Shalom and welcome to our web page!

My name is Louis (Aryeh Baruch) Vos Levitz, Rosh Kehillah (the spiritual leader) of our congregation. I would like to tell you a little more about our lives, and some history as it relates to Kehillat Shomer Yisrael.

My wife Aliza and our three daughters - Batyah, Tehillah and Mesha - are South African nationals, and have been permanent residents of the United States since September 1996. Prior to us immigrating to the United States we lived in the wine lands of Cape Town, the southernmost part of the Republic of South Africa.

I grew up with parents who acknowledged G-d, but they did not have any serious convictions of their own. So I, in turn, did not have any religious convictions of my own. Judaism and Jewish identity were not even in the viewfinder of my spiritual periscope. Our family tree or origin were never discussed, and in some sense these issues were avoided. On more than one occasion, when I inquired about the family line, my father told me: “It is better not to discuss things of the past.” Certain memories plagued me for many years, like the dark features and short stature of my father’s family. My father also told me that he had a name that he never used, Ari. I later discovered that my father’s grandmother, nee Levi, had fled Spain to Portugal and subsequently ended up in South Africa, where she married a man from Prussian descent. If ever there was a self-hating family, my father’s was it! My mother’s maiden name was Niemand - a contortion of the original Neiman, and her family had emigrated from Eastern Europe to Holland and subsequently to South Africa. From the seventeenth century onwards the Cape of Good Hope became - not unlike America - the “new hope” for the persecuted, a place to make a new life. Because of religious intolerance, in order to work for the Dutch East Indian Trading Co. you had to be a Protestant. Many Jews “converted” to Christianity for the sake of entry to the Cape of Good Hope and some assimilated to the extent that they lost all Jewish connection. It was only early in the nineteenth century that non-Protestant religion was allowed in the Cape Colony, and the remaining practicing Jews built the first synagogue on South African soil.  However, the majority of South African Jews were from Lithuania. Very few, if any, Holocaust survivors came directly to South Africa. They mostly came via America or one of the other countries after the liberation of the Nazi camps. As an adult I had to endure my share of anti-Semitism, which created a very tight–knit Jewish community, even for those who where out on the fringe. Orthodoxy was - and still is - the norm for South African Jews, with a few Reform congregations and no Conservative movement. 

In August 1983, at thirty-three years of age, I had a dramatic spiritual, mystical encounter with G-d. I became convicted that Yeshua indeed was the future Messiah of Israel, and had an inner compulsion to pursue Judaism. Within days, I made the discovery that it was the gentile world that had renamed him Jesus. It was through translations and transmissions, from Hebrew to Greek to Latin, that this Jewish man ended up as the blonde blue-eyed Jesus. Aliza, who was raised in a marginal Christian home with Jewish ancestry on her mother's side (nee Krieger), became confused when her religiously indifferent husband of eleven years, suddenly became a religious fanatic with a wild Jewish bent. Kosher diet suddenly became an issue, a Mezuzah went up on the front door, and Shabbat became the focus of our week as we progressively became more observant.

I had a new found passion and an unquenchable thirst for Torah. I also wanted to learn more about this Jew Yeshua, so I enrolled at a Bible Academy for a two year program from which I graduated in 1985. During this time at school I found myself discontent with the syllabus and depth of study, particularly in the areas of hermeneutics and apologetics. I could not understand why, even though the historical references of Christian history showed a break with Torah, they still expected a Jew to follow their traditions. This was especially problematic since this break had been birthed out of a negative reaction to Jews and Judaism. I realized that the faculty and student body believed that Christianity had replaced Judaism as the “better” faith. Jews were those poor souls who had lost their favor and connection with G-d. What further confounded me was the common practice of approaching the Hebrew Scriptures from the “New" Testament backwards. I found it increasingly difficult to try and harmonize traditions that were contrary to Torah and Jewish life. I realized that even though I shared a somewhat similar belief with my gentile friends, they however viewed Yeshua as the present Messiah, who has fulfilled prophecy. I in contrast, believe him to be B'chezkas Moshiach, the presumptive and future Messiah. They believed him to be deity, I in turn believed him to be the anointed servant of G-d. Seen through the lens of the words of the prophets and particular Isaiah, the nation of Israel and Jewish people remains the servant of HaShem up to the Geulah (final redemption), and out of her comes the Anointed King (Messiah) that rules the world on behalf of HaShem. So, Messiah has to be a servant of HaShem as also defined by chazal, the Jewish sages.

My studies took on a direction and momentum of their own, as I reconstructed the Text of the “New” Testament back to its Hebrew historical-cultural context. My resources included traditional Jewish writings, Jewish Mysticism and oral tradition. I realized that unless one had a good understanding of Jewish Mystical thought it became near impossible to correctly interpret the writings of the 1^st century Jewish followers of Yeshua. I lived in a world of tension, trying to reconcile two different traditions and seeking to pacify my gentile and sadly, my Jewish Christian friends who I cared for deeply, while trying to remain true to my inner convictions. The Dean of the school once asked me (in a state of exasperation) why I don’t go to a synagogue, as it seemed to culturally and theologically suit me better. At this point our lives as a young family took on new momentum, with the arrival of our first child, . We realized that we could no longer live in two worlds, straddling two cultures. This would certainly guarantee that our daughter and any subsequent children would grow up with a confused identity. I graduated in 1985, and soon after - in 1986 - we discontinued our connection with the Protestant world.

We searched for a good business opportunity, one that would also allow us to be of service to the community and this was realized with "Tikvah Seafood" a kosher 'sea food' delicatessen and catering business, which had a hechsher (kosher certification), under the supervision of the Orthodox Beit Din. Many where the challenges, including the challenges faced with missionaries, however it brought us such pleasure to make keruv, (reach out) and see many within the community return and become shomer Shabbos. South Africa was fast changing, crime was on the increase, and life in general was starting to get too complicated. These factors placed a great amount of pressure on our business and personal safety, and ultimately was the motivation for our emigration to the United States.

Upon arrival in the US I joined the Yeshiva program of a Messianic Jewish denomination. It  soon became apparent to me, that my own informal Judaic studies had equipped me in a way that I had a better grip on a lot of theological issues than the Messianic Movement. Jews are accused of having 'blindfolds' for not seeing the 'truth', I believe the opposite to be true. Even though the Movement has brilliant thinkers,  I soon realized that Messianic "Judaism" is nothing more than a Hebraized expression of Protestantism, and a true paradigm shift takes place when one realize that the Christian scripture, the 'New' Testament, is not 'scripture' but a historical account (with discrepancies) of the life, time and events of Yeshua (Jesus).  I initially thought that I could possibly play a role in bringing about change and a return to authentic Judaic practice. To some extent I was successful, and individual lives have been influenced, but at large the movement remains firmly entrenched in Christian tradition. As immigrants to the US we struggled with some cultural differences, but the most difficult thing was that we no longer lived in a predominantly Jewish community. Even though this was a trying time and transition, it did provide us an opportunity to officially affirm our status as Jews. My return to Judaism was affirmed by undergoing Hatafat Dam Brit (a symbolic drawing of blood), and Aliza and our daughters officially claimed their place amongst the daughters of Israel. We went through the mikvah, as a family leaving behind the old. 

I nurtured a vision for a traditional synagogue that would honor Yeshua as a son of Israel, the Tzaddik and future Messiah, while remaining true to Torah and Jewish tradition. A synagogue that would restore the faith of  Yeshua - as a Torah loving Jew - to its rightful place in Israel. A Synagogue that would help secularized and estranged Jews - especially those who had become assimilated through Protestant practice - to make teshuvah and return to the Torah and to Hashem. This dream and vision was realized just before Pesach 2001, with the birth of Kehillat Shomer Yisrael on the North Shore of Boston.

With me now as a religious professional and part of a prominent Messianic organization, our relationship with the greater Jewish community became more tenuous. Because of our connection with the Movement we could not publicly proclaim our loyalty and adherence to Judaism, and - unfortunately - we were not given the opportunity to do so by the Jewish press. However, we did  get some partially favorable press coverage, and as our position became more public my association with the organization became more problematic. However, honesty had to prevail, as we worked through all the theological and halachic issues at stake. The final outcome and vote of our congregation was unanimous, as we chose to part with the Messianic Movement and Messianic "Judaism," and to continue our pursuit of the knowledge of Torah, HaShem, and Mashiach within a traditional framework. The s'micha (ordination) of 'rabbi' that I received from their institution holds no value in the true sense of Judaism, therefore I have declined the ordination and function only as Rav within our own synagogue but Shaliach and Moreh (emmissary and teacher), in the greater Jewish world.

I wish not to say anything disparaging, nor do I wish to defame another person, organization or faith, as we trust  HaShem to be The One that orchestrates our paths in pursuit of truth. I believe that truth is revealed through Messiah, who must lead one deeper into Torah. I unashamedly recognize Yeshua as the long-awaited and still future Messiah, whom God will return for the final redemption. He certainly changed my life, turned my heart to Torah, and brought about my return to Judaism. I acknowledge him, like Moshe, the Nevi'im (prophets) and priests, as a mediator between man and HaShem, part of Zichut Avoteinu (the merit and righteousness of the fathers), but most definitely not to be worshiped in place of God. As we go about pealing away layer upon layer of gentile teachings, which have been superimposed on and attributed to this loyal Torah loving Jewish man, we sometimes suffer personal attacks on our own character. The Chachamim (Sages) remind us that the Suffering Servant - "Moshiach the leper" - endures so much more on behalf of Israel.

My hope, vision, and prayer is that through my own life and practice - as I follow Yeshua HaTzaddik - that his life and faith be exemplified in our growing community.  Thereby the rest of the world may get to know the true person, teacher, future redeemer, king/priest and son of Israel. The followers of Chabbad Lubavitch - who also long for their Messiah's return - have a slogan “We Want Moshiach Now”, to which I would reply "We Have Moshiach Now in Every Generation  ". My quest is for righteousness and justice, in his name and for his namesake.

There is a fundamental Torah truth, and that is never to try and elevate oneself at the cost of someone else's character.  To do so is a disparaging thing, an averah , which God hates. HaShem reminds us in Parashat Shoftim, "Tzedek tzedek tirdoff" , righteousness, righteousness you should pursue.  May he speed us in our daily return to Torah.

I am looking forward to be of service to you,

Aryeh (Louis) Baruch Vos Levitz