Yeshua as Israel's Messiah, Shabbat kept, the feasts of Leviticus celebrated, and the Hebrew roots of the faith held onto.
Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) who see following him as the fulfilment of their Jewish identity rather than the end of it — the shape the very first church had.
Read the storyA service
Gathering on Friday evening or Saturday, with candles, blessing and Hebrew songs.
The Shema, blessings, and worship in Hebrew and English, often with dance.
The week's set reading from the Torah and the Prophets, then a passage from the New Covenant writings.
A message tying the portion to Yeshua, then the Aaronic blessing in Hebrew.
The room
Two candles, a cup of wine and a braided challah loaf, blessed at home as Friday evening begins.
Rest is commanded, not earned. The week is closed with light, bread and blessing before anything else happens.
Seen in · Every Friday evening at home
A cabinet holding the Torah scroll, taken out and carried through the congregation before it is read.
The scroll is treated with honour because these are the words Yeshua himself read and lived by.
Seen in · Shabbat services
A seven-branched lampstand, and prayer shawls worn by many during prayer.
Signs given in the Scriptures, kept because they were never withdrawn — and because they still teach.
Seen in · Congregation and home
Words
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Prayed morning and evening — the prayer Yeshua called the greatest commandment.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you shalom.
Language
Jesus' name in Hebrew.
The seventh-day rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall.
The set weekly reading, the same one read in synagogues worldwide.
The fringed prayer shawl worn during prayer.
Peace — but fuller: wholeness, everything in its place.
Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles — the pilgrim feasts, kept as Messiah-shaped.
The year
Follows the biblical calendar rather than the church year: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Hanukkah — each read as pointing to Yeshua.
Illustrations are artist's impressions, drawn to show the usual pattern. Every church varies.