Without your participation,
a temple doesn't have a prayer
For Christians to observe the
Passover seder, or Jews the
Communion service, and gain
a greater understanding of
each other's traditions and
beliefs is, he says, a very dif-
ferent thing from taking the
Passover seder and infusing it
with symbolism which turns
it into something else.
To many evangelical Chris-
tians, however, it is appealing
to incorporate into their pro-
cedures the observances they
believe that Jesus kept. Far
from disapproving of Mes-
sianic mixed ritual, the Word
of God charismatic Christian
community in Ann Arbor (an
ecumenical community of
almost 3,000 and the center of
a worldwide organization) has
adopted a Christianized form
of the traditional Jewish Kid-
dush, developed by one of
several Messianic Jews who
belong to the community.
Support for Messianic
Judaism is not limited to the
gentile community. It shows
up, says Lawrence Levey, in
some "incredible" quarters.
Not only are its missionaries
"given a free rein to carry on
their conversionary activity
within the State of Israel, but
representatives of the Israeli
Embassy serve as regular
speakers and participants in
their American gatherings as
well." He cites as examples of
Israeli support, the official
participation in the annual
Israeli Independence Day
celebration by Hebrew Chris-
tian leaders in the
Washington D.C. area, and
letters written to the paster of
Beth Ha Shofar, a Messianic
congregation in Seattle. The
letters, one of them from
Yaakov Sella, Israeli Consul
General for the Pacific Nor-
thwest, offer welcome and
assistance with the group's
proposed visit to Israel and
are now being used by Beth
Ha Shofar, says Levey, in fun-
draising efforts to finance its
excursion.
Efforts of major evangelists
such as Pat Robertson to
curry Jewish favor — by ex-
pressing support for Israel
and claiming common views
on issues like abortion and
religious freedom — have also
helped messianics, Levey .
says. Although many Jews re-
main skeptical about such
pronouncements ("Robertson
has also said that Jews will go
to Hell if they keep obeying
all the commands of the
Torah" Levey points out) they
have softened some Jewish at-
titudes towards evangelism
and Messianic Judaism.
While fundamental
evangelism has grown
stronger, Jewish education
has declined, leaving young
Jews, the counterrais-
Discover how a temple can make a difference
to a family ... as well as a community.
You and your children (ages 3-7)
Are invited to Temple Beth El for lunch.
Not just any lunch
but the
Temple Beth El Lunch Bunch
Our special family event for:
Kids . . Parents . . . Grandparents . . . Everybody
The issue here is participation
To belong.
To be part of the Jewish Community,
the Jewish spirit, the Jewish future,
while having fun.
Come, join us and enjoy.
You know how to get here . . . just follow
•
the star War
AWA
•
,
Special Guest: Corrine Stavish,
Captivating Storyteller
Sunday, October 25, 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Admission: $6.00 Per Family
RSVP 851-1100 Religious School Office by Oct. 21
Sponsored by Temple Beth El Religious School
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
27