The multi-million-dollar deceptions by missionary and cult groups present a major challenge.

According to recent Gallup and Harris polls, many of the 70 million "born again" Christians across North America are convinced that Jews must be converted to Christianity, and the Southern Baptist 1996 Convention resolution specifically targeted Jews for conversion.

The stakes are obviously high, because they’re pouring tons of money into the effort. Christian groups worldwide contribute more than $250 million annually to aggressively evangelize Jews, as their deceptive "Hebrew-Christian synagogues" have grown from 20 to over 400 in the last twenty years.

"You’re not complete unless ..."
Missionaries work to convince their recruits that they are not complete Jews until they accept their Messiah, and that they still retain Jewish identity even after converting to Christianity. This problem is not just affecting a few people here and there; the numbers are substantial.

A 1990 Federation demographic study showed that 600,000 Jews in the US and Canada identify with some type of Christianity. Churches also claim that over the past 25 years, more than 275,000 Jews worldwide were converted by missionaries who masquerade Christian beliefs in the guise of Judaism. The gospel is being preached by pseudo "Messianic rabbis" wearing yarmulkas and prayer shawls at "Shabbat" and "High Holiday" services promote Christianity.

"Shalom! Welcome to our church!"
Messianic groups have influenced evangelical churches to adopt their deceptive techniques. Jews are welcomed into the church under the pretense that they can retain their Jewish identity. The new Jewish convert is given a mentor, "someone Jewish who has accepted the Lord." The $16-million theme park in Orlando called “The Holy Land Experience” attraction, and traveling conferences like "To the Jew First in the New Millennium" are training grounds to teach Christians how to evangelize Jewish acquaintances.

It ain’t just crazies…
Contrary to popular misconception, not only the very naïve and emotionally unstable fall prey to missionary efforts; everyone is susceptible. Missionaries are all over the place. They target college campuses, hospitals, drug rehabilitation programs, seniors' residences, and shopping malls in Jewish neighborhoods, as well as the Israeli community, Soviet immigrants and intermarried couples.

They deliberately misquote and misinterpret Jewish scriptures and rabbinical texts to the unsuspecting victims, attempting to "prove" that theirs is the true Messiah. Misleading exploitation of Jewish symbols, religious artifacts and traditional music can easily confuse the potential convert.

The over 900 missionary groups active worldwide can be found in almost every Jewish population center. Several governing bodies in this movement have considerable political clout; and one was granted "observer" status at the United Nations. Several groups have founded "Messianic Jewish" day schools and "yeshivot" where they ordain "Messianic rabbis." There are over 100 "Messianic congregations" in Israel, and 38 in the former Soviet Union. These groups prey on uneducated, unaffiliated and alienated Jews.

In your backyard
The Jews for J. missionaries launched their evangelistic crusade in 2003 committing $22 million to a five-year global "Behold Your God" campaign. Jewish populations of over 25,000 were specifically targeted for this campaign. Their programs in cities including Chicago, Tampa, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Boston have netted hundreds of converts, thousands of Jews interested in further information, and 5 million missionary flyers distributed.

Don’t Kvetch, take action!

Some good news.
There are numerous dynamic, educated and dedicated individuals hot on the trail of the missionary efforts. One of the largest and most successful is Jews for Judaism. Founded in 1985, Jews for Judaism is a full-time counter-missionary, counter-cult, educational, outreach and counseling organization dedicated to countering the deceptive missionary and cult groups that target the Jewish community.

The organization has busy offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Johannesburg, but their knowledgeable staff lectures all over the world with Federations, JCRC’s and other Jewish organizations to develop a multi-pronged approach both to counter deceptive missionary campaigns and immunize with pro-active education. Their outreach programs enable Jews of all ages to rediscover and strengthen their Jewish heritage. Acclaimed and endorsed by all Jewish denominations, Jews for Judaism’s warm and open- approach has successfully reached many individuals lured away from Judaism.

Their Jews for Judaism.org website shows a glimpse of their creative "with-it" approach. Attractive flyers and press releases beckon with titles such as “Truth in Packaging,” “Missionary Impossible,” “Cross-Examining Christianity,” ”Why we say NO,” and many more multi-media materials.

CPR
One of their most successful programs, designed to reach an entire community, is Jews for Judaism's Community Prevention and Response (CPR) Program, to effectively alert the whole community to deceptive missionary programs. Their experienced staff develops broad-based readiness with the community's professional and lay leaders utilizing seminars, working groups, text studies and professional training sessions, preparing a cadre of people to successfully counter the missionary agenda.

On a personal note…

Excerpts of Jews for Judaism stories:
”I was a Jewish Christian missionary for over a dozen years. I believed in the Christian doctrine that everyone I knew and loved who didn't believe in JC, would burn in hell for all eternity. I became adept at using the Holy Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.

But while browsing the Internet, I was challenged to speak with Mark of Jews for Judaism. I corresponded with him, figuring I could save his soul.

To my surprise, I couldn't answer the questions he asked me. However, he had very reasonable answers for all of my questions.

He had cracked my armor and the stage was set for months of dialogue and careful examination, with the help of other individuals on the Internet.

It was difficult and scary, since I had so much invested in Christianity. But the facts were overwhelming, and with Mark's support, I finally came to the conclusion that I had made a mistake. Thank G-d I returned to my people to share the inheritance others wanted to take from me.

A lawyer speaks:
…As months went by, past memories assumed a wistful quality. Had there really been a time when I could appreciate friends and family for themselves and what they had to offer, apart from the ulterior motive of finding a weakness or need through which I could bring them the message of salvation through Jesus
One day, a law clerk gave me anti-missionary literature published by the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. Be not deceived, said the writer: The writing was forceful and well reasoned. As I read, a sense of emptiness engulfed me. Had I been living a lie? When I voiced my concerns to friends in the Messianic movement, they told me that Satan was trying to deceive me. Nevertheless, I began a concentrated study using a tool that I shelved for too long: a critical mind…”

Preventative Medicine
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best weapon against the sly and deceitful missionaries is the timeless formula that kept us going thru thick and thin. Meaningful Jewish education, warm and hands-on Jewish home life and holiday and mitzvah observance. "Jew" it, and you’ll raise a generation that will be able to walk confidently past missionaries with hardly a glance, a spiteful laugh, or better yet, the caring and knowledge to help shlep other Jews out of their grasp.