Zola Levitt Ministries Blog

In the face of difficult circumstances, it is easy to get discouraged or diverted from your goal. However, sometimes the only choice is to continue moving forward. (“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9)

Because of scheduling limitations, the Our Jewish Roots filming crew locked in a full week of field production at Capernaum Village, located outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Usually the last week of October is mild in Texas, but not always. Wouldn’t you know… an arctic front decided to come through the area, bringing with it highs in the 30s, a strong north wind, and rain.

We needed two full days to complete our dramatic re-enactments inside a small structure that had no insulation, no water, no power… yeah, basically just a shack. Here is what it looks like on the outside.

But the interior appearance was a perfect setting for our Colonial-era dramas. Thanks to the artistic vision of our director, Kenneth Berg, great preparation from our actors, a talented crew, two propane heaters, and, of course, the indwelling Holy Spirit, we accomplished our task! (“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26)

The post-production process begins now, getting everything ready for the series to debut in late winter or early spring 2021. Please watch for this enlightening series that we hope will inspire your faith. As we are thankful for the Lord’s divine deliverance, we also thank you for your financial support.

The show must go on? Writing this in the middle of July 2020, it is easy to conclude that caution is a prudent response during a surge in Coronavirus cases. It would be reckless for any organization (including ministries) to coerce employees or volunteers to do something out of their comfort zone. When the original pandemic lockdown order came in March, we made very sure that everyone was comfortable with the safety protocols we adopted. If anyone hesitated, we were willing to change our plans and procedures to accommodate their concerns.

With this in mind, when scheduling the Harts’ trip into Dallas for our next studio session, we wondered if they’d be okay with air travel, which could increase their exposure to the virus. Kirsten and David responded positively and without hesitation: They were ready and willing to fly in from Branson, Missouri to record the studio segments. We have come to expect such cooperation from them. (Praise the Lord for that!) We offered an alternative — driving as they had done in the past — but they insisted on a preference for flying. We proceeded as planned.

Still, what if another, more-severe lock down happened? How could “the show go on?”

We are currently in the process of installing a system of computer, lights, microphones, and support equipment in the Harts’ home. With this setup, they can record interviews using the Zoom video conferencing app. You, the viewer, will be able to watch these interviews, not on our television program but on our social media outlets. Keep an eye out for these virtual conversations. If you are not connected with Our Jewish Roots on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, you are missing out on a lot of interesting and educational content.

Even though the quality of Zoom is sufficient for social media, it is unfortunately not high enough resolution for our television broadcast stations and networks. You might have seen late night talk shows or news programs on your local stations that appear to be a Zoom meeting. Don’t be fooled! The networks are using equipment that is specially designed to meet technical broadcast specifications. This technology is constantly evolving, and OJR will continue to look into it. We pray that we will never need it.

Meanwhile, we are making prudent decisions to safeguard everyone’s health while keeping the production wheels at Our Jewish Roots spinning! Please join us in praying that the Lord will protect us all from the virus and guide us into new ways of sharing the Good News of Yeshua!

The photo above was taken in May when we came together (but not too closely) to record the studio segments for our new series, Revelation: Unveiling the Visions,currently airing on Our Jewish Roots. We acted responsibly by practicing “social distancing” whenever we could; and when we couldn’t, we wore face masks, used hand sanitizer, and washed our hands often. When you watch the new series, you will notice added space between the Harts and Dr. Seif on the set.

Do you feel awkward not shaking a hand or giving a hug to people you know well and care about? The “elbow bump” is a poor substitute. David, Kirsten, and Jeff appear to enjoy working together … and they do. Actually, everyone on the Berg Productions crew works together well. We are thankful for that, and it is one of the reasons that we always begin each studio day in prayer. We know whence our strength comes (Psalm 121:2).

Several people — never or rarely seen — work behind the scenes to make an episode of Our Jewish Roots. We rent studio space in Haltom City, Texas, and hire a professional “gaffer,” Bob Truax. (A gaffer makes necessary adjustments and finely tunes the lighting.) We have a longtime relationship with a professional makeup artist (Belin Parks) who gets and keeps David, Kirsten, and Jeff looking good in front of the camera. Three camera operators (Caleb Colson, Bill Elliott, and Ken Waller), all of whom work out of our Berg Productions office, cover every angle. Office manager and social media coordinator Andrea Davis keeps track of scripts and timings. Producer Clayton Herring (that’s me) keeps things moving and helps director Kenneth Berg, who actively orchestrates the camera angles and remains the driving force behind the television program, just as he was in Zola’s day.

Absent from the studio for only three months since filming Kings and Kingdoms, we returned to a surprise. It may have been the COVID quarantine or even the new grandson, but you will soon see for yourself … Kirsten changed her hair color from dark brown to golden blonde! What doesn’t change: our commitment to producing our weekly television program and expanding our reach and exposure on the Internet.

Revelation: Unveiling the Visions is the first time this ministry has walked chapter by chapter through the Book of Revelation with all of its many ups and downs. While we know that things end well, we are thankful that the Lord has protected everyone affiliated with this ministry. We pray for your protection too, knowing that one day we will see our Messiah return to rule and reign. “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

Presenting the Jewish Roots of the Christian faith is this ministry’s driving force and has been since 1979. In addition to that, we emphasize Israel and Bible prophecy, particularly how Israel figures in Bible prophecy.

News reports continue to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, not only for Americans but for people worldwide. These reports dwell on our circumstances and tend to breed a sense of fear and helplessness.

How appropriate, then, that ZLM is currently producing a new television series, “Revelation: Unveiling the Visions,” that reminds viewers that God is still in control and that pandemics don’t surprise Him. All the prophecies revealed to John on the island of Patmos either came true or are about to sooner than many suppose.

How fast should societies return to the way we lived before COVID-19 hit? Politicians and medical experts argue this dilemma and scapegoat each other.

Our television production crew was fortunate (PTL) in being able to film all of Dr. Jeffrey Seif’s Revelation teachings a week before sheltering in place began. We wondered if the situation would improve enough for us to film the studio segments in an actual studio and not remotely via cell phones. We optimistically set a date for late May, and God looks to be making it work!

Aside from social distancing and wearing face masks, we’re taking other precautionary measures. In pre-COVID days, we would fill a table with water bottles, nuts, sweet and salty snacks, and the like. In the business, this is called “craft services,” a term that originated in the motion picture industry. Crew members who provide “crafts” such as costumes, makeup, lighting, camera, etc. customarily receive snacks (“services”) provided by an outside company. Just so you know, a caterer provides a full, usually hot, meal, whereas “craft services” are just munchies set out for the crew.

Since Our Jewish Roots, involves the fewest number of workers possible, our “craft services” table is small. I should say was small, because having one small table where everyone walks by and grabs some nuts out of a dish, or some peanut butter pretzels (Dr. Seif’s favorite!) from a plastic jug would not be safe now! So we decided to take a cue from the airlines and provide each person with their own “goody bag” of snacks.

Even though the coronavirus is still among us and may resurge with a vengeance, we production crew are not deterred from bringing you the Bible’s Good News. The visions that God showed John on Patmos in the first century demonstrate that God has a masterplan and that ultimate victory awaits those of us who are His.

All of us a Berg Productions hope that you are counted as one of His, and we encourage you to continue watching our program and all the other social media we post on the Internet (Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter). Also, please make sure that those close to you hear the Good News of Messiah. They need to exchange their fears for faith in the One who has created everything!

By Clayton Herring, producer at Berg Productions

For Our Jewish Roots, our TV production team constantly seeks to present God’s Word in ways that are meaningful and relevant. In this spirit and during this presidential election year, we’ve produced a series that compares the success or failure of ancient kings of Israel and Judah, uncovering lessons in Godly leadership and principles that still apply to the leaders we choose today. This eight-part series, Kings and Kingdoms, debuted the first week in May and continues through June. (You can watch missed episodes on levitt.tv — for free.)

At the beginning of the year, we had no idea that the biggest story of 2020 would be a global pandemic causing the death of thousands and resulting in billions of people around the world sheltering in place. When the shelter order came in our area, the ministry office closed to the public and workers began working from home.

The production office also sent home those who could work remotely. Those who could not developed safety protocols and rotations to prevent infection. (So far, so good, thank the Lord!) Fortunately, we continued operating under the media exemption. Otherwise, all our weekly programs, news updates, YouTube, and other social media postings — everything — would have come to a complete stop in less than fourteen days.

The week before the shelter-in-place order was issued, we had recorded Dr. Seif’s teaching segments for a new prophecy series Revelation: Unveiling the Visions. But we hadn’t yet filmed the segments featuring David, Kirsten, and Jeff together in the studio. How can this be accomplished if the studios are not reopened in time? Or if the ten-person gathering limit is still in effect? We know that Revelation’s July debut could be in jeopardy if we are unable to get everything filmed by Memorial Day.

Clearly, it is time to think “outside the box” and consider alternatives. Perhaps your local TV station also practices social distancing — with only one person in the studio while others participate from home. We have seen this technique followed in several TV specials: One person occupies the screen at a time, each from a different location, and most of them from their own homes.

Following this pattern, our “studio” segments could be recorded remotely. We are making preparations to do just that so we can continue providing relevant, timely programming. As our slogan says: “Bible teaching with an emphasis on Israel, prophecy, and the Jewish Roots of the Christian faith.”

Time will tell what long-term effects linger after COVID-19; some changes have already occurred. We know that God is in complete control and definitely on the move. So, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we seek to continue to serve Him in these uncertain times.

Like many of you, we had no idea a virus would cause such disruption and turmoil on a global scale. Ever since last fall, we had been planning a March trip to Israel to produce another television series. We were busy with content discussions, coordinating with our Israeli producer, deciding on locations, scheduling interviews, meetings with Dr. Seif and more. The series we wanted to do would include dramatic reenactments by Israeli actors. We held screen tests to find the best actors for the project when we were in Israel last fall. We made our selections, sent them their scripts and they have been memorizing their lines and growing their beards in anticipation of our arrival.

However… with only a couple of days till our flight was scheduled to depart, the Israeli government imposed a mandatory 14 day quarantine for all people coming into the country. That firmly closed the door on any production in Israel for the near future, but (LORD willing) we are making plans to return to Israel this fall and begin production on the series on the Apostle Peter. But what to do in the meantime? We prayed about it (always a good idea) and remembered we have been talking about doing a series on prophecy for a while now. With the scary situation brought about by Covid-19, we thought now the time was right to create a series that looks toward the future. Here is a photo of the set we put together in one of our office rooms:

In “Revelation: Unveiling the Visions,” Dr. Seif goes through each chapter of the last book in the Bible, searching for the main themes and lessons that would apply to the original readers (approximately 95 A.D.) and for us as well. The book of Revelation is chock full of tribulation, darkness and judgment but the Lamb of GOD begins and ends the book. We need to see our current circumstances in light of GOD’s will and HIS word. So, we are busy working on this series and hoping to debut it in July, right after our series on godly leaders and leadership “Kings and Kingdoms.”

As you can tell, the turnaround time for a new production is long. It has been made even longer with the requirement for Closed Captioning (a good thing but it takes time) and most of our networks and stations want to have our program in their hands at least two weeks prior to it’s airing. So, we are just not able to deal with time sensitive issues on our weekly television program. That is why we encourage you to join us on our social media outlets: Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter for extra content and timely topics.

We continue doing our best and working unto the LORD. This contagion merely motivates us more as we realize the prophetic clock is still ticking and moving closer to the end times. May we all not grow weary in well doing as we (the bridesmaid) prepares for our groom. Come quickly LORD JESUS.

How lovely to learn that viewers and ministry supporters remember me and want to know how I am doing.

One of the best teachings I have ever heard came from Jeff Seif while we were on tour with our pilgrims on the Sea of Galilee. Most teachers, when they’re on the Sea, talk about how troubles come up from nowhere, swirl around us, and then leave. But, Jeff’s take was that when trouble comes, we forget to breathe! We are so anxious, so worried, and so consumed by our troubles that we take short breaths, and this practice is not healthy. When we can’t think of anything but our troubles, we do not see life around us. In short, we forget to live. We forget to love. We think all is lost, so what is the use?

Jeff’s final words were: “Breathe again; take a deep breath or two, and really breathe. Live again. Remember the good that is in our lives everyday: the simple things, such as a sunrise. And lastly, love again. Take another chance.”

I wrote these words in my Bible and held them dear to my heart. I read them over and over. After Zola died, I had thought that I would never breathe, or live, or love again.

I don’t know if anyone knows this, but we were filming Zola’s tribute only six days after he died. I had rarely been on TV before, and I was grieving. But, Ken Berg (Zola’s producer) said, “We have plenty of tape and plenty of time.” His kindness was a real comfort.

God handed me a significant role in Zola Levitt Ministries so that I could breathe again. Jeff and I were a good team leading tours to the Holy Land. Israel was and will always be my heart. I could breathe when I was there. I lived because of the plans God gave me. I started small and really looked at what was around me, at the simple things that showed how I was blessed each and every day. I got to share the teachings I had learned from Zola, and that helped me heal, knowing that I was helping others understand the Jewishness of the Bible.

And finally, God sent me love again. I remarried and now live in Northern California. My husband, Dan, is a wonderful man. I am blessed to love and be loved again.