In the early 90's a new work of G-d came about in Norwich. For probably the first time in the history of Norwich, there now was a Messianic Synagogue for the area. It has never been easy to be a Jew in Norwich. Indeed, Norwich has some of the worst history of Christian anti-Semitism attached to it. One of the most recent forms of the blood-libel actually originated here. This went on to cause the murder of a large number of Jews across the UK and the continent. As such it was entirely appropriate that precisely in Norwich G-d was now establishing a work, which would begin to rectify the old historical wrongs done against the Jewish people here.
Our vision has been to fully develop a Messianic Jewish lifestyle and calling. For too long Jews have been told that if they respond to G-d's salvation they must become Christians and attend church. As Messianics we had to admit that we did not see that pattern reflected in the pages of the Brit Chadashah (Messianic Writings, New Testament). All the Jewish peoplewho responded to Yeshua's offer of salvation remained Jews; they also continued to worship within the Synagogues of their day, and continued to live as Jews within the wider Jewish community. Sadly, history recalls that the early (non-Jewish) theologians began to develop very anti-Semitic doctrines that blighted the Jewish believers' relationship to their unbelieving brothers in the wider community. This forced them to make decisions of allegiance they should never have had to make. Yeshua is the Jewish Mashiach (Messiah) long promised by Torah and the Prophets. He came to the Jewish people in Israel (Roman 'Palestine') as One who had come to His own. Yeshua never departed from the borders of the Land, and more importantly, He never abrogated the Torah (Law), nor taught others to do so. He did teach however how we should be living Torah. This is recorded for us in the pages of the Brit Chadashah (Messianic Writings), alongside the teachings of His first Talmidim (Disciples). This is what we live out as a Messianic Jewish community. It was with this vision given to us by G-d that the Messianic Synagogue was established.
The congregation now provides a home for Jewish people who believe in Yeshua and who want to live out their faith as Jews. It is also a home for non-Jews ( Gerim ) who are called of G-d to work within this vision and be the fruit of Israel's ancient calling to to be a light to the nations. All non-Jews who responded to Yeshua's offer of salvation 2000 years ago began to attend either their local Synagogues or Messianic Synagogues. Churches as they are known today did not exist. So too we provide a place of worship for Gerim who are called to 'walk again the old paths' (Jer 6:16). Many within the wider Jewish community are once again being drawn to re-evaluate who Yeshua is. Jewish academics are challenging the accepted wisdom of Yeshua as the 'Christian' Messiah, preferring to see Him now as 'One of us'. We therefore also welcome any Jewish person who is enquiring about Messianic Judaism, or who simply wants to see for themselves Yeshua's own statements about His Messiahship.
The Torah states that G-d has not forsaken His covenant people, the Jews. He will visit us again, and this time He will ensure our salvation as He has promised to do. As followers of Yeshua we aim to demonstrate to the wider Jewish community a clear Torah lifestyle based on trusting faithfulness. This is our testimony to the salvation achieved for us by G-d through Yeshua the Messiah. This message was the one that went out to the Jewish people living in Israel 2000 years ago, and it's the same message that also went out to the nations. All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
The congregation was renamed to illustrate our central calling and direction: Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue Norwich. We are in membership with the UBMJC (Union of British Messianic Jewish Congregations). This organisation provides an accountability structure demanded by Torah, clear Biblical oversight and protection, supervised rabbinic ordination, as well as defining the parameters of Messianic Jewish practice and belief. It is therefore strongly urged that anyone seeking to discover more about the Messianic movement should get in touch with bona fide congregations associated with this organisation.
Adat Yeshua is lead by Andrew Sheldrake who is the ordained Rabbi. After 5 years of rabbinic training and Yeshivot, and after nearly 12 years of congregational leadership the ordination took place on the 3rd June 2006. The Rabbi is also the Treasurer and Administrator on the Executive of the UBMJC.
Rabbi Andrew Sheldrake,
Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue,
Norwich.