Since March of this year, we have been in an amazing prophetic swirl in regards to Richmond and Israel. Without going into much of the details, and in light of the wave of anti-Israel sentiment rising in the nations (including our own), we believe the Lord has asked us to focus much of our attention in the next several months to Israel. More than standing from afar and "blessing Israel", we believe that the Lord wants us to connect with those that are living in the land, partner with them, and bring a message to city leaders (governmental, pastoral, marketplace) that Richmond must stand with Israel regardless of the decisions made on a national level. We are convinced that much of the destiny of our community rests on where we land on this important issue. A few facts about Richmond and Israel are below. They are but a small example of some of the unique ways that Richmond is tied to Israel. We believe we are to be proactive in this endeavor and are diligently working towards a large community Passover meal in 2011 with leaders from throughout our city participating in fellowship and making a declaration to bless Israel.

As part of the forward momentum of this vision, we are hosting leaders from Israel. This weekend, we have the great privilege of hosting Pastor Mikhael Murnane from "I Bless Jerusalem" Ministries. Pastor Murnane and his wife Orit, along with their 6 children reside in Jerusalem.

He will be giving us a report of what is going on in the Land including:

• God's call on Israel and the church,
  
• Israeli believers and messianic congregations,
  
• Messianic youth moving in power,
  
• Outreaches and religious persecution,
  
• Messianic soldiers (testimonies and miracles)

To read more about "I Bless Jerusalem" ministries, please go to: IBlessJerusalem.com


Our weekend is split into two locations. This event is free but a love offering will be received.

We hope you will join us for this important weekend. You will also hear more about plans for a community passover next year. Please contact us at 804.658-5164 if you have any questions.

Blessings to you,

Matthew and Sherrie Moore
RIHOP/The Common Thread

Richmond/Israel Connections (short list)

Only military cemetery outside of Israel is located on Shockoe Hill in Richmond, VA.

http://www.fau.edu/library/confederate_cemetery.htm (very interesting article!)

First permanent synagogue community in Virginia during Colonial period - in Shockoe Bottom.

Jews traced their earliest participation in Virginia's life from the 16th century with Sir Walter Raleigh through Jamestown and the revolution. The first permanent synagogue community Kehilah ha Kadosh Beth Shalome, was founded in 1789 in Richmond, Va. Beth Shalome built its first permanent building in 1820 in Richmond. From: http://www.jewishmag.com/80mag/usa3/usa3.htm

Book Chronicling Jewish History in Richmond, Virginia (available at Amazon.com)

Richmond Jewry: 1769-1976, subtitle "Shabbat In Shockoe"
I, Sherrie, recently went with friends to the Holocaust Museum of Virginia (also located in Shockoe Bottom). Jay Ipsen, founder and holocaust survivor, took us on a tour of the museum and gave us some of the unique history of the Jews in Richmond. When asked about the subtitle of the book, he answered "all the Jews that first came to Richmond settled in Shockoe Bottom, we had Shabbat in Shockoe. That is why the Holocaust Museum of Virginia is in Shockoe Bottom. The first synagogue was located on 19th street and much of the wood, the balcony, and the cornerstone of that synagogue was used to build the synagogue in this museum".