Messianic Jewish Congregation Celebrates Seder in Farmington Hills

Members of Congregation Shema Yisrael came to Farmington Hills Manor on the first night of Passover for a seder, much as Jewish families around the area marked the first night of the Jewish holiday. 

But rather than holding a second seder on the following night, members came back three nights later, on Maundy Thursday in the Christian Holy Week calendar. The Messianic Jewish congregation's members believe that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, and acknowledged during the seder the connections they say point to that belief. 

"He died on Passover as the ultimate lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," Rabbi Loren Jacobs said. "So that makes this Passover even more special." 

Jacobs and Rabbi Glenn Harris lead the Bloomfield Hills-based congregation, which draws members from throughout the metropolitan area. Jacobs said Shema Yisrael's High Holiday services draw as many as 500 people. Well over 250 attended the Thursday night seder.

To learn more, visit the Congregation Shema Yisrael website.