Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein's Narrow "Bridge," A Book Review

As I read Zev Chafets' fascinating biography of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, I kept on thinking of various titles to call the review I was to write, like "The Fine Line" or "Tightrope," but in the end played with the book's title, The Bridge Builder.

First of all I must say that Zev Chafets did a great job writing this book. My gut feeling all along, and before reading it, was not to like Eckstein. Even though I know a number of people who do a bit of what Eckstein does, and my husband and I have had dealings with Christian zionists for decades, I'm more negative than ambivalent about the dependence Israel and Jewish social/financial/charity funding has on Christian, especially evangelical money. I must admit that decades ago, many times I had hosted groups of Christians in my home and led them on tours of Tel Shiloh and very happily accepted their monetary thanks. But as time went on I became more and more uncomfortable with the close relations that were being established. Was this all one big, rich Trojan horse? Were they really out to buy our souls?

Apparently Eckstein, too, in the beginning felt that your ordinary Jew could not be expected to know how to counter the theology problem. It's one thing for Jews to accept the money, but there could be theological influences when getting too close to enthusiastic Christians. Too many Jews are too ignorant of Judaism to understand the nuances and protect their Jewish religious identity.

Eckstein confided a lot to Chafets, who wrote of Eckstein's difficult relationship with a cold, critical father. Eckstein found more warmth and acceptance in the Christian and especially evangelical leadership, though he keeps on insisting that he has always remained an Orthodox Jew, praying to Gd, keeping Shabbat and Kashrut.

Eckstein's close relations with Christians, also, caused the Kollel, Torah Study Center, which he had been attending to question his allegiance to Judaism, causing him great emotional and spiritual pain. This was before his stupendous financial fundraising success.

And all along, there have been Jewish groups that while being grateful for the money would refuse to allow it to be revealed that Eckstein's Christian donors were the source. When Eckstein made having a proper sign as recognition, some groups refused the money.  But many more accept and request more and more funds.  The numbers, the millions of dollars donated to Jews all over the world (and also Arabs in Israel) by Eckstein's various funds/organizations stagger the imagination.

Money speaks making Eckstein a very powerful man. He is not the only Jew raising money for Jewish, especially Israeli causes from Christians. Eckstein is the best connected with powerful evangelicals and media personalities.

Zev Chafets makes Yechiel Eckstein into a very likeable person and admits that if he was to have a rabbi, then Eckstein would be the one. There's no claim of objectivity from the author. Yechiel Eckstein is a success story. I know of so many people who tried to make a success at fundraising. Some did well, but nobody reached the volume that Eckstein did, even those who also targeted similar Christians and evangelicals. If you want to know more, then read the book.

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Huckabee Speaks at Messianic Missionary Banquet

Posted by Jewish Israel

That's not kosher chicken Mike Huckabee is eating with messianic missionary Jonathan Bernis.

Just over three months ago, Mike Huckabee was the celebrated keynote speaker at the the ninth annual banquet of the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (MJBI).

MJBI is a deceptive and aggressive Christian missionary organization which exists for the sole purpose of converting Jews.

Does this indicate that there may be a serious chink in the armor of Israel's latest white knight?

Jewish Israel has written a respectful letter of concern to Mr. Huckabee and we hope to get a reply to some difficult questions.

Mr. Huckabee needs to be told in no uncertain terms that supporting Israel while simultaneously sanctioning missionary activity directed at Jews is seen as an irreconcilable and conflicting agenda by many in the Jewish community, who would otherwise enthusiastically endorse his political aspirations.

Huckabee's high profile appearances with messianic missionary leaders and performers should be of concern to Jewish leaders in Israel and the Diaspora. This is a disturbing report…more

Pilgrims' Progress and Feast in the Holy Land

Posted by Jewish Israel

While we Jews were celebrating in our sukkahs, a very different spirit of worship descended upon the Jerusalem Convention Center (“Binyanei Ha’Uma”) - compliments of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) and their annual Feast of the Tabernacles.

There are active missionaries at ICEJ's Feast of the Tabernacles and there are those in attendance who openly engage in missionary activity which targets the Jewish people for conversion.

Does the Feast lend credence to and empower the evangelizing network in Israel?

In this post-holiday wrap-up, Jewish Israel connects the dots in an alarming tour which follows a missionary trail – in and out of Africa, to the Ukraine, to Jerusalem and Revava – which can no longer be ignored...more

Evangelical crusader map conquers the Jewish world

Posted by Jewish Israel

The Christian evangelizing Jewish Voice Ministries (JVM),directed by Jonathan Bernis, has just unveiled a global crusader map with a spiritual strike capability that appears to rival any physical threat Iran can muster-up (and JVM has already struck a significant number of Jewish souls).

It’s a bit mind-blowing when you view the far-reaching missionary influence of just one evangelical organization, and the map will give you an inkling of the magnitude of the messianic invasion here in Israel.

Take a good look and absorb this very graphic depiction of what some evangelicals perceive and promote as part of “God’s plans for the Jewish people”. And if your eyes are still exclusively set on a physical threat from Persia, then Queen Esther has something to tell you...more

Look what’s hanging over Jerusalem on Erev Tisha b’Av

Posted by Jewish Israel

This banner welcoming the conference for the Church of the Pentecost Missions hangs over the Rimonim Shalom Hotel in Jerusalem’s Bayit Vegan neighborhood. The banner quotes the new testament passage: “being transformed into the image of christ in a changing world”.

Properly welcoming tourists of other faiths into Ir Hakodesh and into Eretz Yisrael surely doesn’t warrant this shameful display. That it hangs over us at a time of year when we’ve been remembering tragedies associated with avodah zarah (strange worship), among other sins, and on the eve of our commemoration of the destruction of the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem, is distressing.

But jesus-friendly banners in Jerusalem may be the least of our problems. Is it possible that the Muslims know something we don't?...more

The Jesus National Fund?

Posted by Jewish Israel

What would Bubbe say if her little blue JNF box suddenly bore a cross?

These days the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) is not only fighting fierce forest fires, but they also appear to be fanning the "fire and brimstone" by forming a partnership with evangelical end-timers from BibleLandTrees.org.

The videos and written content on the site place an emphasis on new testament scripture, end-times prophecy, and refer to jesus as king, savior and messiah.

As an example, one featured video clip says, "And we plant trees so the land will blossom for his [jesus’] coming" (Bubbe would plotz over that one)...more

Jewish Israel Presentation at the Israel Center

Posted by Jewish Israel


Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold and Jewish Israel present:

"Israel and the Evangelicals: a match NOT made in heaven"

Monday April 26th at 7:30pm at the Israel Center in Jerusalem, 22 Keren Hayesod St.

Introductory remarks by Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean of the Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults, and Rabbinic Director of Jewish Israel; followed by a presentation by Jewish Israel

Please join us!

Russian Orthodox in Israel strive to resurrect “Church of Zion”

Posted by Jewish Israel

It’s no secret that myriads of Russian Christians (hundreds of thousands?) were able to “make aliyah” via Law of Return loopholes, forged documents, or simply because they have authentic Jewish credentials but secretly identified with the Russian Orthodox Church or messianic Christian groups.

While the trend of messianic Russian congregations is well known, it appears that non-Jewish Jews and “Jewish believers in Jesus” are now filling the pews in what’s reported to be a spiritual revival of the Russian Orthodox Church in Israel.

To understand the magnitude of the problem, it’s essential to recognize that many “Christian Zionist” and messianic Christian groups continue to actively evangelize Jewish and Christian aliyah candidates in the former Soviet Union.

While in Russia or enroute to Israel, assistance in the aliyah process includes “spiritual guidance”, “intercession” and exposure to Christian scripture. Missionary efforts and Christian indoctrination continue for the immigrants once here in Israel, with a number of Russian Jews embracing Christianity post-aliyah.

In this must read post, Jewish Israel takes our readership on a whirlwind “fishing” expedition through some chilling waters “from the land of the North” – and our report is just the tip of the iceberg...
more

Interfaith thorns

Posted by Jewish Israel
THERE WAS A TECHNICAL GLITCH EARLIER WITH THE ROSES POST AND IT IS NOW ACCESSIBLE IN FULL AT JEWISH ISRAEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE
Flowers for Jesus: Return to Sender:
Last week it was reported that officials in the Prime Minister’s office would not accept a donation of more than 1,000 dozen yellow roses from American Christians who were upset by reports of Obama’s treatment of Binyamin Netanyahu. This week's headlines report that the Prime Minister's office “was happy to get Christians’ roses”.

Jewish Israel thinks the agent and the agenda, rather than the gesture, caused the problem.

Taking a moral stand with Israel is a nice thing to do and some Gentiles like to say it with flowers. But next time use FTD as the conduit (or stick with lobbying Congress), as an evangelizing Janet Folger Porter, President and Founder of Faith2Action, packs a very thorny and loaded bouquet...more

Vatican continues to trip on crossed interfaith wires:
The state of Jewish-Catholic relations continues to deteriorate under Pope Benedict XVI. Two incidents on “Good Friday” caused outrage in the international Jewish community and elicited apologies from Rome.

Jewish Israel would like to note that any “shock” on the part of Jewish leaders seems a bit contrived at this point. Both scandals are part of a well-established pattern - woven with a flawed and deceptive thread – which appears to be an integral part of any tapestry spun by those engaged in attempts at Jewish-Christian conciliation...more

Jewish Israel gives presentation at Jerusalem Rabbinic Conference

Posted by Jewish Israel


On February 11th, Jewish Israel participated in a rabbinic conference held in Jerusalem on the topic of “Activities of Christian organizations and Evangelicals in Israel”.

The conference was organized by Rabbis Elchanan Bin Nun of Shiloh, Gidon Perl of Alon Shevut, and Elyakim Levanon of Elon Moreh. A wide range of rabbinic leaders from across Israel attended the conference, and a number of representatives from the Council of Young Israel and the Rabbinical Council of America were also present.

The aim of the conference was to present the rabbinic establishment with an overview of the challenges we face as a result of the burgeoning Israel-evangelical relationship. The ultimate goal is to strengthen halachic guidelines and to set clear and accountable boundaries vis a vis Israel’s dealings with the Gentile community.

The conference was closed to the press per the organizer’s request.

Jewish Israel’s Rabbinic Director Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold and our Rabbinic and Academic Advisor Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Woolf were among the featured speakers.

Jewish Israel’s Public Relations Director Shulamit Leibler gave a comprehensive powerpoint presentation which illustrated the magnitude and complexity of the challenges we face due to growing evangelical influence in every sector of Israeli society...more

ALSO...

Missionary Stearns to participate in 7th Annual Jerusalem Conference: Rev. Dr. Robert Stearns – an evangelical who is actively promoting a messianic Christian revival in Israel and is supporting missionaries in Israel – has been invited as a panelist for a plenary session scheduled for Wednesday February 17th as part of the 7th Annual Jerusalem Conference. Israeli members of government, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz , are among those sitting on the panel with Stearns. Jewish Israel gives an overview of some of Robert Stearns' evangelistic activities directed at the Jewish State …more

AND...

COMING SOON: Jewish Israel Reviews Rabbi Riskin’s Lecture
Recently Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat gave lectures in Jerusalem and Efrat respectively on the topic of "Jewish-Christian Dialogue, is it permissible? If so, is it desirable?". Representatives from Jewish Israel attended the lecture held in Jerusalem and took notes. We received an unedited audio tape and have forwarded that along with our initial impressions to our rabbinic director and academic advisors for their review. We should be posting our full commentary in the coming days...more

Jewish Israel reports

Posted by Jewish Israel

The ugly side of interfaith beautification politics:
In 2008 the executive director of Rabbi Riskin’s Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation actively participated in efforts to rehabilitate Pope Pius XII and set him on the road to canonization by playing an active role in public relations efforts towards those ends, and by assisting in providing evidence that was used by the Vatican. Under the circumstances, Jewish Israel was particularly taken aback to read a recent CJCUC press release which calls efforts to canonize Pope Pius XII "another blow to Catholic-Jewish relations..." The press release makes no mention of CJCUC’s participation in this fiasco.
It appears Rabbi Riskin's organization fumbled miserably in their attempts to play both sides of the field with the Vatican. Jewish Israel explores the terrible truth and sickening hypocrisy...more

Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Woolf joins the Jewish Israel Team
Jewish Israel is pleased to announce that Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Woolf has joined the Jewish Israel board as an academic and religious advisor. Dr. Woolf is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Talmud at Bar Ilan University, where he specializes in Jewish Intellectual History and the History of Jewish Law, and he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America. We look forward to Dr. Woolf's insights, contributions and advice....more

Pat Robertson’s “satanic verses” cause media tremors
When it comes to commenting on both man-made and natural disasters, televangelist Pat Robertson takes the golden globe for impropriety. Following last week’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, Robertson remarked that the Haitians had made a "pact with the devil" and have been "cursed" ever since.
Israel is certainly no stranger to Robertson’s gaffes...more

Not waiting for Armageddon
The Jerusalem Post has been doing their utmost to promote and preserve the love affair between evangelicals and Israel. While the JPost is obligated and does indeed report some of the news-worthy problems with the relationship, the editorial spin and oped pieces consistently appear to glorify the partnership, and rarely is the alliance critically examined. But the messiah must be near, as the recent pages of the JPost have been graced with virtually back to back reviews on a documentary which apparently does bother to provoke some questions that we Jews need to ask ourselves...more

Daniel Ayalon: Israel’s Ambassador for Christendom

Posted by Jewish Israel

Israel’s Foreign Ministry is sponsoring a bid to upgrade the status of evangelicals in Israel and recognize them as "a sovereign group or an independent church". The Interior Ministry is opposing the move.

Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, who as the outgoing Israeli ambassador to Washington, told Christians that he intended to be “their ambassador to Israel”, seems to be doing everything he can to make good on that pledge.

Jewish Israel covers the Deputy Foreign Minister’s ongoing efforts to bolster Christianity in Israel and we’ve posted video excerpts of Ayalon’s recent appearance on Benny Hinn’s television show, where Danny speaks a polished “Evangelese”, and gives Nefesh B’Nefesh a plug.

Hinn, a highly controversial televangelist, provides us Jews with a quintessential view of “avoda zara” and a good reason as to why the Jewish state should avoid granting special status to the evangelical church…more

Statement from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Reaction by Rabbi Sholom Gold

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

Evangelical Missionary Building Boon in Jerusalem:

Posted by Jewish Israel


Jewish settlements in Judea and Shomron may be frozen, but Christian missionaries are enjoying a real building boon in and around Jerusalem.

It should be understood that these buildings are not standard churches used strictly for private worship services. These are evangelistic institutions which place an emphasis on “outreach activities” and agendas which focus on the training of missionaries; missionary projects directed at Jews; and the strengthening of the apostate community in Israel.

Jewish Israel takes you on a virtual tour of some very recent examples of prime evangelical property development in Israel - leased, sold, or permits for expansion granted to evangelizing ministries and institutions...more

Eckstein challenges halachic ruling and threatens exposure

Posted by Jewish Israel

Hareidi halachic authority Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv recently issued a ruling forbidding the acceptance of Christian funding from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ/Keren HaYedidut).

Yechiel Eckstein, the Director of IFCJ, responded by threatening to expose hareidi organizations which take funding from his organization in order “to make sure everything is perfectly transparent.” Read the full report at Jewish Israel to understand the implications.

“Rabbi” Eckstein may be determined to embarrass and corner the Torah observant world, but Jewish Israel can attest to the fact that more and more Torah true authorities are expressing utter alarm at the degree of Christian influence in Israel, and they are beginning to take a firm stand and calling for consensus and accountability. Jewish Israel continues to hold weekly meetings with rabbinic leaders in Israel and we are regularly updating our halachic section as opinions and rulings are made available...more at Jewish Israel

UPDATE: Arutz 7 has picked up on Jewish Israel's post and "counter offer" read:
Evangelical Funding Heats Up: Rival Groups to Reveal Names

Bad messianic apples or rotten evangelical roots?

Posted by Jewish Israel



Anti-Semitic "Messianic" Apple doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Christian Missionaries Ari and Shira (Carole Lindsay) Sorko Ram of MaozIsrael Ministries target Jews for conversion and propagate “messianic judaism” in Israel. They enjoy support and endorsements from the biggest names in the "Christian Zionist” world - because they have yichus.

Writing and vlogging anti-Semitic ravings and accusations against the Orthodox Community and Torah Judaism has become a family affair as Shani(Sorko Ram)Ferguson joins in the family plan “to help further the evangelistic thrust into Israel”. Does the Lindsay-Sorko Ram-Ferguson clan represent a few bad apples, or are they at the core of a tree that is rotten – all the way down to its very evangelical roots?...Jewish Israel investigates.

Batting for Jesus: Baptist Village update

Last week Jewish Israel reported on an overt and growing missionary presence at the Baptist Village, in Petach Tikva, in anticipation of the Maccabiah 2009 baseball and softball games. We have an important and disturbing update to that report.

[note: Jewish Israel in no way wants to put a damper on the Maccabiah games nor discourage participation in a great event and sporting opportunity for Jewish athletes, and for Israel. However, we do feel that ground rules and guidelines must be established in order to ensure that those with an evangelizing agenda do not have access to our youth and other vulnerable sectors of Jewish and Israeli society. Those affiliated with the Baptist Village and the Southern Baptist Convention make no bones about their missionary intentions and aspirations. To promote the Maccabiah games as a missionary opportunity for targeting Jews is inappropriate, shameless and makes a mockery of the Jewish state. Submit your protest to the proper authorities listed in the report]

missionary conversions and recycled news

Posted by Jewish Israel

Evangelicals recycle messianic old “good news”
Recently, the Standing with Israel newsletter section of Charisma Magazine ran a feature article by messianic “Rabbi” Baruch Rubin entitled: Messianic Judaism Recognized in Israel and Elsewhere
The text of the article reports that, The Messianic Action Committee (MAC) “under the name Action Committee for Messianic Judaism in Hebrew, has been officially recognized as an Israeli not-for-profit organization. This means that the government of Israel now officially recognizes Messianic Judaism!”
Well, Jewish Israel felt that the Christian rabbi was pushing the envelope a bit far, because attaining non-profit status in Israel is not analogous to being recognized as a branch of Judaism. So we decided to investigate the misleading report...more

Missionary converts: a history lesson
The Israeli Rabbinate is faced with a significant number of converts to Judaism who continue to believe in Jesus and operate as missionaries. At the same time a government ministerial committee is set to discuss a proposal to prevent the Rabbinate from canceling conversions. Jewish Israel gives an essential history lesson of a time and a case when the Israeli government, High Court, and the Chief Rabbinate were in sync with each other. It should have set a precedent, but now the secular courts and our “evangelical friends” are set to try and supersede Torah Judaism in Israel with so-called “religious freedom”. Readers should review this post, as we are now faced with a direct spiritual threat to everything a Jew should hold dear...more

Freund Finds Friends in Finland
Michael Freund has put Club Med writers to shame with his latest piece on “pleasant”, “peaceful”, “pristine” Finland – a place where “Baptists, Pentecostals and Lutherans…stand united” in their support for Israel. Freund feels that “Israel and world Jewry must do more to cultivate relations with Helsinki.”
Well, before anyone start sowing more seeds, Jewish Israel feels obligated to offer our readership, and Mr. Freund, a whirlwind virtual tour of “the other side of Finland” – a place where Baptists, Pentecostals and Lutherans conspire together in their efforts to target Jews for conversion...more

Wife of Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister is a “Born Again Believer”

Posted by Ellen Horowitz for Jewish Israel

She may be "born again", but this “Judeo-Christian union” could be the death of us all (G-d forbid)…

Evangelical Christian Anne Ayalon, the wife of Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, can be seen and heard on Daystar Television kvelling (sic!) about Jesus’s ministry in Israel (see 8 minutes into the video).

Daystar is a premier missionary network with “a singular goal—to reach souls with the good news of Jesus Christ”, and I guess Mrs. Ayalon considers it good news that, "Eighty percent of Jesus' ministry is up in the Galilee. You walk there and you just feel god's love!"

It’s reportedly not the first time that Anne has used her position as the wife of a Jewish Israeli leader to “share her testimony about Jesus “ . As the wife of the former Ambassador of Israel to the United States, it appears Mrs. Ayalon witnessed on the banquet circuit…

Here’s a choice excerpt from Charles Carrin Ministries:

"While I was surprised by the Ambassador and his wife’s youthfulness, I was more astounded that Anne Ayalon used the Banquet-occasion to share her testimony about Jesus. She is a born-again believer. Speaking before high-ranking Jewish delegates, Washington’s media-reporters, and other international figures, she told of her love for Jesus and even gave a capable explanation of God’s Trinitarian nature. I sat there astonished. Never have I witnessed more graciousness, more spiritual beauty, or more gentleness than she displayed. No one could have criticized her loveliness. The incoming Ambassador’s wife, Noa Meridor, listened attentively as she spoke. More so, I was overwhelmed, wondering about the effects of such a woman becoming Israel’s First Lady. Pray for this couple!"

Israel better pray long and hard that its Jewish leaders come back to themselves and to their people.

(this report first appeared on JewishIsrael)

Did you hear the one about the Jewish Knight, the Pope, the Rabbi, and Jesus?

New: Rabbi Riskin Responds this post

UPDATE: Batya has follow-up posts on this issue here and on A7

Posted by Ellen W. Horowitz for Jewish Israel

Riskin Drops a Bomb

You can’t make this stuff up. The December 2008 Jerusalem Post Christian Edition has a feature article on Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s new interfaith endeavor - Ohr Torah Stone's Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation. David Nekrutman is the Executive Director of the center which is located in Efrat.

You may want to sit down before reading the following choice quotes from that article lest you plotz

Rabbi Riskin said, “The Christians have told the whole world about the God of love and peace, and they did it by picking up the ball that we Jews dropped 2000 years ago."

“Nekrutman assured his guests that he wanted them to feel comfortable, and even urged them, despite being in a synagogue, to ‘pray in Jesus name. Don't leave Jesus at the door’."

I don’t know if we dropped the ball, Rabbi Riskin. I think it’s more like we Jews dropped back for a pass, and the other team (let’s call them “the Saints”) were guilty of illegally roughing the passer and stealing the ball - among a torrent of other fouls.

And from where I’m sitting, it does seem that certain progressive rabbis – not unlike “Progressive rabbis” - are playing dangerous games and may be at risk of fumbling the future for all of us.

These “Orthodox” rabbis, like their “messianic” Christian counterparts, are trying to “put a new face on Jesus” in order to market him in the name of interfaith dialogue and Jewish-Christian reconciliation (or Jewish conversion – depending on which side of the fence you are standing).

But the fences have been breached…

Guys like Rabbi Shmuely Boteach regularly invite debates with messianic pastor/rabbis and promote the position that, “Judaism was the faith practiced by Jesus for his entire life, and from which he never wavered.” Or “Jesus was a Pharisaic rabbi. Everything he taught and lived was based on the Torah and the Talmud…Jesus' mission was to renew Jewish attachment to the Torah in a time when the threads of tradition were being unwoven due to the oppressive hand of the occupying Roman beast. “

Note how similar Shmuely’s explanations are to the one found at Messianicjewish.net, in response to the question: If I believe in Yeshua, won't that mean I'm no longer Jewish?

The site’s reply: ” Yeshua was born of a Jewish mother … and lived a Jewish lifestyle. He consistently followed the Jewish traditions and taught others to do so … The early followers of Yeshua (called disciples) worshipped daily in the Jerusalem Temple.. Also, the B'rit Chadasha (New Testament) was written by Jewish authors…to explain Jewish teachings to a Jewish audience. The Jewishness of the New Testament is clearly reflected in a recent translation entitled "The Jewish New Testament". Believing in Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, is a very Jewish thing to do. "

Rabbi Riskin announced his shift in position regarding interfaith dialogue in the Jerusalem Post in a July 2007 oped (which was - in part - a response to an editorial which I had written expressing concern about the crossing of theological red lines) :

“…the founder of Christianity was a Jewish teacher who - it would certainly appear from the Gospels - lived a Jewish life-style, replete with the Sabbath, festivals and kashrut. Hence there is every logical, historical and religious reason for there to be a rapprochement between us.”

Several months ago Penina Taylor, the Director of the Jerusalem Branch of Jews for Judaism, and I met with Rabbi Riskin and discussed our concerns with regards to his understanding of certain Christian theological concepts, like “grafting” and “One New Man”. It was certainly a cordial meeting, but both Penina and I came to the conclusion that Rabbi Riskin may not have grasped what these concepts mean to evangelical Christians.

And while we may be able to dismiss Rabbi Shmuely Boteach’s antics with messianics as a PR stunt by the “Chief Rabbi of Kosher Sex; Rabbi Riskin ,on the other hand ,is the Chief Rabbi of Efrat and is approached in that capacity by many people as a Rav Posek .

That Rabbi Riskin is enthusiastically awaiting the messianic era of peace and reconciliation is to be admired, but he may be jumping the gun a bit ( and I’m not referring to his being one of the first in line to be measured for his own custom-made set of Priestly Garments).

His embrace of evangelicals becomes problematic when an organization under his auspices appears to be the recipient of significant funds which were raised at a CUFI –sponsored event held at a missionary training center which is affiliated with an actively proselytizing Tel Aviv Messianic Outreach Center

And it’s literally playing with an Aish Zarah - a strange fire - when his center for interfaith dialogue encourages Christians to enter an Orthodox Jewish synagogue and to “pray in Jesus name”.

Just how close are we to setting up Stations of the cross, from Gush Etzion to Har Tzion?

Rabbi Riskin’s Center, touted as “the first Orthodox Jewish center to theologically dialogue with Christians”, recently issued the following press release:

Orthodox Chief Rabbi Meets With Latin Patriarch Of Jerusalem

(Excerpt)

....The meeting between the Rabbi Riskin and the Latin Patriarch was coordinated by Gary Krupp, founder and president of Pave the Way Foundation, an organization that bridges the gaps between religions. Krupp is organizing the first ever Lyon, France religious leaders mission to visit Israel in March of 2009. The group will be hosted both by the Latin Patriarch and Rabbi Riskin.

Just who is Gary Krupp and what does the Pave the Way Foundation do?

“Vatican Knight Gary Krupp and wife Meredith of Long Beach are Jews with strong ties to Rome”,

"I was knighted by Pope John Paul II, then knighted by the Anglica church, and then knighted by Pope Benedict and I'm Jewish!"

According to Pave the Way Foundation’s brochure, “Being a trusted member of the Papal household has enabled him [Krupp] to act as a catalyst in initiating changes and eliminating many obstacles to the furtherance of Judeo-Christian relations. Gary has also been invested, by permission of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as an Officer Brother in the Anglican Order of St. John.”

If you ever wanted to know what a court Jew looks like, I imagine it’s something like this (just look at all of Gary’s little crosses!)

A fatwa on Krupp

As long as we’re on the topic of honor, Gary Krupp was awarded “the Fatwa of Al-Aqsa” from the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. (Like I said, you can’t make this stuff up) And I was going to suggest that someone should really ask Mr. Krupp if perhaps the Grand Mufti didn’t put out a fatwa on him for having approached Al Aqsa. But then I saw it. It does exist on the Pave the Way Foundation sit. Top row center - running smack through the center of the State of Israel is the Fatwa of Al-Aqsa. And prominently featured in the center right of Pave the Way foundation’s brochure is Rabbi Riskin’s endorsement of that organization.

But wait. It was three years ago, in late October of 2005, that Rabbi Riskin’s office told this writer that Rabbi Riskin would request that his name be removed as a sponsor of Pave the Way Foundation due to the organization’s efforts to get Israel to give control to the Vatican of the room above the traditional burial site of King David. I guess Rabbi Riskin has since changed his mind, as the updated literature once again sports Rabbi Riskin’s endorsement of the Pave the Way Foundation.

Supper over Mt. Zion:

Krupp has unrelentingly campaigned for the return of the Cenacle Shrine to Catholic control.

According to Krupp, it’s “one of the most important sites for Christianity… It’s where Jesus first broke the matzo that Christians remember at each Mass….The Catholic Church has owned it since the 11th century. They have a bill of sale...It only makes sense now that it goes back to Catholic jurisdiction.”

Well, Mr. Krupp, this writer believes that High Mass at the Kever Dovid HaMelech complex could really throw a wrench into one’s davening, and Gregorian chants are likely to disturb Gemorah classes at the Diaspora Yeshiva - which operates the campus and manages the Mt. Zion complex.

Some of you may recall that three years ago the Committee to Save Mt. Zion played a pivotal role in upsetting ongoing Vatican efforts to gain control of “the Last Supper Room (Cenacle Shrine)”

It was Gary Krupp and his Pave the Way Foundation which has been acting as a facilitator in the Vatican – Israel property negotiations of the past few years. And it remains high on his agenda, although his most recent literature makes a special point that “use” of the Shrine “will not disturb the Tomb of King David below or the Yeshiva on the ground level”

I’m certainly no scholar, but it was my understanding that there is an absolute halachic prohibition of Jews giving away land in Eretz Yisrael to non-Jews, worse so to Ovdei Avodah Zara, worse so when being done as a gift. Perhaps Rabbi Riskin could shed some light on this, and offer some clarification.

Rehabilitating Pope Pius XII

Another one of Krupp’s papal priorities is to see to it that Pope Pius Xll has any anti-Semitic blemishes removed so that the Vatican can proceed with his beautification process without Jewish sensitivities getting in the way. And so last September Pave the Way Foundation sponsored an international symposium of scholars and rabbis.

...Krupp told Catholic News Service after the audience that Pope Benedict "was very appreciative" of the organization's extensive research, which had revealed clearly that the current negative perception of Pope Pius "is completely wrong.".....

Krupp uses David Nekrutman of Rabbi Riskin’s center to bolster Pave the Way Foundation and the Vatican’s position:

David Nekrutman, executive director of the Israeli–based Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation, told CNS the exhibit at Yad Vashem should be taken down “until it’s done correctly.”

Nekrutman, who knows Krupp from his past – as Director of Community and Interfaith Relations for the Consulate General of Israel in New York - can also be seen on YOUTUBE as he gets an “awakening call” and is “transformed” as he discovers, “whatever I was taught from day one about the Catholic church and Pope Pius was wrong.”

To be fair, Rabbi Riskin and David Nekrutman are not the only Torah Observant Jews who have had dealings with Gary Krupp, the “trusted member of the Papal household” (does that make him a house Jew?).

Ronny Levy of MADP Tarshish Foundation recently dined and “broke bread together” with the Krupps, “a Catholic priest, two Protestants, and two Palestinian Muslims.”

Levy is the personal advisor to the President of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land and served as an advisor to the former chairman of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus. I will give you more on Mr. Levy in my next report, but here’s a little preview:

“As an orthodox Jew of the Levy tribe, son of an orthodox family of 11 generations in Jerusalem, educated all his life in orthodox schools and yeshivas, I can guarantee you that when the day of Salvation arrives God will open our eyes, and if God shows us that Jesus is the Messiah, we will receive him with love and joy! We do not turn our backs on God and His message! If He sends Jesus as His Messiah we will have to accept Him! We will be unable to turn our back on God!”

Conclusion:

By opening the “first Orthodox Jewish center to theologically dialogue with Christians”,I believe Rabbi Riskin has compromised the currently accepted halacha, and consequently puts at risk our spiritual continuity and imperils our future in a Jewish Israel.

BREAKING NEWS: from the President of Israel Spokesperson's Office

Vatican Advance Delegation Meets With President's Residence Officials In
Order To Prepare For Possible Visit By Pope Benedict Xvi To Israel

Israel attributes great importance to the visit and is preparing to receive
Pope Benedict XVI with full ceremony and official events that will
strengthen ties between the State of Israel, the Holy See and the entire
Christian world.

Onward Christian Missionaries

Posted by Ellen W. Horowitz

In the mad pre-Rosh Hashanah rush, I neglected to send out a missionary update. So below is the last update on evangelical missionary activity for the year 5768 – and it’s a long one.

Let’s hope that this New Year brings shorter and sweeter news, as we make progress in our efforts to upset the designs of those who are determined to take the Jewish people away from their faith.

With the U'netaneh Tokef prayer being such an integral part of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur service, we might as well begin in Germany where more than 800 years ago the martyred Rabbi Amnon of Mainz left us a very painful and eternal lesson on an interfaith friendship gone awry…

The WEA issues the 2008 Berlin Declaration: a decree to convert European Jewry:

YNET reports that the World Evangelical Alliance ended their conference in Berlin with a statement calling for the mass conversion of Jews (in the spirit of friendship, of course)

The statement issued by the WEA Theological Commission entitled "The Berlin Declaration on the Uniqueness of Christ and Jewish Evangelism in Europe Today" was developed by a task force at a consultation in Berlin, Germany which took place on August 18-22, 2008.

The ADL was quick to denounce the World Evangelical Alliance for targeting European Jews for conversion. It was not unlike Foxman’s statement issued at the end of March which censured the very same WEA for launching a campaign targeting Jews for conversion via full page ads in the New York Times and other major papers.

The WEA is no fringe group. It “ is a network of churches in 128 nations that have each formed an evangelical alliance and over 100 international organizations joining together to give a worldwide identity, voice and platform to more than 420 million evangelical Christians.” And it enjoys the endorsement of some heavy hitters among so-called “Christian Zionists”. As you may recall CUFI regional director and publisher Stephen Strang was among the endorsers of that WEA statement, as was radio-show host Janet Parshall - who was instrumental in launching and establishing the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus.


[It should be noted that the “prophetic” Parshall withdrew from the Caucus as she sensed a time when Israel would soon essentially say, "We'll take your aid, your support and your tourist dollars, but we won't take your Jesus."] Damn straight, Janet !

Ironically it was Abe Foxman of the ADL who played a role in preventing Israel from passing badly needed anti-missionary legislation back in 1998. Something about “the bill’s implications on civil liberties and religious freedom in Israel”.. What goes around comes around, Abe.

Messianic Jews Promote Ethiopian Aliya:

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Messianic Jewish missionaries from the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) are busy convincing 50,000-70,000 Ethiopian Christians from far-flung villages in Ethiopia that they are really Jewish believers in Jesus and entitled to aliyah.

The following are excerpts from the article:
“Operation Tikva is contravening the Israeli government's attempts over the last year to wind down official aliya operations in Ethiopia, and the project is being viewed in Jerusalem with alarm.”

...."These people are clearly not Jewish and they are working in areas where none of the people are Jews either; everything they are telling these people are lies," said Rabbi Menachem Waldman, a member of the Public Council for Ethiopian Jews, which has successfully persuaded the Israeli government to continue checking the eligibility for immigration of a further 3,000 Falash Mura (Ethiopian Jews whose ancestors converted to Christianity more than a century ago) from the same region of Ethiopia...

Aveje Manhanei, who runs an Israeli-based Web community dedicated to preserving the traditions and culture of Ethiopian Jewry, told the Post, "If Israel does not put a stop to this activity as soon as possible then there will eventually be another 75 million Ethiopians demanding to make aliya."

Kidnapping the Kotel:

Missionaries continue their “love affair” with Jewish symbols with the intent of drawing Jews closer. Well here’s one kotel we Jews won’t be kissing…

Every Home for Christ located in Colorado Springs, will be spending $2.3 million on a replica of the Western Wall which will be housed in the Jericho Center for Global Evangelism – a missionary training center

The replica will fill 2,500 square feet of an 8,000-square-foot, 300-seat auditorium. About 50 tons of stone will be used to construct the mini two-story wall and auditorium. Stones will be cut from an ancient mine outside of Jerusalem. The wall will be free and open to the public 24 hours a day. The hope is to have Christians and Jews praying together.

1 Million Christians to Claim Inheritance of Eretz Yisrael…

…if Joel Bell gets his way. The Israeli citizen and Christian missionary (how did he make aliyah?)
who sends out Hannukah greetings praising Jesus, has unveiled ambitious building designs in Israel, as well as plans to bring 1,000,000 Christians on aliyah. Joel figures that the time has come for Christians to claim their eternal inheritance to Israel – and he’s got Likud cooperation.

Joel, knows how to put a slick presentation together for his Christian brethren, and WORLDWIDE BIBLICAL ZIONISTS "actively develop opportunities through partnership for your participation here in Israel. Investments, jobs, housing, education, military training, community, and tools you'll need to make Israel your home. “

Joel Bell has his eyes set on Judea and Shomron, and he will be bringing a large group to Israel in November to seek out opportunities – so heads up, Jews.

IDF Officers “hook-up”with Southern Baptist Missionaries:

According to a series of letters sent to 11,000 Christian clergy, Southern Baptist Pastor Jim Vineyard “hooked up” with 80 IDF officers at a “War College” in France in late September. Vineyard stayed at the same hotel with “these 80 Hebrews to study primarily, the Normandy Invasion”.

One of the sponsors of the program is Colonel J. Tyler Ryberg, USMC (Retired). Ryberg is the Director of the missionary agency and local church ministry of Faith Baptist Church, Belleville, IL , where his mission is to “evangelize and disciple military men and women around the world through Worldwide Military Baptist Missions”.

In all fairness, Colonel Ryberg has a wealth of battle experience and appears to have great admiration for Pastor Vineyard and his efforts. But he is first and foremost a missionary with a vision for U.S. military men and women “ to be saved, baptized, discipled and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.” So one wonders why our IDF officers need this kind of program which appears to have been – to a large extent - coordinated and sponsored by Baptist pastors like Vineyard and Ryberg.

According to one of Vineyard’s letters, packages were distributed to the IDF officers… “when we put that package of books and DVDs into their hands. They would ask, “For Me?” Then they would walk away amazed.” According to the letter, most of the material was related to the subject matter at hand (the Normandy Invasion). But you gotta wonder…

The State Department has an Orthodox Jewish Problem:

The International Religious Freedom Report of 2008 was recently released, and the State Department leveled some unwarranted charges against the Jews. Seems we’ve been persecuting the church here in Israel and denying Christians their right to pretend to be Jews.

The Jerusalem Post reports that the State Depatment “put blame for the "tensions" on "certain Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities."

But except in one case, the report, which noted numerous incidents of discrimination or violence against Christian or Messianic Jewish communities or individuals, failed to prove that the perpetrators were Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox.

The biased and shoddy State Department reporting seemed to rely heavily on the spin given by CBN (the Christian Broadcasting Network) and the ACLJ (The American Center for Law and Justice) – both Pat Robertson productions. As expected they covered items like the Ariel Purim explosion (“bombing”), the Narkiss Church fire (“arson”), and the incineration of missionary materials (“bible burnings”). Of course Pastor/Lawyer Calev Myer’s Jerusalem Institute of Justice was one of the messianic sources which the State Department used in their hatchet job.

Pat Boone “sings” at Eckstein’s anniversary Bash

Pat Roberston was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for support of Israel at Yechiel Eckstein’s 25th anniversary banquet for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ).

As already pointed out, Robertson’s institutions like CBN and ACLJ are giving Israel a messianic migraine. But it was Pat Boone who MC’d the Eckstein event, and Pat “sang” about his hopes for the Jews on Chicago’s news station WBBM 780.
You can hear that clip here or just read it:

“…one of the early leaders of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 74-year-old singer Pat Boone, who is Christian but says, with a smile, that he represents the Messianic branch of Judaism.

"The time will come when Jews themselves will say, 'What do you know? The messiah has been here all this time.' So that's what we believe, and we long for. Not that we try to force it on anybody. And we understand why they don't see that yet. Maybe some never will."

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported that Eckstein's organization (IFCJ) gave $10,000 in 2007 to an evangelical group in Jerusalem that proselytizes Israeli Jews. " That organization would be Kings of Kings Assemblies in Jerusalem.

"King of Kings Community is called to be a compelling, Messiah-centered, Spirit-empowered, disciple-making community that reveals the true face of Yeshua (Jesus) to Israel and to the nations. "

Yep. That sounds pretty missionary to me.

Is There a Rabbi in the House?

While Rabbi Eckstein may have distributed funds to missionaries, it appears that Rabbi Riskin has accepted missionary related funds.

A CUFI sponsored event at the Harvest Training Center - a missionary organization - raised $12,600 for Rabbi Riskin's Ohr Torah Loving Kindness Fund in Efrat.

The Calvary Tabernacle Harvest Training Center of Cranford New Jersey is affiliated with Dugit Messianic Outreach Center in Tel Aviv ( a very active missionary organization)

ICEJ Crowns Jesus as the Lion King and Ruler of Jerusalem:

Once again the annual ICEJ (International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem) Feast of the Tabernacles pilgrimage will soon descend upon Jerusalem. As you may recall, last year the Chief Rabbinate proscribed Jewish participation in the Feast events, as well the Jerusalem March due to a missionary presence and activity. As I pointed out in a recent report, the rabbinic decision was more than vindicated.

The Lion of Judah is the theme of this year’s Feast and this is what Chuck King has this to say about this year's feast:

From the tribe of Judah came King David, and from the House of David the true “Lion King” – Jesus – appeared. Jesus’ identity as the triumphal Lion of Judah is revealed in Revelation 5, where He is described as the only one worthy to open Heaven’s scroll.

This year’s Feast of Tabernacles celebration raises a banner bearing the symbol of the Lion of Judah. By lifting up His tribal ensign, we proclaim in this 60th year anniversary of Israel’s national rebirth, that the coming Lion of the Tribe of Judah will soon establish His rightful inheritance and establish His throne to rule over His city and the nations.

the lion of Jesus theme is prominently featured throughout the week long pilgrimage with events proclaiming THE INHERITANCE OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROAR OF THE LION OF JUDAH, THE LION OF JUDAH AS JUDGE, THE TRIUMPHANT LION OF JUDAH, etc…

Some people will simply dismiss this as a Christian event about Christian beliefs. But as Jews living in Eretz Yisrael, we do have the following issues:
a) The event - the largest tourist event of the year in Israel - is fully endorsed by the government of a Jewish state.
b) the Prime Minister as well as Knesset members and "rabbis" and Jewish/Israeli diplomats and dignitaries attend the events of Feast pilgrimage and/or give it their blessing.
c) A Jewish convention center that enjoys a kashrut certificate hosts the pilgrimage
d) there is a heavy messianic and missionary presence at the Feast (it is essentially an evangelical/missionary event)
e) The Jerusalem March will certainly feature large banners of the Lion of Judah - symbolic of their Jesus, and Jewish bystanders and participants will inadvertently be paying homage to and acknowledging the Christian participants and their symbols (this may pose a serious halachic issue)

Honestly I haven’t been so disgusted since Jerusalem’s emblem of the lion of Judah was morphed into two lions mating to promote a gay pride parade in the streets of Jerusalem .

So if I could be so bold as to momentarily reclaim the Lion King from the Christian Embassy, and borrow a line from Walt Disney….

“Remember who you are”

As we Jews stand before Hashem during these awesome days, we should try and remember just who we are and where we are standing.

And I think we can and should restore the symbol of the lion of Judah to its proper place by politely, but firmly, telling the Christian Embassy where they can put their jesus.

Shana Tova and G’mar Chatima Tova.