Historic Precedent Set at UMJC Conference

In an historic moment for the Messianic Jewish community, Israeli official Elhanan Glazer became the first currently active Knesset member to address a Messianic gathering outside of Israel. On the first night of the UMJC's national conference in Chicago, Mr. Glazer brought a word of greeting and encouragement, including an invitation to come to Israel next year (see "Israel 2008", page two).  Mr. Glazer also addressed the UMJC delegates at a special luncheon, and participated in a panel discussion on current issues facing the State of Israel. Conference chair Susan Feldman noted that Mr. Glazer "couldn't get enough of us," and wanted to spend much of his free time visiting with participants in the conference marketplace and hotel lobby. 

The UMJC's successful conference saw a rise in attendance compared to last year, and many attendees came away with a feeling of encouragement and excitement concerning the future of Messianic Judaism.

A refugee advocacy attorney in Washington, D.C. commented, "I was really impressed that the theme [of the conference] this year was ‘Tikkun Olam.' Our obligation to repair the world and seek justice is something the greater Jewish world talks a lot about and it's a concept that is deeply rooted in Scripture..."

Conference Participants Learn Tikkun Olam First-hand

The Conference Committee asked each person registering for the conference to bring an item of new or excellent-condition clothing with them to donate when they came to Chicago. The UMJC 20s Committee volunteered to sort the clothing and deliver it to a thrift shop run by the Chicago Jewish Federation to support its agency providing free social services for the needy. The young adults sorting the clothing had a lot of fun and got the job done quickly, but were disappointed when they finished and there was no more clothing to sort. Throughout the conference, however, participants brought more clothing and a second batch was handled by the Chicago area congregations. As people brought clothing to donate, they expressed excitement that they could help out in a local way. Conference Chair Susan Feldman said, "When we go to Israel next year, we need to do something like this again."

Congratulations . . .

The following groups were received as members of the UMJC at this year's meeting:

      Beit Ya'acov, Madison, WI, led by Donald Folberg

      Beth Israel, Fredericksburg, VA, led by Paul Kugelman

      Lev Hashem, Las Vegas, NV, led by Shmuel Oppenheim

      New Jerusalem Cong., Chicago, led by Joseph Sarnov

      Or Hakodesh, Galveston TX, led by Daniel Lerner

      Shomer Yisrael, Sacramento, CA, led by Boris Tsyproush 

New Jerusalem and Shomer Yisrael are Russian Jewish congregations, as is Beth-El, Cleveland, which joined the UMJC last year (and is part of our Planters Program). At this year's conference the UMJC provided Russian translation and sponsorship for some of these leaders and others attending our class on Congregational Growth and Development, to help establish and multiply Russian-speaking Jewish congregations for Yeshua.

Congratulations also go to Executive officers Dr. John Fischer (Vice President) and Rabbi Jason Forbes (Treasurer) who were re-elected to two year terms, and to Matt Lazowski, who was appointed chairman of the newly-formed Development Committee.

Many of the discussions and classes at the conference, especially among the younger generation, reflected the current concerns of young college students and professionals towards social justice, and involvement in larger world events from a Messianic Jewish perspective. 

Julie Goodman, a member of the UMJC 20s Committee, noted, "I was very happy to see the differences welcomed at the conference.... I love that the UMJC is opening up to new ideas and styles to welcome more and more people."   

The UMJC plans to convene its next conference in 2008 in Jerusalem, and will coordinate a multi-phased tour.  For more information on next year's events, see page two or www.umjc.org.      

Joshua Brumbach, UMJC rabbinic intern
Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue

Come Home Again-Israel 2008

A couple of months ago, I visited a local synagogue to hear two young Israelis from Sderot, the town that has been hit by Kassam rockets from Gaza for several years now. One speaker told us that the Israeli army discourages any kind of public gathering there, because these provide a target for rocket attacks. The father of one of her friends died a year ago and the family bought a Torah scroll in his memory. In May, they held a dedication service at the synagogue despite the risk of attack, because they felt it was so important to dedicate the scroll. Three hundred came, and less than a half hour later, while people were still cleaning up, a rocket hit the synagogue, landing right in the sanctuary. The young woman, a secular Israeli, said it was a miracle-despite massive damage, no one was hurt and the ark holding the Torah was untouched.

We were all moved by this story and asked what we could do to support the people of Sderot and Israel. The answer was simple: "Come to Israel! This is the most important thing right now." When Knesset member Elhanan Glazer spoke at our recent conference, he concluded with similar words: "I thank you for your prayers. I thank you for standing with Israel. I thank you for having me here today. I look forward to seeing you next year in Jerusalem!" Our Israeli Messianic Jewish friends say it too-the most important thing is to come.

I am thankful that the UMJC is going to do just that, hosting a two-week tour of Israel, June 22-July 4, and holding our annual conference in Jerusalem, June 26-28, 2008. I hope you can be part of this journey of a lifetime.

Check out www.umjc.org for details, or contact the UMJC office. Next year in Jerusalem!

Russ Resnik, Executive Director

Shavuot Offering Goes to Israel

For the past seven years, UMJC congregations have prayed together through 7 weeks from Passover to Shavuot (or Pentecost), and then gathered an offering on Shavuot. This year, the offering was sent to Israel, including the following contributions:

Chevra USA. Food parcels, medications, and financial help to elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel. $8500

Jerusalem Institute of Justice. Dedicated to "safe-guarding civil rights and freedom of religion in the nation of Israel," including the right of Messianic Jews to worship freely and to make aliyah. $5000

SMILE Project of the UMJC Sisterhood. Our sisterhood is working with Messianic Jews in Israel to provide dental care scholarships for Ethiopian Israelis in need. $2500 for 10 scholarships

Netivyah, Jerusalem. Feeding program, now serving nearly 200 people a day right in Jerusalem, also involved in humanitarian aid to Messianic community. $3000

Neve Tzion leader Rabbi David Friedman for Arab-Jewish reconciliation efforts. $2000

TOTAL to date: $21,000

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