As an interfaith couple, we were in search of a place of worship that would speak to the important principles that each of us valued from our individual backgrounds. Eric was raised in a traditional and culturally conservative Jewish home. I came from a Christian background with a deep belief in the Messiah. Through answered prayers, a recommendation from a Jewish friend landed us at Ruach Israel. The experience was life changing and a blessing beyond measure.
Eric felt comfortable worshiping G-d in a Jewish space, with familiar practices and prayers from his past. At the same time, I was right at home with the gospels from the New Covenant. We were both captivated by the music and inspired by the message delivered that day. From that day forward, Ruach Israel became our second home. Rabbi Rich was instrumental in providing guidance, education and answering all of our questions about what it meant to be a Messianic Jew.
Over many discussions, Torah studies and prayer with Rabbi Rich and our fast-forming friends in the congregation, Eric became more interested in developing his Jewish faith, and his relationship with G-d with a new belief in Yeshua as his Messiah. His new faith was consecrated in a Mikvah or a Jewish baptism at Ruach. My Christian roots have been enriched with a better understanding of Torah, Jewish culture, and most importantly, an understanding Yeshuaís life and purpose.
Nearly 4 years later, Eric and I are members of Ruach Israel along with our three children, Benjamin, Sara-Grace, and Joshua. Our family life is centered on our faith and love for who we are as Messianic Jews and the light that we can be to the rest of the world. Being an interfaith couple and discovering what we did at this synagogue is proof of how G-d wants us to be united through Yeshua the Messiah.î
Gary, father of five
My family travels 50 miles each way every Shabbat, oftentimes in two separate vehicles to attend Congregation Ruach Israel. And it is worth it! Why? Because every week we experience the ancient yet ongoing sacred romance between G-d and His people, Israel; and we get to hear the Word of G-d delivered to our souls via the written Torah as well as the Living Torah, Yeshua the promised Messiah.
Married in 1999, Evan was raised in a Conservative Jewish home, while Rebekah was raised non-denominational Christian. We discovered Ruach Israel during our first year of marriage and, after a few months of visiting, committed to attending regularly. We found Ruach to be a place where our diverse spiritual backgrounds blended well; we both found the services challenging in some ways and comfortable/familiar in others. For Evan, the observance of Yeshua as Mashiach added a new dimension to his Jewish identity,faith and understanding. For Rebekah, it was humbling to learn about Jewish holidays, customs, beliefs and study all of which informed her already strong belief in Messiah Yeshua.
We became members of the congregation in 2006 and Ruach Israel continues to be a house of worship in which we are both able to partake and participate. We love our fellow congregants and revel in the fellowship each week brings. Encouragement from Rabbi Rich to spend time together on Shabbat has made this congregational family a strong one and we feel so much support from the people with whom we worship. Both of us have found roles to play in service to Ruach: Evan is currently serving on the Board of Directors, handling building operations responsibilities, while Rebekah is active with the Feeding our Family program and does a little music with the Shabbat School kids.
Now raising children, we appreciate the opportunity to offer them a strong foundation in Jewish life and identity, while learning about the redemption available through Messiah Yeshua. To hear our 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Simone, chanting prayers over meals and Adon Olam after services is a blessing; and to know that she is being introduced to the Jewish Messiah gives us great joy. Ruach Israels vibrant services are something that Simone looks forward to each week; she calls it going to music and lists the friends she expects to see there while we are en route.
What a gift this congregation is to our family!
