Happy Chanukah!

As the final weeks of 2006 approach, I am asking friends and supporters like you to light a candle for Yeshua through a generous year-end gift to the UMJC.

Your partnership helps us reach Jewish people for Messiah in ways that honor and strengthen Jewish identity and calling - through serving Yeshua in the midst of his own, chosen people.

Here are some examples:

• We want to light a candle for Yeshua that will spread to a new generation. With your help, the UMJC fosters programs to attract and serve younger people. Our Hadrachah, or work-study program, allows Messianic Jewish college students to earn 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, San Diego:

Since being part of the Hadrachah program, I have learned a lot. I participated in outreach, co-led the Torah service, helped in children's classes, and assisted in the office making phone calls and preparing mailings. I love to do outreach and give support, and I have ideas and energy to offer.knowledge I gained will help me put into action all that I learned, in my daily life and in the Jewish community. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be involved and to discover some of my strengths, weaknesses, and gifts. Thank you for allowing me to take part in being used by God. It has been wonderful!

Rebekah

Please pray for Rebekah and the hundreds of young people like her within the Messianic Jewish community, to be bright lights for Messiah to their families and friends. 

• Lighting a candle for Yeshua must include support for Israel, especially its Messianic Jewish community. The UMJC has strong links to Messianic Jews living and serving in Israel, and we help our congregations and their members to strengthen their connection with Israel as well.

The story of our recent involvement at Israeli military bases through the Knesset Social Welfare Lobby is available at www.umjc.org. We've also sent emergency war relief to Israel through Messianic ministries there, which helps not only to meet immediate needs, but to enhance the reputation of Yeshua among Israelis. Here's a word from one of those ministries:

As you can see, lighting a candle for Yeshua goes far beyond reaching individual Jewish people, important as this is. It means building a community for Yeshua within the wider Jewish community, a community that includes thriving synagogues, multiple generations, support for Israel, and much more - all of which add up to a powerful light of testimony that Yeshua is indeed Israel's Messiah.

This season, will you help us to display the light of Messiah more boldly among the Jewish people? Our planters program needs $45,000 this year to support the kind of efforts I've described above. Our multi-generational programs and outreaches to Israel take similar financial commitments. I need to provide support for some of these efforts right now. 

Can you help? Click here to donate online, call 1.800.692.8652, or mail your tax deductable donation to:

Your generous gift of any amount, large or small, along with your prayers, helps keep the light burning. Thank you for taking the time to respond, and Happy Chanukah!

Russ Resnik

UMJC Executive Director

The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations is a recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.