a pivotal move towards reconciliation

Winter 2008

Inside this Issue: Messianic Jewish Movements: North America (the first of a series by Dr. Dan Juster)

TJCII CTJCII COMMUNIQUÉOMMUNIQUÉ S SPRINGPRING 2013 2013

The city Belo-Horizonte, located in southeast Brazil, received national and international attention in February, 2013. While the whole coun-try was celebrating the "Carnival" in the streets, a Messianic Jewish Synagogue received more than 500 Christian leaders from all over Brazil and Latin America in order to discuss RECONCILIATION be-tween the Church and the Jewish People. Har Tzion Messianic Jewish Synagogue is one of the largest congregations of Jewish dis-ciples of Yeshua (Jesus) in the world. Under the leadership of Rabbi Marcelo Miranda (a former CEO) whose ancestors were victims of the Spanish Inquisition, the Har Tzion Congregation organizes a confer-ence every year devoted to Christian leaders who seek to develop a

relationship with Jewish believers worldwide, as well as to learn more about the Jewish roots of Christianity. The 7th edition of the Conference had as its main theme: "Restoring the Unity and the Relationship be-tween Israel and the Church." As guest speakers, Har Tzion invited representatives from the Messianic Jewish Movement in Israel and abroad, such as Professor Joseph Shulam, a prominent leader of Messianic Judaism in Israel who has been in contact with the Brazilian Jewish brothers from Belo for more than 20 years; Messianic Rabbi Marty Waldman, leader of the largest Messianic Synagogue in the United States and Executive General Secretary of Towards Jerusalem Council II; Rabbi Russell Resnik, Executive Direc-tor of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations USA; and Pastor Larry Huch, a world renowned tele-vangelist and leader of New Beginning Community in Dallas, TX. A special invitation was also made to Fr Peter Hocken, a renowned teacher and author, member of the Executive Committee of Towards Jerusalem Council II; and to Johannes Fichtenbauer, head deacon in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and also a member of the Executive Committee of Towards Jerusalem Council II. At the opening lecture of the Conference, Rabbi Marcelo Miranda Gui-marães spoke about the importance of addressing the trauma left by 300 years of Inquisition in Brazil: “It should be known that Brazil has millions of people (the Anussim) who are direct descendents of Portuguese and Span-ish Jews who came here to help colonize the country from the 16th to the 18th century. These Jews were persecuted by the Inquisition both in Europe and in Brazil, and the majority of them had to convert to Catholicism to escape death. This created a profound wound in the souls of these de-scendents, where fear still exists even in our days. It is crucial that the Catholic Church deal with this trauma and work towards its healing through repentance and restitution.” (Continued on Page 2)

A PIVOTAL MOVE TOWARDS RECONCILIATION

© Toward Jerusalem Council II, Inc.

Rabbi Marcelo Guimarães blowing the shofar, Fr Peter Hocken, Johannes

Har Tzion Congregation


TJCII

A PIVOTAL MOVE TOWARDS RECONCILIATION, (Continued from Page 1)

Professor Joseph Shulam also addressed the issue of the Catholic Inquisition against Portuguese and Spanish Jewry in the 16th and 17th centuries: “Most of the objections Jews have against Christianity and against Jesus were caused by attitudes and dogmas originated in the Church” (a wrong theology that has kept Israel far from the gospel and the teachings of Jesus in its original context). “For any reconciliation to take place between the Church and Israel, it is necessary that the Church confess its errors and acknowledge the Jewish people as the cho-sen people of God.” The apex of the Conference was when the Catholic leaders had the opportunity to share. With an impres-sive and powerful speech, both Fr Peter Hocken and deacon Fichtenbauer addressed the issue of reconcilia-tion between the Church and Israel, touching its most important aspect: The persecution of the Jewish Peo-ple by the Catholic Church in the days of The Inquisition. All the participants witnessed a tremendous spiri-tual breakthrough when Fr Peter and deacon Fichtenbauer asked for forgiveness for the sins of the Catholic Church against the Children of Israel. "I realize the depth of the suffering inflicted on the Anussim by the In-quisition. This has to be confessed for the sake of the Catholic Church and the whole Body of Messiah. It is a Catholic responsibility to acknowledge this massive evil, when the Church, through the Pope and the kings, created a 'monster' (the Inquisition) that got out of control. The story of the Inquisition is a story of multiplica-tion of evil and represented the climax of replacement teaching. As a Catholic priest I am here to express this sorrow and ask for forgiveness from my Jewish brothers. We need to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit of God and let it work in the midst of the Church," said Fr Peter Hocken. The representatives of Towards Jerusalem Council II also had the opportunity to present to the public the vision and purpose of TJCII. With a great response from the crowd, the leadership of TJCII decided to ap-

point Rabbi Marcelo Miranda Guimarães as their representative in Brazil: "Rabbi Marcelo is a reference in all South America, not only for Messianic Jews, but also for hundreds of Christian leaders who recognize his authority and his special calling to restore the Church back to its biblical roots as well as to reach out to his Jewish broth-ers. By building the First Museum of the History of the Inquisi-tion in Brazil, Rabbi Marcelo established a bridge for dialogue and repentance between Jews and Christians and also between Jews and Messianic Jews. We recognize his works and honor him as the TJCII representative in Brazil," said Rabbi Marty Waldman. What took place during the

days of this Conference in Belo-Horizonte represents the beginning of a worldwide awakening among Christians. More and more believers in Jesus are becoming aware of their identity as “grafted-in” people of God, members of the same family as the Jews through Jesus Christ. It is also the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough to bring Israel and the Jewish people closer to the words and works of Yeshua (Jesus).

“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from

the dead?” (Rom 11:15 NAS)

Matheus Guimarães and Rabbi Waldman

Rabbi Marcelo Guimarães, Rabbi Marty Waldman, and Matheus Guimarães

PRAYER IS REQUESTED for our TJCII Team in Brazil: Rabbi Marcelo Miranda Guimarães (Belo Horizonte);

Pastor Levi Schmidt Oliveira (Santa Maria); Sr Adola (Curitiba). Please pray also for Alexandre and Karina Barros who lead the TJCII Intercessors in Brazil.


Messianic Jewish Movements: North America By Daniel C. Juster, Th. D.

This article is a first of a series on Messianic Jewish Movements in different regions of the world. I hope to give the readers from the “church world” a better understanding of our variegated movement. In North America the movement has been a catalyst and influence for other regions of the world. We begin with North America, as it is the most established of the modern movements of Messianic Judaism. The Beginnings While there were precursors to the modern Messianic Jewish movement in America, the modern movement really stems from 1970. There was a small minority of leaders who desired to see congregations where Jews who came to faith in Yeshua would continue to identify and live as Jews. One of the most significant was Manny Brotman, who in the mid 1960s called for the use of Jewish terminology in presenting the Gos-pel; then presented sharing the Gospel seminars; and finally, called for the formation of Messianic Jewish Congregations that would work in partnership for Jewish evangelism with Christians in churches. His semi-nars attracted large numbers. Manny Brotman was instrumental in the Young Hebrew Christian Alliance (today the Young Messianic Jewish Alliance) and was a catalyst in the formation of Beth Messiah Congre-gation in the Washington, D. C. area. He was later its first Rabbi. I believe that the influence of the Messi-anic Jewish idea was key in the establishing Beth Messiah in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1970, and the transforma-tion of the Hebrew Christian Congregation in Philadelphia to become Beth Messiah Congregation (Presbyterian related). Dr. Ray Gannon and Dr. Phil Goble (Assembly of God) developed a parallel congre-gation in Encino, California, Temple Beth Emmanuel, which continues today as Ahavat Zion in Hollywood. In the same time period the author was part of transitioning the Hebrew Christian Congregation in Chicago to become Adat Ha Tikvah. It is quite remarkable to note how the basic orientation of these congregations has effected the development of the whole movement, partly through their influence in national gatherings under national organizations. Early Convictions Generally, all came to understand that Jews who come to faith in Yeshua are called to continue to identify and live as Jews. The conviction of God’s continuing covenant with the Jewish people was very strong, and that covenant was understood as including the Messianic Jews. In addition most Messianic Jews of that time had a common expression of Jewish worship including, celebrating the Feasts, circumcision, and a central gathering on the Sabbath (either Sabbath eve or Sabbath morning). Those gatherings included modern style Messianic Jewish worship material, and a very basic liturgy drawn from the synagogue’s most central worship elements. Some did not include much in the way of historic Jewish prayer expression. In the beginning of the movement, the place of the Torah was questioned. Some developed a theology of the Torah in the New Covenant era whereas others embraced a law-free type of Messianic Judaism due to Evangelical influences. However, over the years a consensus was attained, so that today almost all com-munities believe in the place of the Torah in the New Covenant, including the universal aspects of moral and ethical standards for all people; and Jewish-specific Torah as foundational to distinctive Jewish life. In addition, Jewish weddings, circumcision services, and Passover liturgies are nearly universal. (Continued on page 4)

Dr. Dan Juster has been involved in the leadership of the Messianic Jewish movement since 1971. He is the Senior Apostle and Director of Tikkun International ministries, a network of organizations dedicated to the restoration of Israel and the Church.

We should note that the movement as a whole is remarkably unified on basic doctrinal standards such as the authority of the Bible, the deity of the Messiah, the triune nature of God, and the death, resurrection and return of Yeshua. Most all believe in a literal age of peace on earth upon Yeshua’s return (Millennium). There are also a good handful of scholars with doctor’s degrees who give greater intellectual substance to the movement. The recent Union definition of Messianic Judaism and doctrinal statement reflect this scholarship. The Movement Today In the 1970s and 1980s there was a very significant Jewish ingathering, but there has been a plateau since that time. In addition, the Messianic community has wrestled with a great influx of gentiles into the congre-gations from the mid 1980s until today. Is this a blessing? Are they there for the right reasons? Do they rightly appreciate the church streams? How does this fit our goals? These are ongoing questions. In addi-tion, the movement is challenged and working toward passing the baton to a younger generation of leaders as the founding generation moves toward retirement age. This is a major source of concern, but there are some positive signs. The movement also struggles over the issue of Rabbinic Judaism. How much Rab-binic Law should we follow? How much traditional prayer material should be incorporated? The great ma-jority do not see us as subject to rabbinic authority. Most are moderate in their embrace of rabbinic prac-tice and seek to weigh it carefully by the Word and Spirit. However there are some very pro-rabbinic and anti-rabbinic communities as well. The movement today mostly reflects the same orientations as noted above. However, today there are over 300 groups, either full congregations, or other types of groupings. Many are joined in associations of congregations, the first being the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (1979); the second being the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (1984); and then Tikkun America, as a North American network (1984). All have significant annual conferences. They all maintain ordination standards. Some congregations maintain more than one membership.

The Aims of TJCII Include:

• Make known the restoration of the Jewish segments of the Body of Messiah

• Foster repentance for the historic suppression of the corporate Messianic Jewish witness of Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah

• Further the calling and election of Israel and the Messi-anic Jewish Community through intercessory prayer, teachings and diplomacy

• Foster reconciliation and unity between Christians and Messianic Jews

Published by TJCII, a non-profit initiative which began in 1995. Executive General Secretary: Marty Waldman Email: [email protected] Editor: Carole Wright

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Messianic Jewish Movements: North America By Daniel C. Juster, Th. D.

(Continued from page 3)

a pivotal move towards reconciliation

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