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What is Messianic Judaism?
Our Vision
Articles of Faith
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a "Messianic Synagogue"?
For almost 2,000 years people have believed that Jews can't believe in Jesus. Is it really possible for Messianic Jews to turn back the clock?
Is Shuvah Yisrael associated with Jews for Jesus?
Do I have to be Jewish to attend?
Do you celebrate Christmas and Easter or Hannukah and Passover?
Do I have to share the beliefs of the congregation to be part?
Do I have to know Hebrew to attend your services?
What does Shuvah have to offer intermarried families?
What opportunities are offered for children at Congregation Shuvah Yisrael?
How are funds raised in the congregation? Are there membership dues?
How should I dress for your services?
What is Messianic Judaism?
Among Jewish people today there are various denominations or forms of Jewish faith. These include Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and others. In recent years another kind of Judaism has emerged. It is called Messianic Judaism. Like the others, it is a way of expressing love for and obedience to the God of Israel. And again, like other forms, Messianic Judaism has its own unique quality. Our very special “place in the sun” centers on our conviction that Jesus, who we call by his Hebrew name, Yeshua, is the long-awaited Messiah and King of the Jewish people. Like all other forms of Judaism, we seek to live in ways that resonate with our Jewish past and present. But our Messiah takes center-stage as we seek to live as faithful Jews.
The centrality of Messiah Yeshua puts us in profound spiritual unity with people in another worldwide community – the Christian Church. Though we practice our faith differently, we have deep appreciation for the Church. Our primary sense of identity lies with the Jewish people. But, we share a deep bond with all who see Jesus as the ultimate answer to the great questions of life.
Messianic Judaism is new in one sense, but very old in another. After all Yeshua was Jewish. All his earliest followers were as well. The Renewed Covenant was written entirely by Jewish people and the First Century “Jesus movement” was entirely a Jewish affair. So, in a sense, Messianic Judaism is the re-emergence of one of the many kinds of Judaism practiced 2,000 years ago!
We invite Jewish people, those married to Jewish people and those rare individuals who, though not born Jewish, have a deep love and regard for Jewish life, to consider Messianic Judaism – a faith which “puts it all together” in profound and exciting fashion.
Our Vision
• Congregation Shuvah Yisrael is a unique synagogue where Jews who embrace Messiah Yeshua seek to live out their faith, centered in Torah and Jewish tradition. The reality of Messiah Yeshua in our midst brings new meaning to our traditions and brings depth and vitality to our faith.
• We welcome interfaith couples who seek to cultivate a Jewish family identity. Our synagogue community promotes a loving, joyous atmosphere, as well as a supportive educational framework that our members draw upon for support and growth as we live our lives.
• God's calling for our community becomes clear: to place high value on meeting the spiritual and material needs of the congregation, the Jewish community, and the world at large.
• We are committed to Tikkun Olam: the repairing of the world. Thus, humanitarian efforts will always be a part of our congregational life.
• Our children represent the future of the Messianic Jewish community. We seek to strengthen their Jewish identity, nurture their faith in Messiah Yeshua, and build their confidence as they face the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
• We are not an insular community. We are the building blocks of a grander synagogue. We seek to strengthen our relationships with like-minded synagogues and throughout the world and seek to partner with churches and synagogues locally.
• We are deeply committed to the well-being and safety of the State of Israel. We offer her our prayers, as well as our material and moral support at all times.
Articles of Faith
1. We believe in one God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, and the creator of heaven and earth. From the hidden depths of the Av (Father) who is Aiyn Sof (the eternal one) emanates eternally the Ben (Son) and the Ruach (Spirit).
2. We believe that God created humanity in His image to serve as creation’s priest and sovereign and to share in the Divine glory, but through disobedience human beings have forfeited the immediacy of that glory, and have become subject to their yetzer hara (evil inclination) and to the power of death.
3. We believe that God chose Israel – the Jewish people - to be the harbinger and first fruits of a renewed humanity, living in perpetual covenant with Him. Though often straying, Israel has not been disinherited, but remains a holy people, abiding in the covenant love and faithfulness of the One who continues to work out His purposes for her and through her. We believe that in His gracious love God gave to Israel the holy Torah as a perpetual sign of His covenant with her, and the holy Land of Israel and Shabbat as a pledge of the World to Come.
4. We believe that in the fullness of time the Divine Son, the eternal Word and Wisdom of God, became a human being, Yeshua the Messiah, a true and perfect Israelite and a fitting representative and one-man embodiment of the entire nation. Through miraculous birth into the House of David, the Messiah has effected a perpetual and indelible connection between the nation of Israel and the malchyot hashamayim (Kingdom of Heaven). We believe that He lived as the consummate holy tzaddik (righteous man), fulfilling without blemish the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah and bringing to perfection the human expression of the Divine image. We believe that He died in atonement for the sins of Israel and of the entire world, was raised bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven; and that He will return in glory at the end of the age to judge the world, to save those who belong to Him, and to accomplish the final Tikkun Olam (Mending of the World), the ultimate consummation of creation.
5. We believe that forgiveness of sins, spiritual renewal, union with Messiah, the empowering and sanctifying presence of the indwelling Ruach HaKodesh, and the confident hope of eternal life and a glorious resurrection are now available to all, Jew and Gentile, who put their faith in Yeshua, the Messiah. He is therefore the Mediator between God and all creation.
6. We believe that the Body of Messiah is a community chosen and beloved by God, a marriage of two equal but not identical parties, the Messianic Jewish Synagogue and the Gentile Christian Church, united in a common acknowledgment of Yeshua as Adonai (LORD), Redeemer of Israel and the Nations. This one kahal (assembly) existing as two differentiated kehilot (communities) is called to a life of mutual support and encouragement, and to sacrificial service and public testimony to Yeshua. Its unity and love is a sign of God's purpose in Messiah for Israel and the Nations, and a confirmation of Yeshua’s role as the One sent by the Father. Messianic Tevilah (Immersion) and HaZikaron (Memorial Meal) are messianic mitzvot, which ritually and mystically enjoins members of the Body of Messiah to one another in the Messiah.
7. We believe that the Messianic Jewish Synagogue is an essential part of national Israel, and as such lives in accordance with the Torah and participates in the wider life of the Jewish people. As Israel’s Messianic first-fruits she is a prophetic sign to the Jewish People of its ultimate destiny in history - salvation in Yeshua - and also a sign to the entire Messianic community of its ineradicable Jewish roots.
8. We believe that the Gentile Christian Church becomes part of an enlarged multi-national Israel through union with Yeshua, the one-man Israel, and through union with the Messianic Jewish Synagogue. The Gentile Christian Church is now part of a holy, priestly people; a renewed eschatological Israel founded on Yeshua’s twelve chosen Emissaries, and participates in the fulfillment of Israel’s mission to be a light to the nations. At the same time, neither the Gentile Christian Church nor the Body of Messiah as a whole is a replacement for national Israel (the Jewish people), nor does the Gentile Christian Church inherit fully the promises given to national Israel. Likewise, the Torah, which serves in all its particularity as the constitution of national Israel (the Jewish people), does not function as the fundamental rule of life for the Gentile Church, though it does provide spiritual nourishment as a witness to Messiah and essential life principles that are of universal application.
9. We believe that the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Chadasha (renewed covenant) Writings are divinely inspired and are of supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life. We also believe that Rabbinic Judaism is the living link that ties contemporary Jews with their biblical past, and that Messianic Judaism can and must draw upon the wealth of that tradition in developing its way of life and thought. Furthermore, we affirm the riches of insight into the mystery of Messiah and His will, which may be found in the Christian theological tradition, and acknowledge the need for the Messianic Jewish Synagogue to draw also upon this wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a "Messianic Synagogue"?
A messianic synagogue is one that affirms the messiahship of Yeshua (commonly known as Jesus of Nazareth).
At Shuvah Yisrael, we gather for Torah (“instruction”), avodah (“worship”), and gemilut hasadim (“deeds of lovingkindness”). In this way, we are very much like congregations you would find in any Jewish community. And like any synagogue, we are a “Bet Knesset”, a place where the congregation assembles and addresses community needs, a “Bet Tefillah”, a place where we pray together, and a “Bet Midrash”, where we study our heritage and transmit it to the next generation.
Those who have visited or participated in the wider Jewish community find much that is familiar at Shuvah Yisrael — our liturgy, our wearing of traditional talleisim (prayer shawls) and kippot (skull caps), and our festival observances. Shuvah Yisrael feels like a synagogue because that is what it is!
As a Messianic Synagogue, we affirm our confidence that Yeshua of Nazareth is the Messiah promised in the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures), and our acceptance of the New Covenant Scriptures in addition to the Tanakh as God’s revelation to Israel and the nations.
For almost 2,000 years people have believed that Jews can't believe in Jesus. Is it really possible for Messianic Jews to turn back the clock?
Yes, it is entirely possible. Here's why:
1. It is a fact of life. Thousands of committed Jews do believe in Yeshua today. The answer to the question, "Is it possible?..." is answered in part by the fact that Messianic Judaism is alive and well, both in Israel and the Diaspora.
2. The sheer breadth of beliefs evident in the Jewish world today argues for the legitimacy of Messianic Judaism. In this age of pluralism, Humanistic Jews and Hasidic Jews are part of the same people of Israel. It is hard to imagine groups of more differing perspectives! Yet, both are part of the Jewish world. Messianic Jews view themselves as yet another perspective among the many viable Jewish options. We are Jews with a difference -- living among other Jews who often have great differences of belief on even the most basic issues and equally great differences in daily practice. There is room under the sun for Orthodox, Humanistic, Messianic, Reform, Conservative and other kinds of Jewishness.
3. Even by the standards of Orthodox Judaism, Messianic Jews are still Jews. Belief in Yeshua does not make one a non-Jew! However, without participation in synagogue life, it is difficult to live as a Jew in any meaningful way. Hence, Messianic Jewish synagogues – congregations like Shuvah Yisrael where being Jewish and believing in the Risen One go hand in hand.
4. Jewish is as Jewish does! Messianic Jews are often far more observant of Jewish customs and more committed to historic Jewish beliefs than many others in the Jewish community. Many Messianic Jews, in fact, became more deeply committed to our Jewishness as a direct consequence of having become followers of Yeshua! We consider this transformation the work of God in our hearts and minds.
Is Shuvah Yisrael associated with Jews for Jesus?
No, we’re not. There is no organizational link between Congregation Shuvah Yisrael and Jews for Jesus or other such groups. Unfortunately, the term "Jews for Jesus," like the term "Kleenex" or "Xerox" has gone from having a specific reference to a more generalized usage in modern culture. Jews for Jesus is a mission organization headquartered in San Francisco. Shuvah Yisrael is not a heavily proselytizing congregation. We are excited to share our perspectives with other Jews, but for the most part this occurs casually and naturally within the framework of friendships and family relationships. We have a passion to let people know about our synagogue. Historically, this has taken the form of print advertising. Our focus is on long term community-building. This however should not be taken as a suggestion of blasé on our part with respect to our message. We simply believe that trust built over time and openness in our relationships to others who may even disagree with us, is a posture more conducive to persuasion in the long term.
We are not a "mission arm of the Church." We are Jewish people who find our sense of primary identity among our Jewish people. We have a deep appreciation for the historic churches and see these as powerful shaping forces for good in our world. And, we share a profound spiritual unity with all followers of Yeshua, irrespective of national or cultural differences. However, the community of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is our principle community. To better understand our issues and our style, you may of course visit our congregation and/or further tour our website.
Do I have to be Jewish to attend?
Every week at our congregation we welcome visitors who are not Jewish. However, like any synagogue, we chiefly exist to serve Jewish People. And therefore, we recognize and extend our community to serve the spiritual needs of interfaith couples (Jewish/Christian couples) and their families as well.
Some other non-Jews find life in a Messianic Jewish synagogue attractive. Often, these folks experience a strong gravitational pull to Jewish life -- a deeply rooted inclination in their souls which may seem difficult to understand, but which may be very real. Time is the key test of the strength of this inclination. Is it a passing fad? Is it merely a reaction to negative experiences at church? Or, is the pull the real thing?
The mature non-Jew considering affiliation in a Messianic Jewish synagogue should consider carefully the issues involved. Congregations like Shuvah Yisrael, in order to maintain cultural integrity, must retain a significant Jewish majority of members. And considering the inherent identity confusion, which comes with the territory for non-Jews at a Messianic Jewish synagogue, we urge a hard-nosed "cost/benefit" analysis on the part of the prospective non-Jewish participant.
We offer classes as well for our friends in churches to help them appreciate the Jewish roots of their own faith and to build bridges of peace.
Do you celebrate Christmas and Easter or Hannukah and Passover?
Like other Jews, we celebrate Hanukkah and Passover. Our calendar includes Rosh Chodesh, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Yom Hatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Yom HaShoah (Commemoration of the Holocaust) as well. Unlike other Jews, though, we also observe and celebrate the coming of Messiah and the death and resurrection of Yeshua at the appropriate seasons--yet without borrowing the cultural trappings of other communities to do so. Believe it or not, we celebrate the coming of Messiah and his death and resurrection in Jewish ways! You will have to visit us to see how!
Do I have to share the beliefs of the congregation to be part?
The articulation of one's faith is not as important as the way in which people act out their faith. A wide variety of views on many religious, social, political and aesthetic issues is evident among the members and friends of Shuvah Yisrael. Formal members are united on some key convictions such as the existence of the God of the Bible, His ongoing commitment to the Jewish people, the centrality of Torah, the messiahship of Yeshua, the historical reality of his death and resurrection, and our conviction that God has been present in the formation and development of both the historic Jewish community and the historic Church.
Visitors are encouraged to explore, ask tough questions and take their time in sharpening their own convictions in these and all other matters. No pressure is exerted. Truth has its way of becoming known without coercion or even subtle pressure.
Do I have to know Hebrew to attend your services?
Shabbat and Holiday services are conducted in Hebrew and English. The relative amount of Hebrew is similar to Reform and some Conservative synagogues. A person unfamiliar with Hebrew can still benefit from the worship experience. Singable English, dynamic translations, and transliterated Hebrew all help to make the experience easier for and more meaningful for the uninitiated.
Ongoing study is available through classes offered regularly at Shuvah Yisrael and all attendees are encouraged to grow in their skill in reading and understanding the language of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Yeshua.
What does Shuvah have to offer intermarried families?
Shuvah Yisrael offers intermarried families three things: common ground and good company.
However, our synagogue does not exist primarily to make intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews easier. Our religious outlook is based on deep convictions and not expediency. This being said, our beliefs about Jewishness and Yeshua do, as a by-product create a very comfortable situation for intermarried families.
Many intermarried couples have made their congregational home among us because otherwise insurmountable difficulties can be removed:
First, the Jewish spouse can worship in Jewish "space." Often, it is very difficult for a Jew to attend his wife's (or her husband's) church. However, Shuvah Yisrael is a synagogue. The sights, sounds, and rhythm of life are clearly Jewish.
Also, the non-Jewish spouse often finds it difficult to attend a traditional synagogue, not only because the symbolic world is unfamiliar, but because religion without Jesus seems incomplete. At Shuvah Yisrael, Yeshua the Messiah is honored as the exalted Holy One of Israel who, as a matter of genuine historical record, died and rose again! This point of commonality with the historic Church validates the deepest sensibilities of the non-Jewish spouse.
Thus, the common ground offered to an intermarried family can meet a deep need and even head off a potential marital conflict so long as the couple is willing to view the Jewish community as their primary community of reference.
What opportunities are offered for children at Congregation Shuvah Yisrael?
Children -- their needs, their delights -- are a central focus at Congregation Shuvah Yisrael. Deeply woven into the fabric of our congregational life is the awareness that raising well-adjusted, morally sensitive children is truly the work of the entire village.
Our program includes the following:
- Shabbat school offered on Saturday mornings at the synagogue
- Hebrew classes for Bar and Bat Mitzvah training.
- Personalized Bar and Bat Mitzvah training by Rabbi and lay teachers.
How are funds raised in the congregation? Are there membership dues?
Unlike the traditional synagogues, Shuvah Yisrael does not have a formal dues structure. Instead, people are encouraged to give generously, voluntarily and anonymously.
In addition to regular giving to cover the yearly budget, special projects are funded by a Designated Giving Program in which members and friends of the congregation may contribute as they choose.
Specific fees are reserved for some advanced learning programs.
How should I dress for your services?
One should always dress his best, and conservatively, to attend synagogue services, and treat the occasion with respect and honor. And for the younger set, "Grunge" is definitely NOT the look!! |
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