Sir Leon Levison presided at this historic moment in the history of the Hebrew Christian Alliance, as storm clouds loomed over the Jewish people in Europe, Messianic Congregations (known as Hebrew Christian Churches) were being formed, and a Hebrew Christian Colony and and immigration to Israel was encouraged.

The meetings discussed:

A. Abraham’s Vineyard Hebrew Christian Colony in Palestine

B. The formation of Hebrew Christian Church  – including Articles of Faith, Constitution and Liturgy for Ordination of Elders and Deacons:

The aims of the Commission on the Hebrew Christian Church were:

“1. To make a survey of the numbers of Hebrew Christians in the World, their locations and if possible their Denominational connections.

2. To report on the desirability and practicability of the suggested Hebrew Christian Religious Body.

3. To draw up a Constitution for the said suggested Hebrew Christian Religious Body.

4. To indicate the Doctrines of the said suggested Hebrew Christian Religious Body.
5. To determine the relation of the said Body to the Universal Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6. To determine its relationship to the Jewish people.” (Report of First Meeting, p. 2)

C. Rising Anti-Semitism in Europe

D. Telegram to the King thanking him for attending the 1^st International Conference in 1925 

E. Proposed Hebrew Christian Alliance colony in Poland

Reflection and Prayer: The flowering of the Hebrew Christian movement in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries was decimated by the Shoah, and here in the 1934 meetings the present problems outweighed the concern for the future possibilities of the State of Israel and the modern Messianic movement. Who knows the future of Israel today, or of the modern Messianic movement, barely 3 generations old?

Master of all worlds

Not because of our righteousness

Do we lay our pleas before you

But because of Your great compassion.

Who are we? What are our lives?

What is our lovingkindness? What is our righteousness?

What is our salvation? What is our strength?

What is our might? What shall we say before You,

LORD our God and God of our ancestors?

Are not all the mighty like nothing before you,

the men of renown as if they had never been,

the wise as if they knew nothing,

and the understanding as if they lacked intelligence?

[from the Sacks Siddur p36]

Passing over the Plot? The Life and Work of Hugh Schonfield (1901-1988) Richard Harvey* (Mishkan 35-57)