EVERY SATURDAY FROM 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
10801 FAIRFORD AVE, DOWNEY, CA 90241
We are a warm and friendly bunch of folk who share a common bond of love for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Son, Messiah Yeshua. You are free to spend the entire Shabbat with us or just come for Shabbat service, fellowship, or any of our classes and Bible Studies.
Below, you will learn more about what happens at Beit Lechem during Shabbat and how to prepare for it.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.
CONNECT WITH US
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Continue reading below to explore ways to participate with us in person or live online.
Join us live online for our Shabbat service, Midrash (Jewish style Bible study) and other meetings. Or join us in person in Downey, So. CA. As the world becomes darker and more divided, find peace and support in our community.
Our live YouTube service is designed to be interactive through the chat and other opportunities to participate during the service.
We also invite you to join us in person in Downey, So. CA., Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Followed by Midrash (Jewish style Bible Study)
1:30 pm to about 3:00 pm.
Except on the last Friday of the month we do a Friday 7:00 pm Erev Shabbat Service and NO Saturday activities the next day
ON THIS SUNDAY
We offer prayer and teaching throughout the week to help us understand where we fit in, how we can serve, and to allow others to minister to us.
Amidah Prayer
Mon – Thur
7am – 8am
Ever since the Covid-19 lockdown began, I’ve been very blessed to have an online group of believers I can connect and pray with in the mornings and then connect again at night to learn about the Bible and other ancient holy books. I love that the prayers and liturgy we do at Beit Lechem has been done by God’s people for centuries.”
- M.T.
“I started to do the Amidah prayer during the week of Yom Kippur last summer after Kelly had introduced It to us at the A.M. morning Zoom prayer at Beit Lechem. After putting it into practice with Faith and Trust, I notice how my attitude started to change, and I felt very joyful all day, I started to noticed how many blessings HaShem (G-d) was pouring over me daily. My spiritual eyes were opened wide to see something I hadn’t being able to see it in that way before.
My husband and I have grown stronger in our faith and we feel confident and not afraid about what is going on outside our home or around us with this virus. Our days feel like normal days and we feel at peace.
All of this keeps us motivated to continue in prayers and Trusting HaShem (G-d) for everyday needs.
We are so thankful and so blessed to be part of this Amidah Morning Prayer Group to keep us moving forward at this challenging time and keep sharing our blessings with those in great need.”
– R.R.
“I’m especially excited that Rabbi John understands that Scripture, and how Judaism actualizes it, has a core principle of tikkun olam (repair the world).
I’m excited that both G-d and Rabbi have left room for us and me to make a difference both inside and outside the walls of our building.
It’s exciting to work with a solid core of people that look for ways to serve and that understand the benefits and blessings of service. I’m glad that Rabbi John encourages all of us to use every opportunity to exercise our skills and gifts.
Rabbi John is a very capable and deeply knowledgeable teacher who asks us a lot of questions to get us to think about the meaning, consequences and application of Scripture.
Along the way we are moving outside our comfort zone into a faith with more action and boldness ... a lifestyle. I’m grateful that we have a substantial core of people that are passionate about getting closer to Hashem (G-d) and to each other.”
– K.W.
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Have questions? We have the answers!
On the last Friday of the month, we have our service on Friday night (Erev Shabbat) at 7 pm and not on Saturday morning. Please see our calendar for event dates and times.
Our Shabbat services are on Saturday and begin at 10:00 am Pacific Time. You can join us either in person or online.
Our Messianic services and Bible studies each Shabbat are led by Rabbi John Hernandez-Benheretz, who has been a pastor and Messianic Rabbi for over 20 years.
We begin every service with Messianic worship that glorifies our Father in Heaven and His Son, Messiah Yeshua. We read blessings from the Messianic Siddur (prayer book) as well as Scriptures from the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) and the Brit Chadashah (apostolic writings). Our Tanakh readings, known as Parashot, are the same as those read in Jewish synagogues around the world. Each Parasha reading is listed on our Messianic events calendar.
During the message portion of our service, Rabbi John teaches us the Hebraic perspective of these readings and/or other topics.
Join us as we worship the Lord, partake of the Living Word, and break bread together.
On the last Friday of the month, we have Shabbat service at 7 pm followed by oneg (joyful meal) and fellowship.
Join us as we worship the Lord, partake of the Living Word, and fellowship together.
Please see our calendar for all service dates and times.
After service, we enjoy fellowship over lunch, potluck style, with salads, fruits, meats, and, of course, dessert.
Based on the Biblical instruction in Leviticus 11, we don’t eat anything that may contain pig, shrimp, lobster, bacon, lard or any related products, so as to observe the distinction between the clean and the unclean.
Kitchen is Not Used on Shabbat.
The Bible says we should not light a fire or do work on Shabbat. So please bring your food ready to serve. Crockpots, insulated warming or cooling containers are all welcome. Please also clean your dirty dishes at home after sunset when Shabbat ends.
After lunch on Shabbat and during the week, we are fed some more with the Bread of Life! Join us as we search the Scriptures for truth and understanding, Hebraic style.
Check our calendar for current dates and times of all of our classes.
Our Rabbi and many who attend Shabbat service here at Beit Lechem read from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB). Rabbi John also recommends the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is good, scholarly translation of original Biblical texts. However, you are free to use your own preferred print or digital Bible.
We honor the Lord as we come before Him in worship, which includes dressing in a way that respects His authority. This can range from business casual to professional. As the Talmud states “Da lifnei mi attah omed” which translates to “know before whom you stand,” we are expected to uphold the biblical values of respect and honor before our Maker as stated in Isaiah 56:7 “my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Men in our congregation, who wish to do so, wear the traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit) and a kippah during service, while some women wear shawl head coverings. They are not required but are preferred.
We have a good-size parking lot for your convenience as well as street parking on the west side of Fairford Ave. and either side of Dollison Drive west of Fairford Ave.
Please do not take pictures or videos unless you have received permission from leaders. Some of those that attend can be persecuted at work or home or have relatives in other countries that can be put in danger due to their attendance here.
The Bible teaches that we can become closer to G-d (We are NOT talking about salvation but a more intimate relationship) only through doing the commandments, the mitzvot. When we keep G-d’s commandments by doing physical things, we bring ourselves and the world into the
control of the spiritual power of G-d. Therefore, we encourage everyone to find a place at Beit Lechem to be physically helpful. When you see a need, we encourage you to jump in.
We try hard to notice when you are missing or in pain. We have a Visitation Ministry with trained volunteers who can come to you or call you on the phone. With permission, we also email prayer requests to our members.
Busy schedules sometimes prevent us from keeping in touch with our community members, but please reach out to us and let us know how we can help you. We encourage you to follow James 5:13-15.