Haviv is a unique Messianic Deaf believer who has accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as his Messiah and one of the few Deaf Israeli living in the United States. An orthodox Jew born in Haifa, Israel, he was trained in Judaism from the age of seven and had his Bar Mitzvah in 1982. He went to General Education School for the Deaf in Israel. Haviv and his family have visited many places of historical significance in Israel. Every year in May, they go to Mt. Maroen near Galilee where people go to worship and sacrifice the lambs for the removal of the sins in the family. Haviv remembered how he became upset because he always preferred to have the lamb as pet. His father tried to comfort him and explained to him that the sacrifice was important for the forgiveness of sins. Haviv accepted this and became used to the sacrifices each year. However, he still felt "dead" in spirit because he never understood the importance of communicating with God.
He came to the United States in 1978 at the age of 18 with his parents, his hearing sister Hila, his twin brother Charly and sister Ronit, both Deaf. His parents wanted cochlear implants for all three Deaf children but could not afford for the surgeries in Israel. They relocated to the United States to have the surgeries done. However, God had other plans and events took an unexpected turn. The cochlear implants never happened.
It was during an English class in San Diego, California where he was learning his fourth language. Israeli Sign Language was his native language as he was growing up. He then learned Hebrew at school. When he and his family moved to the United States, he learned American Sign Language first, then English. It was in English classes that he met his future wife Marie, a Deaf Gentile. Learning another spoken and written language was a struggle for Haviv who is profoundly deaf. Marie was from the Dominican Republic and also took the class to improve her English. At that time, Haviv was wearing the traditional black orthodox outfit with the kipa and the fringes of his tallit hanging out. Marie had been involved with Tenth Coin, a drama group that tours the United States to be a witness to the Deaf for the Lord. She was led by the Holy Spirit to ask Haviv if he believed Yeshua (Jesus) to be the Messiah. This was the beginning of a spiritual adventure for Haviv.
Haviv told Marie that Yeshua was not Messiah as she believed, but the true Messiah would come the first time in glory on His horse. Marie was very patient and spent much time talking to Haviv. He was willing to learn more but was confused trying to understand concept like "one God or many gods"? Everyday at lunchtime in the cafeteria, they met to discuss the Messiah. Marie showed him the prophecies concerning the Messiah from the Old Covenant only. These meetings continued for two years at the same school. She also invited him to fellowship at her church and to join a Bible study group.
One day, he saw video about Jesus, the actor portraying Jesus was walking on the land in Israel. His heart broke open and he remembered all the places he visited with his family and on special school trips. He asked himself, what was a Christian Jesus was doing in Israel? It brought back memories of how much he loved his native homeland, Israel. He cried in private. Why did Yeshua have to show up in Israel, perform so many signs and miracles and rise from the dead after three days? He remembered the burial place, the Garden Tomb of Jesus, and how his teacher said that Jesus was a false Messiah and not God. By now, Haviv's heart was very open to God and he did some more research on the prophecies fulfilled by Yeshua. All the archeological places Haviv had visited in Israel combined with the prophecies were great evidences to him. He realized that Yeshua has finally satisfied all his questions including the ones about the sacrifices on Mt. Maroen. Only Yeshua had the power to remove his sins, not the lambs his father bought for the family sacrifices. He had never been able to feel the cleansing or "feeling of peace" from the sacrificial lambs that only Yeshua gave him.
When Haviv was ready to accept Yeshua, he asked Marie how to become saved, and she showed him how to pray in his own words by himself. When he did, the Holy Spirit filled him and he felt joy, peace and love from Yeshua. Haviv continued his study of the Bible. He felt a desire to tell his parents that Yeshua was the real Messiah but they got very upset and angry with him. He was very stubborn and insistent that Yeshua was the Messiah and explained to them about Isaiah 53. His father insisted that Yeshua was a false Messiah. It was the beginning of a spiritual struggle for Haviv but he remained faithful and the Lord told him in a still small voice, "My Child, do not be afraid, please follow me." Haviv still believed he is Jewish and did not stop being Jewish. Haviv witnessed to his Deaf twin brother Charly and his Deaf sister Ronit who accepted Yeshua easily. His hearing sister Hila will not accept Yeshua as Messiah. In this family, only the Deaf members are saved.
Haviv continued fellowship with Marie at her church. He asked Marie to marry him but she did not accept, as she was only interested in witnessing and bringing souls to Christ. Haviv was disappointed but he prayed one night and during his sleep an angel called him, "Haviv, do not be afraid, please go for marriage to Marie." So he woke up that morning and went to her home to tell her about the dream. She was doubtful and told him to wait for God to give the answer so she can assure herself this was true. Again that night, Haviv had the dream of the angel telling him three times to marry her. That same night, Marie also had a dream in which the angel told her three times to marry Haviv. They both had the same experience. This convinced her to accept marriage to Haviv. They have been happily married ever since.
At first, his parents had a very difficult time accepting their marriage because they felt that Haviv was "breaking the family tradition" by marrying a Gentile. Three years later, after the birth of their two daughters, Haviv's parents showed more acceptance of Marie but still do not believe in Yeshua.
Haviv and Marie now live in Massachusetts and have two daughters. Haviv works with Deaf clients in a mental health unit. He shares the Gospel with other Deaf people and encourages them to build spiritual stability with the truth of the Scriptures and away from false teachings. He misses his homeland Israel very much. He loves his hometown, Kriemal. It has been 30 years since he left Israel.
One of Haviv's favorite verse is Isaiah 9:6: To Haviv, this verse shows the Son being called the Father and points to Him as the Messiah. Haviv believes Jews do not need to wait for the Messiah anymore because Yeshua has fulfilled many prophecies. Amen! © Copyright 2007. Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved.
Haviv's testimony in ASL on YouTube Video:
Haviv and his twin brother Charly, undergoing their Bar Mitzvahs
at the Kotel (the Western Wall in Jerusalem)
at the Kotel (the Western Wall in Jerusalem)
Haviv and his family sacrificing the lamb on Mt. Maroen near Galilee, a traditional family event.
