Shalom Bridge: A Sacred Altar in Suffering, Ki Teitzei & This Week's News
- Dr. Eugene
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
NewsletteR
Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!
Shalom and welcome to Shalom Bridge, a community where Jews and Gentiles come together to rediscover our shared roots in G‑D’s promises to Israel and to live out the transforming life we have in Messiah together.
This summer, help grow Shalom Bridge. For just 5 dollars a week—less than a cup of coffee—or 25 dollars a month, you can help us build understanding, offer teaching, and deepen connection between Jews, Gentiles, and all who need to hear the good news of Yeshua. Every gift, large or small, strengthens the bridge we are building together. If you are already giving, thank you—your faithful partnership means more to us than words can say.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua
News
Shiloh Campus Update: Shiloh Campus Update: While the goats, chickens, and quail have provided much entertainment, milk, and eggs we have also had to lean hard on assistance from family as Judith has dealt with a lot of chest pain, lack of energy, and continual chest pressure. We have made two trips to the hospital Emergency room and are set to travel to Boise for more testing.
G-D is faithful in all things and we lean into HIM for all our needs.
This Week's Parashah
(A parashah or Parashat is a term meaning portion~ in this case, it is referring to a portion of the TORAH)
This Shabbat (shah-BAHT), synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations around the world will be reading and reflecting on Parashat Ki Teitzei (כִּי תֵצֵא, pronounced kee tay-TSAY, meaning “when you go out”) from the book of Devarim (דְּבָרִים, pronounced deh-vah-REEM), “Words” (Deuteronomy). Found in Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19, this portion continues Moshe’s (moh-SHEH) closing address to Israel, presenting a dense collection of over seventy mitzvot (mitz-VOTE), or commandments — covering laws of warfare and captives, family and inheritance, honest business dealings, and compassionate treatment of the vulnerable and even of animals.
Prayer: Blessed are You, O L-RD our G-D, King of the universe,
Who sanctifies us by YOUR Word
And has commanded us to live in and through Your Word.
The Torah of Everyday Holiness
“When You Go Out” — Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19
Parashat Ki Teitzei (kee tay-TSAY) reads almost like a list of small, ordinary moments — a lost ox, a leaning roof, a bird’s nest, a hired worker’s wages. Yet within these details, ADONAI (ah-doh-NIGH) reveals that holiness isn’t only found on the mountain top; it’s found in how we treat people and creatures when no one is watching.
Torah (TOH-rah) commands us to return what is lost, build a railing to prevent harm, pay workers promptly, and show chesed (KHEH-sed) — steadfast love — even to an animal in distress. These aren’t burdensome rules; they are Ruach-filled (ROO-akh) invitations to let compassion balanced with justice govern our smallest choices.
Yeshua (yeh-SHOO-ah) embodied this same heart. He didn’t reserve holiness for the synagogue; He touched lepers, fed the hungry, and noticed the overlooked. When the Ruach HaKodesh (ROO-akh ha-KO-desh) fills us, He doesn’t just give us spiritual gifts — He softens our eyes to see the lost item, the struggling neighbor, the tired laborer and reminds of HIS justice.
Reflection: Where in your ordinary week — your farm, your family, your community — is ADONAI inviting you to practice tzedakah (tzeh-dah-KAH), righteous action, rather than merely believe it?
Application: Choose one “small” mitzvah (mitz-VAH) this week — restoring something lost, easing someone’s burden, or extending unexpected kindness — and let it become an act of worship.
Prayer: ABBA (AH-bah), fill me afresh with Your Ruach HaKodesh. Teach me that holiness lives in the details. Make my hands quick to bless, my eyes quick to see the overlooked, and my heart like Yeshua’s — full of chesed (Khes-ed) for all You’ve placed in my path. B’Shem Yeshua (be-SHEM yeh-SHOO-ah), amen.
Antisemitism Watch | August 11,-August 18, 2026
A weekly update for our Shalom Bridge community, as we continue to stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters and pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
This past week brought a sobering wave of antisemitic incidents across the globe, underscoring the urgency of our call to be a bridge of comfort and advocacy.
In the United States: A man disrupted Shabbat services at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue on August 14, striking a congregant, damaging ceremonial silver candlesticks, and assaulting a security guard — he now faces federal and state hate crime charges (DOJ).
Philadelphia’s Jewish Museum was vandalized for the third time in a year (Combat Antisemitism Movement), and newly released FBI data revealed that anti-Jewish hate crimes made up nearly two-thirds of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. last year (Jewish Insider).
In Canada: A suspect was formally charged for egging a Saskatoon synagogue during Shabbat worship (CJWW Radio).
In Europe: A French Jewish tourist was attacked twice in two days near Rome’s historic Jewish Quarter (Algemeiner); a Jewish tourist described fearing for his life during a mob attack in Barcelona (Combat Antisemitism Movement); a man hurled a beer mug at an Israeli film crew in Belfast; and a French cafe owner was investigated after telling a Jewish patron “there are too many of you” (Combat Antisemitism Movement).
In Israel: Jerusalem’s Kol HaNeshama synagogue was vandalized over Shabbat, with youths breaking in and damaging sanctuary artwork (Times of Israel).
A prayer point: Lord, comfort those who were frightened or harmed this week for simply being who YOU made them to be. Give courage to worshippers walking into synagogue on Shabbat, and stir Your church to stand — not in silence, but in visible, active love — with the Jewish people. May Shalom Bridge be a place where truth is spoken and comfort is offered. Amen
חָזָק (Chazak): The Heart of Courage
Your Suffering Is An Altar
Your place of suffering is an altar of God’s presence!
Why do I say that? Because when you are in the thick of pain and you cry out, God responds. Scripture tells us in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” And when we stand on Psalm 91:15, He promises, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” Just think about that—He honors us with His very presence right where it hurts.
Ecclesiastes 3 talks about how there is a season for everything. But when you look at Matthew 11:28, Jesus connects our seasons directly to His promise of rest. I truly believe this rest is for our souls, not just our bodies. He is reassuring you today that you can rest in Him, regardless of what season or trial you are walking through. You can actually experience His perfect peace—His true Shalom—right in the middle of the fire. Soul rest. Not "wait till this is over" rest.
Your place of suffering is really a sacred invitation to meet Him. I can tell you firsthand that I’ve lived this, especially over the last few days. I found myself in the Emergency Room twice this week with symptoms of a heart attack. It was an incredibly heavy, scary thing to face, and I was super upset and afraid. But in that exact moment, as I cried out to God, He met me right there. I didn't hear an audible voice, but I was flooded with a deep, undeniable knowing that He was right there with me.
He is with you, too. Lean into Him today and let Him give your soul the rest it needs. Chazak! Be strong!
Prayer: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Through this prayer HIS name has been placed upon us!!! (see Numbers 6:27) May we walk worthy of HIS name!!!
Resources
Podcasts and More. Did you know we also host a weekly podcast called “Shema Shalom”?
Each episode is designed to encourage your faith and deepen your walk with the L-RD. You can listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, or directly on our website.
We’d love for you to join us—wherever and whenever you listen!
You can also stay connected with Shalom Bridge on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where we share updates, encouragement, and teaching throughout the week. You’ll find our podcast episodes and weekly Parashah blogs anytime on our website at www.shalombridge.org.
🎬 Calling All Creatives! We Want You! Join our Shalom Bridge Ministry Team!
Do you have a heart for ministry and a gift for video editing? We are looking for someone to help us bring Shalom Bridge Ministries to life on screen! Once a week, we would send you raw footage, and you would work your magic — cutting it together into one beautiful, shareable video. If this sounds like something you'd love to pour your gifts into, we would love to hear from you! Reach out to us at connect@shalombridge.org or (720)722-2375.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing this message of hope and reconciliation with the nations. We are deeply grateful to walk this journey with you.
Stay connected with us at www.shalombridge.org or connect@shalombridge.org.
B’Shalom, Dr. Eugene & Judith Saunders
Partner with us to make disciples for Yeshua. Pray about making a gift today to support this ministry? There are many ways to give. You can give online through our Website using Zeffy, give via Cash App, Zelle (through 503-816-7599), or send a special offering to Shalom Bridge at 12745 South Rock Creek Lane, Haines, Oregon 97833. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us. Your help and support are greatly needed and appreciated.
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“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Sha’ul (Paul) Galatians 3:28
At Shalom Bridge.org, we believe that unity is the heartbeat of truth and that love across lines, fulfills the vision G‑D gave us. Thank you for being part of something sacred—and for choosing to build bridges where walls once divided.
With deep gratitude and hope,
The Shalom Bridge Team Bridging faith. Growing love. Finding shalom.
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