No.  Some prefer to use the 4-letter name of God, but there again, some don't.  There is plenty of scripture supporting both views.  Our only requirement is that everyone be respectful of those who don't see it their way.

There are a number of views on the calendar, and we've studied many of them.  Like the case with the Sacred Name, there's support in scripture for most views  Unfortunately, it's impossible to host the festival and support all the various understandings.  Therefore, we've decided to support the one that we believe is most correct for the times we find ourselves in.  Here's a few reasons for our belief: 1) God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33), and to depend on a calendar that requires sighting the new moon (however you define 'new moon') when trying to organize an event of this size is not practical; 2) God has called us to begin a reconciliation process with our brother Judah.  Judah has stayed together as a people, largely because of the calendar.  We believe it would be against His wishes to automatically alienate them from us because we, mostly newcomers to this walk, have decided we are already smarter than them in this debate; 3) We believe the Torah establishes a line of authority when it comes to matters where there is little scriptural guidance.  It appears that Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles recognized that authority and submitted to it.  The calendar appears to fit into that category; 4) we believe that it's Elijah's job to 'restore all things', not ours.

It's hard to know roughly how many will actually attend until just a month or so before the festival.  Unfortunately, even though we are commanded to observe the festival, many people do not decide how and where they intend to observe it until just weeks before the festival begins.  In order for SOOJ to better plan and to alleviate the last minute rush to accomadate larger than expected numbers, we encourage everyone to register soon after Passover.

SOOJ grows practically every year.  In 2010, though we expected lower numbers due to the economy, more people attended SOOJ's observance of the festival than in the previous year.  Based on the past few year's trend, this year we expect the following numbers:

• Children ages 6 - 12    - -  approximately 60
• Teens    - -  approximately 40
• Adults    - -  approximately 450
• Total attendance    - -  approximately 600 including children under 6 years old

The economic system God gave Israel was agriculturally based and designed for the people of God while they lived in the land of Israel.  In effect, there was a sharecropping relationship between God and the farmer or the husbandman.   To put it in the simplest of terms - man was to plant the fields and walk in God's way, God was to bless the man for planting in faith and walking in His ways, man was to take a portion of what God had blessed him with to the festival and give it to the priests and Levites for their service to God in the Temple.  We do not believe that we qualify as recipients of what was intended for the priests or Levites serving in the Temple.  There on the other hand, we do believe in 'spiritual giving, recognizing the needs of those who labor in the word, and we believe in common courtesy.  Thus, we do have a donation box for those who appreciate the efforts and costs we have incurred in providing this unique opportunity to observe the festival in this setting.

Yes - We do have a reource room.  It's primary purtpose is to provide a place for the festival speakers to promote their ministries, offer materials, and be available for questions and discussion.  In addition, SOOJ sells recordings of the speaking sessions in order to help offset the costs involved in hosting the festival.  Its secondary purpuse is to provide resources (Bibles, reference books, etc.) to those who are searching the scriptures and looking for answers, and finally, we want to be able to offer items, such as a music, clothing, and decorations, that will enhance your walk in Messiah Yeshua.

We do offer, on a first come - first serve basis, tables to other ministries and individuals who wish to attend the festival with us and who want to offer or sell Biblically-based materials and certain Judaica items.  Tables must be requested well in advace of the festival, and materials and items for sale or to be given away must be pre-approved by the SOOJ staff.  Guidelines for use of the Resource Room can be found by clicking here.