In Memory of Steve Fenchel

Steve Fenchel, leader of UMJC-affiliated Sha’ar Adonai Messianic congregation in New York City, passed away early Sunday morning, June 10, from massive internal bleeding.

Steve grew up in a Jewish home in Brooklyn, where his father raised him in the Orthodox tradition. When Steve was nine years old his father died and Steve became angry with God. He spent his adolescence and young adult years in alcohol and drugs until a chance meeting on the street led to an encounter with Messiah Yeshua in the early 70s. Steve met and married his wife, Carol, soon afterwards and the two moved to New Mexico.

Steve was introduced to the Messianic congregational movement in the 80s and eventually became an elder and worship leader at Adat Yeshua, Albuquerque, New Mexico, working with founding leader Russ Resnik. Later Steve and Carol returned to New York City to work with Chosen People Ministries (CPM) and founded Sha’ar Adonai in upper Manhattan.

CPM president Dr. Mitch Glaser sent this note to CPM staff: “We all loved Steve dearly and we will miss him, but we are grateful to know that he is with the Messiah he served for many decades. May the Lord comfort us all.”

Rabbi Russ adds: “Steve and Carol were close friends to Jane and me for many years, going back to the beginnings of Adat Yeshua in the 80s. We lived a couple of blocks apart for several years and our daughters were the best of friends growing up—even sharing a joint Bat Mitzvah. Steve was always a warm and lively man with a real love for Yeshua and Scripture, and an open and welcoming heart to all he met. We are among the many who are going to miss him greatly.”

Steve’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Carol, and their daughters Elan (and husband Jeremy Schieffelin), Mattea, and Sabra, and granddaughters Zarah and Sienna, who knew him as Poppy.