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A Note From Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg

There is not a more beautiful love story in the history of the world than the Gospel.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

We became Believers decades ago and were amazed to discover that Jesus is Jewish and His Hebrew name is Yeshua, which means “salvation.”

We felt it imperative to tell the epic story of the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah in a Jewish way, in the most beautiful way imaginable, complete with music and dance, humor and pathos.

“Mendel’s Messiah,” previously entitled, “Rabboni,” was created to bring all of these diverse elements into one big beautiful story. And now, it is done! The one big beautiful movie is ready for streaming, broadcast and theatrical release! World-wide impact for the Gospel is coming in 2026!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

We delight in bringing this magnificent age-old story to life, to dramatize God’s love for humanity with artistry and excellence befitting the soon-to-return King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Word of God and the Gospel story of the life of Yeshua are powerful. As a musical, it is even more powerful, bringing the audience from laughter, to tears, to uplifting joy in a story that is so impacting as to be amazing! And it’s better and more Scripturally accurate than “Godspell” and “Jesus Christ Superstar!”

What the world needs now is “Mendel’s Messiah!” We hope you’ll join us as we bring the Light of the Gospel for all to see.

“And He said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Love,
Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg

Synopsis

“Mendel’s Messiah” (previously entitled, “Rabboni”) opens with images of an anti-Semitic mob protesting against Israel in New York City. When Mendel Moskowitz, our Jewish “Everyman,” sees the damage they did to his candy store, he slaps a sign on the front door that reads, “Closed Until Further Notice! Too Dangerous!” He returns, alone, to his apartment in Brooklyn and prays to God for answers. “Just show me the road.”

“In answer to his prayers, the Angel Gabriel suddenly appears. What then unfolds is a fantastical journey! Mendel is transported in dreams and visions back in time to Ancient Jerusalem where he meets Yeshua and the Disciples, as well as the buffoonish Beelzebub and the Demons.

A dramatic, sometimes hilarious battle between good and evil ensues not only for Mendel but also between Yeshua and Beelzebub. Yeshua is triumphant over Beelzebub, death and hell, and Mendel triumphs over the darkness of unbelief to become a Believer in the Jewish Messiah!

In the process, comparable to “The Chosen,” with the epic quality of “Fiddler On The Roof” and with exquisite music in classical Broadway musical style, “Mendel’s Messiah,” the Messianic Gospel story, magnificently comes alive on the Silver Screen: The Life, Death and Resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah! And now, the show must go on!

Timeline

1980 – Jeremiah Ginsberg wrote the book, music and lyrics of “Rabboni” in Lubbock, TX, and then drove to Los Angeles where he began to hold auditions.

1981 – Jeremiah Ginsberg produced “Rabboni” in major churches in the Los Angeles area, including the United Community Church of Glendale (Pastor William Steuart McBurnie). The production was seen by thousands, including representatives from The Southern California Motion Picture Council.

October 1981 – Jeremiah Ginsberg won a Bronze Halo Award from The Southern California Motion Picture Council “For Producing, composing and writing the great dramatic musical, ‘Rabboni.’”

Bronze Halo Award, The Southern
California Motion Picture Council

1982-1983 – Jeremiah Ginsberg met and married the talented writer/actress, Wendy Ross. Together, they re-wrote the script, left Los Angeles with their infant son, and moved to New York, the theatre capital of the world.

June 1985 – After a year and a half of raising money, Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg finally completed the financing, and “Rabboni” opened off-Broadway at The Perry Street Theatre to rave reviews. It was a feature story on The 700 Club.

August 1985 – After 88 outstanding performances at The Perry Street Theatre, Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg closed “Rabboni” to produce it on Broadway. They rented The Minskoff Theatre and re-cast the show with Broadway talent, including Paige O’Hara, the voice of “Belle” in Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast,” and Davis Gaines, who starred on Broadway in “Phantom of The Opera.”

November 1985 – “Rabboni” rehearsals begin at The Michael Bennett Studios for a Broadway opening on December 21, 1985.

December 1985 – Rehearsals were suspended and the cast released when one of the major investors did not entirely fulfill his financing commitment.

1994 – Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg produced a limited engagement of “Rabboni” at The Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

2000 – Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg produced several concert version performances of “Rabboni” featuring Connie Kunkle as “Miriam of Magdala,” who starred as Fantine in “Les Miserables” on Broadway.

2000 to 2016 – Various concert versions from Florida to New Jersey.

2022 – Renamed from “Rabboni” to “Messiah The Musical.” Jeremiah & Wendy produced “Messiah The Musical In Concert” at The Lisner Auditorium on the George Washington University Campus to outstanding reviews and multiple standing ovations! See the rave review in DC Theater Arts below:

Rave Review from DC Theater Arts!

2024-2025 – Renamed “Mendel’s Messiah.” The Ginsbergs made a movie!

2026 – The movie is finished! Soon to be distributed to streaming! Please subscribe to the Mendel’s Messiah YouTube Channel.

The Ginsbergs welcome support from all who love the Gospel! Click on our donate page at Jeremiah Theatricals! Click here.