July Executive Director Address
Greetings Union Friends,
With Israel at war, it’s challenging to churn out a garden-variety Executive Director letter that speaks to, for, and about what’s happening in the Union. With our Summer Family Conference only a few weeks away, however, it’s also hard to not speak to, for, and about that.
Writing against the backdrop of Israel’s ceasefire with Iran (one I hope holds), I can more comfortably speak about what I’m calling UMJC 2.0. I don’t mention 2.0 believing there is a problem with the classical 1.0 version—really I don’t. We’re getting a bit older; and it’s not unreasonable to ponder exactly who will emerge among our leadership ranks and participate with them in going where they want to take us—i.e. 2.0.
With the UMJC’s Next Gen Executive Team—constituted by David Tokajer (Union VP), Rabbi Jude Caracelo (Union Treasurer) and Matt Absolon (Union Secretary)—we're planning a super-charged event in Dallas, TX, October 19-22, 2025, focusing on starting new congregations. I’ll announce the details at the Summer Conference. Shortly thereafter, I’ll ask every Union congregation to pick a young(er) couple/person in their webs of relationships and help by sending them to that conference. Registration and hotel fees will be offset by stipends we’ll grant. More details TBA.
If you haven’t done so yet, register for the Summer Conference now, before it closes next Wednesday, July 2! In this final week of registration, we're extending a special rate of $175 for the Weekend Ticket, which includes the full program and meals on Friday and Saturday.
While at the conference, you’ll hear from a variety of leaders who live and minister in Israel. You’ll be exposed to the best of Messianic Jewish music and you’ll hear from the top-tier rabbis who make up our ministerial faculty. You’ll also meet and make new friends.
We have a number of opportunities for musicians to come together at the Summer Conference, including the launch of a Worship Collective. If you're a singer-songwriter with original compilations, reach out to Matt Absolon, head of our Cultural Arts program, today.
Union Growth
Our Ashreinu program—which provides Hebrew and Jewish studies lessons to kiddos—has grown five-fold in the last two years. You’ll hear about that and you’ll experience kiddos running around the conference as well—signs of life and attestations of our future.
This year around 25 new communities are being presented to the delegates for inclusion in the Union as member or affiliate communities. With others on file who didn’t get their paperwork in on time to be presented to the delegates this year, the Union has experienced nearly 50 new communities in two years. Those communities represent people—people you’ll see and meet at conference.
I am particularly excited about a teaching series that Rabbi Dr. Rich Nichol and Rabbi Russ Resnik have put together on biblical masculinity. It’s great teaching which I'm sure will benefit many. We'll share the link as soon as it's released.
Beyond Our Borders
A few weeks ago, Eric Tokajer and I returned from leading a rabbis conference in Ukraine, where 15 Messianic communities were represented. Eight are joining the Union this year; 1, so far, has signed up and will be included in next year’s entrants.
Rabbi Dr. John Fischer just returned from Germany, for a special ordination ceremony. I’ll be going to the Netherlands, with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Brumbach shortly. The Union picked up one new community there this year, interviewed another for next, and are aware of even more that are interested.
The UMJC has so much for so many…
At the conference you hear about our upgraded Friends of the Union program. I plan on asking everyone (again) to put the info piece we’ll share out on your social networks and encourage all of your friends to sign up. We have around 4,000 people on our mailing list. If folk signed up and did just that it would thrust the Union into another dimension.
As I said, there’s lots happening. Thank you for standing with Israel in these troubled times and for standing with the miracle that is the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Boston shortly, at the annual conference. If you'd like to hear more of what's happening, check out the video.
Yours,
Dr. Jeffrey Seif
Executive Director
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations