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Alicia Smith is a Spirit filled Messianic Jewish singer/songwriter with a love for G-d and sharing His word and the music that He has blessed her with.   Born Alicia Rivera on December 10, 1956 in San Jose, California, she learned to love music at an early age.  Having been born without a right hip-socket due to a birth defect, Alicia's early years were difficult because of surgical corrections and arthritic pain.  "However, when G-d closes a door, He opens a window!" says Alicia, "I was not able to do gymnastics or ballet, but the L-rd replaced those things with other gifts.  Like art and music."

    At 7, Alicia encouraged by Cindi, a girl who would grow to be a life-long friend, went to a Billy Graham crusade and accepted the L-rd.  "As a child, in my innocence, I wanted to believe in a loving, merciful G-d.  A Father."  But growing up took its toll.  Especially growing up during a cultural revolution which included the feminist movement, and other distractions.   "By High School, I was drawn to the 'hippie culture' and due to the 'ethnic pride' movement had rediscovered my Jewish roots.  I hung out with  my Jewish friends, started going with them to a reform synagogue... we even talked about making aliyah (emigrating to Israel) and living on a kibbutz!  Not that being proud of your Jewish heritage is a bad thing, mind you, but I had totally forgotten the greatest Jew of all!  My belief (and confusion) was that I could not be Jewish and believe in Jesus!"

    Years later, led by her sister Tish, Alicia accepted Yeshua as her Jewish Messiah and became born-again.  Tish got her in touch with Jews For Jesus in Chicago who in turn got her in touch with a Christian Missionary Alliance church in her town.  But something was still missing.  "Being the only Jew in a Gentile congregation was a bit foreign.  Mostly because I was so new in the L-rd.   I was still yearning for my Jewishness.  So, I started going to synagogue again.  I was a spiritual ping pong ball!"  A couple of years later, she moved to Illinois and lost touch with both congregations.  Finally, while looking in the religion section of the newspaper for a place to go for the High Holidays, Alicia ran across an ad for services being held at a Messianic Jewish congregation; Temple Shalom Yisrael.  "I called the number in the ad and the Rabbi invited me to come to Shabbat service a week before Rosh Hashanah.  Curiosity got the better of me.  A place where there were other Jewish people like me who worship Yeshua?  This, I had to see!  I tell you, when I saw them bring out the Torah and heard the Hebrew chants, I knew in my heart that this was what Yeshua himself wanted for me.  I was home!"

    After so many years of searching for something to fill the emptiness, Alicia had finally been completed.  She had a home, a family and a Jewish Messiah - Yeshua!  Now she  has something to really sing about!  Hallelujah!  Since that day in October of 1995 when she gave her life to the L-rd, she has been given over 100 songs of praise and worship.

    Alicia has led worship at Temple Shalom Yisrael for 5 years and now through Humble Heart Ministries, ministers across the country with her husband Craig and their son, David.  Her debut CD, "Humble Heart", has been warmly received by Christian and Jewish Believers alike and she has recently released, "Shabbat - A Taste of Heaven".  She is currently in production of her upcoming CD, "The Mystery" and has received official endorsement by CMP - Christian Music Presenters.