List of Messianic Jewish organizations

Messianic Judaism is a syncretic religious movement that arose in the 1960s and 70s. It blends evangelical Christian theology with elements of Jewish terminology and ritual. Messianic Judaism states that Jesus is not merely a man, but the Jewish Messiah and "God the Son" (one person of the Trinity), and that salvation is only achieved through acceptance of Jesus as one's savior. Any Jewish laws or customs that are followed are cultural and do not contribute to attaining salvation. Belief in the messiahship and divinity of Jesus, which Messianic Judaism shares, is viewed by many Christian denominations and Jewish religious movements as being a defining distinction between Christianity and Judaism.

Some members of the movement are ethnically Jewish, and some of them argue that Messianic Judaism is a sect of Judaism. Jewish organizations and religious movements reject this, stating that Messianic Judaism is a Christian sect. The Supreme Court of Israel has ruled that the Law of Return should treat Jews who convert to Messianic Judaism the same way it treats Jews who convert to Christianity. Mainstream Christian groups generally accept Messianic Judaism as a form of Christianity.

Contents

Associations of congregations

Name Formed Focus Current (or last) Leader Headquartered In
Chosen People Ministries 1894 by Leopold Cohn Chosen People Ministries, formerly known as the American Board of Missions to the Jews, is an organization founded in 1894 by Leopold Cohn as the Brownsville Mission to Jews. It purpose is to convince Jews that worship of Jesus is compatible with Judaism. It currently focuses on the production of evangelistic material,[1] geared towards converting Jews and material which links aspects of the Torah as the Passover Seder with Jesus. They also plant Messianic Synagogues throughout the world.[2] [Mitch Glaser New York City
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) 1915 Formerly known as Hebrew Christian Alliance of America, MJAA renamed itself in 1975 to Messianic Jewish Alliance of America to change tactics in evangelism and to coincide with terminology changes in the wider movement. [3] MJAA General secretary Joel Chernoff Springfield, Pennsylvania
International Federation of Messianic Jews[4] 1978 IFMJ claims to be the only association of Messianic Sephardic Jews in the world, with member congregations in Argentina, Brazil, France, Israel, Mexico, and the USA. The website notes they are independent of any Christian organization. Rabbi Haim Levi Tampa, Florida
Messianic Bureau International (MBI) 1994, by David Hargis[5] A Messianic Jewish Association for establishing and chartering congregations and ministries, and training and certifying Messianic rabbis and ministers [7] also mbicanada.cjb.net MRav. Avner Solomon Halifax, NS
Word of Messiah Ministries 1996 Word of Messiah Ministries provides training to develop Messianic leaders for evangelism, disciple making, and congregation planting among the Jewish people around the world. This work results in more and better Messianic congregations, and Messianic leaders in the worldwide Messianic movement.[6] Sam Nadler, President Charlotte, North Carolina
Messianic Israel Alliance[7] 1999 An organization of over 130 Messianic congregations and ministries.
Association of Messianic Congregations (AMC) 2003 The Association of Messianic Congregations provides resources, teaching and fellowship that promote Biblical values, proclaims personal faith in Yeshua as the one Atonement for all humanity, and encourages worship through the diversity of Jewish expressions of faith. It is led by a board of directors.[8] Pete Koziar is the current Vice- President. Ledgewood, New Jersey
Atlantic Messianic Alliance of America (AMAA) [9] 2008 AMAA is a training group and organization that trains and develops Messianic leaders for evangelism. AMAA closely aligns itself with Nazarene Messianic Judaism.
United Messianic Jewish Alliance (UMJA)[10] 2009 A united alliance of congregations pursuing a Messianic Torah centered life. The UMJA is co-led by its Beit Din Spokane, Washington
Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship (SBMF) Messianic Synagogues, Congregations and Fellowships who have chosen to affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention for mutual support.[11] Bessemer, Alabama
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations[12] Cooperating congregations focused on relational unity of Jews and Gentiles in the Messiah. Russ Resnik, Executive Director Albuquerque, New Mexico

Schools

Name Formed Focus Current (or last) Leader Headquartered In
Mekor HaTikvah School[13] 1990 HaTikvah, which means “source of hope,” is a rapidly-growing Messianic primary and middle school (thru 8th grade), the only Messianic school in Jerusalem and one of only two in Israel. Both are supported by CMJ. Dr. Don Stanley
Beth El Yeshiva [14] 1996 Opened November 1, 1996 by its founder, Dr. David Hargis as an auxiliary of Messianic Bureau International (MBI). The school was created to serve the unique need of those who feel especially called to Messianic studies and leadership, but cannot attend on-site classes. Linda G. Hargis, Ph.D., President and Academic Dean[15] Hampton, VA[15]
Messianic Jewish Theological Institute [16] 1997 The School of Jewish Studies (SJS) offers an online Master of Jewish Studies degree, as well as Graduate Certificates in Messianic Jewish Studies and Messianic Jewish Writings Andrew Sparks, CEO Clermont, FL
Messianic Jewish Bible Institute [17] Feb, 2001 A training school for leaders who will establish Messianic Jewish congregations and ministries in Jewish communities worldwide. Beginning in Argentina, MBJI now has schools in 9 countries, including the US, Israel, Hungary, Russia, Ethiopia and the Ukraine. Jorge Goldstein, Founder. Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, Chairman of the Board Dallas, TX
Charles L. Feinberg Center[18] The Charles L. Feinberg Center is an accredited Master of Divinity program in Messianic Jewish Studies. The program is designed to train those with a call to full-time Jewish ministry as Messianic congregational leaders, outreach workers or educators. These unique training needs are the focus of a program emphasizing biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek exegesis, and the understanding of rabbinic texts. Essential matters of theology and practice are treated through intensive study of Jewish law, religion, culture, sociology and history. New York City

Publishers

Name Formed Focus Current (or last) Leader Headquartered In
Jewish Voice Today[19] 1967 A bimonthly magazine published by Jewish Voice Ministries International that seeks to stir the hearts of both Christian and Messianic Jewish Believers alike through a thorough examination of Bible prophecy, the Jewish roots of our faith in Yeshua (Jesus), current events as they relate to Israel. Louis Kaplan, founder. Jonathan Bernis, President Phoenix, AZ
Messianic Times [20] 1990 Billed as the leading international Messianic Jewish newspaper, it includes news from the worldwide Messianic community, Israeli current events and analysis, opinion pieces, book and music reviews, teaching articles and a directory of Messianic Jewish congregations. Paul Liberman Niagara Falls, NY (USA) and St Catharines, ON (Canada)

References

  1. ^ Newsletters
  2. ^ Staff Overview
  3. ^ Cohen-Sherbok, Dan Continuum (2000) p65[1]
  4. ^ [2]
  5. ^ Messianic Bureau International
  6. ^ http://www.wordofmessiah.org
  7. ^ Who We Are
  8. ^ http://www.messianicassociation.org
  9. ^ http://www.amaa.vpweb.com
  10. ^ http://www.umja.net
  11. ^ http://www.sbmessianic.net
  12. ^ http://umjc.net
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ http://www.bethelyeshiva.edu/index.html
  15. ^ a b http://www.mbiyeshiva.edu/faculty.htm
  16. ^ Jewish Theological Institute
  17. ^ [4]
  18. ^ [http://www.chosenpeople.com/main/graduate-studies/charles-feinberg-center{
  19. ^ [5]
  20. ^ [6]