May Executive Director Address

Greetings Union Friends,

Someone recently asked me what the Union was doing to (1) attract attention, (2) locate new leaders, and (3) facilitate new congregational launches in the USA. These, of course, are very important questions. They require more than a cursory answer, a perfunctory nod and superficial virtue signaling—say, simply by saying we’re having a young speaker and a young musician at our conferences. By doing so an administrator can “check the box” when next to nothing is really being done in the world—except for superficial signaling.

At this year’s Summer Conference, a variety of new initiatives will be proposed to the delegates. Among them we're planning a three-day Union young leaders' event for which Dallas Theological Seminary has generously provided a venue. Everyone and anyone interested in planting new congregations is invited to attend. They'll hear about the essentials for start-up leaders from some of our more innovative Messianic Jewish planter/leaders, and network with other entrepreneurial sorts game to go on the adventure. They'll also learn how the Union can help potential planters be successful. We’re shooting for the Fall of 2025, after the High Holidays. Details TBA.

This is but one of the initiatives at play within the Union. A proposal is going to the delegates this summer to create space for innovation at both Winter Leadership and Summer Conferences, by: (1) affording Messianic-oriented divinity students a platform to share their research with others; (2) affording current scholars time slots to offer briefs on the new articles and/or books they are writing; and (3) providing rabbis opportunities to share breakthroughs they are experiencing in their ministries.

In short, our conferences are going to be a one-stop-shop for anyone/everyone interested in Messianic Jewish community growth and experience! The Executive Committee is even considering an entire Winter Leadership Conference highlighting next generation movers and shakers and the new ideas that are driving them.

We have a number of opportunities for musicians to come together at the Summer Conference. We’re launching a Worship Collective, a string quartet, and a brass quartet, plus the Union Klezmer Band returns for a second year. To learn more and sign up, follow this link. 

We're also hosting a workshop for Messianic Jewish educators, revolving around creating new curriculum, discussing and sharing successful curriculum, and ending with presenting a new Ashreinu curriculum initiative. 

Along with all this will be our standard bevy of excellent programs for the very young and the young, along with our compliment of guest musicians (e.g. Paul Wilbur), speakers from Israel (e.g. Boaz Michael, Eitan Shishkoff) and, of course, some of our top-notch rabbis bringing their sage perspectives to bear. If you haven’t done so, register for the Summer Family Conference in Boston. This is going to be one for the ages, and you’re going to wish you were there if you miss it.

Throughout the Omer season, we’ve been praying each day for renewal. Counting the Omer will culminate at Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-night Bible study on June 1-2 centered on foundational passages for the Festival of Shavuot. 

Presenters include Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Rabbi Dr. Stuart Dauermann, Rabbi Russ Resnik, Rabbi Dr. Joshua Brumbach, Melissa Moskowitz and more. 

Registration is free, but required in advance. 

An appreciation for social advocacy has long served as one of the Union’s distinguishing characteristics. I’d like to commend a group in Israel vying for more recognition in the World Zionist Congress: Israel 365. Every five years the WLC votes on new leadership. If a One-State Solution resonates with you, American Jews can vote, for a party that stands for it: Israel 365. Go to https://israel365action.com/#vote and cast your vote, if inclined. There’s a $5.00 fee. You need to vote by May 3rd 2025.

Whether or not you cast your vote on the above, I hope you’ve cast your vote for the UMJC. I believe all of us should be investing in the future, because all of us will be spending the rest of our lives in the future. The quality of that future is, in part, predicated upon the decisions we make now. The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations is oriented toward the future. Thank you for being part of it. If you’d like to hear me on some behind-the-scenes updates, check out the below video for a brief update.

Yours,

Dr. Jeffrey Seif
Executive Director
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations