Are you “Jews for Jesus?”
No, Tikvat Yisrael is not “Jews for Jesus.” “Jews for Jesus” is an evangelistic
organization. We are members of the Messianic Jewish Association of America
(MJAA), and the I.A.M.C.S. (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues)



Does Tikvat Yisrael follow the "Two House” doctrine?
No. Tikvat Yisrael considers this as a man-made doctrine.
See: this link: http://www.mjaa.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=
5143&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=1022

How do I dress, or what do we wear?
How would you dress to meet someone you consider important?
You are coming to worship G-d. Dress with this purpose in mind,
and you should feel comfortable.

I am not born Jewish, will I be comfortable in your service?
Approx. 35% are Jewish and 65% are non-Jewish, but have the heart of Ruth.
Come: You will be blessed more than you will imagine.

What is the difference between Messianic Jews and Hebrew Christians?
There are important similarities, yet differences, between “Hebrew
Christians," also known as "Jewish Christians" and Messianic Jews.

Hebrew Christians:
Hebrew Christians are Jewish people who identify themselves as Christians.
They are (mostly) members of Protestant and Catholic congregations.
Usually, they are not so strict about observing Kashrut
(Jewish dietary laws), the Sabbath, or the Feasts.
They are generally assimilated culturally into the Christian mainstream,
although they retain a strong sense of their Jewish identity.
They have a strong desire to pass on their Jewish identity to their children.

Messianic Jews:
Messianic Jews consider their primary identity to be "Jewish" and
belief in Yeshua (Jesus) to be the logical conclusion of their "Jewishness."
They try to structure their worship according to Jewish norms.
They circumcise their sons.
They (mostly) abstain from non-kosher foods.
They observe the Sabbath, and the Feasts.
Most do not use the label "Christian" to describe themselves.
They also have a strong desire to pass on their Jewish idenity and
culture to their children.

What is the “Heart of Ruth?”
Ruth, a Gentile, took care of her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. She accepted the culture of the Jewish people, and the belief of the Jewish God. Scripture records the vow she made:
“But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
“Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17)
This is the “Heart of Ruth.”


Why do people say Messianic Judaism is Christianity?
It is because of Messianic Judaism’s belief in Yeshua (Jesus).
The “Messianic Judaism is Christianity” statement comes from the rabbical Judaism, and is because we believe in Yeshua (Jesus). This is understandable since the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Holocaust were done in the name of Jesus.
We follow the Sabbath, the Feasts, and the dietary instructions as written in scripture. Christianity, typically, does not.

Why do we dance in the service?
Ps. 149:3: "Let them praise His name with dancing;Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre
Ps. 150:4: "Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe."

Why do we light candles?
In our congregation we are a mishpocha (family) and we light our Shabbat candles to usher in the Shabbat as a family.

Why do we raise our hands in worship?
Ps. 63:4 "So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy Name"
Ps. 134:2 "Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless the Lord"

Will I be attending a church or a synagogue service?
Tikvat Yisrael is a Messianic Jewish synagogue. The liturgy is in Hebrew and English. The songs in the praise and worship are both in Hebrew and English. The sermons are in English. Through the liturgy, the praise and worship, and the sermons we lift up the name of Yeshua (Jesus).