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Why AHC Havurot?
David Moss

The following article was taken from The Hebrew Catholic, issue #74. All rights reserved.

In Hebrew, a havurah [plural, havurot] is a small group of individuals, couples or families who meet on a regular basis for prayer, study or fellowship. The havurah may be independent or organized within the framework of a larger organization, such as a synagogue.

As you have read in The Hebrew Catholic over the past couple of years, I have suggested that small prayer-study-celebration groups be formed. The conviction has grown within me that these groups will play an indispensable role in the development of our work. These groups will also provide critical, if not determinative, input to the Holy See’s evaluation and judgment of our eventual petition to preserve the People Israel within the Church.

This conviction is based upon:

• all that I learned from Fr. Friedman, our founder,

• my conversations with the members of the hierarchy and others that our Lord has enabled me to meet over the last two years, and

• my experience with Catholics, both laity and clergy, and especially Hebrew Catholics, for more than a decade.

In Jewish Identity, Fr. Friedman wrote:

“It has to be recognized that the time is not ripe for a Hebrew community in the Church, here and now. A great deal of preparatory work is necessary.” (Pg. 171)

Certain aspects of our work must be focused on by those with special callings, such as theologians, canon lawyers and bishops. With our relocation to Michigan, it appears that “help is on its way.”

But, other important aspects must be accomplished by us ­ the laity and those with religious vocations who believe in the work of the AHC. And it must be accomplished right in our own backyards.

AHC Havurah: a work of hope ...

Thus, I propose that we of the AHC undertake the development and growth of havurot. An AHC havurah, formed by as few as two people, will meet on a regular basis for prayer, study, fellowship or celebration of the Hebrew Catholic liturgical year.

for the AHC, ...

I believe that AHC havurot will provide a place where people can meet:

• to develop an intimate, orthodox, spirit-filled community committed to mutual support and spiritual growth;

• to pray together for the needs of the AHC, the People Israel, and the Church;

• to study and discuss Fr. Friedman’s ideas, the work of the AHC, the totality of our Jewish heritage and its relationship to our Catholic faith, the Hebrew language, and so forth;

• to celebrate Jewish holy days and feasts within the context of our Catholic faith;

• to attract the people who will administer, continue, and support our work;

• to attract Hebrew Catholics who are scattered among approximately 18,000 parishes in the U.S. and in parishes throughout the world; and

• to begin the renewal of the Hebrew Catholic identity, spirituality and culture dormant since approximately the second century.

for the People Israel, for the Church, ...

I believe that the AHC havurot will:

• transform the work of the AHC from ideas and conversations into concrete realities;

• add a Catholic witness to the Messianic Jewish movement flourishing in the non-Catholic Christian world;

• develop a visible Hebrew Catholic presence to better witness to the Israelite character of the Church;

• provide the pastoral support needed for Jews who have entered the Church as well as those who are searching;

• make an important contribution towards enabling the People Israel to fulfill their vocation and provide a corporate witness to Yeshua;

• enrich the faith and lives of all Catholics as they learn and experience the Jewish roots of our faith;

• support the local parish, through its programs and the witness and zeal of havurah members; and

• finally, serve as one of our Lord’s instruments in the Church’s preparation for all Israel’s recognition of her Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and the return of our Lord.

and for all peoples.

I believe that once established, AHC havurot will:

• be amongst those small vital pilgrim communities of the Church that Cardinal Ratzinger hopes will again become the “salt of the earth;”

• be an integral part of the Holy Father’s “new evangelization,” contributing a vibrant and rich Jewish perspective; and

• prepare the ground for the future Israelite Community, anticipating the day when God will gather all peoples to Himself.

AHC Havurot: in anticipation

Each havurah will be free to plot its own course in accord with the needs and desires of its members. With this freedom, the havurot will serve as the laboratories where ideas and practices will be worked out through discussion and experience. The only current requirement for a havurah to be affiliated with the AHC is that it be faithful and obedient to the Magisterium.

The havurot will not, however, be left without help. From the head office, we will be available for consultation. We will also begin to develop materials that the havurot can use in their meetings for prayer, study and celebration. From the feedback and contributions of the havurot, the materials and guidance will grow.

And on our part: I will commit to giving an introductory talk about the AHC and the hope of our work where ever there is the possibility of a havurah being formed and an informational meeting can be put together; Kathleen will serve as the point of contact at the head office providing counsel and support to the developing havurot.

We look forward to developing a monthly bulletin that will report on our work and the development and activities of the havurot.

AHC Havurot: your involvement

If we are to give flesh to the ideas motivating the work of the AHC, that is, if the work of the AHC is to advance, then we are called to make the commitments that will breathe life and spirit into our work.

We must pray and discern what we can do, what we can give up, what we can rearrange, in order to bring the AHC havurot into existence.

The Messianic Jewish movements are growing at an enormous pace as Jews are discovering their Messiah. Christians of both Jewish and Gentile origins are making the necessary sacrifices and rearrangements in their lives to form new dynamic Messianic Jewish congregations, growing in their own faith and providing a home for the Jews who discover their Messiah.

I have spoken to many Catholics who attend these congregations only because there is nothing equivalent within the Catholic Church. Yet our AHC havurot could provide all that Messianic Jewish congregations provide, and moreover, all within the inexhaustible richness of our Catholic Faith.

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Developing an AHC havurah

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