What Are Messianic Jews? by R' Shmuel Wolkenfeld

Or HaOlam is a congregation that is called a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. We use that term because we worship the G-d of Israel and Yeshua the Messiah of Israel. Yeshua is the original name of the individual that is now called "Jesus" by many Gentile people. The apparent name change is because the name has gone through several languages. The Greek form of the name had to have an "s" at the end to be masculine in Greek. The "Y" changed into a "J" for similar reasons. When He was on earth, He was Yeshua to his parents, family, and friends. (learn more)

Our Vision And Purpose

The vision and purpose of Or HaOlam, as Rabbi Shmuel sees the khazon, is working to bring Jewish people, and those grafted in, to their covenantal identity in Messiah. Implies:

Salvation through the Atonement of the Messiah. Personal faith in the atoning death and resurrection of Yeshua. It’s all about the King; Covenantal identity of Jewish people, not replacement; Restoration to Torah lifestyle; Restoration/survival of the nation of Israel. [Covenantal identity, so Jewish believers don’t assimilate. Ro 11.15 For if their casting Yeshua aside means reconciliation for the world, what will their accepting him mean? It will be life from the dead!] Statement of Faith: Or HaOlam Messianic Synagogue

I will walk in the light of the Scripture as the inspired Word of G-d. Ps. 119:105; I acknowledge the tri-unity of Adoni, yet that He is also One. Dt. 6:4. (a supra-rational, but not irrational understanding of HaKadosh, the Holy One.) (Download Statement of Faith)

Congregational Vision And Concept by Rabbi Shmuel

Our reason for existence as a Messianic Jewish congregation is the covenants G-d made with our people. In particular, the Abrahamic covenant implies that Abraham’s offspring would serve G-d as a distinct people, with rights to a distinct Land, forever. The Torah, and the Messiah, are the specifics of the terms of that covenant, and the empowerment of that covenant. Since our “constitutional” roots go back to Gen. 12, we are fundamentally a Judaism, not a Christianity.

We are defining Christianity as the predominantly Gentile church, that has been the custodian of the good news of the Jewish Messiah, for the last 1800 years, approximately, and has wedded the message of the Messiah with their indigenous cultures. (Download Vision & Concept)

Volunteer Qualifications

Only those who have committed to honor and respect our Congregational Vision and Concept and our Statement of Faith, will be authorized for participation as a volunteer in any department as well as platform and ministry responsibilities. Such candidates must sign our Statement of Agreement and Commitment indicating that they have no other agenda or doctrine to disseminate in our midst, such as the Book of Mormon, Mary Baker Eddy's writings, the Koran, the Manifest Sons of G-d, Dominion Theology, Ephraimite doctrine, Kabbala, etc., to name a few. (Download Statement of Agreement and Commitment form)

Emergency Preparedness

To see information about emergency preparedness and response resources click here.

The Messianic Jewish View of One Law, Two House, Hebrew Roots

We believe G-d made a unique covenant with the Jewish people, giving them the Land of Israel, the Torah, and an identity as His chosen people. All nations are welcome to enter into the joy of a Torah lifestyle, but that doesn't negate Jewish identity. Find out much more at http://media.cloversites.com/8a/8a6bd14a-1a05-4f26-8dc1-b355631ec972/documents/One_Law_Two_Sticks.pdf

Membership

After months of prayer, study and discussion, Rabbi and the Z’kayneem feel led of HaShem to initiate a much deeper membership covenant. We have carefully reviewed and refined our mission and vision and how we can carry out that vision. Our desire is that we become a scripturally defined family in Messiah—to love, encourage, be committed and accountable, and pray for each other; to serve each other as He has commanded us. (Read Membership Class Booklet) (Download Membership Commitment form)

Conversion to Judaism

This is not practiced by most Messianic congregations because doing so undermines the message of the Messianic Scriptures [New Testament] of Gentiles being grafted into the "olive tree roots." (learn more)

Share Our Vision

If you would like a speaker from Or HaOlam Messianic Congregation to share the vision of the Messianic Jewish awakening to your Church, Sunday School, or Bible Study, please go to the Contact Us tab and click on Rabbi or Office Administrator.

Topics we can share are:

a. The significance of the nation of Israel

  i.  Racism or prophetic destiny

  ii. The role of the nations relative to Israel

b. Jewish roots of the Christian faith. How to really "provoke" the Jewish people to jealousy, without just provoking them.