Are you “Jews for Jesus?”
No, Gesher Shalom is not “Jews for Jesus.” “Jews for Jesus” is an evangelistic
organization. We are members of the Messianic Jewish Association of America
(MJAA), and the I.A.M.C.S. (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues)

Can you give me directions?
To give directions require a starting point. Here is a link to “MapQuest.” Place
the following address as your ending location: 6969 Venture Circle
Orlando, 32807, and put your address as the starting location. MapQuest
will give you directions to print out or copy.

Do we have Spanish Translation?
Yes

Does Gesher Shalom follow the "Two House” doctrine?
No. Gesher Shalom considers this a man-made doctrine.
See: this link: http://www.mjaa.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=
5143&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=1022

How do I dress, or what do we wear?
How would you dress to meet someone you consider important?
You are coming to worship G-d. Dress with this purpose in mind,
and you should feel comfortable.

I am not born Jewish, will I be comfortable in your service?
Approx. 35% are Jewish and 65% are non-Jewish, but have the heart of Ruth.
Come, you will be blessed more than you can imagine.

What is the difference between Messianic Jews and Hebrew Christians?
There are important similarities, yet differences, between “Hebrew
Christians," also known as "Jewish Christians" and Messianic Jews.

Hebrew Christians:
Hebrew Christians are Jewish people who identify themselves as Christians.
They are (mostly) members of Protestant and Catholic congregations.
Usually, they are not so strict about observing Kashrut
(Jewish dietary laws), the Sabbath, or the Feasts.
They are generally assimilated culturally into the Christian mainstream,
although they retain a strong sense of their Jewish identity.
They have a strong desire to pass on their Jewish identity to their children.

Messianic Jews:
Messianic Jews consider their primary identity to be "Jewish" and
belief in Yeshua (Jesus) to be the logical conclusion of their "Jewishness."
They try to structure their worship according to Jewish norms.
They circumcise their sons.
They (mostly) abstain from non-kosher foods.
They observe the Sabbath, and the Feasts.
Most do not use the label "Christian" to describe themselves.
They also have a strong desire to pass on their Jewish idenity and
culture to their children.

What is the “Heart of Ruth?”
Ruth, a Gentile, took care of her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. She accepted the culture of the Jewish people, and the belief of the Jewish God. Scripture records the vow she made:
“But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
“Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17)
This is the “Heart of Ruth.”

What time are your services?
We have services on Friday night and Saturday morning. On Friday night, the services start at 8:00pm. It should finish around 10:00pm. On Saturday morning, the service is more formal, with the Torah precession. It starts at 11:00am, and should finish between 1:00 – 1:20pm.

Where are you located?
Our new address is 6969 Venture Circle Orlando, 32807. Visit our contact us page to find directions.

Why do people say Messianic Judaism is Christianity?
It is because of Messianic Judaism’s belief in Yeshua (Jesus).
The “Messianic Judaism is Christianity” statement comes from the rabbical Judaism, and is because we believe in Yeshua (Jesus). This is understandable since the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Holocaust were done in the name of Jesus.
We follow the Sabbath, the Feasts, and the dietary instructions as written in Scripture. Christianity, typically, does not.

Why do we dance in the service?
Ps. 149:3: "Let them praise His name with dancing;Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre
Ps. 150:4: "Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe."

Why do we light candles?
In our congregation we are a mishpocha (family) and we light our Shabbat candles to usher in the Shabbat as a family.

Why do we raise our hands in worship?
Ps. 63:4 "So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy Name"
Ps. 134:2 "Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless the Lord"

Will I be attending a church or a synagogue service?
Gesher Shalom is a Messianic Jewish synagogue. The liturgy is in Hebrew and English. The songs in the praise and worship are both in Hebrew and English. The sermons are in English. Through the liturgy, the praise and worship, and the sermons we lift up the name of Yeshua (Jesus).