Regularly Scheduled Events
Shabbat Service Time:
Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
We have oneg (covered-dish meal) every other week, after the service. If you desire to partake with us, call us and find out when we will have the next oneg and what is and is not appropriate to bring for the meal.
During the week:
On Tuesday nights we periodically present a beginner's course, called HaYesod. This program is produced by First Fruits of Zion. For more info on this program, go here. And, for more info about where and when the class is held, call us and ask for Michael.
On Wednesday nights we have what is called "Rabbi Michael's Book Club". It's not what you think - we aren't asking you to join a club where you will be purchasing books. Instead, a group of us is reading through books that are selected by Rabbi Michael. These books are specifically selected to help all of us know how to better live for G-d, through the Messiah Yeshua. Besides merely reading through the book, time is given, periodically, to make comments, to ask questions and to generally discuss the content of what was just read. We would like to have you join us for this time. If you want to join us, we do require you to purchase your own copy of the book we are reading through. For more info about where and when we meet, call us and ask for Rabbi Michael.
To get a chart of 2010/2011 Torah and Holy Day readings, go here.
Upcoming Events!
Summer/Fall 2011
Tisha B'Av (August 9, 2011) - Tisha B'Av means the 9th of the month of Av. On this date the most tragic events throughout Israel's history have occurred. It is actually very uncanny and points to the fact that God has had to do with these events happening on this particular date. Why? Because it was on this very date that ten of the twelve spies from Israel gave a bad report about the land of Kena'an (Canaan) to the people of Israel, despite what God had declared. As a result of this bad report, the people of Israel were doomed to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all of that generation had died, save for the two spies who believe God (Kalev [Caleb] and Y'hoshua [Joshua]). That tragic day cursed that date for the people of Israel throughout history. Each year, on this date, Jews all over the world fast, mourn, pray and repent. The Book of Lamentations is read, as well as other select passages. People spend the day sitting on the floor. They do not bathe, shave and wear no leather or jewelry. Each year there is also a constant fear that a new tragedy will befall the people of Israel on this date. Just to cite two major tragedies, out of a long list, that occurred on this day, would be the destruction of BOTH Temples.
Our observance, this year, will be held at the home of Rabbi Michael & Deborah Wallace, Monday evening, August 8, 2011, 7:00 PM. For directions, call the synagogue office at 903-526-7675.
Rosh HaShanah (September 29, 2011) - Literally translated, Rosh HaShanah means 'head of the year'. This day is considered the civil New Year for Jews worldwide. The Jewish people actually maintain several 'new years'. According to God, however, the religious new year is to begin with the month of Aviv. The Scripture refers to this day, instead, as Yom HaTeruah - the 'Day of Blowing' - as this is the day set aside by God for blowing the shofars. We gather on this day, in our synagogues, to specifically hear the sound of the shofar. The tradition states that we hear a total of 100 sounds of the shofarot on this day.
AYZ's celebration will be held the evening of September 28, 2011, at the synagogue. Come join us for shofar blasts, apples and honey and a whole salmon.
Yom Kippur (October 8, 2011) - Yom Kippur means 'Day of Atonement'. It is a day of fasting and sober introspection. This day is also called 'The Day of Judgment'. This was the day, during the existence of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and both Beit HaMikdash 1 and 2 (The Temples), that the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) entered the Kadosh Kodashim (Holy of Holies) to offer the blood of a lamb slaughtered for atonement for the nation of Israel. Without the Temple, Jews did not know what to do to fulfill this necessity. The rabbis formulated a response, which says that if the Jewish people will commit to the 'Three Ts' (Tefillah [prayer], Tzedakah [acts of charity] and T'shuvah [repentance]) these would take the place of the sacrifice and they would be forgiven. And, if you did these things, there was a better chance that your name would be written in the Book of Life for another year. As Messianics, we do not believe this is enough to be forgiven. Instead, we have the remedy to sin, in that we understand that Yeshua was the lamb slaughtered for atonement and by trusting in His work, we have the forgiveness we need and our names have been written in the Book of Life, not for just a year, but for eternity. We, however, still gather to corporately confess sin an ask forgiveness, as we, as a people, have sinned before God this year.
Our observance will be held both Friday evening, October 7, 2011, at 7:00 PM, at the synagogue, for a Kol Nidre service and Saturday morning, October 8, 2011, 10:00 AM, for a special Shabbat service.
Sukkot (October 12 - 19, 2011) -
Hoshanah Raba (October 19, 2011) -
Shemini Atzeret (October 20, 2011) -
Simchat Torah (October 21, 2011) -
Chanukkah (December 20 - 28, 2011) -
