Greetings Union Friends,
I recently passed the one-year marker as the Union’s Executive Director. Upon this first anniversary, I was asked what it was like leading the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations in the first year. Though well-intended, I thought it was a poor question for a few reasons—not least of which being that I am not the leader.
The Union is delegate-led. Delegates outline policies that are managed by the Executive Committee, which the Executive Director is a part of. The Executive Director works with the Executive Committee, under the president, at the behest of the delegates. In theory and in practice we all work for you.
In my managerial capacity, I’m tasked with coming to you from time to time and keeping you looped in to decisions the Executive Committee has made. The Executive Committee met recently to discuss budgetary issues and decided to focus on (1) building up the Union’s General Fund and, in the new year, (2) rolling out a fund-raising campaign to support the needs of believers in Israel and Ukraine—both countries, as you know, have been upended by war and concomitant unrest.
Contemporaneous with the above, we've been keenly aware of the recent hurricanes smashing against America’s eastern shores and the messianic communities’ needs there—foremost among them being Rabbi Dr. John Fischer’s congregation. Please join me in donating through their Go Fund Me account by using this link.
It's impossible to overstate the appreciation the Union’s Executive Committee has for extensions of kindness represented by the funds that came in for Israel Relief over the last year. Thank you. We’ve sent along those monies you faithfully sent and will continue to do so with monies that come in for crisis relief. (More on that later.) A problem we’ve been faced with, however, is that funds that otherwise would have been earmarked for the Union’s General Fund were, instead, earmarked for Israel Relief. The result is that funds are way down in our General Fund. We processed the situation at the Executive Committee level and I said I’d communicate the need. There’s an argument that I should be ashamed of myself for what I am about to say to you, but I am going to do it anyway.
When I first learned of financial needs in Israel last year, my community sent the Union $2,500 to assist. When months later I was made aware of needs in Ukraine, and that the Union budget couldn’t cover it, my community sent in $5,000. When I learned we needed funds to assist with a conference for Sephardic Jews, we donated $2,200 for that cause. When we needed funds to help launch an upgraded Friends of the Union program, we also donated $1,800. (Details on that TBA.) When I recently learned Dr Fischer’s community was decimated by the hurricane, I immediately sent him $250 and followed up with $1,080 a week or two later. And, by the way, yes, my congregation paid its Union dues. When I finish writing this, I am going to have my congregation send the Union another $2,500 donation—for the General Fund. Shame on me for advertising!
The reason I am telling you this is to underscore that when I ask you to be gracious, I am not asking you to do something I am not doing myself—and my small community with me! Though I don’t prefer it emotionally, my vocation beckons me to boldly lead and plead, every now and again, and ask you to show you’re a believer by your love. As you think about year-end giving in 2024, please remember the UMJC’s general fund.
There’s lots happening in the UMJC and there’s more I could say—and perhaps should say. The Union has more new communities coming in, important Winter Leadership Conference updates to convey and other timely news—the likes of which would not risk grading against the sensibilities of some. I know I sound like a pushy salesman. Some may be disturbed by it... I trust the mature among us will appreciate it’s the urgency and the need and not the greed of the one forcefully making the ask. What can I say? The UMJC’s general fund needs your help as do human beings benefitting from the ministries of the UMJC. Make a super-generous year-end gift and make it now! For more information, listen to my attached video.
Yours,
Dr. Jeffrey Seif
Executive Director
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations