CMJ USA

05/28/2026

To when our 2025 pilgrimage group went to Corinth and Cenchrea, Greece!

Want to be in our next pilgrimage group?

🔗 Click the link:

https://cmj-usa.org/greece2026

05/27/2026

What does it mean to “rightly divide truth from myth” when it comes to the Jewish people, Israel, and the Church?

Excerpt:

Carl: In time I began to notice and observe that there were negative attitudes in the church toward Jewish people and it really struck me one day when one of my former students came to my office and he said he'd written a book and wanted my endorsement if I could offer it to him. I read the book. It was a book that reflected an antisemitic attitude toward the Jewish people, blaming the Jewish people for the problems that we have in the United States, saying that the liberal Jews had infiltrated the government, the courts and the businesses and that the Jewish people were to blame. When he came back to my office, I told him frankly, "I hope this book is never published because it is antisemitic."

That just catapulted me into seeking to protect Christians from negative thoughts about the Jewish people. I remember the first time I visited Yad v'Shem, the memorial to the Holocaust, and I recognized the damage that antisemitism can bring to the world and especially to the Jewish people.

In 2024, I was in Israel at the Jerusalem University College and attended a Christ Church where David is the rector. In his sermon he mentioned that he was taking a group to Poland and that they were going to study the history of the Jewish people in Poland and their experience in the Holocaust. I went up to him after the service and I said I'm really interested in the Jewish people and I teach understanding Judaism at Western Seminary. I remember David's words of response to me. He said, "Carl, this trip is for you."

As Nancy and I explored what the trip was going to entail, we decided we needed to do this. It was a great experience being with David and Carol, and I realized that I needed to write on this subject. I began developing my book, Understanding Judaism, which has been recently published. In the book I tell of the different streams of Judaism. I tell of the history of Judaism. I tell of the Holocaust—I devote four chapters to the Holocaust—and then Jewish culture, Jewish home life and then dealing with my own experience in Judaism.

I have a Jewish son-in-law, and we love him. He's a wonderful man, wonderful father, wonderfully caring for his family. We've enjoyed getting acquainted with his family as well. I've talked to my son-in-law about the Lord, and he's heard my message. We're seeking to love him, and we don't know what the Lord has for him. We're praying that God would do a work in his life as he's done a work in all of our lives. If God can bring the Apostle Paul to saving faith in the Lord Jesus as his personal Messiah, he can do the same thing for my son-in-law.

Read the full article here:
https://share.google/6IQBihHRImqUEQyti

05/26/2026

“There’s a question many Jewish people are quietly asking right now: Are we safe here anymore?”

In this clip from the (915) Talk podcast, Cariño Casas reflects on the reality that Jewish communities across America are carrying deep fear and vigilance in the wake of rising antisemitism. From Pittsburgh to Michigan and beyond, attacks against Jewish spaces don’t stay local — they echo through the entire community.

Checking in on our Jewish neighbors shouldn’t only happen after tragedy. Solidarity, compassion, and vigilance matter every day.

05/21/2026

Pentecost wasn’t the beginning of a new story—it was the fulfillment of an ancient promise.

The tongues of fire in Acts 2 echo back to Mount Sinai and Shavuot, when God gave His Torah to Israel. At Sinai, His voice went out to the nations. In the Upper Room, His Spirit was poured out on all flesh.

What was once written on stone is now written on hearts. Through Jesus the Messiah, God is calling Jew and Gentile alike into the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31—restoring what was broken at Babel and empowering us to love through His Holy Spirit. 🔥🕊️

05/20/2026

What does it look like to honor two faith traditions under one roof?
For millions of Jewish-Christian couples, faith isn’t just personal — it’s part of everyday life, conversations, holidays, family traditions, and spiritual identity. That’s why CMJ USA is excited to partner with 1 New Man Ministries to launch a FREE weekly Bible study designed specifically for those navigating mixed Jewish-Christian relationships.
This isn’t about one person giving up their identity for the other. It’s about discovering unity, reconciliation, and deeper understanding through Scripture and the Jewish roots of the faith.
Each week, participants will explore readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, engage in authentic conversation, ask honest questions, and connect with others who understand the beauty and complexity of living “in-between.”
📖 Saturdays at 10 AM ET
💻 Online via Zoom
💲 Free to attend
Whether you’ve ever felt “too Christian” for the synagogue or “too Jewish” for the church, this study offers a welcoming space to grow, learn, and walk together.

Announcing the Jewish/Christian Couple Bible Study https://share.google/zS1M3owOtpOICs7mR

The Church's Ministry Among Jewish People in the USA. Jesus is Jewish. Stop Antisemitism. Build Bridges.

05/13/2026

Most believers know about the resurrection.
Many celebrate Pentecost.

But far fewer stop to think about what happened on Day 40.

During the Counting of the Omer — the 50 days between Firstfruits and Shavuot — Yeshua appeared alive to His disciples again and again. Scripture says He spent 40 days proving He had truly risen from the dead and teaching about the Kingdom of God.

Every post-resurrection appearance happened during this season.

Then came Day 40.

The Ascension.

And it was far more than a “goodbye.”

When Yeshua ascended into heaven, He was enthroned as the Son of Man spoken of in Daniel 7 — the One who comes with the clouds before the Ancient of Days and receives everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never end.

This is why the Ascension matters so deeply.

It is the moment the risen Messiah is revealed not only as Savior, but as King of Kings and our Great High Priest.

When Jesus stood before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, He declared: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The religious leaders understood exactly what He was claiming.

He was identifying Himself with the heavenly Son of Man in Daniel’s vision — the human figure who ascends to God’s throne and rules over all nations forever.

The resurrection proved He conquered death.
The ascension revealed He reigns.

The apostles preached this boldly: Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. He reigns with all authority in heaven and on earth. And even now, He intercedes for us.

Ten days later came Shavuot (Pentecost), when the Holy Spirit was poured out in Jerusalem.

The King ascended… and then sent His Spirit.

The resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost are not disconnected events. They are one unfolding story of redemption, fulfillment, and kingdom.

So as we count toward Shavuot, pause on the 40th day of the Omer and remember:

Yeshua the Messiah is alive.
Yeshua the Son of Man is enthroned in heaven.
And Yeshua reigns forever.

“He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” — Acts 1:9

Read more here:

40th Omer: Jesus, the Son of Man, is enthroned in heaven https://share.google/ZDdxs8hpuATgFnO6c

05/12/2026

What if the Ascension wasn’t the end of the story… but the moment Yeshua took His throne?
During the Counting of the Omer, we remember the 40 days after the resurrection when Yeshua appeared to His disciples, proving He was alive. Then came Day 40: the Ascension.
This was more than a farewell. It was enthronement.
When Yeshua called Himself the “Son of Man,” He pointed back to the vision in Daniel 7—a human figure ascending before the Ancient of Days and receiving authority, glory, and an everlasting kingdom.
Our Messiah is not only risen—He reigns.
As we continue counting toward Shavuot, may Day 40 remind us that our Great High Priest intercedes for us even now, seated at the right hand of Power.

Learn more here:

40th Omer: Jesus, the Son of Man, is enthroned in heaven https://share.google/ZDdxs8hpuATgFnO6c

05/11/2026

There are some places in the world where history feels close enough to touch. Greece is one of them.
There is a specific kind of wonder that comes over you when the Bible moves from the black-and-white text of a page into the vibrant, living reality of the land where these events actually happened. Scripture suddenly feels less distant. The journeys become real roads. The names become real cities. And the people we read about become far more than characters on a page.
That is exactly why CMJ USA is thrilled to announce the newest Shoresh Study Tours itinerary: our return to Greece on October 22–30, 2026.
After the deeply meaningful impact of our 2025 “Jewish Paul in Greece” tour, we knew this was not simply a one-time experience. We are heading back for another 9-day journey through the mountains, ruins, synagogues, riversides, and ancient cities connected to the ministry of the Apostle Paul—or as we love to remember him, Rav Shaul.
But this trip is about much more than sightseeing.
Our 2025 tour taught us that traveling through Greece with a Jewish-root perspective completely transforms the way you read the New Testament. We didn’t just visit ancient ruins—we explored the Jewish world of the first century and witnessed how the Gospel spread from Israel into the pagan Greek world.
One of the most powerful moments from last year came in the old Jewish quarter of Veria, standing near the synagogue and the famous “Step of Paul” in Berea. It was a vivid reminder that whenever Paul entered a new city, his first stop was almost always the synagogue. He wasn’t creating a new religion disconnected from Israel. He was proclaiming the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people and inviting the nations into that story.
Another unforgettable moment came while sitting beside the Zygaktis River in Philippi—the traditional site where Lydia, the first Christian believer in Europe, was baptized. Reading the book of Acts while standing in the very place those events unfolded creates a connection to Scripture that words alone can hardly explain.
And now, in 2026, we are building on that same vision.
Led by The Rev. Cariño Casas in partnership with Shoresh Study Tours, this journey is intentionally designed as “study-travel”—a deeply immersive experience focused on the Jewish context of the Gospel and the early Church.
We will walk through Thessaloniki and Philippi, exploring the places where the early church first began to grow under Roman rule. We’ll stand in ancient theaters and visit the ruins of sites connected to Paul’s imprisonment and ministry.
We’ll ascend into the breathtaking heights of Meteora, where monasteries seem to float in the sky atop towering sandstone cliffs. These incredible structures serve as a striking reminder that, nearly 2,000 years later, Greece still bears the imprint of the Gospel that first arrived through Paul’s ministry.
In Delphi, once considered the religious center of the Greek world, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual environment Paul encountered when proclaiming the one true God in a culture filled with idols, temples, and the Greek pantheon.
And of course, we’ll visit Athens and Ancient Corinth—standing on Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the philosophers of Athens, and at the Bema Seat in Corinth, where he stood trial.
This journey is not only for scholars or pastors. It is for anyone who longs to deepen their understanding of Scripture, experience the beauty and culture of Greece, and encounter the Bible in a way that changes how they read it forever.
When you stand in these places, the New Testament no longer feels disconnected from its Jewish roots. You begin to see it as the continuation of God’s covenant story—a Jewish story that reached outward to the nations.
Tour Details: 📍 Dates: October 22–30, 2026 📍 Route: Thessaloniki → Philippi → Veria → Meteora → Delphi → Athens → Corinth 📍 Host: The Rev. Cariño Casas 📍 Price: $4,398 with flights from New York City (double occupancy)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight”—but sometimes, seeing where the walk began makes the faith even stronger.

Learn more here:
https://www.cmj-usa.org/tracing-the-paths-of-paul-and-the-jewish-people-in-greece #&gid=1214418316&pid=4

05/08/2026

✨ “Well worth taking this trip. A wonderful opportunity to experience and to have the scriptures come to life!” — Liz, 2025 Greece Tour participant
Walking where the Apostle Paul walked changes the way you read the Bible forever. From ancient cities to breathtaking landscapes, every stop on the CMJ USA Greece Tour offers a deeper connection to Scripture and the history of the early Church.
Join us for an unforgettable journey through Greece as we explore the places where faith, history, and the Gospel intersect. 🇬🇷📖
Learn more here:

https://cmj-usa.org/greece2026

05/07/2026

There is a growing conversation happening within the global Church—one that we cannot afford to ignore. It’s a conversation about identity, history, and the dangerous consequences of forgetting where our faith comes from.

Recently, an Anglican bishop spoke out against what he described as a troubling trend: an attempt to separate the Church from her Jewish roots. This isn’t just a theological nuance—it’s a shift with real consequences, especially as antisemitism continues to rise not only in the world, but even within Christian spaces.

During a visit to Jerusalem, Bishop Julian Dobbs—who serves in the Anglican Church in North America and is also connected with CMJ USA—addressed this issue head-on. Speaking from the very land where our faith was born, he highlighted a growing misunderstanding of Scripture that is fueling division and, in some cases, hostility.

At the heart of the problem is how we read the Bible.

Too often, passages—especially in the Gospels—are taken out of their historical and cultural context. The narrative surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, for example, has sometimes been misused to place blame broadly on the Jewish people. But as Bishop Dobbs points out, this interpretation ignores both the complexity of the situation and the words of Jesus Himself.

“Father, forgive them.”

Those words matter. Context matters. And truth matters.

The bishop challenges us to ask deeper questions: Who was really present in those moments? Was it a small group? A manipulated crowd? And how have centuries of misinterpretation shaped attitudes that persist even today?

This isn’t just about correcting history—it’s about confronting the present.

As conflict continues in the Middle East, tensions often spill over into how people view Jewish communities worldwide. And tragically, that includes within the Church. What should be a place of truth, reconciliation, and love can become a place where misunderstanding takes root.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

The Church was never meant to be disconnected from its Jewish foundation. Jesus was Jewish. The apostles were Jewish. The Scriptures we cherish are deeply rooted in Jewish history, culture, and covenant. To separate the Church from that identity is to lose part of the story God has been telling from the beginning.

This is why conversations like these matter.

They invite us to return to Scripture with humility. To learn. To listen. And to stand against antisemitism in all its forms—not just in the world, but within our own communities.

Because faithfulness isn’t just about what we believe—it’s about how we understand, how we respond, and how we love.

If this resonates with you, take time to reflect, to study, and to engage in these important conversations. The future of the Church depends on how we hold onto the truth of our past.

Read more here: https://www.cmj-usa.org/acna-bishop-fights-church-antisemitism-decries-move-to-separate-the-church-from-her-jewishness

05/06/2026

“That’s just plain antisemitism.”

When anger over war turns into targeting Jewish people who have nothing to do with it—we need to call it what it is.

A Jewish ambulance in London isn’t responsible for decisions made in Israel.
Hate doesn’t become justified just because people are upset.

As Christians, we’re called to stand for truth, reject antisemitism, and reflect the heart of Jesus.

🎧 Full conversation linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg8qK1djwoI&t=548s