Baruch Goldstein
(1948 - 2008)

It is now December of 2009 and I just learned that Baruch had passed in 2008. Baruch was the first leader who took me under his wing when I first became a believer in the 80s. That was at the church on Mt. Pleasant Road, with Georgette as his right hand. Baruch's wisdom and humour were a delight and a blessing. I agree with Andrea about the acronym for Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians! which I never forgot through all these years and even use to this day! I used to go with Baruch on campaign to hand out tracts. It was hard mission work, several hours a day in the gruelling hot sun down at the exhibition, on Jarvis Street, at Ontario Place... taking all kinds of abuse, but of course, it was well worth it. He shared with me a time when an orthodox Jew spat on him; Baruch replied, "V'hafta, L'orecha, K'mocha" (pardon any spelling errors). The man was silent. Baruch used to say that losing that finger in Vietnam was a God-thing because it permitted him to hold twice as many tracts as the rest of us. And it did! You had to see it to believe it, we felt so inadequate next to that! lol I went to the Inn-Gathering in Pennsylvania. It was great because of Baruch. I was there when Baruch fell away for a time. He offered me his Bible, but of course I couldn't accept it and held out hope that he would cling to it again one day. I understand that he did come back to the Lord in time and I know we're all very happy about that, no one more than Baruch, now, I'm sure. It was at that time that Baruch and I went our separate ways and I have thought about him often through all these years. To learn that he has passed is a shock and especially surprising because he jogged every day and seemed so healthy and strong. Knowing him was an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish. My condolences and kindest regards to Marcia, Rachel, and Elizabeth (who I remember when they were very small!), and to Baruch's wife who I have not had the privilege of meeting. He made such a difference in the lives of so many people, and although I miss him, he's in the place that we all long for, and for that, we should rejoice; for that, and for the privilege of knowing him. Rest in Peace, Baruch. Love you in the Lord.

Sincerely,
Gail Grossman

I know we're all supposed to matter, to be effective, to make a difference in this world, to the people around us, even to make the world a better place -- and I don't mean this in the civil sense, but a place where the Gospel is more accepted, more believed, and where people are more Christ-like. Baruch did these things.

I had no idea Baruch was dead. I knew him but I wasn't a close friend, and I was just browsing the 'net and came to this site.

And I remembered something that happened at one of the In-gatherings.

Here's what I want to say:

He made some mistakes, sure. All of us do. I'm not going to criticize him, not for a moment, he was God's man in a lot of situations, and he had the wisdom to come upon a situation, a problem, and solve the problem, or at least make it a whole lot better. I saw him come upon problems and do the right thing.

That seems so simple. But if you've lived a while you know it's not. But Baruch could do that, and I saw him make good choices in difficult circumstances.

God makes some pretty neat people (doesn't he!,) well, Baruch GoldStein is one of them. And this one got a lot of difficult things right and he even helped others too.

And for Baruch, (and the rest of us Christians,) -- live is eternal. That's not true for everyone. That's true for believers. People who follow Christ. (It's true for others, too, but in a very different manner.)

Baruch knew -- even here in this world -- that the God of the Bible loves us, indwells us, and does all those things he's famous for; Forgiving us, teaching us, giving us what we need to deal with live's problems, lot's of things. Baruch was just one of those people, we call "good examples."

Baruch led a bunch of us around Brighten Beach to march together and pass out leaflets. At a certain point he suggested we all take a break and lie on the beach. I got to talk to Baruch, ask him about himself, the creativity in the work and of his early days. He was very charismatic and funny and left an impression that is still with me today.

So many of us shared history with Baruch, and that is why we grieve with the realization that our book with him is completed with no chapters left to be written.

I know that when Baruch left this earth, he was greeted by his dear little dog Ignatz. I remember his stories of that spunky little dog and how he met his untimely death chasing a Frisbee off of a cliff! I know that they are together again playing and flying off of cliffs time and time again…

Baruch, your playful spirit will humor us now and into eternity.

Play in Peace, my friend!

Robyn D.

Every time I read Galations, Ephesians or Phillipians I think of Baruch, his little acronyms. You had to be there to know.

Hi Baruch. I first met you when I was a brand new believer. You came to Montreal and organized a meeting at the Ruby Foos Hotel. I was young and excited about my new found faith in Messiah and you were full of life and hope. All the Jewish believers were together in that room. I still have the picture. You were filled with the desire to get us excited about bringing Yeshua to our people. Now you are in His Presence, Baruch ha Shem. Please wait for me. I'll see you one of these days and we'll laugh, dance and sing together in the Light of Messiah. May G-d bring comfort to those you left behind.

As a new believer just a few months in the L-rd, I was recruited by Ruth Wardell and Chosen People Ministries to do ministry at Explo 72 in Dallas. There were 8 of us who traveled in a van from New York City to Dallas, Texas to teach and train believers on how to reach out to our Jewish people. When we got to our Chosen People building in Dallas, there was a young Jewish believer there who was organizing, sorting pamphlets and preparing us to hand out literature. He was very energetic and enthusiatic in recruiting all of us. This was my first contact with Baruch Goldstein. He encouraged me to do the work of ministry. As I watched his excitement I was glad to be a part of his team. Thanks Baruch for being one of the first ones to give me a vision for the work of the ministry. That was 36 years ago and I have never forgotton that experience.
I look forward to our reunion.
Larry Feldman