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Bram: The Life and Wisdom of Messianic Jewish Pioneer Abram Poljak in His Own Words
The Life and Wisdom of Messianic Jewish Pioneer Abram Poljak in His Own Words
The riveting story of the rebirth of Messianic Judaism in war-torn Europe and Israel, selected from the writings of Abram Poljak.
Vine of David presents the story of Abram (Bram) Poljak, pioneer of the Messianic Jewish movement, told in his own words. Follow the dramatic story of the pivotal character of twentieth-century Messianic Judaism as he flees the Gestapo, labors for Messianic Jewish refugees, battles with missionaries, endures internment, survives the blitz, witnesses the War of Independence, establishes Messianic communities in Israel, Switzerland, Germany, and France, and commits himself on a mission to redeem the German people for the sin of the Holocaust. An amazing trip through history and the story of a hero of faith for today.
About Abram Poljak
Abram (Bram) Poljak was a pioneer and pivotal character of the twentieth-century Messianic Jewish movement. After a miraculous escape from a Nazi prison, he put his energies behind Jewish Christian refugees and a Jewish expression of Yeshua-faith. He established several ministry ventures, numerous publications and periodicals, educational initiatives, and even agricultural colonies. He spoke to crowds across three continents and his publications were translated and circulated in fifty-six countries. He founded various associations such as the Jewish Christian Union and the Kingdom Brotherhood—international movements of disciples of Yeshua committed to his teaching and to the idea of Jewish Christianity. His talent as a writer and his background in journalism enabled him to fill numerous books and publication in which he chronicled his progress and the progress of the movement that he led under the banner of “the cross in the Star of David.”.
For more information about Vine of David and the Messianic Luminaries Series, visit us at www.vineofdavid.org.
The riveting story of the rebirth of Messianic Judaism in war-torn Europe and Israel, selected from the writings of Abram Poljak.
Vine of David presents the story of Abram (Bram) Poljak, pioneer of the Messianic Jewish movement, told in his own words. Follow the dramatic story of the pivotal character of twentieth-century Messianic Judaism as he flees the Gestapo, labors for Messianic Jewish refugees, battles with missionaries, endures internment, survives the blitz, witnesses the War of Independence, establishes Messianic communities in Israel, Switzerland, Germany, and France, and commits himself on a mission to redeem the German people for the sin of the Holocaust. An amazing trip through history and the story of a hero of faith for today.
About Abram Poljak
Abram (Bram) Poljak was a pioneer and pivotal character of the twentieth-century Messianic Jewish movement. After a miraculous escape from a Nazi prison, he put his energies behind Jewish Christian refugees and a Jewish expression of Yeshua-faith. He established several ministry ventures, numerous publications and periodicals, educational initiatives, and even agricultural colonies. He spoke to crowds across three continents and his publications were translated and circulated in fifty-six countries. He founded various associations such as the Jewish Christian Union and the Kingdom Brotherhood—international movements of disciples of Yeshua committed to his teaching and to the idea of Jewish Christianity. His talent as a writer and his background in journalism enabled him to fill numerous books and publication in which he chronicled his progress and the progress of the movement that he led under the banner of “the cross in the Star of David.”.
For more information about Vine of David and the Messianic Luminaries Series, visit us at www.vineofdavid.org.
338 pages, Hardcover
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 30, 2026
I'm thankful that First Fruits of Zion published this book. Having read several other works from their catalogue, this was a worthwhile addition. Not everything in it was new to me, but I appreciated getting to know Abram Poljak through his own words and seeing the development of an early Jewish-Christian (Messianic Jewish) pioneer whose life was shaped by exile, imprisonment, war, and faith.
What stood out most was not so much the historical details as the spiritual perspective running through the book. Poljak repeatedly returns to themes of faithfulness, suffering, perseverance, and maintaining an eternal perspective. Lines such as "No year and no day, no hour and no second passes as lost if we simply do our duty" and "Man can place us in prison, but it is entirely up to us whether we make prison a curse or a blessing" reveal a man whose convictions were tested under difficult circumstances rather than merely discussed in theory.
I also found the practical glimpses into the early movement fascinating: their observance of both Sabbath and Sunday, their healing services, their prayers for Israel, and the challenges that arose as Gentile believers sought inclusion in what began as a distinctly Jewish Christian community. These sections provide valuable insight into a period of Messianic Jewish history that is not widely known today.
The epilogue and obituary portray Poljak as a tireless pioneer who gave himself completely to the work he believed God had entrusted to him. Whether one agrees with all of his theology or not, his dedication, courage, and willingness to suffer for his convictions are difficult not to respect.
A thoughtful and inspiring read for anyone interested in Messianic Jewish history, Jewish-Christian relations, or the lives of believers who sought to live with eternity always in view.
What stood out most was not so much the historical details as the spiritual perspective running through the book. Poljak repeatedly returns to themes of faithfulness, suffering, perseverance, and maintaining an eternal perspective. Lines such as "No year and no day, no hour and no second passes as lost if we simply do our duty" and "Man can place us in prison, but it is entirely up to us whether we make prison a curse or a blessing" reveal a man whose convictions were tested under difficult circumstances rather than merely discussed in theory.
I also found the practical glimpses into the early movement fascinating: their observance of both Sabbath and Sunday, their healing services, their prayers for Israel, and the challenges that arose as Gentile believers sought inclusion in what began as a distinctly Jewish Christian community. These sections provide valuable insight into a period of Messianic Jewish history that is not widely known today.
The epilogue and obituary portray Poljak as a tireless pioneer who gave himself completely to the work he believed God had entrusted to him. Whether one agrees with all of his theology or not, his dedication, courage, and willingness to suffer for his convictions are difficult not to respect.
A thoughtful and inspiring read for anyone interested in Messianic Jewish history, Jewish-Christian relations, or the lives of believers who sought to live with eternity always in view.
October 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! However, I think it requires some existing knowledge of the history of Messianic Judaism to really appreciate the life and contributions of Abram Poljak. This collection of writings are mostly culled from his various journals as he pioneered a kingdom and Israel focused Jewish Christianity in the 1930s-early 1960s. Many of the accounts related, opened up for me the nuances and dramas of Messianic Jewish history in pre-state and early Modern Israel. Important history for any Messianic Jew in the 21st century to learn from and be inspired by.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews