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George W. Bush Speaks
At Messianic Jewish Gala

Robin Schwartz

I

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O

Contributing Writer

F

ormer president
George W. Bush
caused a furor
among Jewish organizations
worldwide by serving as
keynote speaker at a Nov.
14 gala for a Texas group
that trains people to convert
Jews to Christianity. Bush
headlined the annual fun-
draiser for the Messianic
Jewish Bible Institute near
Dallas.
According to the group's
website, its mission is to
George W. Bush
"bring Jewish people into
a personal relationship
of faith with Yeshua the
Messiah knowing their acceptance will eventually mean life from
the dead."
The Anti-Defamation League was among Jewish organizations
that expressed disappointment about the former president's appear-
ance.
"President Bush is a friend who has an abiding love and respect
for Israel and the Jewish people," ADL National Director Abraham
Foxman said in a statement.
"I know that he does not represent or embrace the purpose or
mission of this group, and therefore I wish he would not speak
there."
Despite the uproar after word got out about Bush's speak-
ing engagement, the former president did attend the event. His
remarks, held behind closed doors, were not released to the media.
"As a former president, George W. Bush is free to speak in front
of any group he wants; however, there are ramifications," Rabbi
Jason Miller, founder of Kosher Michigan and interim rabbi with
Congregation B'nai Israel in Toledo, Ohio, told the Jewish News.
"Clearly, he was not briefed on how dangerous a group Jews for
Jesus is to the Jewish community in our country through their
proselytizing efforts aimed at young, naive Jews, especially on col-
lege campuses.
"I hope that had he understood the gravity of the situation, he
would have opted to decline their invitation. I don't think Bush left
office with a very favorable rating among American Jews, but this
clearly seals the deal."
The Messianic Jewish Bible Institute's chairman, Jonathan Berris,
also released a statement regarding the controversy.
"The idea seems to be that it is somehow 'intolerant' for Jewish
believers in Jesus to share their convictions with other Jews. The
real intolerance is coming from those who apparently think that
no Jewish person should ever be exposed to the claims of the most
famous Jew who ever lived."
The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations estimates there are
about 20,000 Jews affiliated with Messianic congregations in the
United States.
Sharon Lipton, president of the Bloomfield Township-based
Jewish Community Relations Council, shared some harsh criticism
for these organizations and the president's actions.
"Messianic Jews are Christians who proselytize Jews to leave
Judaism and join the Christian faith," she said. "Their actions are
insensitive and insulting and demean Judaism. We are disappointed
that former president Bush participated in the conference."

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December 5 • 2013

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