Yad L’Achim is warning the public that elements from the Christian cult “Messianic Jews” have launched a countrywide billboard campaign that attempts to get Jews to convert out of their religion.
Yad L’Achim is warning the public that elements from the Christian cult “Messianic Jews” have launched a countrywide billboard campaign that attempts to get Jews to convert out of their religion.
According to the organization, the missionary Tom Kantor, who operates from the United States with the support of evangelical churches, is behind the signs. He was also responsible for distributing missionary pamphlets titled “The Secret of Change” to residential mailboxes in an attempt to reach four million Jews.
The billboard campaign is taking place against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, which has caused large numbers of Israelis to draw closer to Judaism.
Yad L’Achim has come out with a widespread PR effort warning the public against the current missionary hazard, as it did this past summer, when it effectively stymied the brochure campaign. At the same time, it has reached out to public figures and city rabbis asking them to explain to the public the nature of the danger.
“This provocative, impudent campaign is aimed at converting as many Jews as possible, R”l, and is coming to your cities in the coming days,” Yad L”Achim wrote in a letter to these leaders. “As it is a dangerous campaign with explosive potential, Yad L’Achim is battling it in many ways, both vis a vis the broader public and vis a vis the billboard companies.
“We ask you to send a letter to the residents of your city warning against the missionary campaign. We also ask rabbis to speak out on the topic in their drashos and in other meetings with residents and public figures.”
A Yad L’Achim official said: “One again we are coming up against attempts by missionary cults to take advantage of distress and the fragile situation in Israel to preach Christianity. We call on the government to pass a law that limits missionary publications that call on Jews in the Jewish state to convert out of their religion. We are confident that the public will respond to our campaign and take appropriate action.
“At the same time we are asking everyone who has encountered signs in his place of residence, or any missionary activity, to contact our hot line, 24 hours a day, at *9234.”
A constructive approach is better than a destructive response.
Perhaps, a billboard campaign can be founded contrary to the side of unholiness “Messianic” to (lehavdil) the side of Kedusha “Moshiach”.