Jerusalem Branch Staff

Yoel Ben David came to faith in Jesus in 2001 while living as an Orthodox Jew in Jerusalem and serving in the Rabbinical Corps during his mandatory military service. His knowledge and experience in the Orthodox Jewish world have been important to his ministry.

Yoel was raised in Europe but was born in Israel. He speaks English, French, and Hebrew. Yoel has always had the heart of a teacher. After earning a master’s degree in theology and leadership from Western Seminary, he served as the Jews for Jesus head of training for our missionary staff in Israel. Yoel now leads our work in Jerusalem, bringing the gospel back to the city where he first believed.

Yoel is married to Adel, who is also on staff, and they have four children.

Adel Ben David was born in Germany and immigrated to Israel after finishing high school. Adel and her husband, Yoel, came to faith in Jesus in 2001 while living as Orthodox Jews. Yoel has worked with Jews for Jesus for nearly 20 years and currently leads the work in Jerusalem.

In January 2018, Adel joined the staff to contribute to our Behold Your God campaign with her artistic talent. She paints and creates glass mosaics, though her main passion and skill is pottery. In Jerusalem, Adel uses these talents to host workshops and events that help facilitate gospel ministry. She also meets one-on-one with ladies in the city for discipleship. Adel speaks four languages: German, Russian, English, and Hebrew. She and Yoel have four children: Noa, Boaz, Nati, and Naomi.

Rut Bere is a missionary with Jews for Jesus in Israel. She was born in Tiberias to messianic, Ethiopian parents who immigrated in 2000. Later, she served in the military, where she faced challenges that made her question God’s presence. After her service, she felt a profound emptiness, leading her to seek purpose and guidance. Encouraged by a friend, she joined a Bible study program. During this journey, she had a transformative encounter with Yeshua that reignited her faith and reshaped her understanding of life and self.

In 2022, she fully accepted Yeshua as her Savior and joined the “Mekomi” team, focusing on outreach to Tel Aviv’s homeless population. Many people she serves struggle with addiction and despair. Through this ministry, she aims to demonstrate God’s love and offer the salvation found in Yeshua.

Lior Fishman was born in Israel to a “half-believing” family—his mother came to faith in Yeshua when he was three, but his father remained a non-believer for 15 years. Although Lior grew up knowing about Yeshua, he didn’t fully understand what it meant to have a relationship with God and often felt spiritually isolated.

At 17, Lior realized that Yeshua was the true Messiah. Shortly after, he was drafted into the army, serving as a driver in a special artillery unit. The challenges of military life strengthened his faith as he leaned on God for guidance in a secular environment.

After his service, Lior joined Jews for Jesus’ Massah program, which takes fresh veterans and students to share the gospel with Israeli backpackers in India and Peru. This experience deepened his faith and passion for evangelism, as he witnessed how Yeshua’s message transformed lives. Today, Lior continues to be part of the Massah program and serves with a team focused on ministering to youth and soldiers, sharing his story to guide others toward faith in Yeshua.

Hellen Yilma is a missionary with Jews for Jesus in Israel. Hellen grew up in Jerusalem to a Jewish, believing Ethiopian family who immigrated in the late 1990s. When she was 12, the message of Yeshua touched her heart, sparking a journey of deep questions about faith and identity. Through her youth group, she embraced faith in Yeshua at the age of 14.

Hellen’s passion for music soon intertwined with her faith. She studied music and led worship across Israel and internationally. During her military service, she shared her faith with diverse individuals, deepening her calling to ministry.

In 2023, during reserve duty in Gaza, she felt God stirring her toward ministry. Realizing her desire to share the Good News more intentionally, she joined Jews for Jesus, at first on the media team, where she learned her skills in creative outreach. Later, she moved to Jerusalem, where she engaged in the ceramics studio, hosted community gatherings, and built meaningful connections with locals. Through these creative and personal interactions, Hellen continues to share the hope of Yeshua with the people of Israel.