Standing Together: This Week at Shalom Bridge

Dr. Eugene
12 minutes ago
9 min read

Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!

Shalom, and welcome to Shalom Bridge — a community bringing together Jews and Gentiles to explore our common heritage in G‑D's covenant with Israel, and to walk together in the renewed life we share through the Messiah.

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.

Thank you for your support of Shalom Bridge. If you give through the converge portal we kindly ask that you continue your support through one of our other support avenues. Your support has been a critical to life changing ministry and we are so grateful. We are also very thankful for the support of the Converge network of Churches. However, They have been a great source of encouragement and have assisted us for several years in the start-up of Shalom Bridge. You can continue your support by giving through our website or through Zelle (503)816-7599 or through cashap using the QR code below.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua

News

Shiloh Campus Update: This week was basically a goat-run circus with me as the reluctant ringmaster. Judith wasn't feeling well, and as if the livestock could sense an opening, the goats decided it was the perfect time to stage a full-scale prison break. One escapee even managed to snag itself on a PVC pipe mid-getaway — because apparently subtlety isn't in a goat's vocabulary. Meanwhile, the remaining three treated their enclosure like a Houdini audition, finding a new hole to squeeze through every time I patched the last one. So my week turned into an endless loop of chase-goat, patch-fence, repeat — until, after enough rounds of trial, error, and probably a few desperate prayers, the enclosure finally held. Victory: one exhausted human, zero fugitive goats.

This whole saga is also a good reminder that we're still raising funds for proper fencing (clearly, the goats agree it's needed). So may we humbly ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us in this endeavor. Great things are happening here, and your partnership makes a huge difference.

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 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 Nitzavim (נִצָּבִים, pronounced nee-tsah-VEEM, meaning "standing" or "those who stand") from the book of Devarim (דְּבָרִים, pronounced deh-vah-REEM), "Words." Found in Deuteronomy 29:9(10)–30:20, this portion continues Moshe's (moh-SHEH) closing address to Israel, presenting the entire nation — leaders and laborers, men, women, and children alike — standing together to enter into covenant with G-D, the promise of restoration and renewed hearts even after exile, and the solemn charge to choose life by walking in His ways.

Parashah Nitzavim: "You Are Standing" Deuteronomy 29:9(10)–30:20

This week's portion opens with Moses gathering the whole community — leaders, elders, children, foreigners, woodcutters, water carriers — every soul, standing together before the Lord to enter His covenant. Nitzavim means "standing," and it's a picture of unity: no one is too small or too far outside the camp to be included in G-D's promise.

The Heart of the Parashah

Moses tells Israel that even after exile, even after judgment, when they return to the Lord with all their heart and soul, He will restore them. And then comes one of the most beautiful lines in the Torah:

"For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach... But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it." (Deuteronomy 30:11, 14)

G-D's Word was never meant to be a distant burden. It was placed near — close enough to speak and close enough to live.

Seeing Messiah in Nitzavim

For those of us who follow Yeshua, this passage carries even deeper resonance. In Romans 10:6–8, Rav Sha'ul (Paul) draws directly from this very text, applying "the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" to the good news of Messiah — the word of faith that we proclaim. What Moses said about Torah, Sha'ul says has come even nearer in the person of Yeshua: the Word made near, made flesh, made accessible to Jew and Gentile alike.

This is Shalom Bridge's calling in miniature — Jews and Gentiles standing together, as in Nitzavim, before the same covenant G-D, with the same nearness of His word in Messiah.

Notice too the promise in 30:6: "The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul." This is not a command to perform but a promise of transformation — echoed later in Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36, and fulfilled through the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) poured into hearts of both Jew and Gentile who trust in Yeshua.

The Choice Set Before Us

The parashah closes with Moses's famous charge:

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. So choose life, that you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

This is not a one-time decision made long ago at Sinai. It is renewed every year at this season, as we approach Rosh Hashanah and the Yamim Nora'im (Days of Awe). Nitzavim is always read just before the New Year — a call to teshuvah, to return, to re-choose life before the gates of the new year open.

Reflection Questions

Where in your life has G-D's word felt distant, when in truth it's near — in your mouth and in your heart?
What would it look like to "choose life" this week in a specific, concrete decision?
How does knowing that Jew and Gentile stand together "as one" before God shape how you love your community?

Prayer: Avinu, our Father — thank You that Your word is not far off, but near, planted in our hearts through Messiah Yeshua. As we stand together, Jew and Gentile, before You this day, circumcise our hearts to love You fully. Help us choose life — Your life, Your ways, Your Spirit — in every choice before us. May we walk as one new community, rooted in Your covenant with Israel, and full of hope in the return of our Messiah. Baruch atah Adonai. Amen.

Antisemitism Watch | August 26,-September 01, 2026

Israel: A Reform synagogue near Tel Aviv, Congregation Darchei Noam, had a window smashed overnight into August 25 — the second attack on a Reform synagogue in Israel that month, following a similar incident in Jerusalem. The head of Israel's Reform movement said the attacks are eroding Jews' basic sense of safety to worship openly.

New York City: A Bronx man, Larry Montes, 46, was charged with hate crimes after striking a woman and a security guard during Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. It's the latest in what local Jewish leaders describe as a wave of antisemitic incidents in the New York area, home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel.

Wider context: These incidents follow a string of similar attacks throughout 2026 — including a coordinated wave of arson and explosive attacks on Jewish sites in London earlier this year (linked by investigators to an Iran-backed group) and repeated vandalism at U.S. synagogues in Pasadena, Albuquerque, Austin, and Hot Springs over the summer.

חָזָק (Chazak): The Heart of Courage

Highway in the Wilderness

Do you have your own daily time in Scripture with the Lord? I’m not talking about a suggested reading plan—those can be great—but your personal appointment with God in His Word.

I do, and if you don’t, I want to encourage you to start. Because sometimes the Lord has a way of answering exactly what you’ve been crying out to Him about! That happened to me today.

I had been asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me. Honestly, I’d been feeling a little discouraged. I felt this heaviness physically, my strength seemed low, and—no joke—even my knees felt weak. I was tired, a little sad, and basically thinking, Lord, I could really use some encouragement here!

Then I opened my TLV Bible to Isaiah 35. The heading stopped me:

“Highway in the Wilderness.”

I thought, Okay, Lord… I’m listening!

Then I read:

“Strengthen the limp hands, make firm the wobbly knees. Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Be strong, have no fear!’”

I almost laughed. Wobbly knees? Seriously, Lord? You’re going to go there today?

But the Holy Spirit was speaking.

Isaiah declares that God makes a highway in the wilderness—a Way of Holiness. And the redeemed of the LORD will return to Zion with singing and everlasting joy.

Something shifted in me. Hope began bubbling up.

The Lord was reminding me that my present weakness does not determine my future. He is still God. He is still faithful. He is still making a way.

Friend, hear this prophetically: Strengthen your hands. Firm up your knees. Do not fear! Your God is coming. He is making a way where there seems to be no way.

And yes—even when your knees are wobbly, your hope doesn’t have to be!

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.

*The photo below is the evacuation zone lines. The blue dot is our house.

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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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