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