A Tribute to Moshe Morrison

Tents of Mercy Congregation

Kiryat Yam, Israel

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, congregational elder and faithful servant, Moshe Morrison, of blessed memory.

Moshe, originally named Marvin, grew up in a Modern Orthodox Jewish family in Baltimore, Maryland in the USA. He came to faith in the early 70s together with his wife, Katya. In 1994, after leading a Messianic congregation in Baltimore for 15 years, he made aliyah with his family. Starting out in Haifa, Moshe and Katya and their children began the arduous process of absorption into Israeli society.

A few years later, together with Eitan and Connie, Moshe and Katya helped found Tents of Mercy. Moshe was a devoted elder in the congregation, mentoring young people towards bar and bat mitzvah, teaching from the Torah and giving sermons regularly at Shabbat services in his own unique way – always leading with a joke. Moshe had a special love for the holiday of Purim. He wrote, directed, and acted in many Purim plays in America as well as here in Israel. His creative plots and intricate costumes were unique and memorable.

Moshe was many things. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a rabbi, a mentor and a friend. He was also a musician, a carpenter, an artist, an avid body builder, and a writer. (He published a book of short stories and penned hundreds of encouraging articles – including dozens that appeared in this magazine.)

We here at Tents of Mercy were blessed to have Moshe among us. We treasure not only the time he was with us, but also the positive mark he made on people’s lives and the special touches he invested in our congregational home, such as the beautiful wooden ark for the Torah scroll and his famous “Tents of Muscles” gym.

After many years of battling Parkinson’s and dementia, Moshe passed away the day before his 78th birthday. We thank God for Moshe’s life, and we pray for comfort for his children and grandchildren in the knowledge that he is reunited with his beloved wife and ushered into eternal life with His saviour.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Moshe had always seen himself as a “good Jew,” but in his early 20s, as he and Katya sought the deeper meaning of life, he encountered Yeshua. These are Moshe’s words from his personal testimony:

When first confronted with the claims of Yeshua, I went into a state of turmoil. Yeshua said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me.” It was easy to assimilate other religions into my consciousness, but I was repelled by this Yeshua who claimed to be The Way. I knew instinctively also that He was different than Buddha, Krishna or even Moses… My soul was in deep conflict. I remember one night flinging myself on my bed and crying out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, “Who is this Yeshua and what does He want from me? How can this be true?”

My need to hear from God became so great that I searched within myself determined to lay aside every obstacle that stood in the way of my hearing from God directly – the drugs, and the other religions, all of it could go… I acknowledged my lostness and became aware of God’s contrasting perfection. I saw Yeshua as the perfect atonement… [and said] “I give you control; from now on, be my Lord.” 

Over the years the priceless presence of Yeshua has grown and blossomed within me. I would have given up my Jewishness for God, yet in Him I have plumbed the rich depths of my forefathers’ faith. I have found a new significance and fulfillment in being a Jew who has found the Jewish Messiah.

Excerpt from Eitan Shishkoff’s eulogy: 

What is the measure of a man? Is it not the way he responds to adversity? To loss (in Moshe’s case, a nine month old daughter in 1988 and his beloved wife in 2013)? It’s refusing to settle for the familiar (staying in Baltimore) and embracing the unknown (moving to Israel in your 40s) in order to bring redemption and hope.

So, Mosh – thanks for a life well-lived. The gift of your friendship came from heaven. We are bound together, soul to soul – nefesh l’nefesh. As the Good Book says, “there’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” You’ve been faithful, supportive, enjoyable, and teased me just when I needed to lighten up. And now you’ve made it. You crossed the finish line. I’m sure you’ve already heard the words we’re all waiting to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant” – cuz you sure are one!

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