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Shalom and greetings to all (lekulam)!

Thank you for taking the time to read our official newsletter of the UMJA (United Messianic Jewish Assembly). As believers, we strive for unity (achdut) in our kehillot (congregations), as well as all who call upon HaShem in the Name of Yeshua. For those who do not yet call upon the Name through Yeshua, we pray these newsletters provides clarity as to why we do so. 

Today there are many diverse schools of thought and beliefs in G-d and His Son Yeshua, but it’s imperative that we strengthen our common core beliefs and come together as one. This was our experience at the 2022 Besorah Tovah (Good news) Conference in Columbus, Georgia, last month. What a wonderful, thought-provoking, and challenging time it was.  So much to kvell about this conference!

New Faces and Outreaches

In addition to reinvigorating our unity in person after the long Covid absence, we welcomed new rabbis, a ro’eh (Messianic pastor), our new senior rabbis, and converts (giyurs): 

• We welcomed newly-ordained Rabbi Marc Mordecai Esper of Georgia, with laying on of hands (semach), and he will start prison ministry  
• New ro’eh and convert (giyur) Ro’eh Michael Smith from the Nephesh Recovery Center (Messianic) in Aztec, NM 
• Yaakov ben Avraham (Mark Diaz) joined on Zoom from the Philippines, and he will be relocating to attend med school in the US 
• Newly ordained Rabbi Michael Schoening, leader of Olive Tree Ministries in Colorado Springs, CO 
• New senior rabbis and Israeli citizens, Rabbi Yosef Koelner of Kehillat Bet Avinu in Davie, FL 
• Rabbi Gary Beresford of Ohr Yeshua Messianic Synagogue in Brandenton, FL 
• Rabbi Yosef Koelner, soon to be starting a UMJA Yeshiva 

New Vision and Bonding

It was not your typical conference where the teachings were synchronized and ironed out in advance. We ventured into a more Talmudic style of teaching. Like the sages, we were free to agree or disagree in the pursuit of biblical truth and grow closer to G-d through Yeshua! We took consensus from all who attended and revised our statement of beliefs. As a result, we fostered greater respect for one another, deeper understanding of Scripture, bonding as a body and mishpucha (family). 

Torah, Worship, Teaching, Music and Dance

• We began the conference with a word from Rabbi/President Ken MacNeil 
• Former assistant to Dr. Michael Brown/former Director of First Fruits of Zion, Rabbi Ryan Lambert presented, “Making Strange Friends” 
• Torah service led by Rabbi Sh’maryahu (Greg) Lehtimaki of the Beit Hashaar Messianic Fellowship in Columbus, GA, with a no-nonsense teaching on the “G-dhead Part I” 
• Senior Rabbi and Beit Din member Rabbi Aharon (Richard) Chaimberlin taught the Brit Hadesha and the Besorah Tovah
• Yehudah ben Avraham (Ken MacNeil, aka Rabbi Maccabees), gave the Torah drash and “G-dhead Part II” 
• Rabbi Gabriel Lumbroso taught on the Besorah Tovah (Good News) through the ages from before Creation
• Dr. Louwell Ogbinar from Calgary L’Chaim Bible Fellowship of Calgary Alberta, Canada, blessed us with his drash on the Haftarah
• Sessions were highlighted by the music of Mishkanim, and Israeli dancing from Rabbi Mariano David Otero, his wife, and congregants 

New Ideas and Plans

Those in attendance offered valuable input on furthering our mission for G-d. Author/Rabbi Gabriel Lumbroso, Israeli citizen in Portland, OR, took the lead for planning our next conference! He’s also leading the charge in restarting this newsletter, with editor/author Karen Deloge and her husband Doug Deloge, from Congregation Kehillot Kadosh L’Cha in Massachusetts. Rabbi Lumbroso also blessed us with beautiful Messianic melodies on voice and guitar. Todah rabbah, Rabbi Lumbroso!

New Book 

Another great offshoot of this conference is a plan to roll out the “UMJA” reference book named “Writings of the Messiah.” This text proposal is for 500+ pages pertaining to the Messiahship of Yeshua with parallel verses from the Tanach, Talmud, and the Brit Hachadasha. It will be a valuable tool to our Kehillot in defending our faith and exposing non-believing Jewish brethren to Yeshua. We will illustrate that faith in Yeshua has been integral to Jewish thought from the sages of old to present-day Messianic Judaism. 

Besorah Tovah!

So much Besorah Tovah! (Goods News!) Our warmest thanks to Rabbi Greg and his congregation Beit HaSha’ar of Columbus, Georgia, who hosted and made this conference possible! Finally, thanks to the wonderful rebbetzins who helped this conference run smoothly, and to all who attended, strengthening our common beliefs and goals!

Todah Rabba Lekulam (to all) and see you in 2023! Shalom Shalom! Lots of Besorah Tovah on the horizon for the UMJA! 

In Yeshua’s Holy Name,

R’Ken

AROUND THE WORLD

עד־הנהר הגדל נהר־פרת׃

As far as the great river, the Euphrates River. (Deuteronomy 1:7 CJB)

SET YOUR JOURNEY

HaShem directs Moshe to the North, to the hill country of the Amorites, to the Negev, continuing into Galilee all the way to the shores of the Euphrates in Lebanon, which HaShem calls, "The Great River!" (Genesis 15:18; Revelation 9:14)

THE GREAT RIVER?

Though long, the Euphrates, which runs in Lebanon, could not have been considered a "great river" by any means. For the people of the area, the "Great River" was the Nile. As careful students of the details in the text of the Torah, the sages of Israel were also aware that, of all the rivers mentioned running through Eden in Genesis 2, the Euphrates was the last one. Why then did HaShem call it the "Great River?"

The simple explanation is that, aside from the Nile, the Euphrates is the longest river in the area. This could be sufficient, but it's not very profound. To bring more meaning to the text, the sages of Israel use that simple statement to make a beautiful midrash on discipleship and apostleship.

GREAT BY ASSOCIATION

No one is "great" on their own. One usually attains greatness by learning or associating with other great ones. We become great by imitating the ways of the great, by being "touched" by their greatness. The sages of the Talmud saw that the Euphrates River, which forms the Northwestern border of the Promised land, was touched by the greatness of the Land He called His own, the Land where He would eventually set His Name. That is what made it great.

It may seem far-fetched, but Shim'on ben Tarphon explains it this way, "Touch a person anointed with oil, and you will also become anointed with oil!" On the surface, it may simply mean that if you shake hands with someone who has oil on his hands, oil will automatically be transferred to your hands, but other implications of that principle also come to mind.

THE "OILY" MESSIAH

The word "Mashiach" means, "the Anointed one." An anointed person is one who has had holy oil poured on him. When we are touched by Messiah, or touch Him by confessing His Name, we automatically receive a measure of His "anointing" of the Spirit.

THE SERVANT OF THE KING

The disciples of Rabbi Ishma'el used to speak this proverb, "The servant of a king is like the king himself." When a king sends an emissary, people who receive that emissary know that he represents the king, so they treat him as they would the king.

In this way, the Euphrates serves the Promised Land as a border landmark, even as border protection. Being a servant of the Great King's Land, the Euphrates obtains greatness by the King it serves.

Yeshua is the servant of the King of the Universe.

After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. "By his knowing [pain and sacrifice], my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers." 

(Isaiah 53:11 CJB)

He is the One anointed with oil:

But a branch will emerge from the trunk of Yishai, a shoot will grow from his roots. The Spirit of Adonai will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fearing Adonai...

(Isaiah 11:1-2 CJB)

Like the Euphrates River, our greatness only comes by being touched by His greatness. As we carry our own execution stakes with Him outside the camp (Matthew 10:38; Hebrews 13:13), suffering His suffering, walking with Him on the now famed Via Dolorosa, He promises us the greatness of thrones to rule and reign with Him.

You are the ones who have stayed with me throughout my trials. Just as my Father gave me the right to rule, so I give you an appointment, namely, to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom and to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Isra'el. 

(Luke 22:28-30 CJB)

How blessed is the man who perseveres through temptation! For after he has passed the test, he will receive as his crown the Life which God has promised to those who love him. 

(James 1:12 CJB)

Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Adversary is going to have some of you thrown in prison, in order to put you to the test; and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful, even to the point of death; and I will give you life as your crown.

(Revelation 2:10 CJB)

We can see now how the proverb of the disciples of Rabbi Ishma'el rings true: "The servant of a king is like a king!"

MAY WE WALK WITH OUR KING.

MAY WE LIVE WITH OUR KING.

MAY WE SUFFER WITH OUR KING.

MAY WE DIE WITH OUR KING. 

THAT WE MAY BE TOUCHED BY THE GREATNESS OF THE RESURRECTION

OF OUR KING.

1. Praise for a successful Besorah Tovah (Good news) Conference in Columbus, Georgia, last month, and for the warm hospitality of the Congregation­­­­­­ Beit HaSha’ar.

2. We praise G-d for strengthening our bonds of achdut (unity) and relationships through the healthy exchange of ideas and time well spent together.

3. Praise to the Almighty for all who presented and taught Torah, and for all who heard, that these messages will bear fruit for the Kingdom.

4. Give thanks for all the new faces, newly ordained rabbis, roehs (Messianic pastors), and giyurs (converts), and for new ministries being started around the country.  

5. Pray for the development process of the UMJA Yeshiva by Rabbi Yosef Koelner, now getting underway!  Let’s pray that the momentum and encouragement of our fellowship will continue even while spread out in so many remote areas, until we meet again. 

6.  Lastly, for continued development of our vision, and growth, until that glorious Day when we shall see Him as he is, amen? 

IN THE WORKS

Rabbi Gabriel is brainstorming for the UMJA CONFERENCE 2023, and as we begin formulating agenda ideas and plans to make the next one even better, would you consider helping with this brief survey? 

SURVEY 2022

For all who attended the 2022 Conference in Georgia, please submit your comments to: rabbigabriel@thelumbrosos.com

1. What would you most like to see repeated in Conference 2023?

2. Is there anything (aside from the sound system issue) that you hope to see changed in future events?

3. Are you in favor of another mid-summer date between mid-July and mid-August?

4. Would you be in favor of a small registration fee to share costs of the event?

5. If you have time, would you care to share briefly what most blessed you at Conference 2022?

INTRODUCTION TO UMJA

• Has Hashem been moving in your life or in your part of the world?

• Are you new to our UMJA family?

• Do you have an interesting story or testimony to share?

       Please send it to us for the edification of the body.

IN THE ELUL CALENDAR

The 40 days between the 1st of Elul and Yom Kippur on the 10th of Tishri are times for repentance and introspection.

• Elul 1: Traditional date for Moshe's second descent from Mt Horeb (Ex 33:18-34:28
• Elul 24: Israel resumes building the second Temple: (Hag 1:14-15)
• Elul 25: Walls of Jerusalem rebuilt (Neh 6:15)