Jewish, Yemeni in United States

Introduction / History

Jewish people have experienced major scatterings throughout their long history. They spread out far and wide, reaching all continents except for Antarctica. A small number settled in Yemen where they earned an honest living and learned the local language. They were not welcome there; eventually they moved on to Israel. A small number are in the United States.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Because of their small population, Yemeni Jewish people in the US blend in with other Jewish communities. At home they maintain their Judeo-Yemeni form of Arabic.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Rabbinical Judaism is the dominant religion of Jews in this region, and the officially recognized institutions are Orthodox. Rabbinical Judaism replaced the temple with the synagogue, the priesthood with the rabbi, and the sacrificial ceremony with the prayer service. Emphasis was placed on study of the Torah (Hebrew name for the first five books of the Bible), the growing need for national restoration in the Promised Land, and the function of this world as preparatory for the world to come. However, approximately two-thirds to three-fourths of the Israeli Jews are non-observant. Jews who consider themselves to be religious can be simply divided into the Orthodox (traditionalists) who adhere to the traditional beliefs and practices, and the Moderns, who may hold to traditional beliefs but no longer strictly observe the practices. The holy places are maintained by the state and the religious councils and rabbis are state employees.

What Are Their Needs?

The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejection of Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant.
Throughout their history, the Jews have been discriminated against and persecuted. They need to experience emotional healing and forgiveness. Pray that as the Gospel is shared with them, it will not be viewed as anti-Semitic, but rather as the fulfillment of what God promised humanity through Abraham centuries ago. Also pray for a spiritual hunger among the Jews who view their "Jewishness" as an ethnic identity and have no religious affiliation.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth loving Christians to work among the Yemeni Jewish people in the United States.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the mission agencies that are focusing on them.
Pray that the Jewish people will understand that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.
Pray that God will grant Jewish believers favor as they share their faith in Christ with their own people.
Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Yemeni Jewish people.

Text Source:   Joshua Project