On the move: Our executive director toured Northern Virginia and Maryland with an exhibition of ancient Hebrew scrolls from the organization Christian Heritage Foundation of Cleburne, TX
In March, CMJ’s Daryl Fenton accompanied the Ancient Hebrew Scroll Project and staff as they visited several churches & schools in Northern Virginia and Maryland, as well as Patrick Henry College and The Institute on Religion & Democracy in Wash., DC.
The TANAKH
The tour was designed to show the wonders of how Biblical Hebrew manuscripts were recorded and preserved by the Jewish people. The collection has been compiled by the Christian Heritage Foundation (of Cleburne, TX) from countries all over the world. They travel annually to educate and inspire lovers of God's Word, and to honor Israel and God's Chosen People.
Biblical Hebrew manuscripts are the Holy Scripture--received, recorded, and preserved by the Jewish people. They have been carefully copied from the originals throughout the millennia. These Ancient Hebrew Scrolls make up the only complete set of the TANAKH (Hebrew Scriptures, or what some refer to as the Old Testament) that is available for the public to see.
Hebrew Scriptures are referred to as the Tanakh
. (To others these are divided into the 39 books of the Old Testament.) The Tanakh is an acronym that stands for Torah (instruction), Neviim (prophets), and Ketuvim (writings). The Ancient Hebrew Scroll Project has all 16 scrolls that make up the Tanakh.
Scrolls in the display are unique, and most of them are 250 years old or older. These ancient scrolls were written in countries all over the world: Israel, Poland, Iraq, Morocco, and Russia, to name a few. However, each scroll at different times and in its own history made its way to Jerusalem and from there was discovered and purchased by this project. Each scroll has a look and a story of its own. Six of the scrolls in the collection were commissioned by this project to be written in Jerusalem by a scribe (sofer) when a worldwide search failed to discover those needed to complete the set. The exhibit includes duplicates of some scrolls making this a collection of 40 scrolls.
If you have not had a chance to see the scrolls, reach out to Christian Heritage Foundation
for their tour schedule. And keep an eye on our events as CMJ USA hopes to display the scrolls in the future.
The LORD has continued to stretch us at CMJ USA in 2025. We're back on social media. We've launched Bridge Builders Essentials. The Emunah Course is nearly done. We are moving the direction the Lord has called us. God wants us to build bridges with our Jewish neighbors, and we are filling up the toolbox for you. Gathering and preparing resources like Bridge Builders Essentials, Jewish/Christian Ministry Guide, and the Emunah Course has a financial cost. As Director Emeritus Philip Bottomley reminds me, "The Lord pays for what he orders." But we also know that the Lord loves to use his saints to be conduits of his abundant provision. We are grateful for those of you who are regular givers. Thank you! You are integral partners. If you are not yet a financial partner, please prayerfully consider coming alongside us.
The latest war has produced outrage and a dangerous rise in antisemitism. Many in the Church are indifferent, while others criticize or support Israel. One thing is lacking: Lament.