On Erev Shabbat, February 10, near the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem, Yaakov Paley, a 6-year-old boy and Shlomo Laderman, a young man who was married only two months ago were killed and several others have been wounded in a car-ramming terror attack.
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With deep sadness the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations extends our sincere condolences to the families of those who died during the violent attack on members of the Black community earlier this month in Buffalo, New York. We pray for the full recovery of those who were injured. Our congregations stand in heart-to-heart solidarity with grieving members of the Black community and the larger community of Buffalo.
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Anti-Jewish rhetoric has become fashionable across the left-right divide, infecting political discourse in North and South America, Europe, and across the globe. Lately, antisemites use current Israeli policies as a pretext to lash out at Jewish people and Jewish communities throughout the diaspora. The State of Israel (and the Jewish people more generally) have been unfairly smeared with charges of complicity in “apartheid,” “genocide,” and “ethnic cleansing.”
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Our production of Esther and Mordechai: Heroes of Zoom-Shan is written and directed by David Wein, and stars actors of all ages from 16 UMJC congregations. In addition to serving as the premiere of this zany production, the event will include a kids’ costume contest (the hissing and booing will be led by our kids, too!).
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We are grieved and outraged by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and the deaths of many other victims of racially motivated violence. We are moved to declare our solidarity with brothers and sisters in the black community. You are right to demand recognition as full, respected members of a free society. We hear your lament that injustices caused by systemic racism are no longer tolerable.
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A few states in the U.S. are beginning to re-open non-essential businesses after a long period of stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders. Over the next 6 - 8 weeks, many other states and European countries may follow suit. It is unlikely that large gatherings will be permitted until later in the summer. In the meantime, you and your congregation’s leaders should take this opportunity to plan for a safe (and likely gradual) reopening.
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Hosting or attending a virtual seder this year? You’re probably looking for an online haggadah so that your virtual seder guests can follow along. Here’s a roundup of online haggadot, both Messianic and mainstream …
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The entire global Jewish community is preparing for our first isolated Pesach in living memory. Plans are coming together for virtual seders, Zoom gatherings, and downloadable haggadot. Many are planning to organize a seder in their own homes for the very first time. What’s a Passover-planning newbie to do?
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You are stuck at home! Your kids are driving you up the walls! They haven’t seen their friends! They are missing your congregation’s children and youth programming! What are you to do? Don’t worry! We have some ideas to keep them learning, connected and engaged at home!
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95% of the Messianic congregations in North America have shut down their in-person gatherings this weekend, and likely for several weeks longer. Here’s a list of UMJC congregations who are live-streaming their services, or providing alternative online programming, including classes, prayer gatherings, and recorded sermons.
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The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly, with major outbreaks in South Korea, Iran, Italy, Germany, France, and the West coast of the United States (the disease is now present in 35 states). This has already affected a UMJC congregation - Beit HaShofar in Seattle -
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The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the globe, including reports of at least 3 cases in Israel, 400 in Italy, and over 60 in the United States. Public health and epidemiology experts have projected that COVID-19 is likely to spread further over the next few months.
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Today we're grieving with the Jewish community of Poway, California (close to San Diego), in the wake of a synagogue shooting at a Chabad. An attack on one Jewish community is an attack on us all, regardless of denomination or affiliation.
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Join the Messianic Jewish community in 49 days of prayer, study, and giving. Together we will thank God for the gift of the Torah, the land of Israel, and our Messiah, Yeshua.
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Eleven Jewish people died yesterday, while worshipping the God of Israel on Shabbat in their beloved synagogue, observing an ancient custom that unites us as a people. This marks the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in American history. There are no words sufficient to capture the depths of my grief as a Jewish woman, a mother, and a defender of refugees.
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Steve Fenchel, leader of UMJC-affiliated Sha’ar Adonai Messianic congregation in New York City, passed away early Sunday morning, June 10, from massive internal bleeding.
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Thanks to the wonders of Amazon Prime, you can have the best Hanukkah bedtime stories on your doorstep in two days' time, or instantly download them as ebooks. Below is a roundup of my recent favorites.
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Beth T'filah, in the Miami area, reports that many families in the congregation sustained damage to their homes. Since the storm, congregational leader Matt Absolon has been busy assisting neighbors and congregants with tree removal and home repairs.
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The time has come to help our neighbors rebuild. There are two important ways that you can help the victims of Hurricane Harvey right now.
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