Delegates at the annual UMJC business meeting, in Portsmouth, VA, July 25-26, approved a number of exciting initiatives that will help shape the future of our Union and the Messianic Jewish community:

• Chevra USA, formerly known as Anshe Rachamim, an organization supplying humanitarian aid to the Jews of the former Soviet Union, has become an arm of the UMJC. Chevra Executive Director Dr. Michael Schiffman says, "Partnership between Chevra and the UMJC will be mutually beneficial as we work to help our people in Eastern Europe and Israel, and to build a credible testimony for Yeshua in the Jewish world."

Delegates from member UMJC congregations throughout the United States, as well as Israel and South Africa, convened in Portsmouth, VA, for their 27th annual business meeting and conference, July 25-30, and issued the following statement in support of Israel:

"We, the delegates of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), with one voice affirm the right of Israel to maintain safe, secure, and defensible international borders. We convey to the people and government of Israel our support during this current military and political crisis.

"It is our hope for Israel to have peace with her neighbors. We back Israel's right and desire to be free of terrorist attacks, and to take necessary action to ensure freedom from terror on all of her borders.

"UMJC Annual Business Meeting
26 July 2006
Portsmouth, Virginia"

Shalom friends,

The continuing news from Israel overshadows almost everything else at this time. We are receiving prayer requests from friends in Israel, and I believe the best use of this space on our website is simply to pass on some of them to you.

One close friend in the Haifa area has just sent some prayer points, which I'll revise slightly and share with you:

Shalom friends,

Right now, I'm preparing for our annual business meetings, followed by our international conference in Portsmouth, VA, at the end of the month. I hope to see many of you there!

As we come together to plan and prepare for another year, it's good to celebrate what the Lord has done among us since the last conference. Here are some highlights:

July: Conference theme of "Chadesh Yameinu: Renew our Days!" brought together 100's of Messianic Jews and supporters from around the world, culminating in a reunion concert by Israel's Hope on Saturday night.