(Message from the Federation’s Community Relations Committee)
We have received reports that in Cleveland, a Messianic organization has returned for door-to-door evangelizing. Teams of young, well-mannered individuals who are dressed to appear “Orthodox,” try to engage Jewish individuals in religious discussions while distributing their proselytizing packets.
Each packet contains a 100-page booklet on “Frequently Asked Questions by Jewish People,” a DVD and a personal message from businessman Tom Cantor, a born Jew, who converted to Christianity and founded “Israel Restoration.”
The Federation is unequivocally committed to the free exercise of religion and the constitutional right of free speech, and is opposed to discrimination of any sort. However, we are disturbed and distressed by these so-called “Hebrew Christians” or “Messianic Jews” who would demean Judaism by suggesting that it is not as valid a faith as that of the proselytizer, and that special efforts must be made to convert. One of the key elements of this movement is that sacred ideas of Judaism are being misrepresented to Jews who are in search of community and identity.
We recommend that members of our community not engage members of Israel Restoration and similar organizations in debate, nor get into arguments with them and/or yell, and most importantly, do not give proselytizers any personal details whatsoever. These organizations measure success by the number of contacts and follow-ups it makes so it is important that we show them we will not fall victim to their efforts.
If you receive a packet in the mail, please send it back with the words “return to sender” written across the front of it or simply recycle it. Please do not ask for more packets. Some people think this will keep the missionaries from giving these materials to those who may be more susceptible to conversion. Again, the reality is that they use these numbers to show “quantifiable” statistics and targeted goals for mass distribution and fundraising.
If you, a family member or anyone else you know are targeted by a Missionary group, please report this incident to Dayan Gross or Debbie Klein in the Federation’s Community Relations Department at 216.593.2900, ext. 227 or crc@jcfcleve.org.
For more information or for examples of “Hebrew-Christian” misappropriation of Jewish ideas and symbols, please also contact the Federation.
MM613 says
Thank you Federation for keeping an eye out for the Community. Any impact or pressure that you can influence in terms of obtaining a “restraining order” or the like on these types of characters woudl be helpful. I am most concerened about our children who are out and about riding bikes and playing outside, and if these missionaries approach them, and plant a seed of tumah (impurity) in their brains. These missionaries are trained experts in spreading and twisting up people minds, best is to engage at all and tell them, “go to your own”, and to “get outta here before I call the police”. We must warn our kids to do the same.. yell “stranger!! go away!!” and quickly run home to safety.
Avrohom Henfield says
I just answered the door to find a young woman stating something to the effect that she was part of an organization (I didn’t catch the name) that was reaching out to person of the “Jewish Heritage.” I politely told her I wasn’t interested. I don’t know what the halacha is in terms how to handle oneself when approached by these people, but I saw no gain in being rude and possibly causing a Hillul HaShem because laws dealing with interactions goyim is intensified during the zman of Bein Hametzorim.