Shoshanah

Program of Messianic Jewish Studies

Summer 2023

For almost 50 years, Ariel Ministries has welcomed people of all ages from many countries to learn and grow in Messianic discipleship program held at the Shoshanah Campus.  This beautiful facility is nestled in the scenic Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, and provides the perfect setting for deep Bible study, fellowship and fun extending from early July right through Labor Day weekend.

Our program centers on grounding and growing believers through an in-depth study of the Scriptures from a Messianic Jewish perspective.  You can attend the program for 1 week up to 8 weeks, even including Labor Day weekend, depending on your schedule, but you will benefit most if you can complete any or all of the 1 week, 2 week, 3 week, or Labor Day modules. The time of Bible study combined with worship, fellowship, and the beautiful surroundings, makes Shoshanah the perfect retreat for refreshment and renewal of your faith.

If you have any questions, our campus staff is ready to answer them. Call (518) 834-6057, email shoshanahcampus@ariel.org , or go to arielshoshanahcampus.com for more information. Click the buttons below to download the 2023 complete brochure, application form, or make a payment.

We look forward to seeing you this summer for Shoshanah 2023!

2023 Course Curriculum:

Weeks 1 & 2 : July 3-14

The Book of Genesis | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
The many genealogies in this book of “beginnings” relate to God’s promise of a Messiah. The beginning of the nation of Israel and its early history in Genesis makes clear that the Messiah would one day come from Israel to redeem it and bless all the families of the earth.

The Book of Deuteronomy | Steve Shermett
Because of Israel’s earlier lack of belief, now the children of the Exodus generation finally stand poised to enter the land that would become their home. But before they cross the Jordan, Moses must teach Israel again how to observe the law first entrusted to their parents at Mount Sinai.

Weeks 3 & 4 : July 17-28

The Holocaust: History and Theology | Mottel Baleston
The Holocaust can only be understood in light of the biblical truth of God’s unique relationship with his covenant people, Israel. Satan has always tried to thwart that relationship to prevent the arrival and work of the Messiah. With this course you will gain a deeper understanding that the murder of the six million Jews in Europe from 1938 to 1945 was part of this larger conflict.

Rabbinic and Messianic Views of Messianic Prophecies | Robert Morris
Many of the key prophecies of Messiah’s first coming were interpreted differently by the Jewish rabbis over the years. This course will help you interact with and answer their best arguments.

Weeks 3 - 5 : July 17 - August 4

Highlights of the Book of Daniel | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
Learn the meaning and symbolism of Daniel’s visions and prophecies given during the turbulent times of the rise of the Medo-Persian empire. This course will give insight into the “times of the Gentiles” and will discuss the future of Israel and of all believers.

The Messianic Jewish Epistles | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
This exposition of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude shows how these books were written to specifically address Messianic Jewish issues in the first century and how these same epistles are relevant for all believers today.

Highlights of the Life of Messiah | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
This summary course on the life of Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, is required for all those attending the three-week program for the first time. This class walks you chronologically through the four Gospels by covering most of the segments of Ariel’s Harmony of the Gospels. It focuses on the events in Yeshua’s life and presents them from a Jewish perspective, shedding light on the theology and customs that were a daily part of Jewish life in the first century.

Week 5 : July 31 - August 4

History of Messianic Jews | Mottel Baleston
This course covers the history of Messianic Jews from the first to the 21st century, including the split between synagogue and church. It clears up many misconceptions and teaches what the modern Messianic Jewish movement can learn from history.

The Book of Galatians | Richard Hill This New Testament book has become a battleground within the Messianic movement and the wider church over the issues of law versus grace and the place of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church—conflicts which this book addresses. In the context of these conflicts, discover a greater message of freedom in the Messiah.

Week 6 : August 7-11

The Life of Messiah | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
In this classic one-week intensive course, you will drill down through all four Gospels chronologically using most of the segments of Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels. Gain a deeper understanding of the words and deeds of the Messiah by understanding the background of Jewish theology, customs, and socio-political perspectives in which He ministered.

Weeks 7 - 8 : August 14-25

The Book of Revelation | Arnold Fruchtenbaum
Eschatology has always been a part of Ariel Ministries’ Messianic Jewish Studies Program, but never have we offered a verse-by-verse study of Revelation. We invite you to join us on a journey through the things that John the Apostle saw, things that are, and things that shall come to pass hereafter (Rev. 1:19).

Replacement Theology | Mottel Baleston
Many who have professed faith in Yeshua have been unwittingly used by Satan to make the church a stumbling block to the Jewish people. By reinterpreting, spiritualizing, or allegorizing the very name “Israel,” they have falsely asserted that when Yeshua founded the church in Acts 2, He theologically and prophetically replaced Israel. In recent years, this unbiblical doctrine has manifested itself in numerous malignant campaigns and crusades against the modern State of Israel. In this new course, learn how to recognize the signs of replacement theology and how to refute it.

Labor Day Weekend : September 1 - 4

Begins with Shabbat meal on Friday of Labor Day Weekend through lunch on Monday
Topics include:

Call of the Prophets | Arnold Fruchtenbaum

Christian Zionism--Biblical or Not? | Mottel Baleston

How the Program Works

Classes begin on Monday morning and end on Friday evening. During the first two weeks, the teaching sessions run four hours per day, but during the three week and one week modules that follow, classes will run for five hours a day.  For the final two weeks of the Program, classes revert to four hours a day.  Most classes are one hour in length, but in the the three week module the course "Highlights of the Life of Messiah" is required for all first-time attendees, and the classes are 75 minutes in length.  

The schedule is designed to maximize the teaching time during the day, yet provide ample time for fun, fellowship, and relaxation. Thus, each afternoon is open time to enjoy fellowship, hiking, recreation at Trout Pond, other local attractions, or to take time with the Lord in personal study and prayer.

Each week comes to a fitting climax in a special Shabbat dinner and teaching service. Saturday is a free day for those continuing in their studies the following week, or departure day for those not continuing. On Sunday mornings, there is a time to gather for worship led by Ariel staff members and students. If you play a musical instrument, please bring it and share your talent on Wednesday evening “fun and talent” night or by assisting those who lead the worship times. Also, impromptu music always makes the Saturday and Sunday evening lakeside cookouts to be very special occasions indeed.

Children and Youth Program (up to age 17):

While the adults are attending the teaching sessions, the children and youth are also learning and being discipled by carefully selected committed staff using age appropriate settings and activities. Topics mirror the adult program topics.

Accommodations:

Accommodations include cabins for married couples and families, separate rooms for couples, shared rooms for singles, as well as campgrounds for tents, campers, or RV's. All accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, giving early registrants preference regarding dates of attendance. You may also commute from one of the local motels (contact the Shoshanah Office for a list). Pets are NOT permitted.

Meals on Campus:

Meals in the Dining Hall include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please plan to arrive after 2 pm on Saturday so that your first meal will be the evening cookout.  Please note that attendees are not permitted to use the kitchen facilities or prepare their own meals. Food is not allowed in the lodgings. If you have special dietary or medical needs, please be sure to contact the Shoshanah office for more information.

Tyndale Seminary Course Credit

If you are already enrolled as a student at Tyndale Seminary, you can receive three semester hours of graduate or undergraduate course credits for every 10-12 hours of study completed in our Program of Messianic Jewish studies at the Shoshanah Campus. For information on how to obtain credits, please contact Josh Bailey at (800) 886-1415, or email administration@tyndale.edu, or write to Registrar, Tyndale Seminary, 701 West Pipeline, Hurst, TX 76053.

Shoshanah Scholarship Fund

Would you like to assist a pastor, church leader or missionary in their learning and training, who, because of financial constraints would not otherwise be able to attend? The Shoshanah Scholarship Fund does just that. You can go to Ariel.org and select "Shoshanah Campus-Scholarship Fund" to make your donation, or call the Shoshanah Office. 

Invest in the leadership you love. Churches can show their appreciation and love by sending their pastor and family to Shoshanah for a week or more. The deep Messianic scriptural understanding they gain will in turn be a blessing to the congregation and the lives of those they touch by their teaching.

Call the Shoshanah Office at (518) 834-6057 and we'll help you donate to the Shoshanah Scholarship Fund or we can help you set up a *sponsorship for someone you have in mind that you would love to attend. (*Please note that sponsorships are not considered tax deductible gifts by IRS, whereas donations to the Scholarship Fund will receive tax deductible receipts.)

Whatever the case, Ariel's Program of Messianic Jewish Studies is an investment that pays eternal dividends.