The Celebrate Israel festival draws thousands every year. Photos by Leslie Rockitter I have proudly attended Jewish/Israeli festivals in Los Angeles for almost 30 years. What I witnessed this year was unprecedented. Dozens of missionaries descended on —– or invaded — the Celebrate Israel Festival in ways that I never thought possible. Based on the number of complaints I received, three major groups disrupted the event for many of the attendees and their children. The first group, Jews for Jesus, distributed literature at the park. They also broadcast their deceptive message — that you can be Jewish and believe in Jesus — with 10 missionaries canvassing the park with provocative T-shirts. The shirts had messages in Hebrew and English with sayings like, “Jesus loves you” and “Jesus made me kosher.” The second group consisted of burly men who looked like bikers or ex-cons who have accepted Jesus. Their T-shirts were more inflammatory, with statements that you must accept Jesus or go to hell.

I was especially upset to see these missionaries arguing with and touching minors. Third, Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue, which professes belief in Jesus as the Messiah and God, officially had a booth at the festival. I believe its members’ presence violates Jewish law and a long-standing understanding of The Jewish Federation and board of rabbis banning their inclusion in Jewish events. [BETH EMUNAH MESSIANIC SYNAGOGUE RESPONDS]Better Homes And Gardens Vertical Textured S-Slat Privacy Blinds I believe this group misled the festival staff by intentionally avoiding describing themselves as believers in Jesus.Moen Faucet Replacement Parts Lowes When I questioned a Beth Emunah representative about whether its members had identified themselves as believers in Jesus, she responded that they told the festival staff they “believe in the Jewish Messiah.” Black Lab Puppies Lafayette Indiana

This statement intentionally avoids Jesus’ name and their belief in his divinity. To anyone familiar with these groups, this misleading statement is a red flag. Deception and ambiguous statements are a very common tactic used by the Messianic community, which numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Had I been consulted about this group, I would have immediately raised my concerns. In reviewing Beth Emunah’s literature, it is clear that its members more than just “believe in the Jewish Messiah.” Their leader, Messianic “Rabbi” Steve Stern is a former missionary for Jews for Jesus. In another flier, they profess the belief that Jesus is God. This is something all denominations of Judaism reject. They also reiterate something I have been saying for many years: Messianic Judaism, with its mix of Christian theology and Jewish symbolism, is an attractive alternative for intermarried couples. I also witnessed several elderly Jews unwittingly engage in conversations with the missionaries at the Beth Emunah booth.

This is a very serious issue and should concern every rabbi and Jewish leader. I recommend that a task force be set up to issue strict guidelines. These could include a questionnaire to be sent to groups who want to participate in a Jewish event. I helped develop a similar model for the Jewish Agency for Israel after it identified a growing trend of missionaries lying on their aliyah applications. Additionally, groups should submit their mission statements and literature for closer scrutiny by a committee. Contrary to what some people say, the threat of missionaries targeting Jews for conversion has not disappeared. In fact, it is more prevalent than ever. The Internet is inundated with missionary activity, and Israel has become a bastion of missionary activity, with Jews for Jesus leading the way. The group’s office in Tel Aviv is staffed by several Israelis who have become believers in Jesus. It is no surprise that Israel’s Channel 2 reported recently that there are more than 20,000 Messianic believers in Jesus in Israel.

The best response to missionaries is awareness and education, combined with a message that Judaism is a beautiful, meaningful and spiritual path available to all those who desire to explore it. Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz is the founder of Jews for Judaism International. View our privacy policy and terms of service.GOD is GOOD Tee GOD is GOOD Tee Blessed Man T-Shirt (black) I Am Redeemed - White/Red T-Shirt Ask Me to Pray for You T-Shirt Names of Jesus Shirt Yeshua Acts 4:12 Ash Grey T-Shirt "Get Connected" Ash Grey T-Shirt T-Shirt PROPERTY OF JESUS T BLESSED BY GOD T-Shirt Gone Fishing Christian Style T-Shirt Fruit of the Spirit T-Shirt with religious design T-Shirt Greatest Is Love T-ShirtThe requested URL /Evils%20in%20America/tobymac_exposed.htm was not found on this server.by Brian Sniderreprinted with kind permission. Why do you wear a WWJD bracelet? Is it because you really want to do what If so, please keep in mind that doing what Jesus would do may not produce the

Instead of being looked upon with admiration as someone who is an outstanding example of righteousness, you will, with all certainty, become a pariah and an outcast in this world, especially among your religious friends. "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world The answer to what Jesus would do will not be found by looking at a wrist reminder, but will be found in the pages of scripture and through the influence of the Holy Spirit. From the scriptures, you should be able to discern these simple facts about living life as Jesus would live. First of all, Jesus would not participate in a marketing fad that reduces the severity of God to just another trinket. Like popular 'christian' t-shirts that mimic beer slogans - [***too grievous, I deleted this***] - these bracelets are surely an offense to a Holy God. If you really want to do what Jesus would do, take your

WWJD bracelet off immediately and repent of falling prey to such worldly "(He).....was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." If you really want to do what Jesus would do, live a sinless life....cancel your subscription to cable TV and the filthy magazines that come into your home. stay out of the theater and the movie rental store. Spend long hours in fasting, prayer and tears for a lost and deceivedPray especially for those who claim to be Christian and yet are self-deceived and are on the road to an eternal hell. "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Speak the truth, even though the world (especially the religious world) will hate you bitterly for it. Seminaries and churches today are apostate - they ordain women, teach ungodly doctrines like evolution, tolerate and encourage homosexuality and promote fellowship with such blasphemous systems as the RomanCry out against these evils.

Condemn in the strongest language anyone who transgresses the pure word ofBe prepared to face persecution and to die for your preaching. religious people will be responsible for your death, though they will deny that they seek to kill you. "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Be especially hard on preachers who are men-pleasers, more concerned about public opinion than preaching God's unvarnished truth. Do not fear men, even those who appear to be something by human standards, but rather fear God. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." The Promise Keepers and similar ecumenical organizations would have Christians believe that fellowship is more important than doctrine. who participate in this type of wickedness that God demands strict obedience to "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," even if you're standing

In fact, you will be. Stand up for the gospel, not by wearing a bracelet, but by preaching on street corners and in public. Create controversy everywhere you go by warning men of the imminent judgment of God and the necessity of repentance. "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not." Renounce the passing pleasures of this world and give your life wholly for Condemn so-called Christian atheletes who claim to follow Jesus and yet blaspheme his name by spending their Lord's day earning wealth and glory forAlso condemn Christians who can't wait to get home from the church house to spend the day wallowing in major league filth. Staring goggle-eyed at a

program full of gutter talk, half-naked women and beer commercials [...]. "And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought...." Stand in front of the local Christian bookstore and cry out against them for claiming to be "a ministry" yet peddling everything from ungodly "christian rock" to books that teach you how to better pray to Mary. there of being deceived by the philosophies and vain deceits of men. Remind everyone you know that the final generation on earth will be as the days of Noah, when only one family was saved. False prophets, false religion and false signs and wonders will be the hallmark of these days. Of course, no one you warn will believe that they are in danger of being deceived, which will only serve to confirm that these are the days he warned us about. Instead of the biblical warnings of apostasy, people today much prefer the human teaching that we are in the midst of a "last-days revival."   

Bible also reminds us that these will be days of itching ears. Go where Jesus would go. It's doubtful Jesus would spend much time huddled in a Sunday School classroom with those who look, dress and act exactly like him. Instead, he'd probably be found among the poor and downcast - those overlooked by middle class churches in the suburbs.  He wouldn't be very welcome, or even recognized, by most evangelical churches, because his teachings and methods would be so opposed to their own. Jesus would surely frequent nursing homes, homeless shelters, hospitals andRich people (America's middle class) are not a very receptive market for the message "take up your cross and follow me."  In the gospels, the Savior went to those who most needed to hear the message of God's redemption andThe same would be true today. "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." Have the kind of friends Jesus would have.

Not religious leaders, popular preachers or those who write Christian bestsellers, but those who love truth so much they'd forsake everything this world counts dear to be included in God's We could go further, but this should serve to illustrate the hypocrisy of those who would ask the question "What Would Jesus Do?" as if they were willing or able to provide a correct response. So many people today imagine Jesus as the greatest do-gooder of all time. They miss the point! Jesus was GOD, wholly unlike you and me. Few mortals, it seems, have any concept of the life Jesus lived, nor are they able to translate his deeds and actions to today. Jesus was an outcast among the religious elite. He was despised, hated andWhy can't Christians understand that the intervening 2,000 years have not served to change the makeup of the religion of man. alive today, the spiritual offspring of the pharisees (the religious elite of Christianity) would hate and malign Jesus just as the Jews did 20 centuries ago.