Pacific Union Recorder

Congregation Beth Ohavey Torah celebrated Hanukkah in December at the Thousand Oaks church with a party, traditional foods, music, stories and games. In retelling the Hanukkah story and the miracle of the restoration of the temple, the speaker reflected on how Adventists are called to restore God's name and His true Temple today.

Congregation Beth Ohavey Torah ("the house of those who love the Torah"), a ministry of the church in Thousand Oaks, follows a traditional Jewish liturgy to provide opportunities for Jews and Christians to worship together and learn from one another.

This past year, services conducted for Passover, Rosh Hashana and Hanukkah brought Adventist members and their Jewish friends to enjoy deeply spiritual worship services, together with gourmet Jewish cooking courtesy of Christa Reinach.

For the Feast of Trumpets, the blowing of the shofar occurred four times during the service, with worship leader Reinach noting that each blast corresponds to the four final messages of the angels of Revelation 14 and 18. As Rosh Hashana calls Jews to repent before an annual Day of Atonement, so too, the antitype calls on the whole world to repent in anticipation of Judgment Day. Thus, the speaker concluded, "This holiday is a wonderful opportunity for Adventists to review our prophetic calling and ministry, and to teach our children what we believe."

Consistent with Adventist doctrine and policy, the Congregation Beth Ohavey Torah does not advocate that the biblical feasts be "kept" or "must" be observed in a legal sense. Instead, the feasts become opportunities for fellowship, spiritual insight and blessing.

"I have enjoyed attending some of the services at Beth Ohavey and the

High Holiday celebrations," said Nancy Vargas. "I appreciate the Sabbath happiness and calmness that this congregation has shown, and the sense of openness and acceptance for people who have questions. The 'please come as you are' attitude is a nice experience when visiting a church."

The congregation began 2010 eager for the arrival of Paul Lippi from New York to lead out in weekly services. Recording artist Rachel Hyman will assist as cantor for the congregation by combining music ministry and Bible work (www.racheljoyhyman.com).

To join the group's email list and receive notices of scheduled services, e-mail ajreinach@gmail.com.