Brooklyn children’s ministry
Miss Hilda Koser (top left) was a baby when the Mission fifififirst touched the lives of her family. Her father was
fromPoland, where he had escaped the pogroms that took the lives of his parents and siblings. Believing that
Jesus had done this to his family, Mr. Koser had an aversion to anyone who claimed to be a Christian. One day,
Mr. Koser slipped while working on the scaffffffolding at Coney Island. Not having suffifficient funds for care, he
heard there was a free clinic in Williamsburg. He did not know it was a Mission. The Mission befriended Mr.
Koser’s wife and invited her to the mother’s club. God continued to touch the lives of the Koser family, and
Hilda in particular,who accepted Yeshua as her Messiah at the age of fififteen. She had an innate gift forworking
with women and children, leading children’s classes, and continuing the “Fresh Air Summer Camp,” which
Rabbi Leopold Cohn established. These summer camps became an integral part of the Mission’s evangelistic
outreach. Hilda’s work remained in Coney Island, andmany children attended her classes. She wrote, “In spite
of all opposition and trouble, I found in re-checking my roll book that He had sent in over 250 Jewish children
in my own classes. Many have had to drop out, but praise God many have remained. Those who dropped out,
I know have heard God’s plan of salvation.We plant, others may water, but the Lord giveth the increase.” Over
the span of Miss Koser’s 37-year ministry, thousands of Jewish people heard the gospel. Many of the “Coney
Island Kids” went on to Bible college and then served as pastors, teachers, and missionaries.
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