Credentials

Are you preparing for Messianic Jewish ministry? The Union provides licensure and ordination for rabbis, educators, and chaplains. Most of the academic requirements can be fulfilled at our three UMJC-approved graduate schools:

UMJC Smicha (Ordination)

Candidates for rabbinic ordination must fulfill all requirements for the Madrikh program and finish additional coursework, internship, and practicum requirements.

The following five core courses must be taken through a UMJC approved graduate school: 

  • Messianic Jewish Theology

  • Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People

  • Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Jewish Community

  • Messianic Jewish Spirituality

  • Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context

These courses may be taken at any graduate school: 

  • Biblical Hermeneutics

  • Introduction to Rabbinic Literature

  • Talmud

  • Jewish-Christian Relations

This course may be taken at any college:

  • The History of Judaism and the Jewish People

Rabbinic ordination candidates must also fulfill eight Professional Development units, which may be taken at a UMJC-approved graduate school, or through individual tutoring with a UMJC rabbi:

  • The Personal Life of the Spiritual Leader

  • Congregational Growth & Development

  • The Basics of Synagogue Worship

  • Effective Public Speaking/Homiletics

  • The Roles of the Messianic Jewish Rabbi

  • Shabbat & Weekday Worship Services

  • Services for the High Holy Days and Moedim

  • Key Events in the Jewish Life Cycle

Finally, under the direction of a UMJC rabbi, smicha candidates must fulfill a one-year internship that provides practical experience in the following areas:

  • The Rabbi's Personal and Professional Relationships

  • Pastoral Care I - Counseling and Prayer

  • Pastoral Care II - Serving Through the Stages of Life

For more information, contact Rabbi Michael Schiffman, Provisional Credentials Committee Chair.

Madrikh (Licensure) Program

The Madrikh Program is a post-graduate training and development curriculum designed to increase the number of equipped leaders in Messianic synagogues (including teachers, synagogue officers, cantors, and counselors). It is the first step toward ordination or smicha, and a valuable credential in its own right.

Eligibility: Students must possess an undergraduate degree and participate in a UMJC member congregation.

Requirements: Core curriculum of 10 courses. 4 may be taken as intensive seminars at UMJC conferences:  

  • Messianic Jewish Theology

  • Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People

  • Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Jewish Community

  • Messianic Jewish Spirituality

  • Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context

  • The Personal Life of the Spiritual Leader

  • Congregational Growth and Development

  • Basics of Synagogue Worship

  • Effective Public Speaking/Homiletics

  • History of Judaism and the Jewish People

Additional requirements:

  • One-year mentoring relationship with a UMJC rabbi

  • Biblical reading plan

  • Oral exam

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Hebrew

For more information, contact Rabbi Michael Schiffman, Provisional Credentials Committee Chair.

Messianic Educator Certificate Program

The purpose of this program is to provide a foundational Jewish education to Messianic Jewish educators, Education Directors and volunteer workers in our synagogues.  Comprised of 6 courses (5 hours each) through one of the approved UMJC schools: Netzer David Yeshiva, Messianic Jewish Theological Institute, The King’s University.  The program is not meant to be a graduate or accredited program but is geared towards lay-people and volunteer workers who desire to be better equipped in these vital topics.  All courses will be available online or onsite at various locations across the USA for a nominal fee (currently only $25 per course).  Upon successful completion of these 6 courses, the student will be awarded a Messianic Jewish Educator Certificate. The rotation of courses includes:

1. Messianic Judaism 101

Class Objectives: Teachers will learn about the recent development of Messianic Judaism as well as why we do what we do.  There will also be an overview of all the Jewish holiday observances from Shabbat to Hanukkah.

  • Our history

  • Our philosophy

  • Holy Days

2.  Messianic Judaism 102

Class Objectives: Teachers will glean a deeper understanding of the Jewish customs and lifecycle events.  Such topics as Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Death and Mourning, Kashrut, Tallit, etc., and how they apply with our faith in Yeshua.

3.  Mastering Classroom Dynamics

Class Objectives: Teachers will consider important structures and values for our classroom experience.

  • Creating a productive learning environment

  • Teaching with confidence

  • Discipline issues

  • Keeping our classroom safe

4.  Resources for Creating Messianic Jewish Curricula

ClassObjectives: Educators will learn some philosophy and techniques for the creation of learning materials and lesson plans for our synagogue programs on such topics as Holy Days, customs and Hebrew studies.

5. Messianic Jewish Educational Structures

Class Objectives: How do we organize our study programs into exciting structures?

  • Shabbat School

  • Camps

  • Recruiting and Equipping Qualified Teachers

6. Jewish History 101

Class Objectives: To better understand the Jewish experience and what it means today.

Key events from Second Temple to Modern Israel.

  • Second Temple Period

  • Talmud

  • Middle Ages

  • Haskalah Enlightenment

  • Modern Zionism

  • Judaism today

We invite you to join us to be better equipped for the vital work of Messianic Jewish Education!  For more information, contact Rabbi Michael Schiffman, the Provisional Credentials Committee Chair or Andrea Rubenstein.

Chaplain Endorsement

We are the only Messianic Jewish organization the Department of Defense has accepted as an Endorser for Messianic Jewish Chaplains.

For more information contact Rabbi Michael Schiffman.