Time to Accept Messianic Jews?

Israelis Ask: Time to Accept Messianic Jews?

Friday, November 22, 2013 |  Israel Today Staff  

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Messianic Jews

At least two Israeli news agencies on Thursday ran the same story wondering whether it was time for the mainstream Jewish community to finally accept Messianic Jews as a legitimate and vital part of the tribe.

The article by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) highlighted former US President George W. Bush's recent keynote address at the annual conference of the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute in Dallas.

Mainstream American Jewish groups were incredulous that Bush would provide such legitimacy to a movement they view as a deceitful ploy to convert Jews away from Judaism.

But Messianic Jewish leaders told the JTA that while the "gatekeepers" of mainstream Judaism are often "overzealous" in their approach to Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus), most average Jews are welcoming.

Indeed, Israel Today has noticed much the same in our reporting from the Jewish state over the past decade. As mainstream Orthodox Jewish leaders become more vocal in their opposition to the Messianic community, mainstream Israeli society has actually become far more accepting.

Two years ago, Israel's government-controlled Channel One News broadcast a special segment that harshly criticized anti-missionary Orthodox groups for harassing Messianic Jews.

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