By Rabbi Rich Nichol
I'll have to admit, I was nervous.
My wife and I were on the way to the beautiful home of one of our member families for one of Ruach Israel's special brunches geared for the many intermarried families in the synagogue. We would eat together and then gather in the den for my lecture/discussion. The topic this time: the MJRC standards regarding the role of non-Jews in the synagogue.
The MJRC will be featuring a series of short articles written by individual members describing successful programs, seminars, events, and activities which reflect and embody the values and vision of our MJRC Mission Statement, and were instituted in our local synagogues. The articles will describe what was done (the What's Cooking part), the success it enjoyed, and how it was done (Here's the Recipe) . This series should serve as an encouragement to other communities, offering ideas for our members and others who share the MJRC values.
"The MJRC consists of ordained Rabbis and associates who promote a life of faithfulness to God's covenant among Jewish followers of Messiah Yeshua by providing realistic and practical guidelines for Messianic Jewish observance."
Our Mission Statement
Rooted in Torah, instructed by Tradition, faithful to Messiah Yeshua
The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC) consists of a group of ordained Rabbis and associated leaders who endeavor to promote a life of covenant faithfulness among Jewish followers of Messiah Yeshua.
Our core mission is to:
- Promote a cohesive vision for Messianic Judaism
- Define normative halakha and standards of faith for our communities
- Serve the professional and personal needs of our members
- Establish high standards of professional competence, ethical behavior, and halakhic conduct for our rabbis
- Mediate and adjudicate disputes among our members
- Facilitate professional placement of our members
The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC) was formally established in May 2006. It consists of a group of ordained Messianic Jewish Rabbis and associated leaders who share a common vision for Messianic Judaism rooted in Torah, instructed by Tradition, and faithful to Messiah Yeshua in the twenty-first century.
The MJRC had its beginnings five years earlier. At that time a set of Messianic Jewish leaders from New England invited some of their colleagues from outside the region to join them in working on a common set of halakhic standards for themselves and their congregations.