Issue 21 - Summer/Fall 2006
The Summer/Fall 2006 edition of Kesher is a theme issue
dedicated to outreach in the context of Messianic Judaism. Some articles focus
on the biblical teachings and theology of outreach, while others center on the
practical outworking of outreach. All the articles take into account the
individual and communal dimensions of outreach and provide insight into the
current state of outreach in the Messianic Movement today.
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Articles and Book Reviews... |
 | David Rudolph(This article is based on a message given at the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregation's annual conference in 2006.)
On the Jewish calendar, today is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath before the 9th of Av. On Shabbat Chazon, it is traditional to reflect on the reasons for the destruction of the two Temples. Why were they destroyed? While various explanations are given in Scripture and tradition, it is notable that tradition traces the Second Temple's destruction back to...Read More >> |
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 | Jonathan Kaplan
Messianic Judaism[1]
is currently undergoing a reappraisal of its modes and philosophy of outreach.
In some sectors of the movement, traditional paradigms of evangelistic outreach
are being reaffirmed.[2]
In other sectors new paradigms about the nature of Messianic Judaism and
outreach are being developed.[3]
This climate of reevaluation provides an opportunity to revisit old biblical
texts with fresh eyes to see what they have to offer in terms of our thinking
about outreach.
In approaching the Hebrew Bible to
see what lessons it has to offer about outreach,...Read More >> |
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 | Stuart Dauermann
Missionary statesman and missiologist Lesslie Newbigin suggests we think of mission as "an action in which the Holy Spirit does new things, and brings into being new obedience."1 This dynamic insight challenges those who name the name of Yeshua to ask what new thing the Holy Spirit is doing today and what new obedience he is seeking to engender in the church, the Messianic Jewish movement, and the Jewish people. These questions are especially pressing considering indications that we are...Read More >> |
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 | Mitch Glaser
The reflections in this
paper represent my personal pilgrimage in the wonderful field of traditional
Jewish missions. Yes, missions. I believe we might be post certain
aspects associated with traditional Jewish missions, but there are still many
wonderful things being done for Yeshua by Jewish missions. This would include
the planting of Messianic congregations in areas where the current
congregational movement is unable to work because of limited personnel and
financial resources-New York City, Israel, the former Soviet Union, and Latin
America are examples and there are...Read More >> |
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 | Daniel C . Juster
It would be very interesting to do an objective
survey on outreach in Israel
with all the proper sociological-statistical controls. To my knowledge, there
has been no such survey, only a statistical study on Israeli Messianic Jewish
congregations by Kai Kjaer-Hansen that is already quite dated.1 In lieu of such a survey, I will have to depend
on personal observations and conversations with leaders and Israelis.
My wife, youngest
daughter and I make Israel
our primary home, although we also maintain a home in the United...Read More >> |
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 | Gavriel Gefen
The nation of Israel was originally established having already from the outset a primary destiny and calling to bless and be a light to the nations . This destiny and calling is evident in each of the covenants made with Israel . It is not merely a relic of our past, but a very real living part of our people’s future . Within modern Messianic Judaism, we are beginning to experience a rekindled awareness of this dimension of the restoration of Israel...Read More >> |
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 | Joshua Brumbach
Messianic Judaism[1] has
always been committed to outreach, and it is outreach that is often defined as
the primary purpose for the existence of Messianic Jewish congregations and
ministries. This heavy emphasis on outreach to fellow Jews, and pooling
resources that further this cause, has long been a core value of Jewish
believers. Since its inception, the Messianic movement has been committed to
continual growth, particularly with the emphasis that this growth will come
from Jewish people coming en masse to faith in Yeshua.
In recent...Read More >> |
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 | Kiel Cooper
Being effective in
Jewish outreach is not a strategy; it is a lifestyle. Genuine care and concern
for others is the foundation for sharing the good news about Messiah.
Flipping the Paradigm
Nassau County
on Long Island is home to about 330,000 Jewish
people. The vast majority of those-85 percent or more by some estimates-are not
religiously observant. They attend synagogue for High Holy Days and Bar/Bat
Mitzvot, but otherwise prefer not to go. Religious observance is not an
attraction for this population and yet many of...Read More >> |
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Articles and Book Reviews
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Book Review | Jon Olson (reviewer)2006-11-08 16:54 | | (Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2004. 188 PP.)
John W. Miller, professor...Read More >> |
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Book Review | Jonathan Kaplan and Noel Rabinowitz (reviewers)2006-11-08 16:59 | |
(Hanover, Nh: Elijah, 2005. 332 PP.)
Daniel Gruber's recent
work, The...Read More >> |
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