July Executive Director Address
I write to you from England, where I am slaving away with further studies. My attention is simultaneously state-side, as foremost in my thinking, labors, and prayers is the upcoming Union Summer Family Conference next month.
We're so looking forward gathering as a community; seeing old friends and making new connections, hearing from our many gifted teachers, and enjoying downtime together.
Registration is open through July 2 (next Tuesday). Given that our registrations numbers matched the 2023 conference a few weeks ago, I am curious to see what transpires in the next week!
Rather entrepreneurial by nature, I like investing my energies in the pursuit of increase and talking it up. You may have noticed when I talk up the 21 new communities that are now petitioning for entrance into the Union. (Eight are applying as Full or Associate members; thirteen as Affiliate/UMB members.) I am pleased to report that another eight are in the pike, whose applications will be processed in due time. As excited as I am about those new additions, I’m pleased to talk about some real UMJC heroes below.
Ashreinu School Director Stephanie Hamman recently shared that current registrations are four times the size of what it was last year this time. Under her exemplary and tireless leadership, an increased number of parents are sending their kiddos to learn Hebrew, Jewish Studies and more. It is impossible to overstate the importance of seeing success from that cohort.
I'm also very pleased to see the (re)launching of the Union Sisterhood by Deborah Pardo-Kaplan. Women across the generations are invited to a meetup on Saturday afternoon to get to know one another and chat about plans for the Sisterhood.
Matt Absolon is investing considerable energies in and for the expansion of the cultural arts within our community. Join him and others for a roundtable discussion on Thursday afternoon.
It's worth it to take time to learn, grow, and connect with one another!
I took a break from my studies and met a young Messianic PhD student in history at St John’s College, Cambridge. The picture shows me standing with Dr. Adam Crothurs, St John’s special collections librarian.
The room behind us contains famous works from antiquity, affording scholars an opportunity to examine especially important historical documents and, by so doing, take a step back in time to better understand historical moments—and isn’t this what we do? The Union has much to commend to the world, not least of which is our cadre of especially well-trained rabbis and scholars who open up scripture, take us back in time and help us see the Good News through the eyes of the Jews. This year’s Summer Conference highlights a number of them.
I’m getting my monthly communication out a few days early, to encourage lingering registrants to sign up for the conference. Register now and make the Summer Conference a highlight of your summer. If you’d like to hear me out further, listen to the below video.
Take a moment to register and encourage friends to do the same. See you in Orlando!
Yours,
Dr. Jeffrey Seif
Executive Director
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations