CLEVELAND, May 28—Social networking websites continue to appeal to niche markets that share common beliefs. The recently launched website, TheMessianicCenter.com, is the latest example of Web 2.0 techniques being used to reach an audience, Messianic Jews, that some would categorize as small compared to large Christian community sites such as GodTube.com, or MyChurch.org.

"Messianic Judaism has an audience that is dispersed around the globe. From New York to Jerusalem to Ontario, there are Messianic Jews who want to share their knowledge and opinions with others with similar interests," according to Project Manager, Katherine Sas.

Messianic Judaism is a community of Jews and Gentiles who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah and practice their faith in a Torah-observant lifestyle. TheMessianicCenter.com is a non-profit social networking website dedicated to uniting the worldwide Messianic community by providing an online center to discuss, educate and share with others through its member-driven content.

Originally started with donations from around the world, TheMessianicCenter.com is an independent website, unaffiliated with any congregation or organization, and offers a platform for the entire Messianic community to utilize.

"We are intentionally staying independent, and our membership is free," continues Sas. "Our donors-to-date, many who have chosen to remain anonymous, want a world audience to be able to receive education and provide input so every religious denomination can learn and understand the many challenges facing the Messianic Jewish Community."

This online resource center will soon be offering the ability for any Messianic Community to have their own online community under The Messianic Center to help unite congregations and further the cause. The Messianic Center provides a Global Messianic Congregation Directory, offering a convenient resource for locating a nearby place of worship and communicating with the international Messianic Jewish community.

"We encourage all visitors to register as a member on the site, contribute their ideas, photos and videos and to add their congregation listing to the directory. It’s about building this online, united community of Messianic believers," says Sas.

With this new website, members are able to join in forum discussions to dialogue on a variety of controversial issues that exist not only in the Messianic community, but also in religion and politics in the world today.