Posted by Jewish Israel
BREAKING NEWS : A response by Rabbi Riskin now on YouTube
Earlier today Jewish Israel received an email from Elie Klein of the public relations agency Ruder Finn Israel.
The email entitled: STATEMENT FROM RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN REGARDING YOUTUBE VIDEO - DECEMBER 30, 2009 can be read here.
Ruder Finn Israel is “the leading full-service strategic marketing consultancy and public relations agency in Israel” and their current and past clients include leading government agencies, Hi-Tech companies, and such organizations and institutions as Yeshiva University, Nefesh B’Nefesh, the International Christian Embassy (ICEJ), the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews(IFCJ), and Global Evangelism Television (Pastor John Hagee).
Jewish Israel’s Rabbinic Advisor viewed the YouTube video and read Rabbi Riskin’s statement. Rabbi Gold had this to say:
“While recent clarification from Rabbi Riskin is welcome on this matter, I remain concerned. Rabbi Riskin’s consistently radical statements and ambiguous positions on interfaith dialogue and endeavors can be misinterpreted by both Jews and Christians and manipulated and twisted to fit the agendas of those who are trying to undermine the foundations of the Jewish faith and wreak confusion among our people.
Furthermore, it would be advisable for Rabbi Riskin to steer clear of mixing politics, history and Christian theological issues together with what is clearly a halachic matter. I imagine Rabbi Riskin’s revered teacher Rav Yoseph B. Soloveitchik, z”l would have been greatly distressed over the crossing of theological lines between faith communities which is currently taking place under the pretense of an Israel-evangelical alliance.” ----Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold
Jewish Israel will continue to keep our readership posted on this issue...more
13 comments:
Ellen, thanks for posting this. I'm very pleased to read Rabbi Gold's opinion. It's halachik and not a pr spin/excuse. I'm greatly saddened that I can no longer look up to Rabbi Riskin as the positive role model he once was for me.
i dont know what riskin is pulling. the man is near 70 years old. why is he doing this now? whats in it for him?
Batya,
On behalf Of Jewish Israel, thanks -once again- for letting us use Shiloh Musings to disseminate information on this pressing issue.
Anonymous,
I think the issue is complex but after having met with Rabbi Riskin, exchanged correspondence with him, and reviewed his opinions, I believe he...
a)is sincerely taken by the outpouring of moral, political, economic and humanitarian aid from evangelical/missionary sources.
b)has put a rather messianic and prophetic (end days)interpretation on this “unconditional” love.
c)believes we have no choice but to form a Judeo-Christian theological alliance in the face of the threat from radical Islam.
But lines are being crossed and the halacha seems to have gotten buried somewhere.
"...manipulated and twisted to fit the agendas of those who are trying to undermine the foundations of the Jewish faith and wreak confusion among our people."
Powerful statement.
Very powerful, but gets straight to the heart of the matter.
If a rabbi can be taken in, it means any Jew is at risk if they're not educated about the dangers of interfaith dialogue.
OT but it struck me as weird:
"Ruder Finn Israel is “the leading full-service strategic marketing consultancy and public relations agency in Israel” and their current and past clients include leading government agencies, Hi-Tech companies, and such organizations and institutions as Yeshiva University, Nefesh B’Nefesh, the International Christian Embassy (ICEJ), the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews(IFCJ), and Global Evangelism Television (Pastor John Hagee)."
I know it's just a PR firm and doesn't discriminate in taking clients, but it looks odd to see YU listed along with Hagee and IFCJ. Again, I'm not suggesting anything funny going on, just that seeing Yeshiva University with John Hagee looks piculiar.
Keli Ata,
If you're unsettled with Ruder Finn's client list, have a look at
http://www.5wpr.com/clients/index.cfm
Check out the category Public Affairs/Government Relations.
Ronn Torossian an Israeli-American runs the company. Benny Elon and Ehud Olmert were purportedly his first clients. But now he handles Pat Robertson, John Hagee, Benny Hinn,Aish, ZOA, AJC, JDC, etc...It's the Israel-Evangelical Advertising Culture Alliance
"[...but it looks odd to see YU listed along with Hagee and IFCJ ...]";YU lost lots of money when it 'teamed up' with Madoff so now I suppose they are desperate for a financial handout. As mentioned in another post, the xtian have huge coffers of finances, enough to embarrass, Louis VIII, so to speak.
a response by Rabbi Riskin is now on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inT6kv4ag8g
TY TY for the links, Ellen. I checked out the Torossian client list---even McDonald's!
This company seems to make a lot from Jewish company. Why not have a policy of declining missionary clients? It shouldn't hurt the pr firms that much.
Re Rabbi Riskin--I think you're right. Missionaries exploit the philantrophic nature of Jews. I agree with you on that.
Perhaps if Rabbi Riskin knew how these missionaries con poor xtians out of their last dollars it would change his way of thinking. If he knew they manipulate lonely elderly and teen Jews and essentially rob poor xtians.
Ellen, Ronn's time in Israel was very short as I remember. I don't consider him "Israeli," even if he may market himself as such.
Keli Ata,
I think we have to recognize that a lot of Christians (evangelicals included), are coming as tourists to Israel because they truly connect to their bible and it comes to life in the land of Israel. They are people trying to live good, moral lives. Many have taken a moral stand with Israel.
And a number of Israelis appreciate that.
A lot of the church leaders, however, place a great emphasis on the missionizing obligation and jesus-centered aspect of their faith. They are no longer trying to bring Jews to the church, but they are trying to bring jesus to the Jews. We Jews need to steer clear of the those who speak in terms of "breaking down barriers", "Christian- Jewish reconciliation" "Hebraic roots", "a Jewish jesus", being "grafted in" or wanting to form a "biblical alliance". Language and definitions are important here.
Taking an intelligent, moral stand (which may be biblically inspired)with Israel is one thing, but the theological partnership thing has got to go.
This is a Jewish problem, not a Christian one. And it's up to the Jews - and especially our Jewish leaders - to keep the borders (physically, morally, and spiritually) intact.
Very well said, Ellen. Very well said.
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