Today we celebrate the 160th anniversary of Carl Schwarz’s letter inviting Jewish disciples of Yeshua in the United Kingdom to meet together for the purpose of forming the first Hebrew Christian Alliance. It was a modest beginning, yet one that would lead to a significant development in the history of our movement, with the International Alliance formed in 1925, and continuing to the present with some twenty national alliances around the world. The Alliance grew, prospered and served Jewish disciples of Yeshua throughout the turbulent times of the twentieth century, and up to the present day.
The letter (full text here) read:
“It has occurred to us that it would be desirable and profitable that as many Israelites who believe in Jesus as can be brought together should meet in London…”
Its aim was simple but profound:
“Our object is to become acquainted with one another, and to be built up in our holy faith… we believe that this conference for prayer and consultation might issue in a permanent union of Jewish Christian brethren in this land.”
Those who signed this letter were not merely organisers of a meeting. They were among the earliest to recognise the theological and communal significance of Jewish disciples of Yeshua gathering as Jews within the body of Messiah.
The Signatories
Adolphus Frederick Herschell
Herschell was a Polish-born Jewish disciple of Yeshua who became a missionary and pastor among Jewish communities in Britain. He laboured especially in London, combining evangelistic work with pastoral care.
Gidney notes the importance of such figures:
“Men of Jewish birth and training were increasingly employed in work among their own people.”
(W. T. Gidney, History of the London Society, 1908)
Hyman Liebstein
Liebstein represents the many lesser-known Jewish disciples of Yeshua active in London.
Moses Margoliouth (more details see here)
Margoliouth, a learned scholar and clergyman, strongly advocated for Jewish disciples of Yeshua to be recognised as a distinct body.
Gidney writes:
“Dr. Margoliouth was a man of considerable learning and controversial ability.”
(History, 1908)
Tobias E. Neuman
Neuman was among those engaged in ministry among Jewish communities in Britain, part of the emerging network of Jewish workers.
A. Pitowsky
Pitowsky remains obscure, but his inclusion reflects the wider base of Jewish disciples of Yeshua active in mission and fellowship.
Steinhardt
Little is known of Steinhardt, yet he stands among those committed to fostering unity among Jewish believers.
Adolph Saphir (more details see here)
Saphir, a Hungarian-born Jewish disciple of Yeshua, became a respected preacher and theologian.
He wrote:
“There is one people of God, gathered out of Jews and Gentiles.”
(The Divine Unity of Scripture, 1877)
Carl Schwartz (more details see here)
Schwartz was the central organiser of the gathering.
After the meeting he wrote:
“We may boldly say that such a gathering … had not been witnessed since the early days of the Christian Church.”
(Jewish Missionary Intelligence, 1866)
The Gathering and Its Legacy
On May 23, 1866, around eighty Jewish disciples of Yeshua met in London in response to this letter. What began as a simple call to fellowship became the seed of the Hebrew Christian Alliance.
Gidney later reflected:
“The formation of a union among Hebrew Christians was a natural and important step.”
(History, 1908)
This was more than organisation. It was the recovery of a visible expression of Jewish life in Messiah—a sign of God’s ongoing purposes for Israel within the ekklesia.
Happy 160th birthday!
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the vision and faith of those who invited Jewish disciples of Yeshua to gather in what would become the Hebrew Christian Alliance.
Strengthen us in our faith, and gather us in unity and peace, that we may be a living witness to your covenant with Israel and your salvation in the Messiah.
May we be not just a curiosity but a prophetic sign—a faithful testimony to your purposes for Israel and the nations.
In the name of Yeshua our Messiah, Amen.
Hebrew
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לְךָ עַל הַחָזוֹן וְהָאֱמוּנָה שֶׁל הָרִאשׁוֹנִים,
אֲשֶׁר קָרְאוּ לְתַלְמִידֵי יֵשׁוּעַ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהִתְקַבֵּץ בָּאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת.
חַזֵּק אוֹתָנוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָתֵנוּ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה,
וְקַבֵּץ אוֹתָנוּ בְּאַחְדוּת וּבַשָּׁלוֹם,
לְמַעַן נִהְיֶה עֵדוּת חַיָּה לְבְּרִיתְךָ עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל
וְלִישׁוּעָתְךָ בַּמָּשִׁיחַ.
תֵּן שֶׁנִּהְיֶה אוֹת וְלֹא סַקְרָנוּת,
עֵדוּת נֶאֱמָנָה לְתַכְלִיתֶךָ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְלָאוּמּוֹת.
בְּשֵׁם יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ, אָמֵן.
Transliteration
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam,
modim anachnu lecha al hachazon veha’emunah shel harishonim,
asher kar’u le-talmidei Yeshua mibnei Yisrael lehitkabetz ba’aretz hazot.
Chazek otanu be’emunateinu hak’doshah,
ve-kabetz otanu be’achdut uva-shalom,
lema’an nihyeh edut chayah livritcha im Yisrael
ve-lishu’atcha baMashiach.
Ten shenihyeh ot velo sakranut,
edut ne’emanah letachlitecha leYisrael vela’umot.
BeShem Yeshua haMashiach, Amen.
