Volume 1, #13 NL

Aug 18, 2023

Elul 1, 5783

ROSH CHODESH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Let's share what HaShem is doing around the world!

Let's build His Kingdom together

preparing for His return!

Click here to visit our website.

Rabbi Ken Maccabees MacNeil

UMJA PRESIDENT

Shalom shalom mishpucha v chaverim (family and friends),

We have now begun the 40 days of repentance, which started on the evening of August 17th and concludes on September 25th, which is Yom Kippur. During this 40 day period, we pause at Rosh Hashana (the festival of trumpets) on repentance day 31, to awaken our souls and prepare us to stand before G-d on Judgment Day, or Yom Kippur.

On Rosh Hashana aka (Yom Teruah/days of Blasting/ Trumpets/and shouting), we enter into the Ten days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), where we continue the repentance and self-reflection process. All of this culminates on the tenth day of awe and the 40th day of repentance, which is Yom Kippur aka Judgement Day.

With true repentance (Teshuva) through Yeshua, we are assured a seat at the table with our Lord and our G-d. May we all through repentance find the confidence to come before our G-d as we have never felt before. We at the UMJA sincerely hope that this newsletter serves as a catalyst to that end.

The UMJA has consistently been growing as Hashem is sending us wonderful G-d-fearing believers to join our flock. Last month we welcomed and ordained Rabbi Eric Herschberg of Alabama, Rabbi Michael ben Avraham of New Mexico, and Roeh Louwell Ogbinar of Alberta, Canada.

This month, we are pleased to welcome Rabbi James Rittenhouse of Synagogue Shammash Ariel in Pueblo, Colorado, Rabbi Mitch Chapman and Rabbi Daniel Causey of Kehilat Bet Avinu in Davie, Fl. to the rabbinate! B”H. We know that you all will be a formidable tool in G-d’s hand in bringing in the Malchut (kingdom).

In this issue, we are pleased to present you with relevant teaching in the Torah cycle, some reflections and pictures from our recent conference, and articles of interesting happenings in the UMJA. Enjoy!

Shalom,

R’Ken

Psalm 133

A song of ascents. By David

Oh, how good, how pleasant it is

for brothers to live together in harmony.

It is like fragrant oil on the head

that runs down over the beard,

over the beard of Aharon,

and flows down on the collar of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon

that settles on the mountains of Tziyon.

For it was there that Adonai ordained

the blessing of everlasting life.

Reflections on Conference 2023

Just returned from attending our annual conference in Phenix City, Alabama. For many of us it was our first time meeting one another face to face. Isn't it awesome that the LORD is bringing his people together, even now, while the world keeps getting darker?

The pictures will help give a glimpse of what we did, but it's nothing like being there. In fact, when I got home, I couldn't understand why some of my photos seemed hazy, like there was a cover of white fog in the room. Now I think the cloud of kavod itself was present as we worshipped the Lord together! We were in tears more than once, such as when the Torah was lifted up and all our rabbis prayed together, or when witnessing the ordinations of new rabbis, giving their lives to serving Messiah. My meager words aren't able to express the awe of those moments.

Speaking of giving your life to serve, this year's theme was our Identity in Yeshua, and it was amazing how every rabbi could take the same concept and make it new. With humor and testimony and using different passages, each session added a delightful new aspect to the topic. It was such a great time of reinforcing everything we stand for, who we are, who we are called to be, and all that we believe! (By the way, for anyone who wasn't able to attend, I posted my notes--about 20 pages--on the members' page of the website.)

Between sessions, we enjoyed getting to know one another over meals and coffee breaks and hearing background stories. What an interesting blend of cultures and countries represented! Take Rose and Carlos for example. She's from Shanghai, China, and he's from Panama, but they met in Kuwait. Others grew up and worked in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and all around America! God is certainly doing amazing things to bring us all together and UNITE us in the Name of Yeshua. What a beautiful, all-encompassing tapestry He is weaving to his glory!

There were many opportunities surrounding the event as well. We shared with local bikers, hotel staff, a Chinese visitor in the pool, college students, and even a native American journalist working on Voices of our Military Heroes at the airport.

A group of us walked out on the bridge over the Chattahoochee River to sound the shofars on Shabbat. Afterwards, we had a wonderful God-encounter with a homeless man who grew up on the river. As we looked down on the river rafters braving the rapids, "Little Red" told us that the name of the river meant River of Death in the original Hitichi Indian language. Many people die each year in those waters, and an old curse is still talked about, but we prayed together, asking the God of Life to make himself known. In all these turbulent times, the Spirit of the Lord is willing to reveal his identity through even the likes of us, wherever we go, with whomever we meet, isn't he. May we serve Him courageously.

In the end, my only regret about the conference was that it wasn't long enough. I think we could have easily used 2-3 more days! It makes me appreciate why the Biblical feasts of the Lord are a week long, to better establish bonds that go deeper and last a lifetime. It's given as such a rich part of our lives as believers.

Personally, I'm sorry for the many people I did not get to spend quality time with. So, as with every good thing in life, this is all to be continued... and I hope more can join us next year.

Karen from Massachusetts

The Conference was awesome. I learned so much about our identity in YESHUA and I am so glad to be a Messianic Jew learning God's word from Genesis to Revelation. I have loved God my whole life but now being Messianic my relationship has grown so much stronger. Meeting people from all over and making new friends was so exciting. I could feel the glory of God in that place. His presence was awesome and the worship was off the charts. Yonah Black is very anointed.

Pam from Georgia

The UMJA conference surely afforded us a unique opportunity to meet and engage with like-minded families within the organization, including the Rabbis and spiritual leaders of the congregations. We witnessed and appreciated all the sacrifices the leaders of the conferences implemented in order to make the conference a success.

Enjoying the variety of teachings, food, music, and fellowship we were refreshed in our spirit, which granted us eternal memories of Hashem’s goodness. When we left, we felt stronger in our faith, spiritually supported by the UMJA leaders, as well as inspired toward new possibilities to expand the Messianic vision to the nations.

John from San Diego

We were so encouraged by this conference. The topic of identity is strengthening to our faith in YESHUA. It doesn't matter where we're from or who we are, but in the LORD, we are one. We believe that this is the mission and vision for the UMJA: Oneness in the LORD. Our true identity is in the name of YESHUA.

We were really moved by the Rabbis and leaders of this conference. We saw the image of God through them. Such humility, such kindness, and such passion of heart toward YESHUA makes us closer to GOD. We are so proud to be members of the UMJA.

GOD BLESS, and we’re looking forward to the next conference, in YESHUA’s name.

Rose and Carlos from Georgia

A Little Photo Album

of the

Identity Conference 2023

Phenix City, AL

We flew in from all four corners of the country, and for Rabbi Ken it turned into a 22-hour trek as flights were canceled and delayed due to weather. He ended up driving in from Atlanta at 4am Saturday morning! B"H!

Rabbi Ken with Doug Deloge, UMJA treasurer, and Rabbi Michael Smith

Thanks again to Rabbi Greg and Lois and the congregation of Beit HaShaar for hosting the event! They put their whole heart and soul into everything!

The ordinations of Rabbi Michael Smith, Rabbi Eric Herschberg and remotely for Roeh Louwell Ogbinar were incredible to witness, anointed with the oil and the Spirit of the Lord. Praise God!

The presence of God was palpable during our worship times and the pictures from these times are covered with a white haze, like the kavod--the glory of Adonai. It was awesome!

All too soon we were shuttling back to the Columbus airport to continue the journey, walking out our faith in the world. Meeting Nav, Native Indian artist from Utah, at the terminal was like tying a big red bow around our weekend theme.

May we all keep seeking to live out our true identities and fulfill our divine purposes, even in the face of some opposition and rejection. It is who we are, and what we are called to be. May God continue to bless and use us in his service!

This is where we were, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River which divides Alabama and Georgia.

Some original founders of the UMJA, Bill and Robin Miller and John and Laura Popp were happy to be together again. Many old and new friendships kindled here reminds of Psalm 133. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore!

The Marriott at twin cities was a lovely venue, the food excellent, and the staff friendly. One staff member even joined us for music and bought some Israeli jewelry at the marketplace tables. (We've been in touch since too.)

We enjoyed the gift of music and song from Rabbi Gabriel and guest singer Yonah Black from Israel. Rabbi Gabriel's energy is infectious! He also taught native Israeli dance between sessions. We also sounded our shofars throughout the weekend, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. It was beautiful!

This is Rabbi David and Kimberly Otero from Rock of Israel Messianic Congregation in Georgia. I wish I had taken more family pics from around the room, our marketplace, and meals. (Unfortunately these are the times I wasn't taking photos.) If you have some favorites of the event, please feel free to send them in, and we can add them to our online album on the members' page. ;-)

Also recognized were: Moreh Shane Somonski, and Morah Karen Deloge and Morah Kimberly Otero.

This exceptionally red sun was setting as we took off. Only the Lord knows what lies on the horizon until we meet again. Our time may be shorter than we think. Let's burn brightly for our King, amen?

Shalom until next year!

Here's our minion who led in prayer Sunday morning.

Back row (left to right): Rabbi Michael Smith, Rabbi David Otero, Michael Latona, Rabbi Gary Beresford, Rabbi Ken MacNeil, and Rabbi Mark Esper.

Front row (left to right): Doug Deloge, Rabbi Greg Lehtimaki, Joshua Kerce and Carlos Ayala.

Attending Remotely

A Testimony from Canada

by Lois Grace Ogbinar

Roeh Louwell Ogbinar celebrating with us through Zoom

with his congregation and family, in Alberta Canada.

On July 23rd of 2023, Dr. Louwell Ogbinar, leader of the Calgary L’Chaim Bible Fellowship, was ordained as Roeh--Messianic Pastor in the welcoming congregation of Beth Shalom in Post Falls, Idaho. This event was in collaboration with the UMJA conference concurrently being held in Phenix City, Alabama. Dr. Ogbinar was anointed by Rabbi Yehoshua Moshe standing-in for the Beit Din, in the presence of the members of Beth Shalom Messianic Fellowship following the ordination ceremony online, surrounded by family and friends.

The Biblical basis for the title of Roeh comes from Jeremiah 23:4. "I will appoint Shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing," says Adonai. By definition, a "Roeh" is the Shepherd Pastor, Elder and Teacher of a given Congregation. This title is held in high esteem.

Prior to the ordination, the Ogbinar family joined Beth Shalom in their Torah Service and was blessed to be welcomed with warm hugs. The teachings focused on the importance of leadership, how the choices of leaders impact outcomes, and the combination of being a servant and leader as one. When asked, “What does being a Roeh mean to you?” Dr. Ogbinar replied: “To be a Roeh is to have a servant’s heart in Messiah Yeshua and to oversee the flock that He has given.”

In closure, Beth Shalom gifted Calgary L’Chaim Bible Fellowship with a beautiful Torah scroll that holds a rich history from its previous owners. The Torah was received with tears of joy and gratitude. Following the ceremony, Beth Shalom hosted refreshments and warm fellowship, sharing stories and laughs and departing with hugs. Dr. Ogbinar and his family then went to Priest River, Idaho, to end this special day with blessings and prayers with Rabbi Bruce Booker and his wife. It was a truly memorable occasion for us.

PARASHA SHOFTIM

by ROEH JOHN POPP,

one of the UMJA's original founders

YESHUA: Promised Prophet and Servant King

“You may say, ‘I want to have a king over me,

like all the other nations around me.’

In that event, you must appoint

the one whom Adonai your God will choose.

He must be one of your kinsmen, this king you appoint over you…

he is to write a copy of this Torah for himself in a scroll…

and he is to read in it every day, as long as he lives;

so that he will learn to fear Adonai his God and

keep all the words of this Torah and these laws and obey them;

so that he will not think he is better than his kinsmen;

and so that he will not turn aside

either to the right or to the left from the mitzvah.”

Exodus 17:15-20

Reading the Gospel of John, we discover where Philip, expressed this to his brother Nathaniel when he told him of a discovery: “We have found him of whom Moshe wrote in the Torah and also the Prophets — it’s Yeshua Ben Yoseph from Nazareth!” Nathaniel later replied to Yeshua: “You are the King of Israel.” John 1:45-49.

However, if Messiah is a legitimate King of Israel, he should be subject to what we see in this week’s Torah Portion Shoftim. Reviewing commentary on this parasha, Rabbi Yaakov Menken noted that “A Jewish king recognizes that in actuality, he is merely a servant of a higher authority. The Torah commands that he do all this “so that his heart does not lift itself over his brothers.” The intent is the same: he remains one of the people, and he is responsible for them and their spiritual well-being.”

Conceivably, Messiah Yeshua was demonstrating His Kingship in this requirement of being a Servant among his people: ^“For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you. Yes, indeed! I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than the one who sent him.” – John 13:12-16

Furthermore, Maimonides wrote on this subject that just as the Torah grants the king great honor and obliges everyone to revere him, so it commands him to be lowly and empty at heart…He should be gracious and merciful to the small and the great…He should protect the honor of even the humblest of men (The Guide to the Perplexed, Moses Maimonides).

Yeshua confirmed this same understanding and said: “But whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Yeshua further fulfilled the parasha requirement to “keep all the words of this Torah and these laws and obey them; so that he will not think he is better than his kinsmen; and so that he will not turn aside either to the right or to the left from the mitzvah.

This is why the words of Yeshua are intentionally recorded in Matt 5:17-19:“Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

How would Yeshua be like Moshe?

Prophet and Anointed (Messiah)

"Rabbi Levi Ben Gershon (RALBAG), of the fourteenth century, identified the Prophet as Messiah." He went on to give RALBAG's commentary: 'A Prophet from the midst of you.' In fact, the Messiah is such a Prophet as it is stated in the Midrash of the verse, 'Behold my Servant shall prosper.' (Isaiah 52:13) Moses, by the miracles which he wrought, brought a single nation to the worship of God, but the Messiah will draw all peoples to the worship of God.’

Intercessor and Mediator

Moshe had spoken about the Prophet who would be the speaker of His word and the intermediary between G-d and His people. Thus, the primary way that the Prophet (Messiah) was to be "like Moshe" was in the role of go-between, an intercessor, or priest.

But there was one way in which Yeshua the Messiah, would most resemble Moshe: he himself was willing to die for the sins of the people. This is recorded in Exodus 32:30-33: “So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin…'Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.'

Yeshua is the perfect mediator who could make full atonement because he was innocent, without sin, and took our deserved punishment upon himself.

Shepherd

Forty years of Moshe‘s life were spent as a shepherd. In leading the people, he showed the mindset and attitudes of a good shepherd. The job description of a "good shepherd" calls for the kind of serious commitment in which one must be willing to give his own life for the sheep.

Yeshua explained this most concisely as recorded in the Book of John, Chapter 10 and admits, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." John 10:10-15)

With our eyes unveiled, we can clearly see that Yeshua was a prophet like Moshe, only better. Moshe died, but the B'rit Chadasha tells us that Mashiach Yeshua is alive forever to make intercession for us. More than a shepherd and a prophet, Yeshua is the one who can lead us out of our Egypt, the world’s sinful ways. He, alone, can break the shackles of the bondage of sin and set us free to serve Hashem with a new heart and spirit.

Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin once said, “The greatest source of sin is to forget we are children of the king.” We say Avinu malkenu, “Our father, our king,” to remind us that we are members of a royal family, and so we must act as if we are. Understanding our identity should impact our behavior, as discussed at conference.

The true mark of this royalty is humility, which Yeshua taught well. As servants of the King, the only honor achieved is the honor we give him. As it says in Romans 14:8, "If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

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PETAH TIKVAH CALENDAR 5784

IS NOW AVAILABLE!

We are offering the Petah Tikvah calendars for 5784

(Sept 2023 to Sept 2024 - 13 months)

to anybody who enters the UMJA website.

There is a beautiful full-color picture from Israel for each month.

Both the Jewish and Gregorian dates are given for each day.

Additional calendars are available for $6 each, $7 to Canada,

including postage. $10 each for overseas to cover postage.

We will send a limited number of calendars to needy readers

in Third World countries for free.

Payments can be sent to Petah Tikvah,

165 Doncaster Rd, Rochester NY 14623-1348, or on the website www.petahtikvah.com using our Paypay account.

(Please make payments in US currency.)

You can use any of a dozen different credit cards in more than

a dozen national currencies at a great exchange rate. Subscriptions to Petah Tikvah Magazine are available for a suggested donation of $20.

SUKKOT IS COMING

Rabbi Gabriel Lumbroso

Time Honored Traditions

Passover, the first Biblical festival found in Leviticus 23, is a greatly revered tradition that many Christians today observe because they recognize its deep, Messianic implications and its relation to the crucifixion week. Did you know that the time of Sukkot, also called Tabernacles, the last Biblical festival found in Leviticus 23, is also rich with deep messianic implications and fulfillment?

Away in a Manger

It can be demonstrated through Biblical and historical inferences that Sukkot is the most probable time of our Messiah's birth. It also holds significant meaning as it looks to the fulfillment of future prophetic events.

Let us Walk as He walked—together!

Coming together to celebrate the feast is one of the greatest joys we have. Hopefully everyone is already making plans to join with fellow believers in your neck of the woods. We get to learn, fellowship, and worship as our Master and Messiah did when He kept these festivals during His time on earth as an observant Jew.

If you live in the American Northwest, here’s one option for you. Consider a four-day weekend getaway at beautiful SkyCamp in the heart of Oregon. Messianic speaker and rabbi of a long Sephardic Jewish descent, Gabriel Lumbroso, will walk us through a series of presentations throughout the event.

More information and registration can be found HERE. Registration officially closes August 31st but will tentatively continue through September 15th until maximum capacity of 200 is reached, whichever comes first. Reserve your spot soon!

Enjoy your Sukkot wherever you are, and Shalom in Yeshua,

From the YAD team

R' Gabriel Lumbroso

http://www.yadfriends.com

Yeshivat Rabban Gamaliel

Here's an opportunity to increase in knowledge of Torah. We're offering a variety of courses and most are free to UMJA members.

Click here and go to our Resources and Education page at umja.net

for an enrollment form and other course details.

TO OUR MEMBERS:

We are so happy to announce our new RESOURCE PAGE on the UMJA website. We have been adding to the library, liturgy, music and now have all the recordings of the conference speakers. Much more is coming!

For anyone interested, individuals can join as Associates of the UMJA

for just $25 per year, OR

a congregation for $100

per year.

GO TO OUR MEMBERS PAGE TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION.

Thanks to all our members, as we labor together to build the kingdom of Messiah.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Thank God for new charters, new members, rabbis and morehs. Avinu, thank you for each one who wants to grow and serve your kingdom around the world. Praise HaShem for His favor in this organization for His glory.

Praise HaShem for the UMJA conference we celebrated in Phenix City and for the spiritual refreshing as a community. Praise Adonai for the funds, the lovely facility, and the opportunity to share together. What a joy to celebrate new members, ordinations and worship together. Thanks for the amazing hospitality of the Beit HaSha'ar congregation.

Let's start asking our Father for plans for next year. Where will we be in 2024? Where should we be by then as an organization? Pray the Lord to go before us in everything.

Pray for members who need healing from disease and affliction. Pray for those in ministry to people facing difficulty, addictions, and despair. Let's hold up the work of Rabbi Michael ben Avraham, together with his wife Perla working with Nephesh Recovery in New Mexico. Theirs is not an easy burden, but a calling from the Father that needs our prayer support. Let's lift up the arms of one another's ministries as Aaron and Hur. (Ex 17)

Pray for our UMJA YESHIVA, Rabban Gamaliel, for the growth of our outreach and impact around the world as we labor to make Him known in all our regions through all our studying, writing and teaching.

Pray for the publication of the textbook, “Writings of the Messiah.” Pray for a publisher to take on this massive project and help get it out and into our hands.

Pray for continued revival in the world. A local missionary friend just told me about her grandson Sam, a computer programmer in Cambodia who started a website asking questions about God and Yeshua, then leading into the answers in Scripture. In week 1 there were 10k hits! By week 2 there were 40k+ hits! Meanwhile, another missionary here was woken in the middle of the night and told, "Go to Cambodia." We need to keep praying for this harvest. People are thirsty and asking. We need to be salty and give answers.

Pray the Lord to guide every aspect of the UMJA, that we reflect his heart, fulfill his purposes, and bring joy to the kingdom! May God richly bless us with his favor as we grow around the world.

Email prayer requests and praises to the editor:

prayer requests. James 5:17-18