A Public Service Database From JewishIsrael.com

This site, as part of the JewishIsrael.com project, is a compilation of nearly a decade of research, reports and opinions focused on the challenges and complexities resulting from Israel’s alliances with Fundamentalist, Evangelical, and Messianic Christian groups.  This information has been made available to Jewish community leaders, activists, educators and to the general public.  It is the hope and intention of those who worked on and contributed to this database that the materials be reviewed and disseminated in a thoughtful, ethical and responsible manner.

Jewish Israel takes a critical look at Israel’s alliances with Fundamentalist Christian groups, and provides a platform for ongoing monitoring and pro-active responses to evangelical missionary campaigns targeting Jews for conversion, Read more

Mike Huckabee Endorses Proselytizing the Jews to Bring Them to jesus

It was over two years ago that JewishIsrael warned Jews to temper their enthusiasm for Mike Huckabee's proclaimed "love" for the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Mr. Huckabee has now come out of the closet to blatantly endorse the aggressive missionary activity of One For Israel Ministry.

Click here to watch the video and see for yourselves.

JewishIsrael in Transition: From the Written to the Visual

After nine years of serving as content and research director for JewishIsrael, I have opted for a much needed sabbatical. JewishIsrael will be continuing its vital work in documenting the pitfalls and costs involved in engaging and partnering with a christ-centered, evangelizing community. But in a highly visual world, which has lost much of its interest in the written word, and no longer has patience for exhaustive factual reporting, JewishIsrael will be directing its efforts towards video production and documentation, in addition to issuing concise community alerts…more

Of Israeli Messianics with Pigskins

Dear fellow Israeli Jews, your children are being tackled by missionaries. JewishIsrael states this both figuratively and literally. ... more

Today’s Reality of Christian Missionizing in Israel

In the most recent Musaf Shabbat supplement of the Hebrew language newspaper, Makor Rishon, two articles were published, regarding Israel’s and the Jews’ relationships with the Christian world. ... more

"IDF VS CHRISTIANS": Messianic Hananya Naftali sharing Jesus with Israeli Soldiers

Hananya Naftali's videos enjoy something of a cult following among certain pro-Israel advocacy groups, but let's see if the Jewish activists running the show continue to be his groupies once it's fully understood that the "Christian-Jewish" boy wonder is sharing jesus with the troops...more

Friend or Foe? A former Texas Missionary’s Visit to Mike Evan’s FOZ Museum

In a stunning and very personal account former Texas missionary Shannon Nuszen, who has since converted to Judaism, describes her distressing visit to the new Friends of Zion Museum (FOZ) in Jerusalem which was founded by evangelist Mike Evans. "The building is exquisite. The art gorgeous. The presentations are impressive. The technology is state of the art. The message is heart-warming. But for somebody like me who understands the language and techniques of the most aggressive missionaries, it was infuriating and heart-breaking all at once."…more

A Missionary Foe Turned "Friend"? Judy Lash Balint Interviews Malcolm Hoenlein on Mike Evans' FOZ Museum

Algemeiner is carrying Judy Lash Balint's fascinating interview with Malcolm Hoenlein. In an incredible Catch 22/checkmate situation, Hoenlein became the recipient of a well-publicized leadership award from the Mike Evans Museum in Jerusalem (FOZ). That's the same evangelist Mike Evans whose messianic activities targeting Jewish students in the 1970's caused Hoenlein, then the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York, to mobilize the Jewish community and form an emergency counter-missionary task force..more

Nostra Aetate 50th Anniversary Marked by Controversial Vatican and Rabbinic Statements

Two statements, one Papal and one Rabbinic, addressing the status of Christian-Jewish interfaith relations emerged with great fanfare last month, only to cause confusion, denial, debate, and some embarrassment among Catholic and Jewish sources.

With Christian-Jewish relations on the brink it seems that the recent flurry of frantic interfaith activity may have been created to stem the ominous tide and to protect the vision of what was largely perceived to be the new era of Christian love, from the newest wave of cross-denominational church-driven anti-Semitism

Here in Part 1 of this report, JewishIsrael explores the reaction and the misunderstandings generated by the both the Vatican and CJCUC rabbinic initiated declarations, as well as the recent attempts at damage control....more

Yoram Hazony Weighs In on Media Distortion of Vatican Conversion Policy Towards Jews

Dr. Yoram Hazony, a prominent Jewish scholar in the fields of philosophy, theology, and political theory, has written a critical analysis of the recent Vatican document on Catholic-Jewish relations which was misrepresented and misinterpreted in a virtual media blitz. The article, "What the Vatican Didn’t Say—And What It Did", was published on the TorahMusings website.

Hazony’s analysis needs to be read in full by those who are still under the false impression that the Vatican announced an historic and revolutionary policy change regarding the conversion of the Jews...more

BREAKING: Billionaire Temple-Building Bishop to Lay Cornerstone in Jordan Valley

Billionaire Bishop Edir Macedo, head of the Brazilian mega-church Universal  Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), will be laying a cornerstone in a ceremony to take place tomorrow, December 17th, at Machaneh Gilgal. A cornerstone for what exactly remains a mystery at this time, but our sources assure us that it promises to be an enormous undertaking, involving mega bucks.

JewishIsrael asks: Why is the Jordan Valley Regional Council dealing with a mega-church, Jew-targeting missionary who in the past has been accused of major criminal activity?...more

UPDATE Video: Macedo lays cornerstone  for a new city in Gilgal, Israel

Professor David Berger Assesses Problems with "Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity"

Tablet Magazine has a lengthy article by Rabbi Dr. David Berger which assesses the impact of ‘Nostra Aetate’ on Jewish-Christian relations. A true scholar and diplomat, Professor Berger delivers a balanced evaluation of a complex subject. JewishIsrael notes that Dr. Berger continues to reaffirm Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik's position as outlined in "Confrontation". JewishIsrael highlights some of the concerns Dr. Berger cites with regards to the recent "Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity" ...more

A Statement by Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold in Response to the CJCUC Initiated "Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity"

JewishIsrael's Rabbinic Director Sholom Gold has issued a lengthy and comprehensive statement highly critical of the CJCUC initiated "Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity".

"The 'Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity' is neither normatively 'Orthodox', nor 'Rabbinic', but it certainly feels 'ecumenical'. In fact, tragically, it reads like the ultimate 'anti-Rav' document – in irreverent defiance of the widely accepted directives on interfaith conduct formulated by Rabbi Riskin's own mentor, Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik Z"L."…more

CJCUC Improving Christian Relations or Destroying Jewish Foundations?

JewishIsrael has been closely monitoring the continued radical interfaith activities associated with the Center for Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), founded by the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Shlomo Riskin. A comprehensive report, as well as a statement from JewishIsrael Rabbinic Director, Rabbi Sholom Gold, will be forthcoming in response to a number of recent endeavors which seem to fly in the face of Jewish tradition and erode the theological fences between Judaism and Christianity…more

Convert-the-Jew Joel Rosenberg Headlines Jerusalem Leaders Summit

Evangelical leaders Joel Rosenberg and Michele Bachmann are making headlines this week. Both "pro-Israel" Christians are publicly calling for the conversion of Jews. But while the press had a field day over Bachmann's comments, Rosenberg – the more virulent missionary- enjoyed a PR coup with his apocalyptic predictions at last week's Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

Why certain Jewish leaders from the public and private sector seemingly jump at the opportunity to rub shoulders with those who openly and actively seek the demise of Judaism is an age-old question, which urgently needs to be answered… more

Chief Rabbis Vindicated for Asking Jews to Avoid ICEJ’s 2015 Jesus Worship Feast

The annual ICEJ Feast of the Tabernacles, which took place last month, is not a "pro-Israel summit". It is a christ-centered pilgrimage and ICEJ does much to empower and legitimize the messianic movement in Israel and its evangelical missionary network.

The religious nature and agenda of ICEJ's Feast is frequently dismissed or reinterpreted by Israeli government officials and the press and therefore misunderstood by the Israeli public. The result is that many Israeli Jews are perplexed as to why the Chief Rabbinate needs to issue warnings with regards to participation in ICEJ Feast related events. JewishIsrael reports on the agenda and the personalities behind Israel's largest tourism event...more

MDA Draws Blood at Elav Missionary Conference in Jerusalem

Last month JewishIsrael posted a community update on the Elav missionary conference and concert which took place this year at Jerusalem’s First Station. Sponsored by the Succat Hallel ministry, the annual event openly calls for "a Jesus revolution in Israel" and for Jewish, Arab and Christian Israeli youth to surrender their lives to christ.

JewishIsrael found it disturbing that a Jerusalem Municipality property such as the First Station would lend their facilities to a concert which targets Israeli youth with an overtly conversionary agenda. However, we should all be especially taken aback to see Magen David Adom (MDA) actively partnering in a blood drive in conjunction with this messianic Christian event. JewishIsrael went to Jerusalem's First Station to get an onsite report...more

Messianic Christians to Use Catholic Declaration to Fight Anti-Semitism in Special UN Forum

This Tuesday, August 11th, Laurie Cardoza-Moore who serves as both President of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations (PJTN) and as UN Special Envoy for the World Council of Independent Christian Churches (WCICC), will be addressing a special forum at the UN Headquarters. The approach being taken by Cardoza-Moore in her fight against BDS and "global genocidal anti-Semitism" is decidedly theological and biblical in nature and it is important that Jewish leadership be aware and cautious of the messianic Christian angle…more

Elav’s “Jesus Revolution” Concert for Youth Comes to First Station in Jerusalem

Tonight, during the three week period between the fast of the 17th of Tammuz to the fast of the 9th of Av, in the shadow of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount, throngs of Israeli teens and a good number of zealous Christian youth from abroad will be gathering at Jerusalem’s First Station for the Elav's 2015 messianic missionary rock and jesus worship concert. The organizers of the annual Elav event, Succat Hallel, have openly called for “a Jesus Revolution in Israel”...more

It's Open Fishing Season for Christian Zionist Proselytizers in Israel

JewishIsrael realizes that not everyone has the head or stomach to read in-depth reporting about the evangelical missionary incursion into Israel. For those who simply can't stomach the gravity of the situation, or fathom how "friendship evangelism" is impacting the very core of Judaism in the Jewish state, we've posted a number of new videos illustrating evangelical inroads into Israel. We've focused on three specific videos in this report and have provided brief and concise descriptions. If you can't read it, then watch it and weep   ...more

JewishIsrael Expands its Guidelines to Interfaith Relations with the Christian World 

Already back in 2008, JewishIsrael foresaw a number of problems with Israel’s burgeoning theological alliance with evangelicals. Under the guidance of our Rabbinic Director, Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold, JewishIsrael formulated a suggested approach to relations with the evangelical world.

This month JewishIsrael has expanded these guidelines to include such matters as the growing messianic missionary inroads in the Jewish state, religious freedoms issues, the Temple Mount, and the current climate of persecution of Christians in a number of Arab countries in the region. JewishIsrael’s expanded guidelines can be read here.

Yehuda Glick Meets with JewishIsrael to Discuss Red Lines in Israel-Christian Relations

Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick will receive the "Lion of Zion" Moskowitz Prize for Zionism on Tuesday, May 19. While JewishIsrael has personally expressed reservations to Yehuda regarding his campaign for "equal rights" for all religions on the Temple Mount, JewishIsrael congratulates Yehuda on his award and commends him for his courage, commitment and dedication.

JewishIsrael's directors had the opportunity to meet at length with Yehuda in his home just before Pesach. It was a cordial and productive meeting...more

Heads Up, Media! The Vatican Already Recognized the "State of Palestine" a Long Time Ago…

Ha’aretz headlines have just declared, "Vatican treaty uses term 'state of Palestine' for first time", and Israeli officials are "disappointed" and awaiting "clarifications".

It is certainly not the first time. JewishIsrael noted in our June 2014 report that official Vatican mouthpieces had been using the term "State of Palestine" on a number of occasions, going as far back as January 2013. At the time, Israel’s Foreign Ministry tried to make it go away by using virtual white out...more

Rights of Christian Proselytizing Sect Trumps Jewish Sensitivities in Israeli Court:

On the Shabbat of May 3rd, Jews of all persuasions attended a prayer vigil in protest of a Jehovah's Witnesses event being held at a sports arena in Ra’anana. After attempts to stop the event failed in an Israeli court, it was reported that thousands of demonstrators, religious and secular alike, staged a mass protest to voice their opposition to the proselytizing sect's activities.

The press reports leading up to the event were a source of confusion. JewishIsrael investigated the background behind the provocative missionary group and their activities in Israel and conducted interviews with Yad L'Achim, as well as community activists and concerned citizens who were present at the protest....more

OurCrowd Boosts Messianic Christian Movement in Israel

This week from April 27th through May 1st Israeli Messianic and Arab-Christian entrepreneurs will be gathered at "the Israel Business Forum", at Hotel Yehuda in Jerusalem, with the mission of economically empowering and developing the messianic Christian movement in Israel.

A conference in Jerusalem of this nature should no longer come as a surprise. This year in particular has seen a glut of major conferences in both Israel and abroad that demonstrate an open collaboration between Christian Zionist leaders and missionary and messianic leaders, which overtly focus on evangelizing the Jews and empowering the local messianic community in Israel.

What is newly alarming is that the highly reputable venture capital firm, OurCrowd, is sponsoring and partnering with this week's messianic Christian business forum alongside messianic-run entities…more

Rabbi Riskin’s Protégé Conducts Christian Interfaith Worship Service in Orthodox Jerusalem Synagogue

Contrary to Rabbi Riskin's statements in media outlets accusing the Haredim of launching a campaign against his joint Christian-Jewish worship event in Jerusalem on Israeli Independence Day, it was rabbis and activists solidly in the Zionist national camp who questioned the endeavor and who approached Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar in a meeting held on Israel's Memorial Day.

The “Day To Praise” venture was an idea conceived by David Nekrutman while he was studying Christian theology at Oral Roberts University. The event, held at Hatzvi Yisrael Synagogue, was promoted as being affiliated with Ohr Torah Stone. It was expected to be both "controversial and revolutionary" according to the Voice of Israel radio…more

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein Z”L Upheld Rav Joseph Soloveitchik's Interfaith Directives

Prominent scholar Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein passed away this week. He was the director of Har Etzion Yeshiva, a renowned authority on Jewish law, and a recipient of the Israel Prize.

Despite being considered "modern" and "open " in his worldview, Rabbi Lichtenstein, an eminent student of the late Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (known as "the Rav"), upheld the Rav's traditional position on interfaith dialogue and relations with the Christian world...more

Donny Fuchs Exposes Jewish Leadership as the New Jews for Jesus

UPDATE, 2015/04/22: The Jewish Press recently deleted this article. Fortunately, Google keeps a cached copy. We have replaced the original article link with the cache copy link. If you would like to ask the Jewish Press what made them so scared that they felt the need to delete the article, submit your query via their contact page.

Last month JewishIsrael reported on Jeremy Gimpel's continued collaboration with missionary organizations and leaders. We posted disturbing video footage and promised a follow-up report to our readership. Donny Fuchs of the Jewish Press, who has written several columns on the evangelical incursion into Israel, picked up the ball.  ...more

Jeremy Gimpel and Hayovel Pray with Convert-the-Jew Pastor Don Finto in Nashville

On February 22nd Jeremy Gimpel was the featured speaker at an event in Nashville sponsored by HaYovel, a ministry founded by Tommy Waller. At the conclusion of the event, Don Finto, a notorious Nashville-based missionary known for his support of the messianic movement in Israel and for public campaigns praying for Jews to come to faith in jesus, was honored by Hayovel. Finto joined Gimpel and the Hayovel team on stage where he blessed them and prayed in the name of jesus...more

JewishIsrael Alerts the Jewish Media and Community to Israel’s Missionary Crisis

At the end of 2014, JewishIsrael made a strategic decision to take a more pro-active and visible stance in order to get the word out about Israel’s missionary crisis. In keeping with that commitment, JewishIsrael has spent the last several months increasing our exposure in Jewish media outlets and in social media...more

Proud Jewish Writers Confront Christian Missionary Challenge

JewishIsrael is pleased to see that a growing number of concerned columnists across the religious and political divide are covering the severity of the missionary problem in Israel. Writers such as Diane Bederman and Donny Fuchs have persevered despite the controversy and unpleasant challenges that come with exploring territory which is deemed "untouchable" in an era marked by Israel's enormous dependence on evangelical Christian support...more

Hamodia reports on JewishIsrael's Insomnia: "Worth Losing Sleep Over"

Hamodia, a popular daily newspaper in the Orthodox Yeshiva world, published a lengthy interview on February 5th with JewishIsrael's Administrative Director Avraham Leibler. The article,"Worth Losing Sleep Over", was written by Hamodia's editor, Joel Rebibo, and gives an overview of some of the serious, if not alarming, issues JewishIsrael is dealing with - from missionary activity to expanding Christian influence in many sectors of Israeli society...more

Christian Zionist Leaders Unite with Messianic Christians to Focus on Evangelizing Jews in Israel

JewishIsrael has been closely monitoring a disturbing trend which takes "religious freedom and expression" in Israel to a new level and which marks a very public and orchestrated collaboration between prominent Christian Zionist leaders and renowned missionary and messianic leaders. This in-depth report takes a look at a number of major Israel-focused Christian conferences and events scheduled for 2015, several of which are to be held in Jerusalem, featuring the participation of powerful and aggressive evangelical leaders and organizations who have dedicated major resources to converting Jews and who preach a conversionary agenda...more

Comment Confusion on The Jewish Press Article Regarding IDF Soldiers Targeted by Missionaries:

With the entangled mess of comments under yesterday's Jewish Press article, JewishIsrael thought it should try to throw some light on the situation.

It is essential and urgent that the Jewish community grasps the full picture and the repercussions of present-day Christian affiliations and cooperation with Israel and the Jewish nation.....more

Something Fishy About the Logo for the "Forum for the Enlistment of the Christian Community"?

Those Jews familiar with historic Christian symbolism may find the letterhead of the "Forum for the Enlistment of the Christian Community" to be somewhat disturbing The organization, headed by Greek Orthodox Priest Gabriel Naddaf, features as their logo the traditional "Jesus Fish" united with, or entering, a Star of David...more

JewishIsrael Well-Received in Houston

JewishIsrael's Content and Research Director, Ellen Horowitz, visited Houston last November and reported to the Jewish community on the costs evangelical love and support are exacting on Israeli society.

In addition to giving presentations, Ellen heard Rabbi Tovia Singer debate a renowned evangelical theologian, and met with the leadership of the Noahide community...more

Will the Real “Kishkush” Please Stand Up?

On December 18 2010, Kay Wilson, (also known by her nickname, “KishKush”) and her colleague and friend, Kristine Luken, were brutally attacked by Arab terrorists in a forest near Beit Shemesh in Israel. Luken was butchered to death. Wilson survived. At the time it was widely reported that both women actively worked for “The Church's Ministry among Jewish People” (CMJ), one of the most virulent and established missionary organizations in Israel. Wilson was identified as a messianic Jew and the main educator and tour leader for CMJ's sub-ministry, Shoresh Tours. Since the terror attack, Kaye Wilson has been on the speaking circuit for a number of Israeli organizations, and there remain outstanding questions about her faith and agenda…more

JewishIsrael on Voice of Israel Radio

Avraham Leibler and Ellen Horowitz of JewishIsrael appeared on  Voice of Israel Radio's "Jerusalem Diaries" show, with award-winning journalist Judy Lash Balint.

In a short period of time the show, "Throwing Light on Christian Support for Israel", managed to touch upon a number of complex issues...more

JewishIsrael’s Counter-Missionary of the Month Award Goes to Missionary Cody Archer

Cody Archer, a missionary working for Revive Ministries, inadvertently outed his boss, Asher Intrator, as a missionary targeting religious Jews.

Archer sent JewishIsrael an email requesting that we remove the word "missionary" from one of our videos which features Intrater being interviewed by the International Director of ICEJ. JewishIsrael staff responded by asking Archer, " why the panic about the word “missionary”? We received an incredible and revealing response ...more

Jewish Business News Slams Evangelical Publication Israel Today for Deceiving Israelis

Kudos to Tibi Singer, columnist for Jewish Business News, for outing the messianic missionary publication Israel Today and their toxic agenda. Singer's article, "Come To Israel For The Most Virulent, Anti-Rabbinic Videos, In Hebrew", denounces Israel Today (of no affiliation to Israeli newspaper Yisrael Hayom) for promoting "what amounts to an aggressive messianic endeavor, complete with angry attacks on the rabbinic tradition, lies about the content and purpose of Talmudic passages, and open invitations for Jews to convert to Christianity—all of it in fluent, eloquent Hebrew, delivered by two clean cut, bona fide Israeli salesmen."…more

JewishIsrael Responds to Pastor Robert Stearns' Article in the Jerusalem Post

Evangelical Pastor Robert Stearns has a lengthy opinion piece in today’s Jerusalem Post (December 9, 2014) which attributes Jewish skepticism toward Evangelicals to Jewish fears of proselytizing and historic anti-Semitism. The reality is far more complex and Stearns’ missionary agenda was evident at recent events in Jerusalem. JewishIsrael has responded with a letter to the editor.

Community Alert: Christian Evangelicals Offering Shabbat Retreat for Har Nof Orphans

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) , whose core mission is to tell the world that jesus is coming back and to spread that word from Jerusalem, has launched a widely publicized online/email campaign to comfort and support the bereaved families of the Har Nof massacre ...more

When in Jerusalem, Israel's Evangelical Pilgrims Feast, Prey and "Love"

In this Post-Feast report, which includes an extensive and disturbing video sampling, JewishIsrael covers some of the "Christian Zionist" and "interfaith" events and activities that took place in Israel over the recent Jewish holidays. 

JewishIsrael feels that the Chief Rabbinate, which issued a ban on Jewish participation in an ICEJ sponsored prayer vigil last month, was more than justified in its concerns. We ask that our readers please take the time to view the related video clips and excerpts...more

Israel's Chief Rabbis Reaffirm Halacha Prohibiting Interfaith Worship

With throngs of evangelical pilgrims and ministries assembling in Jerusalem to celebrate various Christianized versions of the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot), Israel’s Chief Rabbinate has issued a statement prohibiting Jews from participating in an ICEJ prayer vigil scheduled to take place at the Southern Wall of Har Habayit.

The rabbis and political leaders in the Jewish state are faced with a formidable challenge.  Will they be able to take a wise and firm stand on behalf of the Torah, and uphold the integrity – the sanctity - of Eretz Yisrael without totally alienating visitors of other faiths?...more

Christian Missionary Joel Rosenberg and Family Make Aliyah

Joel Rosenberg, a renowned "end-times" author and missionary, who promotes proselytizing the Jewish people and dedicates resources to targeting Israelis for conversion, has managed to make Aliyah with his family

Rosenberg was able to immigrate to Israel as a practicing Christian missionary via a loophole in Israel's Law of Return. 

Just five months ago JewishIsrael reported that the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Shlomo Riskin, granted legitimacy to Rosenberg by sharing the podium with him at New York’s West Side Lincoln Square Synagogue in an interfaith theological exchange sponsored by Ohr Torah Stone’s Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation...more

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