A Pastor's Journey to Judaism - Yaakov Parisi

A Pastor's Journey to Judaism

with Rabbi Yaakov Parisi

Sunday, October 20
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Soup & salad lunch will be served

Chabad Jewish Community Center
3579 Arlington Ave. Ste. 100
Riverside, CA 92506

Yaakov Parisi's personal journey of faith took him down a winding path from evangelical Christianity to Judaism.

In 1987, the man then known as Jack Parisi was co-pastor of an evangelical Christian church. Five years later, he and his wife, Sally, became pastors of their own church in Oklahoma. As they searched for greater understanding of their faith rooted in the Old Testament, they began to discern discrepancies in church doctrine.

As this quest proceeded, things began to change. The congregation switched to observing the Sabbath on Saturday. As other proposals ensued, so did threats. The church eventually closed.

Although the path was scattered with challenges, the couple ultimately converted to Judaism, changing their names to Yaakov and Sarah Parisi. They made aliyah in 2002 to Israel where Yaakov was employed as an engineer. During the next three years he oversaw 17 construction projects on nine Air Force bases, two Army bases and one undercover base. Under his direct supervision the first underground F-16 jet refueling system was completed in 2003. This is still the only one in Israel on the bases. The system made it possible for the jets to refuel in less than three minutes. The system sustained the whole Israeli Air Force during the Lebanon War.

Come hear Rabbi Parisi's amazing — and often amusing — tale of spiritual discovery.