One of the two primary goals of the UMJC for the coming years is to raise up a new, under-40 generation that is larger than our current, over-40 generation. To meet the goal, we have launched a number of initiatives in recent years to attract and serve younger people. One of these initiatives is our Hadrachah, or work-study program, administered by the UMJC 20s Committee, under Chairman Mark Seide. Hadrachah allows Messianic Jewish college students to earn some extra money serving in a local congregation, rather than cleaning offices on campus. Here's part of a letter from a recent Hadrachah student, who served at our member congregation Kehilat Ariel in San Diego: 

Congratulations to . . .

Congregation Simchat Yisrael, West Haven, CT, which celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Saturday night, October 20, by dedicating a new function hall in honor of founding members Ben and Madeline Baena. At right, Madeline Baena with Rabbi Tony Eaton.

Jonathan and Deborah Kaplan, proud parents of Gabriella Pardo Kaplan, born September 25 at Israel-Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Gabriella weighed 7 lbs 6 ozs and measured 19" at birth.

Executive officers Jamie Cowen and Michael Schiffman, and International Director Walter Lieber, attended a unique Russian Messianic Jewish conference in Berlin, September 5-7. Sponsored by Chosen People Ministries, the conference was coordinated entirely by Russian-speaking leaders and conducted entirely in Russian. The UMJC leaders were invited to make connections with Russian leaders and introduce them to the benefits of UMJC membership.

The 2007 annual UMJC International Conference, "Tikkun Olam: Restoring the World in Messiah," is scheduled for July 25-28 in Chicago.

The phrase Tikkun Olam, used in various ways throughout the Jewish world, means to repair or restore our world in cooperation with its Creator. The ultimate Tikkun Olam arrives with the return of Messiah and "the times of restoration of all things" (Acts 3:21), but we have a foretaste today, as we help rebuild a remnant for Messiah within the house of Israel, engage in tzedakah and outreach in the name of Yeshua, and support the restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. Our conference will explore the big picture of Tikkun Olam and hands-on applications such as these, in our own lives and communities.