Shalom friends,

I've just returned from a trip to Israel with UMJC President Jamie Cowen. I'm pleased to report that the Messianic movement is alive and well in the Land of Israel, including lots of younger people and growing emphasis on an indigenous Jewish Israeli movement for Yeshua. I also have to tell you, however, that there is widespread poverty in Israel today, with 20-25% of the population living below the poverty line.

Jamie and I discussed humanitarian aid projects with both Messianic Jewish and political leaders in Israel. Messianic Jewish efforts to help the poor are gaining recognition in Israel. Yeshua remains a great source of controversy in Israel, but his reputation is being steadily enhanced as his followers contribute to the welfare of the whole people of Israel.

This trip, however, came in response to an invitation by a member of the Knesset Committee on Social Welfare. Jamie and I had two private meetings with him, one of which lasted for a full day, as we toured an Israeli military base and a nearby children's home. During these meetings he asked us as American Messianic Jewish leaders to consider participating in humanitarian projects with his committee, which we were eager to do. We were also able to raise important issues regarding the Israeli Messianic community with this MK (member of the Knesset), and he was very receptive.

 

If you would like to help purchase Passover baskets for families of fallen IDF soldiers, click on the menorah to the right.

 

Each basket of Passover supplies goes to a family of a soldier and costs $100. The basket includes wine, meat, fish, veggies, matzos, dessert, and trimmings.  It is enough for one person to eat seven days.

 

You or your group can sponsor as many as you like--or any fraction thereof. Every contribution is an opportunity to share the love of Yeshua with the people of Israel.

 

 

As you know, the Israeli government is recognizing the Evangelical church as one of its greatest friends in the world. Partly as a result of efforts by the UMJC and other Messianic Jewish organizations, Christian leaders are beginning to confront Israeli officials about the condition of Messianic Jews in the Land. Hence, for the first time an MK is risking his political career by joining forces with Messianic Jews to raise funds for humanitarian efforts. 

A well-known Messianic Jewish lawyer in Israel, Calev Myers, has become counsel to this Knesset committee and is closely monitoring all funds contributed to it and distributed by it. We have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this remarkable breakthrough. The MK asked us to sponsor one particular project, the purchase and distribution of Passover food baskets to 150 families of fallen soldiers. We have agreed to attempt to raise this sum by the end of March. Not only will this gift benefit grieving families, but it will be clearly stated that the gift comes from the American Messianic Jewish community under the auspices of the Knesset. 

This is an astounding breakthrough with the government of Israel, and a great opportunity for us to have a redemptive impact in the Land of Israel as we did in 2003, with our UMJC tour and conference in Jerusalem.

Jamie Cowen and I held a call-in conference recently to report on these amazing developments. Contact our office [ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ] with your name and postal address  if you'd like a CD recording of the report.  You may also listen online by clicking here .

 

Later this year, we will be supporting the Messianic Jewish community in Israel specifically through our Prayer Campaign during the seven week period from Passover to Shavuot (Pentecost), described in Leviticus 23:15-17:

And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering-the day after the Sabbath [of Passover week]-you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week-fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the Lord. You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an elevation offering . . .

Traditionally this is a time of spiritual anticipation, as we mark our deliverance from Egypt and look forward to the anniversary of the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai seven weeks later. In the UMJC, we have added to this tradition a time of corporate prayer for spiritual renewal within the Messianic community and the whole House of Israel. This year's prayer campaign theme, "Two Loaves-One Lineage," emphasizes solidarity with Messianic believers in Israel.

As the conclusion to the seven weeks of prayer, we will celebrate Shavuot with an offering as in Leviticus 23:17, "You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an elevation offering . . ." One "loaf" will go to the Israeli Messianic Jewish community and the other will go to help the UMJC continue its work of representing and strengthening the worldwide Messianic Jewish community. As we share in Two Loaves with believers in Israel, we express our solidarity as One Lineage in Messiah.

This year's Prayer Campaign runs from April 13 through June 1, and I hope you will be part of it! Watch for details right here on this website.

In Yeshua,

Russ