By-Laws

By-Laws for
The Union of Nazarene Jewish Synagogues

 
ARTICLE I - NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The Name of this organization shall be Union of Nazarene Jewish Synagogues, hereinafter referred to as UNJS.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the UNJS are as follows:

1. To work together with Nazarene Synagogues and Train Nazarene leaders to encourage the furtherance and continuance of Nazarene Judaism.
2. To promote unity among Nazarene Synagogues and Nazarene leaders.
3. To provide whatever aid possible in the initiation, establishment and growth of Nazarene Jewish Synagogues and Congregations throughout the world.  To strengthen and assist in the spiritual growth and general welfare of  Nazarene Synagogues and their leaders.
4. To give a voice on behalf of Nazarene Jewish Synagogues and Congregations and Nazarene Judaism throughout the world, in matters including but not limited to Torah, Halakah, Mitzvot and Customs.
5. To provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to Nazarene Judaism and Nazarene Jewish Synagogues and Congregations.
6. To aid in the causes of our Jewish people world-wide, especially in Israel.
7. To support the training of Nazarene leaders and encourage Nazarene leaders and elders through regular leadership conferences and training seminars.
8. To assist in the formation and establishment of new Nazarene Synagogues as Elohim enables us.
9. To provide materials and educational resources for Nazarene Synagogues and their leaders.

ARTICLE III - CHARTER MEETING

The initial UNJS shall initially consist of those Nazarene Synagogues as Members and Congregations present at the Charter Meeting and those committing themselves to Affiliation in the UNJS by <charter date to be inserted here>.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Eligibility

Only those Nazarene Jewish Synagogues which meet the "Standards of Community Practice for Nazarene Jewish Synagogues" as determined by the UNJS shall be eligible for membership. We are really looking for Congregations that are growing in the manner of Biblical Customs and Culture - for a healthy Community life. This is a process and we are going to be flexible in this area to promote and encourage stability.

Section 2 - Levels

There shall be three levels of memberships.

a. Senior Membership as a Member Synagogue shall be granted to those Congregations which satisfy basically these requirements.

i)Membership of ten or more people.
ii) Read Torah in Hebrew and the local language.
iii) Use a First Century Hebrew Service and the local language.
iv) Have a Beit Din, which is a Mitzvot to all Jewish Communities.
v) Have a Program of Tz'daqka 'charity' to the poor of their community.
vi) Have a Burial Society for the community or are working towards one.
vii) Teach Mitzvot, Customs of the Fathers (Avraham to Yeshua), Hebrew Class, Kosher, and a Biblical defense of our faith.
viii) Have a Membership program were by one is accepted as a Nazarene Jewish Believer in Yeshua within the UNJS.

b. Junior Membership shall be granted to those Congregations which do not satisfy all requirements to be a Senior Member Synagogue but do satisfy these minimum requirements. Such Congregations shall be integrated unto the nearest Senior Member Synagogue.

i) Has become an organized assembly with a membership of ten or more people.
ii) Is moving towards a deeper knowledge of a Torah based Life and Biblical Culture.
iii) Shall reckon all its members as members of the Senior Synagogue and subject themselves to the Bet Din of that Senior Synagogue
iii) Shall appointment three of their members to a steering committee as representatives to the Senior Synagogue. If for any reason the congregation wishes to change them, they need only apply with their reason or explanation to the Bet Din of that Senior Synagogue.

c. Associate Membership shall be for interested groups of at least three but less than ten persons. an Associate Member shall be represented by the nearest Senior Member Synagogue.

One of the goals of the Union is to get as many Synagogues as functional as possible. This is to develop Talmidim, care for our community and become what the Kingdom of Adonai intended us to be.

Section 3 - Application

Applying Synagogues, Congregations, Chavurim, and Ministries shall execute the approved application and return it to UNJS which shall act on it at the meeting following the receipt of the completed application.

Section 4 - Approval

Upon approval by the UNJS, a certificate of membership shall be executed and forwarded to the new member. Certificates shall clearly define status and Senior Synagogue association.

Section 5 - Recognition

The right hand of fellowship shall be publicly extended to qualified representatives of newly-chartered Nazarene Jewish Synagogues at the meeting at which the application is approved.

Section 6 - Dues

Each Member Synagogue and Congregation shall pay dues to its National/Regional Secretary.

Each National/Regional Secretary shall pay dues to the UNJS.

Section 7 - Tenure

Membership in UNJS is permanent unless revoked by UNJS or terminated by resignation.

Section 8 - Representation

Each Senior Member Synagogue that qualifies for membership in the UNJS shall select three members to be its representatives at duly called meetings of the Union. [ArtVII Sec1a & Sec4,5]

In addition each Junior Member Congregation that qualifies for membership in the UNJS shall select one of its members to be its representative at the Annual General Assembly. [ArtVII Sec1b]

Due to the large size of the world, additional charges or levies may be charged to enable persons coming from long distances.

Section 9 - Voting

a. Each Member Synagogue is entitled to three votes in the Synagogue Council [ArtVIII Sec1b] which are to be divided to one vote apiece between its three qualified representatives. If only one representative is present, that individual may exercise all three Senior Member votes.

b. Each Member Synagogue or Congregation shall have only one vote at the Annual General Assembly. [ArtVII Sec1b]

Section 10 - Warning, Suspension and Removal

a. A Synagogue may be warned, suspended or removed from membership in the UNJS. Causes warranting such action may include: blatant anti-scriptural actions, continued lack of response to UNJS communications.

b. After an investigation, and prior to such disciplinary action, a letter of notification in writing shall be sent to the alleged offending Synagogue stating the specific accusation and the disciplinary action sought.

c. The Synagogue shall respond in writing to the charges within thirty days of receipt of the letter of notification.

d. A two-thirds vote of the UNJS is required to warn, suspend or expel a Synagogue.

e. In a state of suspension, all membership rights are temporarily forfeited by the Synagogue in question.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF ELDERS

Section 1 - Board of Elders

The UNJS recognizes the International Netzri Beit Din, constituted in a manner mutually agreeable to The UNJS and the National Batei Din, as its authority on Netzri Halachah. The International Netzri Beit Din and the National Batei Din shall serve as the UNJS Board of Elders.

Section 2 - Batei Din Defined

a. Local Beit Din is composed of Zaqeinim (Elders) for Synagogues or Congregations. These are people over the age of thirty.

b. National Beit Din is composed of Shophetim (Judges) For National Halakah!
A National Bet Din also has a Shoteir (Officer) who communicates to the local and international bodies. He is like a civil servant.

c. International Beit Din is composed of Chakhamim (Wise Men, Sages) these are the Shophetim that are chosen for their wisdom to help in International dealings with Halakah and Customs. The International Beit Din also has a Shoteir Gadol (Chief Officer) who communicates to the local and national bodies. He is like a chief civil servant.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

Section 1 - Officers

a. The election of Yeshua HaMashiach as King, and application of the Commandment to not have any Pharaoh’s or man gods means we do not have a president, chairman, bishop, pope, or superintendent. No single person may speak on our behalf. All issues shall be written and approved by the Synagogue Council [ArtVIII Sec 1b] under the Direction of the General Secretary.

Therefore; We elect YHWH as King back to His people.

b. Hence; The officers of the UNJS shall be the following:

i) General Secretary (Shoteir Gadol) [ArtV Sec2c]
ii) Treasurer (Shoteir HaKesef)
iii) The Shoteirim [ArtV Sec2b] shall serve as the National/Regional Secretaries.

Section 2 - Duties

a. The officers shall perform those duties appropriate to their offices.

i) The International Netzri Beit Din is to communicate any action to the General Secretary.
ii) The General Secretary works on behalf of the Members of the Union in a communicational capacity.

b. In the event of the General Secretary's inability, refusal or disqualification to function, the Treasurer shall preside and carry on the General Secretary functions. He must inform the Union members so they can elect an interim General Secretary or Treasurer within 90 days.

c. In the event of the Treasurer's inability, refusal or disqualification to function, the General Secretary shall appoint an accountant, with the approval of the Bet Din, to carry on the Treasurer functions. He must inform the Union members so they can elect an interim Treasurer within 90 days.

Section 3 - Elections

Officers shall be elected by a simple majority at the annual business meeting, by secret ballot.

Section 4 - Tenure

Offices shall be held for two years or until new elections are held.

Section 5 - Qualifications

Any delegate who is a member in good standing of a UNJS Member Synagogue is eligible to be elected to an office in the Union.

Section 6 - Removal

An elected officer may be removed for cause from office by a two-thirds vote of the UNJS at a duly called meeting.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Section 1 - Annual Meeting

a. The UNJS Synagogue Council [ArtVIII Sec1b] shall have an Annual Business Meeting and shall conduct other meetings as needed. An agenda shall be prepared and distributed at least sixty days in advance of any business meetings.

b. The UNJS shall also conduct a General Annual Assembly to discuss and debate those issues which affect the Whole Union. The Assembly shall act as a "Committee Of The Whole" and pass all decisions and recommendations to the Synagogue Council. In no wise shall a vote in the Assembly be binding on the Council

c. The UNJS shall hold both meetings at an Annual Conference to be held for the edification of the body.

Section 2- Rules of Order

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the parliamentary procedure at all business meetings.

Section 3 - Quorum

A quorum shall consist of qualified representatives of one-third of Senior Member Synagogues at a duly called meeting.

Section 4 - A Duly Called Meeting

Sixty Percent of the Senior Member Synagogues may require the General Secretary to call a meeting, provided that written notice is sent to each member at least thirty days prior to the meeting, stating the date, place and time, and agenda of the meeting.

Section 5 - Emergency Meetings

Emergency meetings of the UNJS may be called as specified in Article VII, Section 4, without written notice. The General Secretary shall provide at least seventy-two hours notice by telephone or telegram of the purpose, date, place, time, and agenda of the meeting to all members. At such a meeting, a quorum shall consist of representatives from fifty percent of the Senior Member Synagogues. All actions of such a meeting are subject to review and revocation or ratification at a regular meeting of the UNJS.

Section 6 - Ratification

Business conducted by the UNJS shall be ratified by a simple majority of the membership present and voting.

ARTICLE VIII - AFFAIRS & FINANCES

Section 1 - Prerogatives

a. The UNJS shall have the final authority to conduct the affairs and finances of the UNJS including the power to set policies, to elect or appoint officers, committee members, and agents, to set salaries, to issue directives to any of the above and to do whatever else is necessary for the well-being of the UNJS.

b. This authority shall be invested in a Synagogue Council which shall consist of three representatives from each Senior Member Synagogue. And shall be administered under the direction of the General Secretary.

c. This does not include the General Secretary or the Treasurer. These are elected directly by the Senior Member Synagogues.

Section 2 - Bank Accounts and Records

UNJS shall open bank accounts as needed and maintain records of all its finances.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Section 1 - Submission

Proposed amendments to these By-Laws may be submitted to the General Secretary in written form by any Senior Member Synagogue of the UNJS ninety days prior to the next called meeting.

Section 2 - Approval

a. Proposed amendments to these By-Laws shall be sent in written form to each Senior Member Synagogues at least sixty days prior to a duly called business meeting in which the proposed amendments will be acted upon. Germane amendment substitutions may be made after introduction of an amendment.

b. Having met such qualifications, amendments may then be ratified by a two-thirds vote.

c. Issues from Congregations can be lobbied to their nearest Synagogue for the attention of that Bet Din to be approved and passed on to the General Secretary.

B''H
Yom Shlishi, 2004-05-18, 14:19

03/24/2005
Copyright UNJS, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011