This June 24-27 the Union comes together for our annual Summer Family Conference, centered on the theme, Chevlei Mashiach, The Birth Pangs of Messiah. We’re delighted to be back at the beautiful Ridgecrest Conference Center, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Schedule highlights include morning Torah study groups and dynamic teaching sessions with Dr. Golan Broshi of One for Israel, Daniel Stern, Sam Nadler, and our own Rabbi Russ Resnik. We’ll also hear updates from key Union committees, including the Retorno and Theology Committees.

On Friday night, enjoy dinner together followed by a lively performance from the third annual Union Klezmer Band, led by Rabbi Dr. Rich Nichol. The conference concludes Saturday evening with an intimate and powerful night of worship led by Jamie and David Boskey from Israel and a unique, drama presentation by Rob Styler.

Be sure to complete both steps!

1) Conference registration

2) Hotel and meal package registration through Ridgecrest

For the Whole Family

Union Teens

Union Teens (13-HS) will enjoy time to connect with friends over laser tag and mini golf, enriching Bible studies, and games galore.

Camp Union Kids

We offer an enriching environment for kids (4-12) to connect with fellow Messianic children. Activities include learning about Jewish values through fun crafts, games, singing, and culminate in a movie night and shekel shop!

Nursery

We provide a safe and engaging environment for our little ones (ages 0-3), so that you can fully enjoy Torah Study Groups, workshops, and plenary sessions.

Learn from top-notch teachers and scholars in breakout and plenary sessions, and engage with like-minded believers in morning Torah Study groups.

Relax with friends over a game of pickleball or volleyball, enjoy hiking the beautiful region, and connect with mishpocha over community meals.

Receive great benefits and partner with the the Union as a Sponsor or Vendor. Email us today at office@umjc.org to learn more.

Location

The conference will be held at the Ridgecrest Conference Center (1 Ridgecrest Dr, Black Mountain, NC 28711).

We have a room block (hotel style rooms, no cabins) through June 4, 2026. After this date, our block is released and the rate may be different and room availability is not guaranteed.

When you make your room reservation, you will also purchase a meal package, which includes community dining for each day. This will be reflected in the room rate. All meals will be held at Ridgecrest.

Asheville Area

Take advantage of our amazing location outside of Asheville and extend your stay in the breathtakingly beautiful Western North Carolina area. Asheville boasts a lively art scene in the River Arts District, fantastic restaurants, charming downtown with parks and museums.

Enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains, whether you’re an avid hiker or just want to take in the beauty by car along the Blue Ridge Parkway, known as “America’s favorite drive”. Check out which flowers are in bloom- the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most biodiverse areas in North America!

There’s also the famous Biltmore mansion and grounds, George Vanderbilt’s estate on a unique 8,000 acre property, which boasts incredible gardens as well. Ridgecrest guests enjoy a discount with code ridgecrest20.

You might be wondering…

1. Will the food be Kosher? We serve Kosher-style menus at Union conferences.

   No treif is served in our meals (pork, shellfish, etc.) 

   Vegetarian options will be available in the buffet lines at Ridgecrest

2. What if I register but later need to cancel?

   If you are unable to attend the Summer Family Conference, refunds can be requested through June 10, 2026. No refunds will be given after this date.

3. What meals are included?

   All meals are included beginning with dinner on Wednesday through breakfast on Sunday. A meal package will be included with your room reservation.

4. Is there an airport shuttle?

   Ridgecrest does not offer an airport shuttle. The closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport. Ridgecrest is located 15 miles east of Asheville, North Carolina, on Interstate 40 at Exit 66.

5. When should I book my flights?

   The kick-off event will be at 5PM dinner on Wednesday, June 24 and the conference concludes on Saturday night, June 27.

6. Is parking included?

   Parking is not included, though we have a discounted overnight self-parking rate of $4 (typically $16).

7. What if I’m not staying at another nearby location or live in the area? Can I still attend?

   Yes, you can register for the conference without staying at the conference center. For guests who will not be staying overnight, there is a campus access fee is $25 per person aged 12 years or older.

Business Meetings

Executive Committee Members, Regional Directors, Steering Committee Members, and Delegates, please note the following days/times:

• Monday, 6/22 Executive Committee Meeting (9AM-5PM)

• Tuesday, 6/23 Regional Directors Meeting (9AM-Noon)

  Steering Committee Meeting (2-5PM)

  Delegates Reception (7-8:30PM)

• Wednesday, 6/24 Delegates Meeting (9AM-5PM)

Conference Schedule

Monday, June 22: Pre-Conference Meetings Begin

• All day: Executive Committee Meeting

• Afternoon: Steering Committee members arrive and check-in

Tuesday, June 23:

• Morning: Regional Directors Meeting

• Afternoon: Steering Committee Meeting, Delegates arrive and check-in

• Evening: Delegate Welcome Reception

Wednesday, June 24: Main Conference Begins

• All Day: Annual Delegate Meeting at the hotel

• Afternoon: Main Conference attendees arrive and check-in

• Evening: Welcome Family Dinner

  • Sisterhood meet n greet after dinner

  • Young Adults Fire Ring

Thursday, June 25:

• All Day: Teens Adventure Outing - Laser Tag and Mini Golf

• Morning:

  • Torah Study Groups (same group meets Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings)

    • Russian Speakers

    • Torah in the Day to Day

    • Young Adults

    • Moms

    • Traditional Torah Study

    • Teachers and D’rash Makers

  • Workshops:

    • Sam Nadler - Are we in “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?

    • Daniel Stern - The Great Inversion and the Watchman’s Mantle

    • Eric Carlson (MJAA Representative)- A Teachable Spirit

• Afternoon

  • Rabbi Russ Resnik - Leading from Deep Within 

  • Union Sisterhood

  • Young Adult Outing

• Evening: Opening Plenary Session Speaker Daniel Stern and Worship led by Dr. Greg Silverman and the Union House Band

Friday, June 26:

• Morning: Torah Study Groups

  • Workshops:

    • Dr. Stan Meyer - Lost Jewish Communities Around the World

    • Dr. Golan Broshi - Birthpains of Messiah: What Does It Mean to Us Today?

    • Retorno Committee - Welcoming Home the Children of the Spanish Inquisition 
      

• Afternoon Sessions: Union Theology Committee, Young Adult Roundtable Discussion

• Evening:

  • Kabbalat Shabbat

  • Shabbat Dinner featuring the Union Klezmer Band

Saturday, June 27:

• Morning:

  • Torah Study Groups

  • Shabbat Morning Service, Ben Weisman speaking

• Afternoon:

  • Family Activities, sponsored by Ashreinu School

• Evening: Worship Night led by Jamie and David Boskey and Dramatic Presentation by Rob Styler

Do you play any of these instruments?

Trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, violin, viola, cello, guitar, bass, mandolin, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, Middle Eastern drum.

Can you read music at a moderate level? Would you like to find out more?

Just fill in the form and Rabbi Rich will take it from there. Over the past couple of years, the Klezmer Band has had a great time bringing Sabbath joy to the hundreds of people at the conference. We’d love you to be part of the experience!

Here are the four songs that the Klezmer Band will perform Friday night:

Odessa Bulgar

Serba

Lebedik Un Freilacj

Russian Sher