The JCCouncics Ad Hoc Committee,
He urges the community to prepare to
however, has chosen not to do so, says
be "under siege," noting that Jews for Jesus
Adelman, because it is felt that "it is not
has raised more than $22 million for the
the most effective use of time and
BYG campaign. "They bring in about two
resources."
dozen people from the outside, and pretty
The U-M Hillel is also preparing for
much deliver on what they promise," he
the
campaign, says Hillel Assistant
says, citing street evangelism, radio and
Director
Rabbi Jason Miller.
newspaper ads, direct mail, door-to-door
"Historically, they have been success-
proselytizing and public events experienced
ful at targeting college students," he
so far in Washington.
Pearlena Bodzin
says. "They know how highly impres-
.While he admits Jews for Jesus mission-
sionable college students can be."
aries often freely identify themselves, he
During Ad Hoc Committee meet-
says their deception is not in their manner
ings, "the discussion focused on the dif-
but in their message.
ficulty of denouncing the JFJ effort
They deliberately misquote, mistrans-
without
aiding in their publicity effort,"
late and misinterpret Jewish Scriptures and
says Rabbi Miller. "We Jewish leaders
rabbinical texts in an attempt to 'prove'
do not want to do for JFJ what the
that Jesus was both the Jewish Messiah and
conservative media did for Michael
God," Rabbi Hillman says. "Their de-legit-
Moore's film [Fahrenheit 9-11]."
imization of Judaism, in concert with their
"Rather than devising our own strate-
misleading exploitation of Jewish symbols,
Eric Adelman
gy
to combat the BYG campaign,
religious artifacts and even traditional
[Hillel]
will follow the Jews for Judaism
music, serve to confuse the potential con-
playbook" by printing its "7 Answers to
vert, making him or her more vulnerable."
Jews for Jesus" brochure [see sidebar] to
He warns they also try to capitalize on
distribute at all of its welcome-back
Jewish woes, widely showing a film of
events this fall.
Jewish Holocaust survivors who have
"We will make students aware of the
become "Messianic."
upcoming
JFJ campaign through our e-
Rabbi Hillman's advice for those contact-
mail
network,"
says Rabbi Miller, who
ed by Jews for Jesus: "Just like the old anti-
will address the subject during his Rosh
drug slogan — just say no. Say, 'No, thank
Hashanah sermon. "We have over
you, I'm happy with my Judaism; I'm reli-
Rabbi Miller
1,500 students attend services here, but
giously satisfied.'
we also need to reach the unaffiliated
"Don't spit, don't yell, don't get violent,"
students who will not likely attend holiday services."
Rabbi Hillman says. "They don't know Judaism
Community leaders are confident the BYG cam-
and we would love for them to come back [to the
paign
will not succeed and may be less extensive
faith]."
than in other cities. But they are prepared for what-
ever might occur and are flexible enough to adapt.
Wooing Jewish Souls
Again, the consensus is expressed clearly in
Karen Sackville, project director of the Task Force
Schiffman's document: "Hebrew Christianity con-
on Cults and Missionaries of the Jewish
stitutes a profound challenge to the Jewish commu-
Community Relations Council of New York, heads
nity with its heritage of open mindedness and its
one of the most significant organizations in its field.
desire to embrace all Jews no matter how close or
While not underestimating the dangers posed by
how far from our tradition. Yet there are times when
Jews for Jesus, Sackville believes the 644: est achieve-
a line must be drawn, when a barrier must be erected.
ment the campaign will have is "annoying people."
"Our history tells us that when confronted with
"You are going to be inundated," she warns.
Jews who have adopted another faith and who seek
"They are out to get Jewish souls."
to lure others to follow that same path, we must
While the routine is pretty standard, some egre-
stand firm in asserting that this other faith is not
gious excesses have taken place. For example, she
Judaism; and that its adherents, even if of Jewish
says, "In Connecticut, they went to school bus
status, forfeit their privileges as Jews.
stops to talk with kids."
"How much more so is this the case when our
Sackville recommends having Jewish communi-
ancient rabbis already confronted the very same
ties "defend themselves" by having volunteers ready
phenomenon in the form of Jewish Christianity
to distribute pamphlets whenever and wherever a
and pronounced it loudly and dearly to be another
Jews for Jesus pamphleteer is located. "It is the most
faith, and when our modern rabbis stand united
important thing," she says, "and probably the only
behind these principles." 0
thing you can do to counter them without being
taken to jail."
Cover package continues on page 18
7 Answers For
Jews For Jesus
Jews for Jesus is one of hundreds of evangelical Christian
missionary organizations that spend millions of dollars each
year to convert Jews. Despite many trappings of Jewish tradi-
tion utilized to mislead and entice, their theology is 100
percent Christian.
In fact, many of their leaders aren't Jewish. Both Jewish
and Christian groups have denounced their tactics. The fol-
lowing information is provided by Jews for Judaism, a
counter-missionary group based in Baltimore.
Q: Who do you think Jesus was?
A: According to most theologians and Jewish scholars,
Jesus was a l st-century Jew who claimed to be the
Messiah and died without fulfilling the messianic proph-
esies, including bringing universal peace.
Q: Doesn't the Jewish Bible prove that Jesus is the
Messiah?
A: Actually, every one of the biblical or rabbinic pas-
sages that missionaries bring as a proof that Jesus is the
Messiah have been either mistranslated, misquoted, taken
out of context or even fabricated. When analyzed careful-
ly, Jewish Scriptures do not point to Jesus and, in fact,
clearly disqualify him as the Jewish Messiah.
Q: Did you know that believing in Jesus is the most
Jewish thing you can do?
A: According to Judaism, the Messiah will not be
divine or eliminate the obligation to observe Torah. Jews
believe in a monotheistic system of a non-corporeal God.
By believing that Jesus is "co-equal to God the Father,"
Jews for Jesus have crossed an unbreachable chasm by
accepting a belief idolatrous for Jews.
Q: How will you get forgiveness for your sins without
Temple sacrifices?
A: Teshuvah is the means of rectifying our mistakes
through a process of repentance that includes reflection,
remorse and returning to God. Sacrificial offerings, when
practiced, only helped atone for unintentional transgres-
sions. The prophets clearly taught that prayer and repen-
tance are the main remedy for sin and suffice when there
is no Temple.
Q: Did you know that Jesus can change your life and
perform miracles?
A: No religion has a monopoly on life-changing experi-
ences or claims to miracles. The Bible warns against rely-
ing on signs and wonders as proof that a person is a mes-
senger of God. (Deuteronomy, Ch. 13)
7 ANSWERS on page 19
IN
8/27
2004
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