Rabbi Michael Wolf: "... we are a spiritual remnant that is part of the larger Jewish community."


Our guest is rabbi Michael Wolf of Beth Messiah Synagogue (Loveland, Ohio)

Dear Michael, we, Jews, are one people. But often the Jewish community doesn't recognize Jews believing in Yeshua (Jesus). How can Messianic Jewish movement to solve this problem in order to Jewish believing in Yeshua would be a part of the big Jewish community?
- I don't think we can solve this problem in our own strength. But we must first know in our hearts that we are a spiritual remnant that is part of the larger Jewish community. Then we must reach out to Jewish people around us with this vision and confidence. God defines who we are, not man. Also, it is good for us to participate in important community functions and to support our people in an increasingly hostile world. We are also involved in some godly humanitarian aid to our people in need. This comes from the heart and our people see that.

There are Messianic Jewish congregations and Messianic synagogues. What name is more correct?
- Both names are fine. They both reflect places where Jewish believers and others who feel called congregate. Both terms are used interchangeably. The Messianic Jewish Alliance has a congregational organization I belong to called the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues. The name reflects the legitimacy of both terms.

Please tell us a little about your synagogue, about yourself and your family.
- I was brought up in a traditional Jewish home in Philadelphia. I got good Jewish education (I met my wife Rachel in Jewish day school when we were 13 years old) but became an agnostic. I accepted Yeshua with Jewish believers when I was 20, in 1971. His presence came into my room and He pointed out Isaiah 53 to me. God became very real in my life. I had been going with Rachel. A few months later she came to know Yeshua. We married in 1974. God called me to lead Beth Messiah in the Cincinnati area in 1977. We were part of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, which had been founded as the Hebrew Christian Alliance in 1915. God was moving by His Spirit in that organization and many congregations were formed. Beth Messiah had been started by Martin Chernoff in 1971 and was one of the first modern Messianic synagogues. The congregation had lost members after Chernoff left and there were only a few people there. We came by faith and God honored His promise and blessed the congregation. We have grown significantly and seek to be a beacon of light to our community. 

We have three children, one of whom is married.