During the week covered by this review, we received 7 articles on the following subjects:
Messianic Jews
Political Issues
Anti-Semitism
Zionism
Christian Zionism
Messianic Jews
Yerushalayim Shelanu, June 9, 2013
Dr. Adam Akerman gives a comprehensive overview of Messianic Jews living in Israel – their roots, their beliefs, and the way they operate – focusing especially on their ties to the Anglican (or Protestant) church and their evangelical heritage. He explains that Messianic Jews “believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, according to hints they bring from the Bible that were later fulfilled in the New Testament. Most of them see themselves as nationalistic Jews, Zionists, who are faithful to the State of Israel.” They practice a distinctly Jewish lifestyle, and their children attend public schools and serve in the army. And yet, “the State of Israel does not recognize Messianic Jews as a Jewish sect … but includes them under the category of ‘other religions.’” They are mostly associated with the evangelical Christian stream.
Dr. Akerman further describes how most Israelis are wary of Messianic Jews as a result of the secrecy that seems to shroud this group’s activities. This has given rise to the belief (especially among religious Jews) that Messianic Jews are out to “hunt Jewish souls.” But, writes Akerman, “In actuality, most of the Messianic Jewish community is characterized by its strong connection to Jerusalem and to the State of Israel. We should not judge them as a homogenous group: each congregation is its own unit, and each individual is, in fact, a Jew at heart.” The group is varied – there is no single leader, or even a single unifying organization under which they operate.
Throughout the article, Dr. Akerman mentions several Messianic entities, including the Hebrew-speaking congregation at Christ Church (in Jerusalem’s Old City), the Messianic school – Makor HaTikvah – that meets at the Anglican School in Jerusalem, and Yad HaShmona, the small Messianic moshav on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Regarding the latter, Dr. Akerman writes that the 30-40 Messianic Jews who live on the moshav “have a deep awareness of their Jewish identity, are involved in a variety of trades … their children are keen to be part of the IDF’s elite unites, and they abstain from missionary activity.” This community, according to Akerman, is a “positive and unique” contribution to Israeli society.
Political Issues
The Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2013
Another “price tag” attack took place in Jaffa on Thursday night. “The words ‘revenge’ and ‘price tag’ were spray-painted at two sites … including a Christian Orthodox cemetery where several tombstones were defaced.” The attacks seem to be an act of revenge for the swastikas that were spray-painted on two different synagogues in Bat Yam in April and May. The Jerusalem Post adds that “the Abraham Fund Initiatives, an NGO that works in coexistence efforts, said in response to the vandalism … that ‘the racist attacks against Arab citizens are continuing and it’s clear that the condemnations that we are hearing aren’t stopping them. The government of Israel must work against this phenomenon in the same way it works against anti-Semitic acts against Jews.’”
Cigar, June 4, 2013
Amir Bar Shalom reflects on the current situation in Syria, and whether or not the fall of Assad’s regime is good for the Jews. Of interest is a short paragraph describing a conversation he had ten years ago with a Christian Arab from Lebanon. The latter told Bar Shalom, in reference to Israel’s former involvement in Lebanon, “You can’t even imagine what us Christians in Lebanon went through. … You ‘crowned’ Bashir Gamayel, and after two weeks it all ended with a truck bomb. … After that you threw us to the dogs.” Bar Shalom admits that this sentence stunned him, as he had never before considered the war in Lebanon from the perspective of the Christian minority that collaborated with Israel, and the way they were more or less abandoned by Israel.
Anti-Semitism
Merkaz Ha’Inyanim, June 10, 2013
This short snippet explains the history behind the burning of the Talmud, which took place in France during the Middle Ages. At that time, “the king of France, under the influence of Christian cardinals and judges, whose hate for Judaism and the Jewish people knew no bounds, ordered the public burning of the Talmud.” Subsequently, 24 cartloads of Talmud books were publically burned. This coming Saturday will be a day of prayer and fasting in commemoration of that event.
Zionism
The Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2013
This two-page article reports on the Israel Festival that took place in Tennessee this week – an event which is “the brainchild of the Memphis Friends of Israel, a support group sponsored by local Jewish and Christian organizations and businesses” in order to “give a clear expression of their warmth toward Israel.” The festival was attended by about 13,000 people. According to some of the speakers at the event, the aim of the festival is to raise awareness about Israel through a bottom-up approach, thereby “influencing a major city’s perception of Israel.” One of the founders of the event told The Jerusalem Post: “The idea of an Israel Festival actually started here six years ago, and it progressively got bigger and better. … [When] you see Jews and Christians standing together … I honestly believe it sends a message to the international community that Israel does have support here in America.”
Christian Zionism
Din veHeshbon, May 31, 2013
A large computer lab was opened in the Evim absorption center near Sderot, which currently houses more than 600 Ethiopian Jews. The lab was funded by Christians For Israel, an evangelical, Israel-loving organization from the States. “Christians For Israel has been helping the nation of Israel and the Jewish settlements surrounding Gaza for many years now. It is the largest pro-Israel group in the world, with more than 1.2 million members.” The article describes how this organization, which has been operating for 30 years, usually funds projects in conflict zones, helping to strengthen Israel in those areas.
Hadashot Shelanu, May 31, 2013
This article reported on the donation, by a group of Canadian Israel-loving Christians, of portable shelters to a school in Ashkelon (see the June 7, 2013, Media Review).