Unite & STRENGTHEN

Jewish congregations that honor Yeshua the Messiah of Israel

 

Week Seven of counting the Omer is Sunday evening, May 25, through Saturday evening, May 31.

The emphasis for our seventh and final week is awakening and renewal in the Spirit for the whole people of Israel, in the land of Israel and throughout the entire Diaspora.

“And it shall come to pass afterward,

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh:

your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.

Even on the male and the female servants

will I pour out my Spirit in those days.” Joel 3:1-2 [2:28-29]

Following Leviticus 23:15–17, we count the weeks from our deliverance from Egypt to our encounter with Adonai on Mt Sinai — the period from the resurrection of Messiah to the outpouring of the Spirit on Shavuot (Acts 2).

Counting the Omer culminates on Shavuot, June 1–3, with two big events: 

  • An all-night online Scripture study, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, with gifted teachers and leaders from the UMJC and beyond.

    This event is free but requires advance registration. Register for Tikkun Leil Shavuot

  • A special gift in remembrance of the Temple offering of Leviticus 23:17. One half of this year's offering goes to support the ongoing ministry of the Union, with the other half going to Messianic Jewish humanitarian efforts in Israel and Ukraine. It's an opportunity to add tzedakah (charitable giving) as an exclamation point to our prayers!

 
 

You’re invited to our annual Summer Family Conference

This July 16-19 the Union comes together for our annual Summer Family Conference, centered on the theme, A Future and a Hope.

We’re delighted to welcome guest speakers Eitan Shishkoff and Stuart Winograd.

Other schedule highlights include the return of the Union Klezmer Band, orchestrated by Rabbi Dr. Rich Nichol, morning Torah study groups, engaging breakout sessions, a screening of Greg Silverman’s documentary on the pioneers of Messianic Jewish worship, and Saturday evening concert by Paul Wilbur.

Prayer and Intercession for Israel  

As Israel continues through a time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty, our prayers are critical. Pray for God’s oversight of the entire situation, for release of all the hostages, for wisdom for Israel’s political and military leaders, and for mercy over for all the lives affected by this struggle.

Arise, Adonai! May Your enemies be scattered!
May those who hate You flee from before You! (Num 10:35)

In addition to prayer, you can also support Israel through the UMJC Israel Aid Fund, which has raised nearly $250,000 to distribute directly to Messianic Jewish war relief efforts in Israel. 

 
 

CommentarY

Commentary
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The Divine Romance

We don’t count the seven weeks of the Omer to make sure we celebrate Shavuot on the correct date, since we already know it falls on Sivan 6 every year. Rather, we count the days to express our yearning to relive the encounter at Mount Sinai, when we received the Torah amidst an awesome display of God’s presence.

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Ever Ever Land

The land of Israel, along with the people of Israel, is the centerpiece of God's eternal program. The two go together inseparably. The land comes into its proper purpose when the people of Israel are its custodians.

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Whatsa Manna For You?

The Omer is a reminder that there is enough when we put God first, when we encounter God in the now and trust the soon and then to him.

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The Cup of Intimacy

It is vital for our hearts to focus on redemption, salvation, and deliverance. But in order to maintain those spiritual graces in our life, we must fully drink from the Cup of Intimacy.

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Advancing in Holiness as We Count the Omer

As believers in Messiah Yeshua we are part of the holy priesthood. That means we should walk in holiness because he is holy. But the Bible does not expressly define holiness—how should we interpret it?

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Do What Counts

We all prepare for the big moments in life. As children, we prepare for the first day of school, for vacation, for play dates. As we grow, we prepare for school, sports, tests, and graduation. We prepare for jobs, college, trade school, and adulthood in general. Our spiritual lives are a lot like that.

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Personal Renewal in the Spirit

It’s never been more true: Yeshua has something we need, whether we are resisting him or have followed him a long distance over many years. Our hearts yearn to be spiritually renewed.

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A Season of Anticipation is About to Begin

The culmination of the story we commemorate each Passover isn’t our departure from Egypt, but the encounter with the Eternal One fifty days later. To emphasize this, the Torah commands us to begin counting the Omer, or sheaf of firstfruits, during Passover.

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The Invitation to Moses Is Also to Us

The understanding Moses gained after first hearing and then responding to the call, Vayikra, can be experienced by any of us who decide to accept the invitation to draw near to God.

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The Oil of Joy

As the Tabernacle was anointed with the sacred oil, may we walk in the daily anointing of God’s Spirit by loving God and one another, by giving joyfully, and by reflecting the humility of Messiah in all that we do.

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UpDATES

Latest News
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In Memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim

As most of us are aware, two Israeli Embassy staff workers were gunned down and murdered in cold blood while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Their murderer was arrested brandishing a keffiyeh while shouting “Free Palestine!”

What is less well known is their relationship to the Messianic Jewish community in Israel.

May Executive Director Address
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.

April Executive Director Address
April Executive Director Address

Greetings Union Friends,

As happens with changes in climate this time of year, the warmer weather brings new growth along with it. The earth rejuvenates, flowers bud, and the earth’s inhabitants behold an exciting moment in nature’s cycle. We see the spring’s “new life” motif within the Passover story and Israel’s rebirth after being set free from bondage. In the same season, we celebrate Messiah’s awakening from the grave during Passover—bringing new life along with him. Much as nature is cyclical and themes of new life are carried along with the cycles, so too there are spiritual rejuvenation moments, and we seem to be enjoying one of them. See my Executive Director video update below. 

March Executive Director Address
March Executive Director Address

Greetings Union Friends,

My wife Barri told me recently that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. I didn’t understand. She explained that she meant the weather; harsh/cold has its last hurrah as the month starts, and then as the month turns, the weather pivots toward a warmer and calmer lamb-like climate.

Weather aside, amidst the turbulence of socially trying times, I look for the day when the lion will lie down with the lamb (Isa. 11:6). We not only hope and pray for better days to come in Israel, Ukraine, and the world, but we labor to that end with loving investments in and through Messianic communities. If you’d like to join by donating to needs in Israel and Ukraine please do so here.

February Executive Director Address
February Executive Director Address

Greetings Union Friends,

My wife Barri and I recently returned from our Winter Leadership Conference in San Diego, California. Our president, Rabbi Barney Kasdan (with Liz Kasdan), hosted a great conference. We were pleased to connect with old friends and excited about all the new ones, too.

One of those new friends was a videographer named Todd Morehead. He showcased his new video entitled, “Hope in the Holy Land”…

January Executive Director Letter
January Executive Director Letter

Greetings Union Friends,

In 1899, Charles Holland Duel, Commissioner of the US Patent Office, (supposedly) said: “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” I was shocked that someone in his position could say such a thing, so I was pleased to learn later he was misquoted. Believing as I do that the future belongs to those who dream and strive, accepting the status quo doesn’t abide with me. For me, it’s all about forward!

UMJC Torah Commentary Wins 2024 Word Award
UMJC Torah Commentary Wins 2024 Word Award

Ben Volman’s 2023 drash on Parashat Ki Tavo, entitled "When the Way Seems Uncertain" won the Canadian national 2024 Word Award for best Digital [online] Inspirational Devotional.

November Executive Director Address
November Executive Director Address

Greetings Union Friends,

I recently passed the one-year marker as the Union’s Executive Director. Upon this first anniversary, I was asked what it was like leading the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations in the first year. Though well-intended, I thought it was a poor question for a few reasons—not least of which being that I am not the leader.

The Union is delegate-led. Delegates outline policies that are managed by the Executive Committee, which the Executive Director is a part of. The Executive Director works with the Executive Committee, under the president, at the behest of the delegates. In theory and in practice we all work for you. 

September Executive Director Address
September Executive Director Address

Greetings UMJC Friends:

There’s so much happening in the Union, I’m prompted to think people would be better served by a newspaper than a letter—but a letter it is, with a video.

I am sure that first and foremost on our hearts is our beloved Israel. We are all heartbroken over the recent recovery of six more murdered hostages, and continue to pray for true peace to be reached very soon for the sake of all those impacted. Thank you for your practical support these many months. 

August Executive Director Address
August Executive Director Address

This year’s spectacular Summer Conference is behind us—and what a conference it was. Unfortunately for me, I was holed up in the hotel with COVID—an affliction that raised its head, spread rapidly, and impacted others. I’m sorry I missed so much of it. Rabbi Jude Caracelo reported that we needed to bring out extra chairs to accommodate the crowd on Saturday morning. I loved hearing that and am sure others were pleased to see it.

This year’s conference saw a 25% increase over the previous year’s. The uptick follows a trend.