We are a West Side Jewish congregation serving Jews and Intermarrieds,

passing on to the next generation our joyful commitment to:

The Land of Israel
Jewish Unity
Spiritual Renewal
Yeshua the Messiah and
Torah Living*

Ahavat Zion is affiliated with the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council.

*from Ezekiel 37:21-28

Services

Our weekly Shabbat service begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends about noon.
Come join us in learning, praying, singing, laughing and even crying as we discover what it means to repair a broken world.

It will do no good whatsoever for us to deal in generalities here. “God wants us to be loving,” or, “God wants us to be like Yeshua,” or even, “God wants us to be good Jews.” All of these are very nice, but totally inadequate because life is not lived in generalities but in specifics. What specifically does God want us particularly to do? Or did never specify? If he never specified, then it is at the very least cruel for him to require us to follow his lead. Without specifying there is no lead.

As I analyze the thrust of Scripture, I conclude that the Messianic Jewish Remnant in particular is specifically called by God to serve as a sign, demonstration, and catalyst of God’s consummating purposes for Israel, and thereby, a blessing to all nations.

The prophets indicate time and again that God’s consummating purposes for Israel include at least seven aspects, summarized nicely for us in Ezekiel 37:21-28:

1. return to the Land (of Israel)
2. spiritual renewal
3. Jewish unity
4. return to Torah-based covenant faithfulness
5. gathering to the Messiah, in allegiance to him
6. communal experience of the Divine Presence
7. vindication of God’s Name through vindication of Israel as His people

The Messianic Jewish Remnant ought to continually and actively serve as a sign, a demonstration, and a catalyst of these consummating purposes for Israel, applauding and assisting wherever and whenever any of the seven areas mentioned above are being advanced, making a practical difference, and measurable progress.

Anything less is unacceptable passivity.

And God never called us to passivity: he called us to service.

Have fun!

Here is how the 10 minute time goes:

1. Begin with the traditional blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu la’asok b’divrei Torah.

Blessed are you O’Lord our God, king of the universe, who sanctifies us by his commandments and commands us to immerse ourselves in the Torah.

To print out the Hebrew, download this pdf file.

2. Review with the children the name of this week’s Torah portion and its meaning. If it is a special Shabbat, like the beginning of the new Torah reading cycle, ask what is special about this Shabbat.

3. Ask questions that begin simple and get progressively more difficult (your Torah Talk will always be for the children of the congregation. Every 4th week Michael Kashdan will be leading a Torah Talk for adults and children).

4. Include an insight that connects the Parashah to Yeshua, the Apostolic Writings or the New Covenant.

5. Include an insight or two from the rabbis. For this, check the notes in the Stone Chumash or Chabad Parsha page.

6. Throw boxes of raisins to the children when they give you good answers to your questions, even if the answers are not perfect. Make sure they raise their hands before you call on them.

7. Keep an eye on the watch. You have 10 minutes max from beginning to end. I will keep track of the time as a backup. If we both blank, Rabbi Stuart will play music or poke you on the back with a smile

8. End by saying, “Ze HaKol” (That’s all).