Jhan Moskowitz passed away today (Sept. 5th, 2012). He was a friend and an incredible preacher. He loved to wear bowties and was madly in love with his wife Melissa. He always smiled. Jhan had one of those faces that were very calming. It was a good face. A friendly face. He made everyone feel like he was their best friend because in the moment we spoke with him we were. He always cared what was happening in my life and pushed me to follow my passion and calling.
He worked hard to share the love of God with everyone becasue of his love for Yeshua and our Jewish people. Paul wrote in Romans 10:1, "Brothers, my heart’s deepest desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation." This was Jhan's deepest desire as well. As one of the founders of Jews for Jesus (J4J) he had great influence on the whole Messianic Jewish movement. Wether you agree with the way J4J goes about evangelism or not you cannot argue with the fact that it has made a mark on the world and Jhan was a major part of that impact.
He had great love for my generation and was there to support us at the Asheville Music Festival (AMF) just last month. A few years ago, at The Bourough Park Symposium II, I spoke on a panel of next generation leaders. I thanked my dad's generation for all that they have done and for the examples that they are to us. I wanted them to know that they are giants of the faith for us. I apologized for not giving them as much honor as we want to from one generation to another. After the panel Jhan came to me and said with tears in his eyes, "I want to thank you for making us proud and for telling us we have done well in you and your generation." It meant a lot to me.
I am proud to have known Jhan. To count him as a friend. I am praying for Melissa, Kayla and Jessie. I cannot imagine the pain of such a sudden loss. Jhan loved the God of our fathers with all of his heart. He loved people with all of his heart. I want to be like Jhan and leave a legacy like the one he is leaving behind.
When Yeshua was asked, “Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” He told him, “‘You are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.” (Matt 22:36-40).
Jhan didn't just beleive it. He did it. He loved well. A few verses earlier (Matthew 22:32) Yeshua says He "is not the God of the dead but of the living." Jhan is now in the presence of the One his whole life pointed too, Yeshua our Messiah, the God of our Fathers. He knows joy, peace and has full knowlegde of the Holy One of Israel. When my time comes, I plan to see him there!
(Jews for Jesus Memorial Video for Jhan)
(video is Jhan's testimony of coming to faith in Yeshua on YouTube from J4J)
From the fall of 1973 until July of 1974 when I married my wife Jhan and I were room mates in San Francisco. I will never forget him. All this past weekend he has been on my mind and I felt the tug of sending him a message on FB. Our paths have only crossed a time or two in all these years so it seemed odd that he was so heavy on my heart. I wish I'd known him better but I will never forget him. Thanks for this tribute to Jhan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Matt. A great remembrance.
ReplyDeleteThankful one of God's promises are to reunite His family, very soon... I will never forget how I was forever touched by this humble servant. I will remember Jhan's heart of humor, the way he energized the room of people at a study I attended (not long ago even) and his gentle directness to passionately express his love for Yeshua.
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ReplyDeleteI went to Jews for Jesus bible studies in Skokie. I am so deeply saddened that this great man for God is gone. His teaching is unsurpassed. We have lost a great brother in Christ. another reminder for me to live every day like it's my last.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really sad loss. I met Jhan just two years ago, but it was as if I had known him for ages. We had so much in common and so much to talk about from the first time we met. I will miss him dearly.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, Matt. What a loss for us all. I met Jhan far too few times, but he won my respect. His life is an offering, poured out before the altar, a life dedicated to the Lord and to our Messiah. We are all poorer to have lost him, and my heart goes out to his family.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of Sukkot 2019. I finally find a great humble preacher. I am so impressed! I go to look him up so I can follow his teachings further. DEAD! How heart-breaking. All the "good" people are leaving us. I am yet another Jew in line for the mourning of this simply wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteJhan was a great friend since 1982. He always encouraged me to chase my professional dream. He thought it was so strange, my special skill, and always loved me. Thank God for those double sided tracks he passed out. I called and he arrived. Jhan lives in my heart.
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