Greetings Union Friends,
My wife Barri and I recently returned from our Winter Leadership Conference in San Diego, California. Our president, Rabbi Barney Kasdan (with Liz Kasdan), hosted a great conference. We were pleased to connect with old friends and excited about all the new ones, too.
One of those new friends was a videographer named Todd Morehead. He showcased his new video entitled, “Hope in the Holy Land”, which was particularly well received. I’d encourage you to check it out. You’ll find it’s worth the watch.
Speaking of “worth”, at the conference I had the opportunity to talk to leaders about our newly updated Friends of the Union program. In short order, everyone on our mailing list will receive information and will be asked to share it with friends on their social networks—enabling us to expand our reach into the multiple thousands. Previously, all “Friends” showed their friendship by making a small monthly donation; a difference now, however, is that no donation is required. Individuals can sign up for free or sign up and donate monthly. There are four giving tiers, with the first being absolutely free. The new program showcases our distinctives with a mind to, hopefully, help others develop an appreciation for the modern-day miracle that is the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. Details forthcoming.
While speaking of friends and donations, I would like to highlight our concern for oft-neglected Messianic Jewish communities in Ukraine. While conducting Holocaust studies at Cambridge University, I was particularly struck by the plight of the Jewish people in Ukraine. Before Hitler built industrial complexes to kill Jews en-masse, Nazi units were dispatched throughout Ukraine and, with the help of ever-willing neighbors and sympathizers, anti-Semites rounded up and killed between 1,300,000 to 1,800,000 Jews: one bullet at a time. The mass exodus of Jews from Russia to Israel is reasonably well known; the story of the unloved Jews who never got out of Ukraine isn’t. Many remain and we want to be with them there—now (Matt 25:36).
The UMJC has eight new communities in Ukraine, and I am asking you to give generously and show that you stand with them. There are a number of photos I had to choose from to introduce them to you—ones that show the ravages of war, devastation and heartbreak. I’ve opted instead to go with one of a Messianic Jewish, Ukrainian child dedication. It shows hope for the future. Please join me in being an agent of hope by donating today.
If you're interested in some behind the scenes talk, hit the attached video link.
Yours,
Dr. Jeffrey Seif
Executive Director
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations