What to Expect
We want your visit to our congregation to be warm, welcoming, and worshipful. We hope that these questions and answers will help you to get to know more about us. If you have any further questions before or after your visit, feel free to contact us at info@beitzayit.org.
Q. WHAT ARE BEIT ZAYIT’S SERVICES LIKE?
A. In our Shabbat morning service, we utilize a Messianic Jewish Siddur (prayer book) and follow the order for the Shacharit prayer service. We also have a music/worship set, a Torah reading and a short teaching. Most of the prayers are in transliterated Hebrew and include an English translation.The service typically ends around 12:30. At the conclusion of our service we have Kiddish (blessing over the wine and challah).
We then have Oneg (literally means, “Delight”). Oneg consists of a potluck style meal. We love for guests to stay and share in great fell0wship and discussion during Oneg. Visitors are not required to bring anything for the meal.
At 1:30pm we pivot to Torah Club. Torah Club is interactive and typically quite lively! You can sit in to preview Torah Club twice before committing to participate regularly. Torah Club is finished around 3:45pm.
Q. WHAT IS APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR BEIT ZAYIT?
A. While there is no official dress code, most people choose business casual. Services are time spent with God, so it’s always advisable to dress with a degree of modesty in mind.
Kippot (head coverings), though not required, are available for men to wear. There is a basket of kippot on the beitzayit.org information table. Help yourself!
Q. DO I HAVE TO BE JEWISH TO VISIT?
A. No, Beit Zayit is a diverse community, comprised of families from many nations, tribes, and tongues (Revelation 7:9) and many of the regular attenders are from a Christian church background.
Q. WHAT IS MESSIANIC JUDAISM?
A.Judaism provides the foundation of the Christian faith. The Bible is a Jewish book. Yeshua (Jesus) and all his disciples were Jews, living, worshiping, and teaching in Israel. They regularly attended the Temple and synagogue, both central elements in their practice.
When Yeshua was resurrected, a new form of Judaism emerged—Messianic Judaism. It incorporates the familiar and beautiful elements of the faith and practice of the early community of disciples, i.e. Judaism, with a central focus on Jesus as the Messiah of the world.
Messianic Judaism as we define it includes the recognition of the beauty and ongoing validity of Jewish tradition and practice as defined by Yeshua and the writers of the Apostolic Scriptures (the New Testament).
Q. IS BEIT ZAYIT PART OF AN ASSOCIATION OR DENOMINATION WITHIN MESSIANIC JUDAISM?
A. Beit Zayit is currently in courtship with Tikkun America.
We currently give a tenth of all funds donated to First Fruits of Zion and consider them to be our spiritual head.
For more info on Tikkun America, visit tikkunamerica.org.
For more info on FFOZ, go to ffoz.org
Q. WHAT IS THE BEIT ZAYIT STATEMENT OF FAITH?
A. Our statement of faith can be found here. Our mission and vision statements can be found here.
Q. HOW DO I STAY IN TOUCH WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BEIT ZAYIT?
A. Go to our home page. At the bottom of the page, fill out the form that is titled, “Stay in the Know and Join our Newsletter” You will be added to our Beit Zayit Friends email list. This will keep you in the loop for all holiday and special events. We recommend that you also like our page on Facebook to keep up with what’s happening.
Q. DO THE LEADERS AT BEIT ZAYIT ACCEPT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS FOR GROUPS TO LEARN ABOUT MESSIANIC JUDAISM?
A. Yes, we would be happy to discuss a speaking opportunity with your group. Email info@beitzayit.org and we can discuss arrangements.