The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) will hold its annual business meetings and conference at Yad Hashmona, 26-28 June. ... Conference planners anticipate 250-300 attendees from outside Israel, most of whom are part of a UMJC-sponsored tour, and a like number from within Israel. The UMJC held a similar conference in 2003, along with a tour, that attracted over 600 participants during a low point for tourism in Israel. As in 2003, the UMJC has raised thousands of dollars to distribute to worthy causes in the land in conjunction with the tour.

A major concern at the UMJC business meetings is the recent and highly publicized persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel, including the Purim package bombing of a young Messianic Jew in Ariel and the New Testament book burning in Or Yehuda, apparently coordinated by the Deputy Mayor of the city. UMJC President Jamie Cowen, two of whose daughters have immigrated to Israel, comments on these events; "Israelis must repudiate these blatant acts of discrimination and violence if this country hopes to provide an alternative to the religious persecution and hatred that are so well known in this region." At its business meeting on Thursday, June 26, the UMJC plans to issue an important statement about Messianic Jews in the land of Israel.

The conference theme—"Honoring the Past; Embracing the Future"—ties into celebrations of Israel’s 60th anniversary. UMJC Executive Director Russ Resnik comments, "Messianic Jews see Israel as the place of our past, from the earliest visit by Abraham to the modern rebirth of the Jewish state, and as the place of our future, which will culminate in Messiah’s return. We are also avid supporters of Israel in the present, and that’s why we brought our conference here."