist in Israel who has a very popular radio talk show as well. In light of the petition that was going to be discussed in the Knesset, they wanted to hear Leah's comments on this proposal. However, we were advised by legal counsel not to be interviewed at this time as it wasn't in our interest to do so strategically. Just the thought that it would enter the minds of people who govern this country to make such a move is shocking. Jack Teitel is more than a terrorist, he's an assassin and serial killer who admitted in his confession that he worked for Yad L'Achim for five years. Anyone who did not agree with his religious viewpoints and how Israel should be run was his enemy. He tried to kill our family because we are Messianic Jews and murdered two Palestinians in cold blood. He laid bombs in various places, wounding his victims, and the full extents of his crimes are still not known, but the whole story is slowly being unravelled.

The fact that Michael Ben Ari (http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_ben_ari) and others like him refuse to condemn the actions of the Price Tag and the attack against us including the other attacks, violence and harassment against Messianic Jews is frightening. So we urge those of you who have contacts in Knesset, and with bodies of decision makers in Israel and in your own countries to write to them to condemn this proposal.

SERIOUS MATTER FOR PRAYER

Many believers have come to Ariel to visit, to volunteer, and to carry out projects here.. Many have been told that their projects and activities are welcome, on the condition of mainly two things. That they will not talk about Yeshua to anyone, that they will not have contact with the Messianic believers in Ariel and they will also not have contact with Messianic Congregations in Israel. In the College of Judea and Samaria which is the college in Ariel, before they're accepted to a program to learn Hebrew for a year, they are debriefed and are told that if they talk to people about Yeshua, or attend meetings of Messianic Jews especially the Messianic Congregation of David Ortiz, their visas will be revoked.

The person handling the applications to the program was a believer who today is converting to Rabbinical Judaism and of course that means denying Yeshua. There are many believers today who are converting to Judaism and are worshipping Israel, and not the God of Israel. The apostles had the same exact situation with the Sanhedrin who told them that they would let them go, and everything would be OK, but they were warned not to speak in that name (Yeshua). (Acts 4:13-22; Acts 5:40-41) Sad to say many believers have succumbed to the threats to the point of denying they have ever walked with Him, like Peter said when he denied Yeshua and denied having been a part of the company of His disciples, saying, "I do not know the Man". (Matthew 26:69-75) Many believers in Yeshua in this country are under siege. Pray that God would give us courage to break the siege, to go outside of the camp, to suffer the reproach and to identify with Him. (Hebrews 13:12-13)

DAVID SPEAKING AND AMI NEWS

"I've had many incidents where people have ignored me throughout the years here in Israel because of the name of Yeshua. Recently, I was in a public place where someone had to address me in order to get some information, for his own benefit. As soon as he saw that it was me, he refused to speak or address me, acknowledge me or even look my way, even when he was forced to speak to me. He let me know that as far as he was concerned, I am no one. As we continued to engage, I kept on monitoring the thoughts of my heart to make sure that my attitude and my reaction to him was right and pleasing to God, and I didn't give him the same treatment that he was giving me.

After he left I was suddenly struck with the presence of God and a spirit of rejoicing, that I was counted worthy to be reproached by this man. He didn't know me and I didn't know him personally, but he sat in judgment of me. However, when the Holy Spirit hit me that way, I had total awareness that honor and approval from God was what counted. I continued throughout the week with a deep sense of rejoicing from that incident. As my wife once said, the antidote to the fear of man, is the fear of God. Sometimes we lick our wounds and tell ourselves, "That's Ok, the way that person treated me, it's nothing, I'll recover." There was nothing of that - the Holy Spirit just hit me hard with the reality that if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, 1Peter 4:12-14)

(Leah) Ami has been in the U.S. since September with good friends of ours who are leaders in the congregation that we are connected with there. Ami has been working doing maintenance in the building, and he was able to take the ACT exam for college matriculation. When he got the results, he had a very good composite score! We were so overjoyed and relieved! Ami speaks English fluently but all of his 12 years of studies have been in Hebrew which is his mother tongue. He and I studied for several months from study materials that were provided for us by a miracle! He also was privately tutored in Math to get ready for the test, and still, when he took it he felt very shaky about what the results would be. He couldn't stop thanking God when he got them! He's now applying to several colleges, and is also going to visit some and try out for their basket ball teams. He is trusting the Lord to put him in the place where He wants him to be, but we are thankful for all the blessings he has experienced while in NY.

One blessing has been the home that he's been staying in, with a family who loves him like a son, and who are extending royal, red carpet hospitality! They are caring for him and helping him every step of the way in the college application process and in every other way, even though they themselves are inundated with their own ministry and family responsibilities and challenges. Another blessing has been a brother who is a professional personal trainer, and who was in the past a trainer of basketball players. He has been working with Ami once a week without accepting payment, and is even driving him to some of the schools that Ami is applying to, for visits. Another blessing has been a brother who is a Ph.D. in Music who teaches piano to Ami's hosts' children, and who offered to give Ami a free half hour piano lesson every week as well while he's there. This plus all the brothers who have reached out to Ami from the spiritual community, taking time to take him out to various activities on the weekends, and helping in whatever way they can. Blessing after blessing has indeed been poured out, and we are grateful beyond words.

Thank you for your prayers for Israel, the believers in Israel, and our family.

In Yeshua,

Leah

Setember 6, 2011

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:32:00 GMT

Thank you Lord!!!!!

September 4, 2011 was supposed to be the summation of all the arguments of the Defense and the Prosecution in the Jack Teitel hearings to determine if he is mentally able to stand trial. The time allotted to the hearing was three hours, and at the last minute the Defense brought in yet another clinical psychologist who had conducted yet another test on Teitel. This was a very specific test that was supposed to be able to determine whether or not he is pretending or feigning psychological illness, and what that illness is specifically. According to the psychologist the test proved he wasn't pretending mental illness and that he is a psychopath.

The psychologist began with a very technical and detailed explanation of the test. One of the three Judges who are presiding over the case, after about 15 minutes of this explanation, said, " I have no idea what you are talking about. You have to try to explain yourself in layman's terms!" More explanation, and the Judge requested a copy of the test that was actually given. It was a test of 560 (or 506 I can't remember) questions that could be answered only by "Yes" or "No". As the Judge looked over the questions, he asked the psychologist - read this question and the answer please. The psychologist did so, and the Judge said, "This is not true, Teitel lied". The question was whether or not he had ever mistreated animals, to which Teitel said "No". However the Judge said that in their records Teitel had admitted to having mistreated animals before, and it was recorded. The Judge wanted to know how they could rely on the analysis and results of the test if Teitel had lied on answers. The psychologist said it wasn't based only on that, but the Judge then told him, "We sit in this courtroom all day trying to determine between truth and lies, it is what we do." The courtroom continued to be very lively that morning. The Defense lawyer was arguing loudly with the Judges, who in turn were arguing loudly back at the Defense! We felt that we were in the middle of a scene from a movie!

That morning I had opened up my devotional, "Daily Light", and the verses that jumped out at me were, "Sit still, my daughter". (Ruth 3:18) Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be faint-hearted. (Isaiah 7:4) Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? (Luke 10:39, 42) The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in the day. (Isaiah 30:15) Wow! Was I encouraged. However, when you sit in the courtroom, and when we see Teitel come in followed by reporters, appearing confident, shackled hand and foot, it is an eerie feeling and my heart beats fast.

After the hearing the Prosecutor said he would speak to us, which was unusual because he doesn't normally do that. Our friends in sorrow and suffering, Akram Balbasi and his son Hani were there also. They are the Arab family whose son and brother, Samir, was murdered by Teitel in 1997. We were told by the prosecutor that the Defense team decided to give up on the plea of "not mentally fit to stand trial"! This is a victory, but as we then learned, one battle down and more to go. The Defense lawyers have moved to another tactic. They will try to prove that Teitel was not responsible for his actions in the past when he committed his crimes. If that fails, they will claim that his initial interrogation when he was arrested was unfair.

The same day, an article came out in "Yediot Ahronot", a widely read Hebrew newspaper, concerning our case and the fact that the Balbisi family received compensation from Social Security for their son, because their case is considered a hostile act of terrorism of Jew against Arab. But in our case, even though the same terrorist attacked us both, because we are a Jewish family and it was Jew against Jew, it was not considered a hostile act of terrorism. That's how it is on the law books here. It was in the magazine section of the Sunday paper and was a big two page article! We are happy that once again the name of Yeshua could be lifted up in the secular press in Israel. May the Lord have His way in all of this.

We were asked by the reporter how we felt that the Arab family had received compensation and we did not. We told them we were so happy for them; they deserved it and much more. They had suffered for 12 years not knowing who had killed their son, and their health and family had deteriorated as a result. Money couldn't return their son, but at least there was some recognition of their indescribable suffering.

The day after the hearing, David and Ami flew off to the U.S. Please pray for Ami this Saturday when he will be taking the ACT college entrace exam. He will be staying with good friends of ours from our congregation in the U.S and working for 2 1/2 months. We continue to pray for whatever the Lord has for him, expecting good things.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

To see past updates, and all the news, facts, videos, pictures and more about Ami's story, you can click onto www.amiortiz.com

In Yeshua,

Leah

August 22, 2011

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:20:00 GMT

Shalom! We hope and pray you are all having a good and fruitful summer, enjoying the goodness of the Lord.

ISRAEL ATTACKED

The latest Hamas offensive against Israel began on August 18, 2011 with a four-pronged terror attack on busses and cars in the South of the country near Eilat in which 7 civilians and one soldier were killed, with many wounded. In the days that have followed the southern part of israel has been under attack from rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles. The following is from Joel Rosenberg's flash traffic update (http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/):

More than 100 rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles have been fired from Gaza at Israeli towns and cities along the south. A suicide bomber also detonated himself near the Israel-Egyptian border over the weekend. Eight Jews were killed in Thursday's jihadist attacks on an Israeli public bus, and at least 30 were wounded. A rocket hit a home in Beersheva on Saturday night, killing one Israeli and wounded four others. Dozens more Israelis have been hospitalized for shock. Israel has struck back with airstrikes against selected terror targets, but the violence has only escalated. Tragically, Israeli forces accidentally killed two Egyptian border guards during a raid against Gaza militants. Israel quickly apologized, but this has created new tensions between Egypt and the Jewish State. Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders -- who want their own sovereign state beginning next month -- have neither said or done anything to stop the latest attacks.

Howard Bass, who is the congregational leader of the "Nachalat Yeshua" (Yeshua's Inheritance) congregation in Beer Sheva sent out this report on Shabbat:
(http://www.gratefullygrafted.org/ministries/congregations/nachalat_yeshua.htm)

Shalom,

We thank God for those who have expressed their concerned interest in the rocket attacks on Beer Sheva, and for all who are aware and remember all of us in prayer.

This morning before we left home for our congregational service, the sirens went off, and we went down to our bomb shelter. The rockets from Gaza this morning, and also on Thursday night, fell not too far from the section of the city in which we live, and on one of the rocket falls, the house shook from the vibrations of the impact. This evening we have had twice to go into shelters while we were visiting friends from the kehila (congregation) who lived within sight of what we were hearing this morning.

The missile interceptor system, called Iron Dome, has been brought back to the city after being taken out a couple of years ago. It has successfully taken out some of the rockets which have been fired these past days. Hamas has taken responsibility for these attacks, after denying any for what took place in Eilat a few days ago.

Sadly, this evening a grad rocket hit in a neighborhood, destroying a car and seriously damaging the house. Worse, one person was killed, seven seriously injured, at least one mortally. All of these remained outside during the attack, rather than get inside under cover. Very likely, they were curious to see the Iron Dome work to intercept the missiles. It is interesting to watch, but dangerous: curiosity killed the cat. The guidelines the news and the security authorities are stressing is to get into shelters, and remain there for some minutes after the alarm finishes.

I do not believe that any believer is exempt from being harmed, either directly or indirectly. What will distinguish us is our reaction and response in the event of personal suffering, and how we relate to others who do suffer: the issue is glory to our Father in Heaven, and honor to the name of the Lord Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ. Before the event, it is difficult to 'plan' for our reaction, but the Holy Spirit within us wants to steady us as quickly as possible on The Rock of our salvation.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We appreciate all your prayers for Israel at this time. Prayer is essentialand we need to stand together for strength in the face of the trying circumstances that are shaking the earth. We serve a mighty God who is able to provide, strengthen, heal, and Who can make a way where there is no way. At this moment, even though Hamas and Israel declared a cease fire, rockets continue to fall in the South.

My daughter's in-laws live in a settlement in the South, not far away from the Gaza order, and their town was also hit by a few rockets over the weekend. They are running into their bomb shelters several times a day when the sirens sound. Although they've lived through many of these attacks in the past, they said that they feel this one is somehow different, and more serious than before. Only people who have lived with this ongoing threat for all the years since Israel pulled out of the Gaza strip can have the perspective that they do. Please pray for this precious family and all the families in the South of Israel who are under attack at this time.

Last week, David and I went up to Jerusalem to meet with our lawyer. He told us that there will be a hearing on September 4th of the Jack Teitel case, which is supposed to be the summation of all the testimonies, and the closing arguments of the prosecution and defense. We've gotten a little jaded about all of this, because the hearings are often postponed at the last minute, but we take it in good faith that this will happen. The judge's decision concerning Teitel's psychological ability to stand trial will most likely not take place on Sept. 4th though, and will be made behind closed doors. We will probably be notified by letter or by the prosecutor.

We appreciate your standing with us concerning the end and summation of these hearings. We know that whatever the decision is, whether just or unjust, it does not deter the work of the God of Israel. May He show His mighty hand to His nation through all of these situations.

Ami is getting ready to leave for the U.S. in a few weeks. He is studying diligently for his college matriculation tests which he will take in NY, and he is preparing in many ways to leave home for an extended amount of time. He is seeing his friends go off to the army one by one, and looking forward to his next step in life. He is in great condition and health, thank God, and is trying to cooperate and be patient with his mother who is worrying over every detail of his leaving the nest!! Ami is very laid back, and takes things easy. He doesn't get excited or panicked about anything, and only responds with a sense of urgency to real emergencies. I think it's hard for him to deal with me at the moment...

MORE...

We recently received a revealing newsletter from Barry Segal, which is another sign of the times; spiritual confusion and the falling away from the faith of many believers in Yeshua which I know is distressing to all of us. We thought it was important to share this with you.

THIS WILL SHOCK YOU: OR AT LEAST SHOULD SHOCK YOU...
Church Leaders Who Claim The God of Israel is Allah by Barry Segal (Israel)

"A "who's who" of evangelical Christian leaders, including Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Brian McLaren, Richard Cizik and Bill Hybels, have signed a letter to the Muslim community entitled "Loving God And Neighbour Together" that openly equates Allah with the Christian God. To read the text visit: (http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm) By affirming that Allah is God, the 300 Christian leaders in this letter are denying the God of the Bible.

The reality is that the Quran denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God no less than nine times. This letter represents apostasy of the highest order. It is another huge step towards the one world religion and one world church of the last days. The Christian ministers who signed this letter have denied their faith and have brought shame to their ministries and congregations. Therefore, we are calling for the immediate resignation of each and every Christian minister that signed this letter. You can find a list of the Christian leaders that signed this letter here: (http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm)

You will likely recognize quite a few names on that list. These are just a few.
David Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counselling, Fuller Theological Seminary
James A. Beverley, Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada
Rev. Dr. Stuart Briscoe, Minister at Large, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield Wisconsin, USA; Founder, "Telling the Truth, Inc."
Rev. Colin Chapman, Former Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, and author of Whose Promised Land?
David Yonggi Cho, Founder and Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea
Harvey Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Lynn Green, International Chairman, Youth With A Mission
Bill Hybels, Founder and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA
Richard Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
Rev. Dr. Robert Schuller, Founder, Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power
John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada
Rev. Dr. John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, UK
Harvey Thiessen, Executive Director, OM Canada
Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director, World Evangelical Alliance
Jim Wallis, President, Sojourners
Rick Warren, Founder and Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church, author: The Purpose Driven Life, Lake Forest, CA"

In the midst of all this, we continue to "Praise the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 136:1) and to hold on to Psalm 46:

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Yours in the Messiah,

Leah

Juy 10, 2011

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Shalom to all!! It has been a very long time since I last wrote and I must say that I have missed you all, my family in Messiah. But it's been a time of much reflection and recuperation, and since these updates have always been a result of 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration, or aspiration, or respiration, or whatever I can call it, today after a long, long time, I once again felt the familiar nudge of the Holy Spirit motivating me to sit down and write again. During this long "break", we haven't stopped telling the story of a tragedy turned to triumph that the Lord accomplished through our family, and by family I don't mean just our immediate one, but all of us together as family in Yeshua, as we prayed, cried, travailed and rejoiced before the Lord together these past 3 years. The result has been a testimony that edifies and inspires all who hear it, and it is not done yet.

AMI NEWS

Ami has graduated High School! He graduated well. In Israel graduation ceremonies are not cap and gown affairs with formalized ceremonies. Like everything else, we have our own more casual and comfortable style. The kids put together skits, songs and dance to express their appreciation and senses of humor concerning their last years in school. Ami participated in this, and was in several of the skits. He also received a certificate for excellence in sports! We were of course very proud, and he, as always, took it in stride. All of his friends in the next few months will be inducted into the army, but Ami has had it in his heart for the last couple of years to study in college in the U.S. and to hopefully be able to play basketball on a college team. This will entail passing the U.S. college matriculation exams, and so to this end, he'll be going to the States in September, living with good friends in Brooklyn for a few months, and will work at our congregation in the U.S. He'll take the matriculation test there - and we'll see if he will be able after that to fulfil his dream. We would appreciate prayer for this, as so far the Lord has led and guided. I don't want to give any particulars at this point, but we'll let you know as time goes on what happens.

With all the news of earth shaking proportion that is going on in the world and Israel, including the upcoming possibility of a declaration of a Palestinian State in the U.N. and what would happen after that in the region, not to mention all the upheaval currently taking place all across the Middle East in the Arab nations, our court case has ceased to be of any major interest in the local media. We understand that, and as a matter of fact this has been a tactic of Jack Teitel's defense lawyers, to drag the proceedings out so that the press and public attention will diminish. Believe it or not, the proceedings to determine whether Teitel is mentally fit to stand trial are still going on, and we ourselves are not even aware of further hearings as they are being held behind closed doors. We have left in it in the Lord's hands and we pray for him and his family.

Ami and I had a divine appointment the other day. All day long, I needed to go to the supermarket and I needed a ride. Ami said he would take me, but somehow it took us all day to just get in the car and go as one thing after another kept on stopping us. Have you ever had a day like that? I was expecting to just be dropped off, but a few minutes later, Ami all of a sudden appeared in the supermarket, telling me he was going to help me! A rare occurrence. I noticed a woman entering the store who looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. When we got to the checkout, I noticed that she was talking to Ami in a rather intense conversation as he loaded the things on the conveyor belt, and as I was bagging. When she saw me looking at her, she came over and introduced herself. "My name is Darcy, and I am Jack Teitel's sister in law", she said in perfect English. I had already met one of Teitel's wife's sisters, Sarah, who was Ami's English teacher at the time of the attack. Sarah was in my Weight Watcher's group for a while, and we had some interesting conversations. When Teitel was arrested, however, Darcy was the spokesperson for that side of the family and I now remembered that I had seen her on the news and several talk shows. I remember thinking how posed and dignified she was when I watched her speak. At that time she said that her family completely denounced what Teitel had done, and were cutting themselves off from him completely.

Darcy told me that she was so sorry for the suffering that Ami and our family had had to endure at the hands of Teitel. She said she remembered seeing a documentary report about Ami on national television before the arrest, and that she had cried through the whole thing, never imagining that her family was the cause of such a tragedy. I thanked her for her apology but I told that we were OK, our lives were continuing and Ami and our family were able to overcome by the grace of God and because people all over the world had prayed and loved us through the pain, trauma and recovery. I then said, "and you know, we have forgiven him". She physically recoiled when I said that, and she said, "You are better people than me - I can't forgive him for what he has done to my sister. She is left in shame to raise four children alone". I told her that forgiving Teitel doesn't mean excusing his actions, but that we forgave him in order to leave him in God's hands. We didn't want to be victims twice, and we wanted Ami and all our family to be able to heal, and to be able in time to leave the incident behind us, and go on with our lives. I told her that is what has happened. She asked Ami if he's playing basketball, and he said, "Of course!" She told him that she was so happy for that. She said that she never comes to Ariel, and has never been in our supermarket before, but just today she had a doctor's appointment with a specialist and she had to come to the clinic here. We all knew that our meeting was God ordained.

Please continue to pray for Teitel and his family - for salvation to visit their households. Please pray for Ami as he prepares for the American college matriculation exams, and for his upcoming season in NYC.

If you want to see the documentary that Darcy was talking about, watch it here:

JerusalemIJ | Myspace Video

And while you are at it - check out www.amiortiz.com to read about the whole story and to see many other videos, articles, pictures and reports. You can check out past updates on the "Leah's Updates" page, and pictures, videos and articles about Jack Teitel and the hearings as well.

Yours in the love of Yeshua,

Leah

April 23, 2011

Mon, 23 May 2011 18:59:34 GMT

Shalom to everyone! I haven't written in a very long time, as I've been experiencing a period of burn out where I felt the events of the last three years fall on me all at once, and I was left without emotional and physical strength. I felt OK within, in my spirit, but I just couldn't do much, and writing was definitely out of the question!! I knew I had to just wait on the Lord for His restoration - as in Isaiah 40:

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

And as I did, slowly the burn out has faded, and I am being restored. Still not full strength yet - but OK!! Hallelujah! I am still praising the Lord in every circumstance, which is one of the the most important elements in this journey!!

HEARING

Today another hearing in the Jack Teitel case is taking place. Here is an email I sent out to those in Israel who try to support us by coming to the hearings.

Hi to all. A hearing will be taking place tomorrow in the Yaakov Teitel case to determine whether he is psychologically fit to stand trial. The hearing was set for 14:00(2PM) in the district court in East Jerusalem on Salah-a-Din Street, but now the prosecutor called our lawyer and said that the hearing might take place earlier at 11:30 and it might take place behind closed doors.

We feel like we're playing musical chairs, and that we and those who support us are being discouraged from attending the hearing as well as the press. This depletes our energy but it is how it has been since the beginning. For those who don't know, the defense hired 13 private psychiatrists to evaluate Teitel's mental state, and it is not clear to anyone where the money has come from for this. Also, the last hearing was suddenly postponed for almost two months without any explanation on the day of the hearing when everyone was already sitting in the courtroom.

And then a short update from this morning...

Good morning - we just heard from our lawyer that the hearing will take place behind closed doors, and that this one is not the last hearing or summation of the hearings, but there will be one or two more before it is over. Therefore we probably wouldn't have been able to sit in the courtroom at any rate. Thanks to all who expressed interest. We will let you know what happened during the hearing when we get the information.

Our good friend Chaim Goldberg from Maoz ministries has been one such faithful friend. His blog includes an update on the latest news about the hearing, but I wanted to direct your attention to the excellent video he did on the persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel to refresh and to encourage you to keep on praying for the situation. Not that we expect persecution to cease - we know it will increase for us all in these last days, no matter where we live. But, please pray that we will be strengthened to continue to stand for Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel no matter what the slanderous and incite-full tongues shout out against us. Please pray that our hearts and attitudes will remain right before the Lord, and that we will be full of grace and forgiveness towards those that oppose us so violently. It is what the Master wants.

Here is the link - http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/urgent-prayer-request-from-ortiz-family.html

AMI NEWS

As for Ami - he is doing very well. He is weaning himself off of his nerve medication, as he still has low level pain in his left hand from the nerve injuries. However, he has been advised by his doctors that he has to learn to live with it, and the time has come to stop taking the medication, which he always wants to do anyway. It is difficult, but he has faced so much difficulty already. He also has some residual ringing in the ears, but other than that he is strong and full of life and strength in every way. He is finishing high school, and since the rest of his friends will be going into the army, he is standing firm on his desire to study in the U.S. That doesn't seem possible for the Fall of 2011 - however the Lord has a plan and we're trying to discern and follow.

Please check out www.amiortiz.com for updated information on our family, Ami's progress and the trial.

JOEL ROSENBERG

Joel Rosenberg (best-selling Messianic author, "Epicenter", "The Ezekiel Option", "The Twelth Imam" plus many other titles) has been in the land with a tour group this month. One of the highlights of his tour was an Epicenter Conference. We had the great privilege of being invited to a banquet along with other Messianic leaders in Israel, given by Joel's organization, the Joshua Fund. We were also privileged to sit at Joel and his wife Lynn's table with Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) and her daughters. Anne was one of the speakers at the Epicenter conference. You can see the teachings given on the Book of Joel from the conference at www.epicenterconference.com I highly recommend it, as I believe the messages are God's message for the days we're living in.

We appreciate your love and for standing with us so faithfully.

In Yeshua,

Leah

April 6, 2011

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:25:00 GMT

We just returned from a conference in Southern Germany of Israel supporters. The believers who attended were from different congregations in the area around the conference center. The theme of the conference was "One New Man", and it was organized by Johannes Facius and his team of anointed German Pastors who love the Lord and love Israel. Johannes has been encouraging and supporting the Messianic Body in Israel since the 1970's. The conference was very well attended, and we were privileged to be ministering together with David and Michaela Lazarus, the congregational leaders of the Beit Emmanuel Congregation in Yafo. We pray that there will be eternal fruit from the conference.

STAND WITH ISRAEL AND THE MESSIANIC BODY

Standing with the Messianic Body in Israel is more important than ever before. The pressure, intimidation and persecution of anti-freedom of religion groups like Yad L'Achim is mounting. In Ashdod there were demonstrations organized against a particular congregation, and the speech against the believers was slanderous and vicious. A very comprehensive report on Yad L'Achim was recently done by Israeli television, and Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice who was one of those interviewed for the report and who has much information about that organization, has posted all three parts of the program on You Tube with English subtitles. It is very important for you who pray for the Messianic Body in Israel to see this and to understand the depth of the paranoia and the hatred of the Name of the true Messiah of Israel, Yeshua, and of the believers here. The name of the report is " Big Brother And The Jew". We were not interviewed, but our case is mentioned in Part Two about 13 minutes into the report.

These are the links:

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPrhXREm3w

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEPpkzxYYRA

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyblyb3EOY

COURT HEARING AND AMI NEWS

Concerning the last two hearings in the Jack Teitel case, we were out of the country at the time, but our lawyer attended the last hearing on April 5th which was supposed to be a wrap-up of the testimonies. He said he was sitting in the courtroom and suddenly it was postponed until May 23, 2011 at 2PM. No explanation was given. We continue to believe for the Lord's purposes to be completed in the judicial process.

Meanwhile, many of you have inquired about Ami - well here are some very recent pictures from the last game of the season which Ami's team won by a huge margin. This was the last game that Ami will play with his High School Team. When looking at the pictures, I think of the doctor's words to us that thank God were not fulfilled.

Ami will never run as fast as he did before. He runs faster!

He will never jump as high. He jumps even higher!

It has been a battle, but you have prayed us through. We are eternally grateful, and we tell every group and every audience that we have the chance to share our testimony with, that when the Body prays together in unity, there is no principality or power that can stop those prayers. We have experienced this, and we will never be the same.

Acts 4:31-32: 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

PASSOVER BLESSING

Our prayer for you this Passover season is for much Joy, Peace and Love in the Spirit as you gather with your families to celebrate the Lamb of God and the freedom from the bondage of sin that can be found only in Him.

Isaiah 53:10: 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

In Yeshua,

Leah

March 24, 2011

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:00:00 GMT

I just received the news by email that the one person killed in the bombing yesterday in Jerusalem was a believer from Scotland who was studying Hebrew here.

Here is the email that was sent:

The woman who was killed in yesterday's bus bombing was Mary Gardner from the Home for Bible Translators. Mary was from Scotland who spent the past 18 years working alone with a tribe in Togo translating the bible into their language. She so enjoyed being in Israel and relished the company of the other students from all over the world. She was, in fact, on her way to spend the evening with a friend.

Here's another message I received:

I'm shattered. I just received this news from our branch director in Togo:

Our colleague Mary Gardner was killed by a bomb in Israel yesterday. Mary had been studying Hebrew in Jerusalem. Please pray for Mary's family and all who loved her, and pray that God would receive glory even through this tragic event. Further details are not available at this time.

Mary was in Israel to study more Hebrew so as to become a consultant for OT. She had worked in Toga and after 18 years had finished the NT and was here to prepare for the OT.

Please keep Mary's family and the Home for Bible Translators staff and students in prayer.

Blessings,

Leah

March 23, 2011

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:52:46 GMT

A bomb hidden in a bag exploded in Jerualem early this afternoon killing one woman and wounding many others, 3 seriously, four moderately and more than 30 lightly injured. The explosion took place next to the central bus station in Jerusalem, directly across the street from the Binyanei Ha'uma conference center . PLEASE PRAY for the family of the woman who died, and for the injured and their families.

Here is a link to an article: http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=213442

MISSILES FROM GAZA ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL

Missiles are continuing to be fired on Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. This morning, missiles reached as far as Beersheva. The Israeli Air Force is responding. This situation has been ongoing for a few weeks now. Here's a link to an article-

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/two-grad-rockets-hit-be-er-sheva-iaf-strikes-gaza-launching-squad-1.351301

PLEASE PRAY for those living in the South of Israel, for protection against these missile attacks, and for wisdom for Israel's leaders.

THANK YOU for standing with Israel.

Leah

March 21, 2011

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:42:26 GMT

Thank you for all those who wrote around Purim to remind us that you were praying for us during this time. The day happened to fall on the Gregorian calendar date that it did 3 years ago when the attack which wounded Ami so critically occurred. I don't know how I did it, but I had arranged for another tour group to visit the same tourist site in Jerusalem that I had arranged on Purim 2008! When I realized that I had done that, I couldn't believe it, and because to cancel would cost us a penalty fee, and because no one but me had any qualms about the strange timing, I left it as it was. However this time I didn't go with them ! Needless to say, the day passed without incident, and once more we were reminded of all of God's promises towards us - especially from Isaiah 54 which was one of the scriptures given to us after the attack -

14 In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. 15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.

ATTACK IN ITAMAR

However, and most of you on this mailing list are aware of this, the Haman spirit was active again this Purim with the attack on the Fogel family from the ultra Orthodox settlement of Itamar, which is close to Ariel. Both parents and three children were viciously murdered by Islamic terrorists. Three children survived the attack, and the country is still reeling from the brutality of the murders. The assailants have not been arrested yet as far as we know. A media gag order has again been placed on all information concerning the case.

This togther with events in Japan, and the upheavals taking place in the Arab world, leave many in the Body of Messiah either with question as to where we are in the End Times plan, or with prophetic insights. The verses that resonate in my spirit are from Hebrews 12:25-29,

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not espcape who refused Him who spoke on earth how much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more"indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kngdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God aacceptable with reverenc3e and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

ARAD AND HEARINGS

On another battle front, the demonstrations and persecution in Arad continue against the Messianic Body there. There is a yearly demonstration outside the house of a single mother in Arad who not only has raised her three children to be good citizens of Israel, but takes in foster children from Messianic families who are in distress for whatever circumstances or reasons. She does this through the agency of Social Services in Arad. Here is a report done by Channel One in Israel - it is actually pretty favorable towards the believers. Please pray for the Body of Messiah in Arad. Before this demonstration, many prayed and fasted and the original date was actually postponed. The fact that many non-Messianic neighbors organized a counter-demonstration is truly a miracle. Please watch this video report, it is very interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnR6DYmHdOI

The next two hearings to determine Jack Teitel's mental ability to stand trial are coming up on March 30th and April 5th. David and I will actually be in Germany at an Israel conference during that time, but our lawyer will attend the April hearing which he said is supposed to be the last one. A decision will probably be made at a later date. Teitel's lawyers have already stated that if the judges determine that he is mentally fit to stand trial, they will appeal to a higher court. We appreciate your continued prayer in this matter!

Many blessings from Zion,

Leah

February 17, 2011

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:48:42 GMT

Shalom! I wanted to thank all of you who were praying for the hearing which took place on February 15th, in the case of the State of Israel against Yakov "Jack" Teitel. I wrote already that we were not present, and will not be present at all further hearings until we ourselves testify, in the event that there will be a trial. The hearings on the mental fitness of Teitel to stand trial are continuing. Our lawyer, Yossi Graiver, who was also not present at the hearing, was finally able to contact the State Prosecutor whose name is Sagi Ophir.

YOSSI WROTE:

"Here is the summation of the Feb. 15th hearing according to Attorney Sagi Ophir, who is the District Attorney Prosecutor. The testimonies heard by the District Court were as follows:

The District Psychiatrist who has concluded that Teitel is not mentally fit to stand trial, and Teitel's mother and wife.

Teitel's mother and wife raised claims that were not mentioned in the investigation that hinted that his mental state was not according to the norm all of his life. Because these claims were not initially presented as such in the investigation, their present claims were contradictory. The District Psychiatrist was questioned extensively by the defence for six hours, and also by the judges. The prosecutor said it was very intensive. Two more hearings were set that will convene on March 30, 2011 at 10:30 and on April 4, 2011 at 9:00."

JUSTICE

It is clear to me that sometimes justice is not the point in the courtroom, but rather who is more skilled in handling the law. No tactic is too outrageous to be used, and we've been assured of one thing by lawyers, that these hearings will take time, and drag on for quite a while. And if a trial will take place, then every point will be a knock down, dragged out fight.

It is probably a good thing that we aren't in court right now, as spiritually, emotionally and even physically it is intense, and I think that we are being spared the aggravation for the time being. The first hearing lasted for over 9 hours, and this second one for more than 6.

Psalm 9:4-7 is appropriate at this point, I believe.

4 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
5 You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
7 But the LORD shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment.
8He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.

9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah

February 6, 2011

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:34:55 GMT

On Thursday, February 3rd the hearing we were all waiting and praying for, of the State of Israel against Jack Teitel, did take place. The proceedings started at 9AM sharp which in itself was highly unusual. This past year, even though we always have to report to court at 9AM, there are usually a few cases being heard before us, and so the proceedings have always started an hour or so later. However, we were the only case being heard on Thursday, and it was a momentous day.

PSYCHIATRISTS' TESTIMONIES

Three psychiatrists were testifying for the prosecution, meaning, there were three court appointed professionals who, after assessing Jack Teitel's mental state for several months, came to the conclusion that he is mentally fit to stand trial. We arrived at court with three of our sons, Ami, Natan and Elad. When Jack Teitel was escorted into the courtroom, he looked around for his friends and/or family, none of whom had arrived. Only two friends arrived later, but his family was not present. When he saw Ami, he looked shocked and looked at him up and down as if he was seeing a wonder in front of his eyes. When the proceedings began, much to our surprise, the prosecution asked the judges to dismiss our family from the courtroom as we are also witnesses, and therefore,until we testify we cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses!! We didn't know that! The reasoning is that the testimony of others could affect our testimony, and influence our memories of the incident, and so could cause our testimonies to be considered null and void. And so for the rest of the day, we sat in the large room where the media congregates to interview defendants. Throughout the day our lawyer, Yossi, and friends who had come to support us, Moran Rosenblitt of Hope for Israel ministry, Chaim Goldberg from Maoz ministries, and Howard Bass, the Pastor of Nachalat Yeshua from Beersheva, came out to update us periodically on what was going on. They also sent us text messages from inside.

The first psychiatrist was sworn in, and he proceeded to give his testimony. Jack Teitel has two court appointed defence attorneys, and they are extremely experienced and very crafty. They had done their homework well, and they grilled the witnesses unrelentingly. They found every loophole in the Psychiatrist's reports, and every word that they said that wasn't mentioned in the report was used to try to raise reasonable doubt in the judges mind as to the validity of the their reports and findings. The first witness was grilled by the defence for five hours! The reason that the judges allowed it to go on for so long was because , as our lawyer explained, they have to deal with the sanity issue very carefully as if it isn't fully resolved and proven, it can be raised again at essential points in the trial. Also, because Teitel has fully confessed to all his indictments, and has done re-enactments, insanity is his only defence.

The judges seemed inclined, it appeared to our lawyer and friends, to believe the psychiatrists reports, even though the defence was trying to poke holes in the validity of their assessments. Everyone agreed that it was gruelling and even nerve racking to sit in the courtroom, but several very important facts came out during the psychiatrist's testimony. It was stated very clearly that Teitel talked about his working association with Yad L'Achim, the anti-Messianic organization that targets Messianic believers and congregations and harasses and persecutes them. This came out because the psychiatrists were proving that Teitel was capable of having normal working and personal relationships with other people. He is also married and has four children. It was also revealed that Teitel received orders from someone, but he didn't reveal from whom. This was in addition to and separate from his claim that he also received orders from God to carry out his crimes.

Unfortunately, the State Prosecutor acting for the State of Israel who has given this case, is in comparison, young, inexperienced and very nervous before the judges, but more on that later.

CONFRONTATION

Several notable things happened in the long hours we were there sitting outside the courtroom.

There were several recesses during the long hours, when Teitel was taken out of the courtroom and then returned, hands and feet shackled, and surrounded by guards. We were forewarned not to approach him or talk to him. When he would come out, we would go near to the door of the courtroom, and Ami would sit on a barrier which is used to keep the media separated from the prisoners, which is in itself pretty high. When he sat on it, his head nearly touched the ceiling, and from that perch and vantage point, he watched Teitel. Ami remained very calm, and took seeing Teitel for the first time in person very well. He said that he felt OK, and it didn't seem to throw him off his equilibrium to see his attacker.

At one point, David and I were being interviewed by Chaim and John his cameraman in the hallway about 10 feet from the door of the courtroom. You can see the actual location of where we were standing in this video blog that Chaim did on Thursday:

http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/video-blog-from-jack-teitel-hearing.html

Suddenly, a recess was called, and Teitel and the guards came out, and proceeded to walk in our direction. I looked at him directly in his face, and for the first time he made eye contact with me. His eyes searched my face for my reaction to him. I just looked at him, and he saw no hate in my face, because I refuse to hate, even though my poor son has suffered and continues to suffer from his hatred and violence. He looked at David the same way, searching his face for a reaction. Then Chaim called out to him, "How did it feel to see Ami Ortiz in Court today?" Chaim said that Teitel turned around and looked at him with a demonic look that chilled him to the bone. He said he had never experienced anything like that stare before.

NEXT HEARING

By 4:30PM there was no reason for us to remain outside the court, and so we agreed with all that we should go home at that point. Our lawyer and Moran stayed until the hearing ended at 6:30 or 7PM! When court finally did adjourn, a new date was set for February 15th, 2011. We found out that Teitel had 13 psychiatrists that had been hired privately that had also tested his mental state and some of them will be testifying. Our lawyer brought up a good point. Who is paying for this? No one seems to know where the funding is coming from for the thorough and excellent defence that Teitel is receiving. It is enormously expensive to bring in that large number of psychiatrists, and this raises question marks as to the security service's insistence that he was a lone wolf acting completely solo.

On February 15thTeitel's mother and wife will also be testifying for the prosecution in order to disprove his lawyers claim that he has been insane all his life. We don't think the prosecution is using wisdom in this move, but again, something interesting happened as a result. On our way home, as David and I were discussing the hearing, and in particular the State's prosecutor, David said that he felt complete peace. He said that he received from the Lord that it didn't matter who the lawyers were, and if they were effective or non-effective, he had complete assurance and peace that it was all in the Lord's hands, and under His authority.

When we arrived home, our lawyer called us. He is an Orthodox Jew, and as we were talking, he told me, "You know, I'm a religious Jew, and I pray, and I believe that the Lord has given me several signs that He is looking at this trial, and it's under His control. I am not worried about the prosecutor." I told him that David felt the same way, exactly.

So what can we say? Again, Romans 8 is the word that applies

"if God is for us, who can be against us?" He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Messiah Yeshua who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

This is all the assurance that we need.

Thanks to all who have written to encourage us, and thank you for your prayers! This battle will be won on our knees.

In Him,

Leah

February 2, 2011

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:00:00 GMT

Here is a video prayer request from David concerning the hearing tomorrow.

The video link is: http://vimeo.com/19478298

We've had so many postponements and cancellations of hearings that if progress is made tomorrow, it will be a pleasant surprise. The upheaval that's happening in the Middle East, and the violent demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt are dominating the news at this time, and so the timing is interesting. I will try to update you as soon as I can after the hearing. Thank you for praying - we have heard from many of you, and we are grateful for each one who holds us in their hearts and lifts us up before the Throne.

In Yeshua,

Leah

Januay 27, 2011

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:41:14 GMT

Many of you have prayed for Kay Wilson, the believer who was attacked and severely wounded while hiking with her friend Christine Luken near Beit Shemesh one month ago. Thankfully, the perpetrators were captured along with the terror cell they belonged to. Please continue to pray for Kay as she is suffering from flashbacks. We know what that is all about, as I personally had flashbacks for over a year after the bombing in our house, and I wasn't even the one wounded. Trauma takes time to heal, and the first four or five months are the hardest.

Kay is acknowledged and hailed as a hero as well in this article, as she provided the police with the DNA evidence for the final breakthrough in the case.

Thank you for praying and standing with the Body of Messiah in Israel.

In Yeshua,

Leah

13 arrested in terror cell behind US hiker's murder

By MELANIE LIDMAN AND YAAKOV KATZ
01/26/2011 12:03

4 Palestinians indicted for death of Kristine Luken; men part of terror cell responsible for series of murders, violence since 2009.

Four Palestinians from villages near Hebron were indicted on Wednesday for murdering an American tourist in December in a forest near Beit Shemesh, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Jerusalem Police revealed on Wednesday. The suspects are central members of an independent terror cell in the West Bank that was responsible for two murders, two attempted murders, and at least one rape, as well as other incidents of theft and violence dating to as early as the summer of 2009.

Thirteen men were arrested in connection with the terror cell following a month-long joint investigation between the Shin Bet, border police, special army units, and police, it was announced on Wednesday.

Police were aware of the terror cell operating in the area for the past six months, but were only able to arrest the central members after a murder and stabbing attack in the Mata area in late December, when American Kristine Luken was killed and her hiking partner Kay Wilson seriously injured. Wilson survived the attack by playing dead, despite being stabbed 12 times and suffering from multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken sternum.

She was able to provide accurate descriptions of the attackers, which she shared with investigators in between multiple surgeries at Haddassah Ein Kerem hospital in the hours after the attack. Wilson's testimony allowed the police to arrest the two main suspects, Ayad Fasafa and Kafeh Animat, less than 48 hours after the December 18 attack, said Jerusalem District Commissioner Aharon Franco.

The suspects were arrested on December 21 in a joint IDF-Shin Bet operation and during their interrogation immediately confessed to perpetrating the attack and reenacted it in the field. During their interrogation, one of the suspects, Kafah Animat, confessed to another murder last February of Neta Shorek Blatt, a Zichron Yaakov resident whose body was found next to a mosque in Beit Jamal on February 24. Police never concluded their investigation into the death of 56-year-old Blatt, though initially they were suspicious that her death was a suicide.

The terror cell was also behind an attempted murder attack on an Ethiopian couple, also in the forest around Beit Shemesh, on February 20, 2010, which they said was in retaliation for the Mahbouh assassination in Dubai at the end of January. Police said that the ensuing attacks were not in retaliation for specific events, but they were sure that the attacks were nationalistically motivated because all of the victims were Jewish or perceived to be Jewish. They were not believed to have been affiliated with an organized terrorist group.

The men are also charged with at least one rape and one rape attempt from separate incidents, all in the same area. They also were responsible for shooting at an army and police vehicles, breaking into apartments and car theft.

Four of the central suspects were indicted on Wednesday, and police are in the process of bringing indictments against the rest. In addition to the four central suspects, four men were arrested for financially supporting the cell and an additional five were arrested for their peripheral involvement.

Wilson was hailed as a hero for providing the investigators with the final breakthrough to identify the suspects. The Shin Bet said that the suspects confessed to planning the murder of Luken just hours prior to the attack. "They decided they wanted to kill someone that day," a Shin Bet source said.

During the struggle, Wilson succeeded in stabbing one of the suspects in the arm with a small pocketknife she carried with her as a tour guide. This enabled the Shin Bet to identify one of the suspects, who was imprisoned in the past in Israel, to Luken's murder through DNA samples that were found at the scene.

Shin Bet sources said that the suspects succeeded in entering Israel through gaps in the security barrier near the settlement of Beitar Illit south of Jerusalem. Police have identified the area between Hebron and Beit Shemesh as an especially porous part of the border between the West Bank and Israel, where many Palestinians are able to illegally enter Israel in order to get to their jobs around Beit Shemesh. Police said that the Army's Kfir unit, the border police, and police stationed in the Beit Shemesh area had stepped up patrols to try to combat violence and illegal activity in the area.

January 24, 2011

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:38:51 GMT

Yesterday we received "breaking news" after several weeks of silence concerning Jack Teitel and the trial. One of the reasons for this was a month-long strike by the State Prosecutors. Then all of a sudden, articles appeared yesterday in the Israeli media and on the internet claiming that Teitel's mental state is deteriorating and that he is "battling demons". The articles claimed that he lightly injured himself throwing a pot at a mirror where he saw a demon, among other incidents, and that he is not receiving the psychological help that he needs in prison. His lawyer is quoted as saying that the prison authorities are trying to cover up the situation until a hearing will take place to determine his psychological ability to stand trial. The strange thing was, that the name of the lawyer used in the article was Teitel's first lawyer who quit a long time ago, and we were surprised that no one from the media had called us, our lawyer or the Prosecutor for a reaction to this news.

SURPRISING TURN OF EVENTS

We got in touch with our lawyer, and he then called the State Prosecutor, who told him that the whole report was fabricated, and nothing of the sort is going on with Teitel. He said that the lawyer "quoted" in the article is not his lawyer, and that he has the samea state appointed defense attorney that he had before. He said that a new hearing is called for February 3rd, which, by the way, is Ami's 18th birthday. Our lawyer told us that we are fighting a psychological war with a powerful enemy. We know it is also a spiritual war against a powerful spiritual stronghold. However, we are never discouraged, because if God is for us, who can be against us?

However, we are astounded by this latest news! Apparently someone leaked this false report to the media hoping to get some kind of response from the public.

Please pray for February 3rd, that the hearing will indeed take place, and that progress will be made. Please pray for truth to prevail. Pray for all concerned in this trial process, for our lawyer, the Prosecutor and also for the defence and Jack Teitel. Pray for redemption to come forth in Israel as a result of this trial.

AMI NEWS

Other than that, we are doing well. Ami is feeling well and getting taller if that is possible! He does still have some residual pain in his left hand, ringing in his ears and an unpleasant popping in his right ear when he hears a loud noise, but he never complains. Ami lives with at least 100 shards of metal and glass still lodged in his body and eyes, scars from his neck down to his feet, and the loss of parts of 3 toes. We still pray for complete restoration physically, but we can honestly say that in his mind, heart and spirit he is totally healed, and it is a wonder. To know him is to feel the miracle shining through his life, and it is hard to explain in words. Everyone who comes in contact with him can sense that there is something different emanating from his life, and the deep inner sweetness that has come from going through the fire and coming out on the other side inspires everyone in our family and everyone with whom he has contact. He is our hero! Please continue to pray for God's will for Ami as school ends. We have a direction that we are taking, but there are many obstacles that need to be overcome if this is what he should do.

SOME WORDS FROM ROMANS CHAPTER 8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

35 Who shall separate us from the love of The Messiah? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer.

Leah

December 22, 2010

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:00:00 GMT

Happy holiday greetings to all!

We want to update you on a very tragic event that happened this past Shabbat, and we appreciate your prayer for this situation. Kristine Luken and Kay Susan Wilson, both believers in the Messiah, were hiking in an area around Beit Shemesh (near Jerusalem) when they were attacked by two men, allegedly Arabs. Both were brutally stabbed, and Kristine was killed. Kay was badly wounded, but played dead until the men left, at which time she was able to walk to a nearby parking lot where she called out for help. She is currently in a hospital in Jerusalem recovering from severe wounds. More on that later.

Kristine was an American living in England. She was working for an organization called CMJ which reaches out to Jewish people with the Gospel. Kay is a Jewish Messianic believer, an Israeli citizen and an independent tour guide. She has often worked with Shoresh Tours in Jerusalem who are affiliated with CMJ. Both women are well-known and loved by believers in Israel and outside of Israel.

As in our case, the details of the investigation have been put under a media gag order, and more and more questions are arising among believers and non-believers as to what really happened. All we know is that Kay said that she believes that the attackers were Arabs, but some reports say that she said that they spoke Hebrew also. On the Israeli news she said that the attacker gently removed her Star of David, and then stabbed her where it had been on her chest, in the area of her heart, but other news agencies reported that the necklace was ripped off of her neck. The police haven't come out decisively to say whether this was a terror or criminal attack.

The attackers have not been apprehended, and now the media is silent on the case. In the Israeli press, when it was discovered that Kristine worked for a "missionary" organization, many reports centered on that other than the brutality of the attack. (read the talkbacks on the below articles). Again, as with our case, the issue of Yeshua and faith in Him sparks scandal and an attempt to hush up and downgrade the seriousness of the crime.

In the meantime, Kay is still in hospital. The below was released about her situation by a friend from the tour company, and we would appreciate your prayers for her, and for Kristine's family. We will report further when more information is revealed, God willing.

REPORT ON KAY'S CONDITION

"I was not at the hospital today, but understand that Kay is in very serious pain. Thank you to everyone who wanted to visit but did not come - Kay needed and continues to need a break from too many visitors (more on this below).

There will be a memorial service for Kristine Luken, Kay's friend who was murdered in the attack, at Christ Church in Jerusalem on Thursday 23 December at 16:00. "

News Updates:

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200165

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4001856,00.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40737195/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

PRAYER REQUESTS

1) Surgery to Repair Lacerated Diaphragm

Some of the stabs that entered Kay's side cut her diaphragm. She will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the damage. This is the first time Kay has had surgery.

Please pray that the surgery would go smoothly, that trauma to Kay would be minimized, and that full healing will occur.

2) Pain Relief

Kay is in intense pain, and the pain killers are giving her adequate relief. She is not comfortable in any position. Please pray that the Lord would lift the pain and reduce Kay's suffering.

3) Recovery from Trauma

The process of recovering from such a severe trauma can be long and involved. Please pray that the Lord would help Kay to really surrender to His healing process and schedule for her, and for the Holy Spirit to minister to her in a powerful and ongoing way.

4) Catching the Attackers

These men are still on the loose and could hurt others. Please pray that the Lord to help the police to find the attackers quickly, and for them to be brought to justice. Also for God in His great mercy to grant them salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah.

5) Financial Support

The police have not yet made an official determination as to if the attack was a criminal or a terrorist attack. If it is determined to be a terrorist attack, the government can provide significant financial support for Kay's recovery process. In either case, she has expenses that will need to be taken care of. Please ask the Lord for ample provision to meet all of Kay's needs, so that she will not have money troubles on top of everything else.

TRIAL UPDATE

As I reported, the hearing was postponed on December 2nd as Teitel's lawyers (the 3rd set) quit and two other lawyers were appointed. A tentative hearing was set for the 20th, but was also postponed because of an ongoing State Prosecutor's strike. Well, the strike has ended, and so we will see what will happen now! Hallelujah, the Lord is in control.

We appreciate being bound together in love with you as the days get darker and more unsure. As we pray one for another in unity, we will see great answers to prayer in 2011, because the promises of God are not subject to any circumstance. The more impossible the situation appears to be, the greater the testimony of the Lord will be. May He continue to be lifted up and glorified in our lives.

Luke 18:27 "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

Yours in Yeshua,

Leah

PS. Please check out our website www.amiortiz.com which has been totally redesigned by Aviad Cohen, the creator, designer and maintainer of the site. It is beautiful! If any of you need a website designed, or know anyone who does - his website is www.acmediaservices.com

December 1, 2010 l Part 2

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:12:25 GMT

Below is a revealing article. We would not have known that our hearing tomorrow is cancelled if David hadn't felt impressed to look on the internet to see if there were any articles about Jack Teitel before the hearing. He found this!

We were involved in the case with the FBI from the very beginning, even before the Shin Bet and the FBI got together. The Shin Bet were supposed to contact the FBI and tell them that American citizens were involved in the attack, but they didn't inform them officially until January 2009 , almost a year later. There are other things that we're not at liberty to say yet, but the Lord has taken that which has been spoken in secret and gradually it is being shouted from the housetops!

The State Prosecutor failed to inform our lawyer and ourselves that a hearing was held on Monday instead of tomorrow, and therefore the hearing for tomorrow is cancelled. This is the second time that they failed to inform the victims that the hearing date was changed. Another hearing is supposed to take place in a few weeks.

http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/fbi-and-shin-bet-began-tracking-jewish-terrorist-year-before-arrest-1.261271?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.225%2C2.226%2C

Published 02:23 12.01.10

Latest update 04:13 12.01.10

FBI and Shin Bet began tracking 'Jewish terrorist' year before arrest

Teitel refuses to cooperate with his attorney, saying he does not recognize court's authority.

By Chaim Levinson Tags: Israel news Jewish terrorist

A year prior to Yakov "Jack" Teitel's arrest, the Shin Bet and the FBI were in close contact as part of an investigation into bombings targeting homosexuals, messianic Christians and left-wing figures, Haaretz has learned.

Teitel was arrested on October 7. However, the initial exchanges on the case between the two security services on the case began in October 2008, when a Shin Bet officer, code-named Ariel, contacted the FBI with a request for assistance in the investigation. Eventually, the authorities would come to suspect Teitel as the person behind the bombings.

Meanwhile, deliberations were held at the Jerusalem District Court Monday on Teitel's case. Teitel has refused to cooperate with his attorney, saying he does not recognize the court's authority and Monday it appointed two new defense lawyers, who are to respond to the charges against Teitel by next month.

The Shin Bet and the police were building a profile of the bomber as avenues of investigation had reached a dead end. One of the conclusions in the investigation was that the bomber probably was an American, which led to the cooperation with the FBI.

The Israeli authorities considered translating the pamphlets on how to make explosive devices the bomber had made for dissemination to other intelligence services in the hope of possibly finding a link through their data bases.

Haaretz has learned that in May 2009, two FBI agents visited Israel to assist in the Teitel case. The Shin Bet investigators were becoming increasingly convinced Teitel was the prime suspect. The FBI agents shared the information they had on Teitel's activities in the U.S.; he had a police record.

Teitel himself told the Shin Bet that in 2000, he fought with his landlord, who threw him out of the apartment. As he fled, Teitel used his car to hit the landlord's dog, and he reportedly carried an unlicensed pistol, fearing trouble with the police. He then fled to Israel.

The FBI played a two-fold role. It had information on Teitel but also probed cases involving Americans who have been targets of terrorism. The FBI began investigating such instances in the 1980s with the help of local authorities, and its office in Tel Aviv covers incidents in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The head of the office met with Lea and David Ortiz, whose son Amiel was badly injured in a Purim package bomb believed to have been sent by Teitel in March 2008.

This story is by: Chaim Levinson

In Yeshua,

Leah

December 1, 2010 l Part 1

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 01:10:00 GMT

Every experience in South korea with the wonderful believers there is unique, powerful and encouraging. This trip was no different. We spent only 9 days in Korea, but we were busy morning, noon and night. We were there basically for the debut of our book in Korean, called "From Tragedy to Triumph". It was amazing to see or book in actual book form, 330 pages long. The English version will take a few more months to come out because it is more feasible to print and distribute from the U.S.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRIP

The plane trip to Korea takes about 11 hours, and the time difference is 7 hours ahead of Israel. However, no time to recover from jet lag when we arrive there because as soon as we touch down, we usually are brought to our first meeting. This time it was in the largest church in Seoul, which has a congregation of 30,000. It is the Yonsei Central Baptist Church. The Senior Pastor, Pastor Yoon greeted us warmly, with a delicious Korean meal. Our good friend Taysir Saada was giving his testimony that night. He is the author of the book, "Once an Arafat Man". Tass, as he is known to all, was a sniper, and an assassin for Yassir Arafat. However, about 15 years ago he had a life-changing experience when he accepted Yeshua into his life to be his Lord and Savior, and his life was completely transformed. His born-again experience immediately led him to a complete change of heart concerning the Jewish people and Israel. As he studied the Bible, he realized that God had given the land of Israel to the Jewish people as an everlasting covenant, and he became a lover of the enemies he had once hated and fought against. His book was also translated into Korean, and he was there for its release as well.

Another event that was taking place during out trip was the preview of the new film "Forgiveness" which will be released in the theaters on Dec. 5th. Davidalso participated in this film, appearing in it, and organizing many interviews with several of the ex-Muslims that he led to the Lord. The film is about the reconciliation between Jews and Arabs that can only take place in Yeshua. David was responsible for making the connection between Tass and the film makers, and his testimony plays a major part in the film. The film was previewed in some key places and to the media, and afterward we had a press conference. The interviews appeared in 14 major newspapers in Korea.

Back to the largest church in Seoul, on the last day of our trip we shared our testimony there. The church is on an impressive, beautiful building complex with buildings housing t heir own Tv and radio station, Bible school and its own underground parking lot. However that is not what impressed us the most - it was the prayer of this blessed congregation. Every assembly in Korea practices early Morning Prayer, the believers waking up early for prayer at 5AM before they begin their working days. This has led to the exponential growth in the number of believers being added, and the expansion of the Gospel into every area and aspect of Korean life. This assembly has a prayer meeting every night from 7-10 PM. The power of the prayer is hard to describe and must be experienced firsthand, but their prayer sessions begin with a battle cry to the heavens - the leader and prayer warriors cry out in a loud voice - LOOOORRRRDDD! Then everyone begins to pray all at the same time, with a fervor that shakes the heavens, crying and weeping and shouting out their requests to the Lord. We felt the heavens open up, and we felt like we were transported into the throne room of heaven - it was amazing. I lifted up every prayer request I could think of as faith was palpable and you just knew because you knew there would be an answer - we were, after all, standing before the throne of God!!

This kind of prevailing prayer takes place all over Korea, in the 50,000 assemblies that exist there. As a result, the President of Korea is a born-again believer, there are many in the government and CEO's of major companies who are believers, and the Gospel is going forth in power. There are a growing number of fellowships who are praying for and standing with Israel as well, and they were the assemblies that we visited. Many of these assemblies have organized into an organization hat pray for and support Israel and Messianic believers however they can. Rev. Samuel Kim who is the founder and president of this Israel fellowship organized our schedule and speaking locations. He showed up for almost every meeting, often running on to his next appointments in his very busy schedule.

We were blessed to be staying, along with Tass, in the apartment of Kwon You-Sok and his wife, who have guest rooms in their beautiful apartment in one of the many, many neighborhoods in Seoul. He is the President of a Publishing Company which printed ours and Tass's book, called "Heavenly Word". They are also part of the fellowship that stand with Israel, and he himself teaches about the Biblical importance of the Jewish roots of the faith in many places. They treated us like kings, and are beautiful servants of the Lord.

David and I spoke in many assemblies, not only in Seoul this time but in fellowships in the South of the country. We visited the city of Pohang, on the southeastern coast of S. Korea. Pohang is home to the third largest steel mill in the world - Posco Steel. We were so impressed by the factory complex that we saw which has 40,000 employees. We were able to see the steel being flattened and shaped, watching a huge slab of red hot lava-like steel on a huge conveyor belt cooled and flattened and rolled into huge rolls. They have their own harbor where they receive the raw materials, and the infrastructure of the complex is absolutely huge. It's just amazing the intelligence that God has given to man to be able to do these things. We were told that this was the smaller industrial park; there was another that was bigger and employed even more people. The company also has its own university which is a very exclusive school of technology with a ratio of just 8 students to one professor, in which they train and educate the future engineers and technical people. Most of the residents of Pohang work for the company.

In the midst of this flourishing industrial city, is a vibrant and growing Body of believers. The fellowship we visited is part of the Israel prayer fellowship, and received us and the testimony of our tragedy which God has turned into triumph with love and encouragement. The pastor, Kim Chan Yoo and his wife hosted us, put us up in an historic hotel in the area, situated in a beautiful park, which was the former Presidential home and in which many celebrities have stayed on their visits to Pohang. We had two meetings and the next day, we toured the city and Posco Industry before boarding the train to return to Seoul. Another day we boarded a train for a 3 hour journey to a Southwestern city of Korea where we spoke at a Bible school, hosted by Prof. Kim Nong Oh and his family. We traveled on trains whose speed was 300 km. per hour, or 180 mph.

Other days we journeyed to areas one hour south of Seoul to many different fellowships and assemblies. We were able to speak, share our story, and to be encouraged. Other blessings included a chance to share in the chapel services of a well known University in Seoul, and in one of the most renown Seminaries as well. We also visited the Calvinistic Museum which houses original writings of John Calvin and the history of modern day Christianity. We visited a church in the countryside, pastored by a brother who in his past life was dedicated to Confucianism and violently opposed to the Gospel, to the point of doing physical harm to believers, but who was miraculously saved.

However, one of the most impacting events was our visit to a mountaintop Memorial to those who gave their lives for the introduction of the Gospel to Korea. The very first American missionary to Korea was killed for his efforts by the locals, but before his death gave out the first Bibles and planted the first seeds in the hearts of the Korean people. After that, during her long and difficult history, especially when Korea was under Japanese domination, hundreds of men and women were martyred for their faith. They are the foundation of the Body of Messiah in Korea, and we were gripped by the bravery of the men and women who willingly gave their lives for Yeshua.

FIREWORKS

While we were there North Korea fired 150 missiles onto South Korean territory. This was the second in recent outright attacks on South Korea, the first having been the sinking of a naval ship one month before. Some of the missiles hit an island, killing two soldiers, two civilians and wounding 15. It was a crisis, demanding a response of some kind, but compounded by the fact that the N. Korean leader is a madman with nuclear weapons at his disposal. We could identify with them as Israel is also always on the defensive against our threat from the north, and it was a tense moment. The believers responded calmly and with intensified prayer, and by the next day the situation had momentarily cooled down and talks were held.

South Korea needs much prayer in regards to their Northern neighbor. They are after all, brothers, and the division in the country is painful, especially for the families that are forcibly seperated. It is clear that the North Korean government is trying to elicit a military response from the South, and the believers there are praying for wisdom, and direction from God for their government.

THANKS

We want to extend our thanks to all the Pastors and the Assemblies that we visited; Pastor Choi, Jong-in; Pastor Park, Jae-Nam; Rev. S.K. Chung of the Calvinistic University; Pastor Sooon Wook H ong; Jason Ahn; President of the Presbyterian Colleg and Theological Seminary, Young Ihl Chang.

There were also so many who served us tirelessly to make our trip successful. Many thanks to Joseph who was our personal guide and organizer. He was a career officer in the army until August of this year when he retired to go to medical school to become a physician! He kept our schedule updated, organized our traveling times, coordinated with the Pastors and fellowships, carried our books and paraphernalia, and simply accompanied us every step of our journey. He did it all with precise military precision, and we are so grateful that we had the opportunity to meet this servant of the Lord! Many thanks to all of our translators who traveled with us, translating not only our testimony and messages, but every conversation, which meant translation non-stop all day long. And of course thanks to Joanne Lee, the producer of "Restoration" and "Forgiveness" who initiated our visit, had our book published, and has been a blessing in our lives from the moment we met her.

The hearing in which it will be decided if Yakov "Jack" Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial will take place this Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 9AM our time. We will write as soon as we are able afterwards, and thank you for your prayers.

We would like to urge you to always remember the entire Messianic Body in Israel in your prayers. Concerted efforts are made on the part of non-believing tour leaders and guides, plus those in the Ministry of Tourism who are involved in bringing Christian tourism to Israel, to keep visitors from making contact with the Messianic Body. We would urge you when you come, to arrange for visits to Messianic congregations all over Israel, and to meet with believers, to hear their testimonies and to stand with us in prayer. We need your prayers and encouragement. We are so grateful for those who do make the effort to visit not only the historic stones, but the Living Stones as well.

Here is a link to some of the Messianic congregations in Israel if you are not familiar with them:

http://www.yeshuasharvest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We have a limited amount of copies of t he DVD "Restoration" to distribute. If you are interested, you can write to me personally, please include your mailing address, and I will let you know the details.

Thanks again for your love and support in the Messiah,

Leah