This doesn't apply to me all that much; however, it does enough to challenge me to answer.(even though it has mainly been answered, already)
The reasons I now go to a non-messianic conservative synagogue:
-When I first went and talk to the Rabbi, to tell you the truth I pretty much thought I would be thrown out, yet when I actually explain: I am a gentile who does not want to covert, believes Yehsua as messiah (yet that the messiah will return to usher in the messianic age[with a more Jewish concept]),want to follow G-ds commandments, how I think Yehsua worship has become idolism is many cases, and may felling on salvation, and some other topics. I was surprise to see that he actually supported me, and invited me to come every Shabbat and to become a member of the community.
Actually over all I think I was more welcomed by them then by most messianic and Christians, sure they give me a hard time now and again about Yehsua(some really harshly), and about not converting, but overall they support me, to a further extent then the messianic or Christians ever did. Hence they are fulfilling a need that just wasnt being met anywhere else.
-We have two messianic congregations where I live, and frankly I felt quite uncomfortable at both; one they have all these as I see it, crazy mixed up traditions which interfere with the learning(1/2 Christian angelical church, ½ reformed Judaism worship[both i disagree with BTW]), and I have never much taken to any Jew calling there Shul a temple.
The second, was fine other then two things that made it unsuitable for me.The first,was they are orthodox (which can get over aggressive on me, too often) I have to slowly implement things, and I felt they put harsh pressure on me to do things before I understood them, or could properly understand their execution. Second, There was the fact that with only one rabbi and the followers just a small group; there was an extreme lack of difference of view,their one opinion fit all. Now at the conservative shul; there is lots to discuss and people always have great new insights, and I just can't grow very well in an environment with no diffrence of view.
-The teaching at the non-messianic on the torah is much more in-depth, and due to the variation in opinion and insight greater prespective is given to the understanding.
-G-d tell us in his torah to not worship any power (even that of him) above him as a whole, and too many times do I see Yehsua followers praising Yehsua (role so much), that in my option they are putting it above HaShem as a whole. Such I do not want to be part of.
There are of course some down sides to a non-messianic conservative synagogue, but over all I find it a better place to fulfill my needs, to learn about HaShem, to express myself as an individual within a context pleasing to G-d.
I do not keep silent about my belief in Yehsua, I am quick however to explain the context of that belief. So in that way I now this doesnt really apply. And I certainly know I have an extra ordinary Jewish community where I live, I can tell because I have heard too many stories of harsh feeling towards believers.
Over all though, I plain out do like certian things about Christian or for that matter messianic congregations(at least in my area), which drives me away:
-Putting Yehsua above HaShem as whole
-Adding distracting traditions v. traditions that help you grow
-Taking away from the torah
-Hostile to other beliefs
-Homogenous beliefs (as a congregation)
Just Messianic congregations:
-Many people adopting being Jewish over being for G-d
(it still exists in non-messianic but it is a real bother to me, and at the messianic cong. the smaller attendance makes it seem incresed)
-teaching Jewish roots over the torah
-One way teachings
-cliquey
I know as a whole the community is great, and I would love to come together with them, but for now it seems that is not possible.(anotehr reason why I love here so much
)
), and a Chabad-Lubavitch center.
