Critically acclaimed pianist and Messianic Jew, Sam Rotman
Critically acclaimed pianist and Messianic Jew, Sam Rotman, will perform at Providence College and Seminary on Sunday, Oct. 17.
In conjunction with the Winnipeg Messianic Centre (WMC), Providence is very pleased to present this caliber of classical piano performance combined with an informative evening about what it means to be a Messianic Jew.
As an interdenominational organization with strong evangelical ties, some may wonder why the school is offering a platform to the WMC.
“There should be no confusion as to whether or not Messianic Jews are Christians,” says Dr. Gus Konkel, president of Providence and member of the advisory board for the WMC. “The traditions and practices of the Messianic Jews are simply a different way of choosing to live out their belief in Jesus Christ as the savior for mankind.”
The WMC, affiliated with Chosen People Ministries, does two outreach events per year to raise awareness of the Messianic Jewish faith, and to evangelize to traditional Jews about how they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
“There is such a misunderstanding at times. This event is an opportunity for people to get to know a bit more about Messianic Jews,” says Dr. Michael Wodlinger, director of the WMC. “Messianic belief started with Jesus and was the practice of the apostles. There are three very important aspects to the Messianic faith. One, we follow Torah, which means we believe that the Jewish laws are still meant to be followed. Two, we keep Shabbat, the seventh day, a day of rest. And three, we celebrate the Feasts of the Lord.
“The difference between Messianic practices and Evangelicals is that we do not believe that Jesus’ coming canceled out the laws in the Torah, but instead gave freedom from the other laws created by man, by rabbis, that were being imposed on the Jewish people at the time.
“There are 613 laws of Torah, many of which we don’t celebrate or follow now because the physical temple is no longer here or because we are not living in Jerusalem. But there are approximately 400 other laws that we believe God still intends for us to follow. The rabbis at the time of Jesus had created 3500 other laws, and it was impossible for man to follow them. There is a difference between the ‘man-made’ laws that Jesus abolished, and the God-given laws we are still created to follow.”
Dr. Wodlinger agreed that many evangelicals may feel that following 400 laws is still quite intimidating and question its usefulness. “But when you learn the laws, you learn it is not cumbersome; it’s not a burden. All you have to do is learn and follow.”
During the concert, Sam Rotman will share his compelling testimony and faith in Jesus Christ, and there will be opportunity to ask questions and discuss the particulars and customs of what it means to be a Messianic Jew.
Rotman received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City. While a student, he was the recipient of nine awards in the form of grants, scholarships, and prizes. Subsequently, he has been among the winners in five piano competitions, both in the United States and Europe. The most prestigious award was that of Laureate Winner in the 4th International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Rotman participated in the 6th International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, Russia. He has given over 2100 performances in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Africa, South Africa, Europe and Asia, totaling 58 countries.
Affiliated with the Winnipeg Messianic Centre, Chosen People Ministries is a specific ministry to preach the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah, and to show our Lord’s love to the Jewish people throughout the world.
