LAUSANNE CONSULTATION ON JEWISH EVANGELISM Eight International Conference Lake Balaton, Hungary 19-24 August 2007

21 August 2007

Contents

21 August 2007 Stories from Eastern Europe

Morning session

Rolf G. Heitmann: Jewish Mission to Hungary...... 168

Jim Melnick: Jewish evangelism today in the Former Soviet Union ...... 173 LCJE Ferenc Kozma: The Jewish community Lake Balaton, in Hungary today ...... 180 Hungary 2007 Susan Perlman: Jewish evangelism through the eyes of the media ...... 185 © Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism Afternoon session Stanislav Alexiev: Jewish evangelism in Bulgaria...... 187 Editor: Kai Kjær-Hansen Vladimir Pikman: Jewish evangelism Editorial assistant: Birger among Russian Jews in Germany...... 189 Petterson Designed by: Flemming Evening session Markussen Kai Kjær-Hansen: Isaac Lichtenstein – a Jesus-believing Hungarian rabbi...... 191 Hanspeter Obrist: My concern is to build bridges ...... 195 Frank Arthur: Stories from Russia ...... 197 David Zadok: The good Samaritan...... 199 International Office

LCJE Ellebækvej 5 Box 11 DK – 8520 Lystrup Denmark Tel: (45) 8622 6470 e-mail [email protected]

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LCJE

Networking Jewish Evangelism Conference Theme

Jewish Evangelism Telling the Story

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LCJE Lake Balaton 2007

Edited by Kai Kjær-Hansen

Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism Århus, Denmark 2007

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Morning Session

Jewish mission to Hungary Rolf G. Heitmann, General Secretary, Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel

This paper is not a comprehensive review The Moravians had a great impact on of all initiatives and acts taken to reach the the Lutheran German-speaking population Jewish people of Hungary with the Gospel. in Hungary, primarily in Transylvania and I will therefore primarily focus on what is Upper Hungary. Hungarian students close to me: The Hungarian-Norwegian studying at German universities became partnership in mission, which is only a familiar with this new wave of spirituality smaller piece of Mission to Hungary in and went back home as ambassadors for general and the Jewish people in this new mission movement. Next to these particular. students the Moravians also sent “preachers”, or missionaries, to the area. The renewal of mission The first, András Jäschke and Zacharias In spite of differences, like language and Hirschel were sent to Transylvania in 1740, culture, there are also similarities between and they spent a longer period of time in Hungary and . The peoples of the cities like Nagyszeben, Brassó and two countries were Christianized at he Beszterce Their reports are not only same time by their respective kings comforting. The two brethren wrote that “in Stephan and Olav, i.e. around 1000 AD. no other countries had they found such Both countries were strongly influenced by ungodly people as here and in Sweden”. the reformation and adopted Maybe this was also the reason for staying as major confession, even if the counter- and the convincing argument for raising reformation later made Roman Catholicism support? the dominant confession. More important The Moravians did not establish any for our topic is the impact of the Moravian mission organization for Jewish mission, movement on the Christian population of but their theological understanding and the two countries, represented by Count concern for the salvation of Israel was Nicholas von Zinzendorf (1700-1760). obviously included in their teaching and The Moravians were more a movement practice. Zinzendorf himself had a clear than a Church, very much influenced by understanding of the role of the Jewish the pietistic revival with its focus on people in God’s plan of salvation: “The personal responsibility to share the Gospel issue of the Jews will develop until there is and live their lives in piety. The renewed a congregation among them who will perspective by Zinzendorf is first of all the circumcise their children, keep the way he included the responsibility for the Sabbath, and later settle in the East” Jewish people. Theoretically and (1743) What amazing standpoint at that practically he tried to convince his time in history! followers about the importance of sharing the Gospel with Jews through words and The Scottish Mission deeds, by love and humility. The In 1839, after great revivals in Scotland, a Moravians are therefore the first mission deputation of four men (Dr. Alexander movement in modern times with a Keith, Dr. Alexander Black, Rev. Robert missiology and strategy including the Murray McCheyne and Rev. Andrew Jewish people. Alexander Bonar) were sent to Palestine to

168 seek ways to initiate mission work among report by William Allen from an encounter the Jews. However Dr. Black fell off his with Hebrew and Roman Catholic doctors camel in the Judean desert, seriously summarize: “The great subjects of the injured his leg, and decided to return. Dr. Gospel were defended and presented as Keith accompanied him on his return new … the discussion of these gave through the shortest highway; Danube exercise to his beloved acquirements of river. They came to Budapest and decided Hebrew and Latin. The latter he spoke with to stay one night., but Dr. Keith became ill, great purity, precision and readiness …. and they had to stay for a longer period. At When he had to quote the Scriptures, it this time of history Hungary was under the behoved to be in the original, as such is Habsburg regime which did not allow any the practice of the Jews, and only so is it of unauthorized protestant activities. authority. Such engagement, too, active – The Archduchess Maria Dorothea and the fruit was seen.” (1797-1855), by birth a princess of the One of the first “converts” was Israel Protestant house of Württemberg and Saphir. He was a wealthy merchant and influenced by the pietistic movement, confidant of the chief rabbi. Largely became aware of these missionaries, through his efforts many well-educated visited them and supported them in their Jews attended the services in English and needs. She urged them to stay and German language and the counselling establish a mission in the city, for reaching meetings. During the following eight years out to the numerous Jewish population of it is reported that more than 50 Jews came 240.000 of which 10.000 were living in to faith in Jesus and were baptized. Pest. The son of Israel Saphir, Adolph The delegation searching for a mission Saphir, describes his impression of these field in Palestine ended up by an accident years of revival as years of “solemnity: the in Budapest. On the request of the intense conviction of sin, the abundant joy Archduchess’ the Church of Scotland sent in redemption, the great love and brotherly dr. John Duncan, Robert Smith and unity …” Another son, Philip Saphir, William Owen Allan to Hungary in 1841 founded a primary school, at one time for with the aim to spread the Gospel among more than thousand pupils. the Jews, but also to seek contact with the Protestant Churches and to care for the An important part of the mission was to poor and needy. train the new believers to be missionaries Some Scotsmen were hired for building themselves. Many of these Jewish a new bridge over Danube, connecting the believers travelled around the country, two parts of the city, Buda and pest (Chain preaching the Gospel. The combination of bridge). They, and their families, became a sound theological teaching and reflection, base of a new British congregation. More deep spirituality and the dependence of important: A new bridge was built for the God brought forth fruit. In a letter to the Gospel. The superintendent of the General Assembly of the Scottish Church Reformed church, Pál Török, gave them in 1889, Professor wrote permission to do religious activities. A that “Buda-pest showed in a striking way mission was established in the midst of the that there is a remnant in Israel according strong Catholic Hungarian-Austrian Empire to the election of grace”. which influenced not only Jews, but even Several of these Jews who came to Hungarian Protestants and Roman faith through the Scottish mission ended Catholics. up as new missionaries even in other Dr. Duncan, often named “the rabbi”, countries, like Adolph Saphir in Hamburg, had a good reputation and was deeply Alfred Edersheim in Iasi (Romania) and respected for his philosophical and Alexander Tomory in Constantinople. The theological learning and his spirituality. A last one ended up in Galac where he the

169 next couple of years baptized 50 Jewish told and written in mission magazines all adults according to the reports. over Europe. Maybe the story of The Scottish mission is a good example Lichtenstein even motivated the mission of both cooperation with the local church board in Norway to consider Hungary as a as well as equipping the new believers for new mission field? ministry. At a mission festival at the Scottish centre at Hold utca in Budapest in The Norwegian Mission January 1902 the first initiative was taken The Norwegian Israel Mission (later to establish a mission organization which Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel – later became the Hungarian Evangelical NCMI) was for several decades a mission Christian Missionary Society (Magyar organization without missionaries. Almost Evangéliumi Keresztyén Missziói 50 years after the founding of the Szövetség – MEKMSz). This was primarily organization (1844) the national board was a foreign missionary society. However, in gathered discussing the option of sending paragraph 10 in their statutes it is said that missionaries to Jews. The Norwegians it is a duty for the members of the would not accept that smaller and younger organization “to pray, contribute and work sister organizations in Sweden and for the Jews and pagans, out of love …” Denmark already had sent out their first The close relationship between the missionaries to Beirut, Poland and Scottish Mission and MEKMSz is Ukraine. exemplified through Gyula Forgács who However, the Norwegian board did not used to be a board member of MEKMSz at find any candidate for such a position, so the same time serving as the first the chairman, dr. Carl Paul Caspari, was Hungarian pastor at the Scottish Mission. asked to visit Leipzig (1889) to discuss with Delitzsch if there was any candidates Rabbi Isak Lichtenstein (1825-1908) known to him that could be supported by It is impossible to speak about Hungarian the Norwegians. Then suddenly a young Jewish believers in Jesus without Norwegian priest approached the board, mentioning rabbi Isak Lichtenstein. I will do presented himself and his sincere calling it very briefly, since another session at this and love for the Jewish people, and Rev. conference will go more into depth of his Ragnvald Gjessing (1859-1927) was life and ministry. This rabbi from Tapio- accepted as the first Norwegian missionary Szele wrote books and taught at his to the Jews. synagogue that Jesus is the Jewish As most missionaries to the Jews at Messiah. He was arguing very strongly that that time, Ragnvald Gjessing started his as a Jewish believer in Jesus he remained studies in Judaica at the Institutum being Jewish. He did not want to identify Judaicum in Leipzig, founded by Franz with the gentile Church and therefore Delitzsch, but became also well aware of baptized himself in a Jewish ritual bath the strategic discussions on the agenda – (mikwe). questions that are still valid. Of course rabbi Lichtenstein received First of all it was a question of how : In great opposition from other rabbis and in Leipzig there was an opposition towards 1892 he left his position as rabbi of Tapio- the “British method” of sending out Szele, but without neglecting his faith in travelling missionaries, “proselytizing” Jesus. Jews who were in need, and leaving them I am mentioning Lichtenstein also alone or bringing them to England. The because his conversion as a religious Jew, right way to reach out to Jews is to have a like the conversion of Joseph Rabinowitz in base in a congregation for missionaries as Kishinev, made a great impact on Jewish well as new converts, according to Leipzig mission organizations and was an teaching. The model and good example of inspiration for all involved. Stories were this strategy was the German congregation

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Kishinev, led by Faber – a German priest privileges to proclaim the Gospel for the with great success as a witness to the Jews about Jesus the Messiah, the right Jews. sacrifice for the sins of Israel and the right Secondly it was a question of whom : Saviour for daily and spiritual needs. This Was the main target for mission the is (contrary to Galatz) a metropolis with Chassidic Jews of Eastern Europe, or was 125.000 Jewish citizens. I am able to be it rather the Talmudic orthodox Jews? Or more active and direct in my missionary maybe the growing rationalistic secular activity then I could do as a seamen’s Jewish community? The teaching Gjessing pastor in Galatz. At the market place and received was primarily focusing strategy on squares, in coffeehouses and groceries- how to reach out to the orthodox everywhere people have time to listen and community – a strategy that was not much willingness to enter into conversation on relevant for his future service. religious topics. Thirdly it was also a question of where . However, this optimistic sound of the The options were several with large Jewish street evangelist very soon became more communities many places in Eastern depressive. Gjessing did not feel much Europe at that time. success. Maybe he was too negative. After some research, Gjessing and the While his successor, , came Norwegian board decided to start up work to Budapest 20 years later (1922), he in Galatz, Romania. The question found a group of Jewish believers in Jesus, immediately came: What congregation won by Gjessing’s ministry. They were should be the base of his ministry? The longing for a new shepherd that could lead solution was that Gjessing officially was and feed them. sent as a pastor for Norwegian sailors visiting the harbour of Galatz. Through this Gisle Johnson (1876-1946) position he came into contact with many How is Jewish mission or Jewish Jews on the streets.. His problem, Evangelism put on the Hungarian agenda? however, was that they did not fit in to his As we have heard and learned from the methodology of reaching out, simply Scots and the Norwegians: By av because they were the kind of Jews he “accident”, some will say bay coincidence. was prepared to meet. Gjessing describes For us who believe in God’s guidance, we the Jews of Galatz in this way: “Their trust that this was not a coincidence, even clothes are modern, there is no Jewish if the third example is fitting into the same spirit an no institutions, they are divided pattern. into parties, and are influenced by western Gisle Johnson was employed by the ideologies. The main problem is that they Norwegian mission in 1901 and two years are not at all religious” later sent to Romania. He stayed there After one year (1893) Gjessing left under very difficult circumstances and Galatz. Not because there was no working conditions during the first world success. But because of sickness and war, and was completely burned out death. One of his wife’s relatives travelling afterwards. Johnson needed a sick leave with the, their young daughter and house for almost half a year which he spent in maid all died of dysentery. The doctor’s France. On his return to Romania he was advice was to leave for Budapest. Like the asked to make a stop in Budapest to look Scottish missionaries, the Norwegian into options for continuing a mission work missionary ended up in Budapest by an after 20 years without Norwegian accident. presence. The reason was a letter from the Budapest opened up Gjessing’s eyes Jewish Christian lawyer Guyla Fleischer in for new opportunities. He reports: I am which he asked for a person that can take happy to inform you that we are now busy over the position of Ragnvald Gjessing. in our work. Daily and richly we have the With support from the Lutheran bishop

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Sándor Raffay Johnson decided to stay in Johnson’s diary we see 7-8 names of Budapest – a city he should serve in for 24 Jewish believers frequently mentioned as years – until his death. Gisle Johnson was part of this society. From other sources we the first Norwegian missionary who hear that a much larger number came to committed his whole life to Jewish ministry. faith through Johnson’s ministry. In Budapest Johnson became the priest New members were added to the for a French and a German congregation, group, one of the disciple of Rabinowitz, and many Jews came to listen to him. A Robert Feinsilber, who did an extremely circle of Jewish believers in Jesus valuable diaconal ministry among the poor gathered around Johnson and after one and needy by handling out soup and year he bought a house in Pest as a centre clothes. He was supported by the Hebrew for this new ministry. Christian Testimony in London. Johnson was a skilled man and was Gisle Johnson married a Hungarian therefore often asked to give lectures on lady who is buried in Norway. Gisle different topics, especially on religious and Johnson himself died at service and is philosophical topics. He also ended up as buried in Budapest 1946). A personal an associate professor in Nordic literature conversation with his Hungarian friend at the University of Budapest. Through all Kádár on his deathbed has been known to this kind of non-mission activities he came us: into contact with a lot of Jews and frequently visited many Jewish homes. One thing you have to learn: You The new centre in Gyarmat utca should not approach Jews without became a vital tool for the mission. loving them. If you do not love them, Johnson invited to weekly Bile studies and keep away so that you do not dirty the lectures, and both believing and non- name of Jesus by your hypocrisy. believing Jews came to listen to him. The Jesus loved the Jews so deeply that he topic for the teachings was on central died for them. Maybe even I will die for Christian dogmas. The first to lectures them in a way. I could have returned to were teaching of John 3,16. If we look into Norway instead of staying here through Johnson diary, we can see that he was an the war, through the fights. But I loved extremely busy man with a lot of them .... appointments and lectures. For Johnson it was also important to 60 years later we are gathered in Hungary. organize the work. He therefore took the Do we love the Jews so much that we will initiative to gather some of the well- commit our lives in serving and sharing the educated Jewish believers (among them Gospel with them. three lawyers) and founded the first Jewish We are not here by an accidence or Christian Society (Agudath Ma’aminim) on coincidence. We are here to renew our the eve of Passover 1922. The aim of this calling and to continue the ministry our society was to strengthen the faith and forefathers started until the day we can see fellowship among Jewish believers in all Israel saved. Jesus through regular prayer meetings, Rolf G. Heitmann bible studies and fellowship. From [email protected]

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Jewish evangelism today in the Former Soviet Union Jim Melnick, President, Friends of Russian Jewry, Inc.; USA

Overview Wiesel wrote his famous book. I have been asked to "tell the story" of what is happening in the Former Soviet What has occurred in these forty years? Union (FSU) in Jewish evangelism today. - The Soviet Union is no more Though I have limitations based on - A massive Russian Jewish exodus to distance, I do stay in touch with many the U.S., Germany, Australia and Israel people, ministries and their reporting, and took place this overview is largely based on that - God poured out a great revival among information and other material publicly the Russian Jewish people in the years available. Along with Chosen People following this exodus from the FSU; Ministries, our mission, Friends of Russian many came to the Lord; literature and Jewry, Inc., also recently held a very resources of all kinds were developed successful international conference of as needs grew and believers grew in the Russian Jewish ministry leaders in Berlin faith in September 2006 (see LCJE Bulletin, - A Jewish rennaissance of sorts "Russian-speaking Messianic Conference emerged in some places of the FSU in Berlin," Issue No. 86, November 2006, - resurgence of some Hasidic influence, pp. 13-18), which provided us some of the mostly Lubavitcher. freshest and most complete information in many years on the state of evangelism and Within the FSU itself, an equilibrium of church-planting in the former Soviet Union sorts in emigration has occurred: most of today. Indeed, in our planning for that those who wanted to leave have already conference, we placed special emphasis done so; those who have remained are on trying to bring to Berlin a very solid often the elderly or those without resources contingent of FSU-based Messianic or those fearful of another war in the ministry leaders. Thus, we obtained much Middle East. Others have wanted to excellent insight from first-hand remain because it is their home and is discussions. This article is a snapshot of familiar; they have also heard stories of current events and developments, with an some of the extreme difficulties some attempt to view that story from the broad immigrants in Israel have faced. The panorama of history while weaving in desperate and growing Russian addict and various perspectives. homeless problem of Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel is certainly not lost on Revisiting Wiesel's "The Jews of potential immigrants to Israel still living in Silence" (A forty-year retrospective) the FSU. What reason do they have for To begin, we will start with a retrospective going to Israel other than the financial look at Elie Wiesel's classic work on Soviet incentives that some aliyah groups make Jewry, "The Jews of Silence." Wiesel's to them? As unbelievers, they do not have book was a watershed in bringing Jewish, any spiritual reason or ZIonist impulse to and later, world understanding to focus on go to Israel; those who do have gone the then plight of Soviet Jews. The book already for the most part. Combined with chronicles his trip to the Soviet Union that is the fact that daily life for Jews in the during the High Holy Days in 1965, but it Russian Federation today, Ukraine and was published in November 1967 after the Belarus cannot be compared with what it events of the Six-Day War. Thus, this is an was in the Soviet period when Wiesel appropriate time for a forty-year wrote his book. Today, life and daily reality retrospective (1967-2007) of what has consist of a much different set of occurred in the former Soviet Union since circumstances. All of these factors impact

173 the dynamic of Jewish evangelization in building for at least two years. There was the FSU today. It is a population that is no warning prior to the visit, during which more settled and not looking for an excuse time government agents opened a locked to leave their present circumstances but door, searched the entire premises and rather to maintain and improve them. also took some materials. The next stage in this drama is still unknown. However, Russia: The Yeltsin funeral: A given the closer ties between the Russian watershed event; new pressures in Orthodox Church and the state and the Moscow? traditional anti-Semitism of that nexus, as The recent passing of Boris Yeltsin, well as some of the hostility shown toward Russia's first democratically elected evangelical Christianity (let alone President, is perhaps a good watershed Messianic Jewish congregations!), this is a event from which to assess this troubling development. retrospective. On April 25, 2007, I actually watched his funeral live on Russian TV Positive developments (NTV) from a hotel room in Beijing while on The "Omega Project": "A Bible for every a trip to China; this seemed amazing in Jewish household in Russia" itself! There are many aspects to this event On the positive side, besides what has that bear discussion given their potential been occurring with the establishment of impact on Jewish evangelism in Russia Russian Messianic Jewish congregations and the FSU today and in the future. in many countries of the FSU, Bible Yeltsin's religious state funeral was distribution through the "Omega Project" is actually the first of its kind of a Russian one of the most exciting recent leader in over a century. On the positive developments in the region, especially side, in stark contrast to the official atheism when one considers the remnant of of the past, during the funeral it stirred my Russian Jews left behind or sometimes heart to hear the traditional words of forgotten in many of the cities of the Resurrection greeting: "Khristos voskres" - Russian Federation. The "Omega Project" "Von istinno voskres" ("Christ is risen! He organized by MediaServe under Frank and is risen, indeed!") - spoken by the Leena Arthur, as of March 2007, had attending Russian Orthodox priests and distributed more than 347,000 to answered by the officials and assembled Russian Jews worldwide since the guests present in the rebuilt Church of program's launch in 1994. Within Russia Christ the Savior in Moscow. That is a itself, 690,000 postcards have been mailed cause for rejoicing - that the Name of our to Russian Jewish homes; of these, some Lord is being lifted up. But there is another 25,500 have asked for Bibles (MediaServe side as well, a darker side. The re- March 2007 Newsletter; emergence and new ascendancy of the www.mediaserve.org). These then need to Russian Orthodox Church and its close be delivered. Frank Arthur presented the alignment with the political forces of the "Omega Project" at the last LCJE state could bode more pressure and International conference in Helsinki, and I opposition both to Jews and to Messianic also shared about it in Berlin with the congregations and other evangelical assembled delegates and asked if there groups in Russia in the months and years were any Russian Messianic ahead. congregations or workers in various For example, an email report in late Russian cities who could help in following March 2007 discussed a recent visit by up on some of the Russian Jewish families Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) who had requested Bibles. And that is agents to the premises of a Moscow-based exactly what happened in one case! Messianic congregation that has been Currently, the ministry's goal "is to reach at leased in a portion of a former cinema least 1,000 new households each workday

174 with the offer of a Bible. The area now insults and stares with grace and being targeted is the Central Black Earth meekness. region of Russia - south from Moscow and west of the Ural Mountains." (MediaServe Ukraine March 2007 Newsletter). Please pray for The Jews for Jesus Newsletter has regular this very vital ministry! updates on "Bits from the Branches" concerning outreach and testimonies from The Russian Far East: Vladivostok, throughout the former Soviet Union. For Birobidzhan and the nearby regions example, the March 2007 Newsletter (p. 6) Pastor Alexey Mishchenko from had a wonderful article by Mira Gracheva Vladivostok, who also attended the Berlin titled, "Purim in Moscow," in which Mira conference, has helped plant some 60 shared the story of how 25 guests, plus churches in the region of the Russian Far four staff and volunteers, crowded into her East and has a real heart for reaching small one-room apartment to hear the Jewish people with the Gospel. We were story of Purim and the Good News of thrilled to have him with us at the Yeshua. Of those, five Jewish guests conference in Berlin. Meanwhile, Lawrence prayed to receive the Lord, as well as one Hirsch of Celebrate Messiah in Australia Gentile woman married to a Jewish has given us a wonderful picture of Jewish husband. life in Birobidzhan today, that faroff region Besides the key branch in Moscow, the and city in Russia where Stalin wished to bulk of these are in Ukraine: in Odessa, send all the Jews into exile from the Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Kiev. Since European Soviet Union. Lawrence writes this article is also a "retrospective," I want that the combined Jewish population of to honor the pioneering efforts of my dear Birobidzhan plus Vladivostok and friend and veteran Jews for Jesus Khabarovsk comes to around 70,000 missionary, Avi Snyder, and the enormous people (Lawrence Hirsch, "Outreach to the impact his life and ministry have had on Forgotten Jews of Far East Russia," LCJE Jewish ministry in the FSU. I well Bulletin, Issue No. 87, February 2007, pp. remember driving around in the car with 4-7; see also "Jewish Ministry in Far East him in Pasadena, California, in September Russia," The Chosen People, Vol. XIII, 1990 (we had just had one of the very first Issue 3, April 2007). He also mentions the national meetings in the U.S. for those Messianic Jewish ministry of Andrei and involved in Russian Jewish ministry). Avi Valeria in Birobidzhan to these people. I shared his dream of going to the Soviet had the great privilege of meeting this Union and wanting to start out in Odessa, extraordinary couple at our worldwide where his grandmother had emigrated conference in Berlin in September 2006. from, to share the Gospel. What Andrei is one of the gentlest men I have extraordinary things have happened since ever met, and his wife is the very symbol of that time. Avi was also the person who a help-mate. Their love for the Lord exudes "recruited" me into LCJE; otherwise, I from them to people. But you have to know would not be writing this article today! more of the story to know how truly extraordinary this is. Andrei's body is Kiev covered with the tattoos of Soviet prison The Kiev Jewish Messianic Congregation, life - he is a former zek (prisoner). But his led by Boris Gritsenko, is thriving and is hardened life as a former criminal is behind having an enormous impact in Ukraine. him - now he radiates the love of Jesus. To The congregation (website: baruhaba.org; passersby on the street this is not e-mail: [email protected]) immediately evident - as I witnessed while currently has some 1,200 members and walking with him one day in Berlin - yet, as attendees, making it, by far, the largest a true servant of the Lord, he receives Russian-speaking Messianic congregation

175 in the FSU and globally as well. It supports one who has been having a very or assists six rehabilitation centers for drug successful ministry among many addicts and down-and-outers in Ukraine, evangelical churches in the area telling ministers in 3 prison camps and to some them about the Messianic roots of our 70 homeless children (according to a DVD faith. His ministry has been very well- distributed by the congregation). A received, and I believe this continues to be daughter community called "Mishpaha" an area for fruitful development between has a service "aimed at youth, teenagers, mature Messianic believers who can share children and their parents," and also pays with traditional Baptist and Pentecostal specific attention to the needs of churches in the former Soviet Union more handicapped children (Brochure of the about the Messianic Jewish roots of our Kiev Jewish Messianic Congregation). The faith, while combating anti-Semitism and congregation also has a very active misconceptions even within the Church. Messianic concert, dance and drama This is a vitally important ministry - ministry program made up of numerous groups that to the churches - and I think many give presentations in various cities of the evangelical churches in the FSU are FSU. There is also an "academic center of hungry for this kind of interaction. It is so the congregation called 'Besora' that very much needed, both by the Gentile prepares true servants of the New churches that want to learn more about the Testament (New Covenant)." Jewish roots of the faith, as well as by the (Congregational website). Messianic movement.

Odessa Belarus Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (MJBI) The Lord continues to do amazing things in Update Belarus. The ministry of Stewart and The Messianic Jewish Bible Institute Chantal Winograd and Shalom Network (MJBI) in Odessa graduated its first class International blessed many in Belarus for a in 1998, in the wake of the major outreach number of years and developed campaign by Hear O Israel Ministries in outreaches in various cities. A "Messianic that historic Jewish city. Graduates now Perspectives" article published by the serve in ministry throughout the former Christian Jew Foundation Ministries Soviet Union. According to the MJBI (CJFM) in early 2007 discussed the website, "the Odessa school has satellite CJFM's ongoing ministry in Minsk, where Russian-speaking video schools in some 80 people - most of them Jewish - approximately 20 other cities in Ukraine, attended just one Shabbat service. CJFM Russia and Central Asia." Also, besides its also has ministry workers in Bobruisk, as school in Odessa, in 2005 MJBI opened well as in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. As the another school in St. Petersburg, Russia author, Jonathan Singer, concluded: under the direction of Mike Becker and the "Ministry to the Jewish people in this part assistance of other graduates and staff of of the world - for so long cut off from a the Odessa MJBI school (www.mjbi.org). Gospel witness with any Jewish flavor - is There is also an MJBI Affiliate school now relatively new. Now, with indigenous in Almaty, Kazakstan (see below). Jewish congregations taking root, the The Kharkov Example: Reaching feeling is palpable that history is being Evangelical Churches with the Messianic made." (Jonathan Singer, "Sharing the Jewish Perspective Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah in Belarus: Also in Ukraine, in the city of Kharkov, I Where History Haunts the Jewish People," would like to tell the story of a brother in Messianic Perspectives, CJFM, Jan./Feb. the Lord named Vlad, who is partially 2007, p. 5). disabled and comes from a family of Holocaust survivors. Vlad is an example of

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Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. The however, that I also discussed in my controversy over "Aliyah-Buyers." previous article (Ibid., op. cit., p. 16) is the Many exciting things are happening in confusion wrought by some Western Jewish ministry in Central Asia. I think that groups pushing aliyah among Central it is also important to recognize the Asian Jews in return for gifts or other offers pioneering efforts of our brother, Jeff of inducement. This very destructive Bernstein, of Gates of Zion, who has done practice has made it much more so much to minister in the Central Asian complicated for those who are actually regions and to open up that world to the sharing the Gospel, as opposed to those rest of us through introducing us to the groups who care only about getting Jews beloved brethren there. As mentioned to Israel no matter how they do it. As I above, an MJBI Affiliate school has been have previously discussed (Ibid., op. cit., p. established in Almaty, Kazakstan. It has 16), how this happens is this: when real about 50 students and meets in the believers sharing the Gospel come evenings three times per week (see also knocking on the door, they are often met article by Wayne Wilks, Jr., "Central Asia with the question, 'What have you brought and Messianic Jews," The Open Window, for us?' Thus, those who are sharing the MJBI Update, March/April 2007). Good News of Life are placed at a As I shared in my earlier LCJE Bulletin disadvantage because - though they seek article about the conference, there were and want to help those who are in need - several representatives from various they do not want to be placed in a position Central Asian countries of the FSU who to have to "buy" a hearing in order to attended the Berlin conference, and they present the Gospel. Worse than that, some brought exciting and fascinating news of of these un-Biblical outside groups even developments in evangelism and seek to undermine directly in various ways congregation-planting in those countries the sharing of the Gospel with these (LCJE Bulletin, Issue No. 86, pp. 15-16). Jewish souls of Central Asia. Though small in number in comparison with the Jewish communities of Russia and Internet developments Ukraine, these nations and cultures have There continues to be much activity of very ancient Jewish communities that have interest on the Internet related to Jewish survived through the centuries under evangelism in the FSU. One of the best Moslem domination. Many of the Jews in known is Messianic.ru, registered to Kirill these countries are open to the Gospel (Simkha) Polonskiy. This site has been in and/or have not been infected with anti- existence since at least 2004 and, in Christian prejudices. Russian, is called the "Common Russia Specific details of what is occurring Portal for Messianic Jews." It includes cannot be shared due to the sensitivity of lectures by Avi Yampolskiy in Moscow the situations. However, some of the (one of the leaders and speakers of the highlights include a special audio and Berlin conference) and a host of Messianic video course in one country that has been books in Russian, including Simkha used both for new believers and in Polonskiy's latest book, "Times and evangelism for non-believers. Some Seasons." Some of the other books fellowships are quietly thriving, and in one available in Russian include: David Stern's situation, three former rabbis have come to "Jewish New Testament" and "Messianic faith! Though street evangelism in one Jewish Manifesto," as well as the book situation would likely lead to immediate titled,"A Rabbi Talks with Jesus," a modern arrests, quiet door-to-door evangelism has rabbinical view of Jesus' teachings by been very successful - resulting in some Jacob Neusner, who tried to put himself 150 Jewish families responding to the into the first century to interact with Jesus. Gospel. An issue of great concern, The site also includes the latest online

177 editions of the newspaper "Shoresh." The message via Web mail, actually, while I May 2007 issue of "Shoresh" included a was in Beijing! What would Josef selection from Simka Polonsky's new book Rabinowitz himself think of these amazing titled "Times and Seasons," an article by opportunities today?! the very popular Russian historian Vladimir Solovyev (1853-1900) that was a Remembering the prisoners continuation of his work, "Jewishness and But it is also true that most Jewish Christianity" (published in 1897), as well as evangelism in the FSU today is occurring a poem titled "Pavel" ("Paul") by a poet in through traditional tried and true methods, Moscow named Felix Segal about the not necessarily via the latest advances in Apostle Paul and how his life was technology. Most Jewish people in the transformed by the Lord Jesus. FSU in real need do not have direct access There is also discussion on the to the Internet but will be reached or Messianic.ru website of establishing a ministered to either in person or via letters "Moscow Community Center" for and literature in the mail. This kind of Messianic believers. For more information, ministry is as vitally important as ever. For the email address [email protected] is example, I have been in touch over the last given. As far as general Russian Jewish couple of years with two Russian-speaking resources are concerned, to better Jewish brothers in the Lord, Vlad and understand Russian Jewish life in the FSU Sasha, who are in prison in Ukraine. I do today (a "virtual tour," so to speak), one not know what their crimes were, but these can visit www.jewish.ru, a site that has brothers truly love the Lord and are in need many resources and items of interest. To of our prayers and encouragement. They burrow down even deeper, one can even are very much desirous of and thankful for take a virtual tour of the Moscow Jewish any Russian Messianic literature that we Community Center! (http://www.mjcc.ru). can send them. The same is true of a In Belarus, the congregational website Jewish brother in the Lord in Latvia named "Messianic Belarus" Peisekh and many others. Our ministries to (http://www.messianicbelarus.net/) is the Jewish believers and unbelievers in the site of the "Star of Bethlehem" Messianic FSU must continue with these traditional congregation in Minsk. A Russian means as well as seeking ways to use new language discussion of its purpose says technologies to reach others, especially that it is "...a place for coming together of the young. Messianic believers. Here you can get acquainted with us and our ministry, ask Collaboration with Jewish groups questions or participate in what we do. You Another theme that I want to briefly touch can tell about yourself, find friends and on that impacts Jewish evangelism in the those who are like-minded. Here you have FSU today and is actually quite amazing is access to various useful resources for the the collaboration that exists between some believer....Don't forget to drop in on the site Messianic believers and various local more and more often and always be in the Jewish groups. I do not have statistics, course of Messianic life of Belarus." only anecdotal information; however, again Just in general, it is worth noting some and again, one hears stories of Messianic of the amazing changes that have taken believers having excellent relations with place in communications and connectivity some local Jewish leaders - especially in with respect to evangelism, I received an areas where Jewish culture and life are email message recently from a brother in under assault. This is certainly not true the Lord who has a Russian Jewish throughout the FSU; indeed, in some ministry in Moldova (the former region of locations, Hasidic groups and anti- Josef Rabinowiz). This came via SMS missionaries have done everything they message from a cell phone and I read the can to try to shut out a Gospel witness.

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Nevertheless, the fact that such are still many opportunities for evangelism cooperation and cross-communication is in the former Soviet Union, from occurring at all in some places is Birobidzhan to Belarus to Central Asia and remarkable. everywhere in between. In some cases, this does not mean that the Gospel can be Conclusions presented openly and freely - often, it must This has been a snapshot of key issues be done quietly or with some new creative and recent developments related to "telling approach. Nevertheless, much has the story" of Jewish evangelism today in changed since the days of the Soviet the former Soviet Union. I certainly cannot Union when it was nearly impossible. For "tell it all" within the brief confines of this that, we are very thankful to the Lord, since paper. The political and spiritual we are witnesses of the incredible landscapes of Jewish life, Yiddishkeit, and transformation that has occurred in the opportunities for evangelism have changed countries of the former Soviet Union since dramatically in the forty years since Elie the fall of Communism in opening up new WIesel wrote his classic work on Soviet avenues and opportunities for evangelism Jewry, The Jews of Silence. Today, to the Jewish people. despite latent anti-Semitism at times, local Jim Melnick opposition to the Gospel, or even [email protected] draconian measures in some cases, there

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The Jewish community in Hungary today Ferenc Kozma, Christian Witness to Israel, Hungary

At the beginning of March this year, Peter organisations and life today. Then we can Feldmajer, president of the Alliance of the examine Jewish identity and demography Jewish Communities of Hungary, and can see some hopeful trends in the announced that Jewish people should stay lives of the younger generation. Following at home for their own safety during the on form that, I would like to share some national holiday on 15 th March. 1 He said facts and thoughts about anti-Semitism in that there was a risk of Jewish people Hungary. being confronted by people shouting anti- Semitic chants and waving banners Jewish people in Hungary associated with fascism during the Although there have been Jewish anticipated anti-government rallies. communities in Hungary since the time of Although Mr Feldmajer was not necessarily the Roman Empire, the most important warning that people would be attacked period of immigration was at the start of physically , many Jewish people – including the 18 th century, following the end of Rabbi Shlomo Koves the leader of another Turkish rule. when their number rose . Jewish denomination – claimed that the From 1791 they were allowed to settle announcement had overstated the danger, almost anywhere in the country, and their and called for people not to be afraid. He emancipation became an important topic reminded everyone that 15 th March was during the early 19 th century until it was the festival of the Hungarian revolution and finally put into legislation in 1867. By the uprising in 1848, when Hungarians and early years of the 20 th century the Hungarian-speaking Jewish people had Hungarian Jewish population numbered joined with others to fight for the freedom almost one million. of Hungary. American Congress The deportations that began in 1944 representative Edolphus Towns, who is came unexpectedly to the Hungarian based in Brooklyn, New York, while Jewish people. Although Hungary was in obviously not understanding the Hungarian alliance with Germany during the Second situation, quoted Feldmajer's World War, for a long time it had remained announcement as if he was calling for an isle of peace compared with the Jewish people to stay at home during situation in the surrounding countries. Jewish holidays. Towns was also worried Indeed many Jewish people took refuge in that large anti-Semitic groups might call for Hungary even though some of its laws attacks against Jewish institutions and were restrictive. buildings and asked the Hungarian During the 1940s, Hitler was Ambassador to explain how the Hungarian increasingly aggressive in his demand for government was planning to stop anti- Hungary to apply the Nazi principles Semitism. 2 The Hungarian Ambassador against the Jews. A new anti-Jewish law successfully calmed Mr. Town’s fears, was introduced on a racial basis, and convincing him that only a small, but those who didn’t have Hungarian recently vocal, minority held such views, citizenship were given over to the Nazis. In and that the vast majority of Hungarians early 1944, as Hungary tried to find a way condemned anti-Semitism. out of the Nazi alliance, German troops Even so, Peter Feldmajer’s occupied the country. They started to announcement and other elements of establish ghettos and to organize Hungarian politics raise questions for us as transportations to the death-camps. The we consider the present situation of Jewish gas chambers were operating around the people in Hungary. Let us have a look at clock and the rural Jewish communities Hungarian Jewish history, denominations, were destroyed at an alarming rate.

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However, due to the Soviet occupation of were involved in organising opposition Hungary, Eichmann didn’t have enough groups and publishing a large quality of time to destroy those living in the Budapest illegal academic papers, periodicals and ghetto. As a result, after the Holocaust, studies. Many of them lost their jobs or there was a significant number of survivors were not able to find employment after in the capital. spending time in prison. About 600,000 Jewish people from Changes came unexpectedly as the Hungary were killed during the Shoah, new Soviet leadership, and many young accounting for about 75% of those based Hungarian Communist leaders, realised in rural areas and 40% of the Budapest that their political system needed serious community. There were about 200,000 and painful economical reforms. At the end Jewish people in our country after the war, of the 1980s anti-Communist opposition of whom around 50,000 made aliyah to started to form new political organisations. Israel before the early 1950s. After that Conservative Christian-Democrat time, the Communist regime persecuted intellectuals (some of whom were Jewish!) and tried to close Zionist organisations and frequently held strong national attitudes, blocked the community’s contacts with whilst many Jewish (and non-Jewish) Israel and western Jewish groups. leaders of former illegal groups were The Communist regime declared committed to rather liberal views. These assimilation as the only solution for the groups were growing more suspicious of Jewish people. The Communists removed one another and while liberals condemned the Jewish people’s right to express their the right-wing for being nationalist, some of national, ethnic or religious identities, so the other side started to use anti-Semitic the awful pain of the Holocaust and the terminology against the liberals. After the tensions that existed between Jews and first elections, during the rule of the non-Jews became taboo subjects. The conservative Antal-government many number of Jewish people was still extreme nationalists were excluded from declining, and prejudices and ignorance the right-wing parties and formed their own stayed hidden, and were not addressed. party (MIÉP – Hungarian Truth and Life Although most Jewish people had Party). However, they were unable to send welcomed Soviet troops as liberators of the representatives to the parliament until the Ghetto, many were now experiencing a elections of 1998. These tensions still have new type of oppression and violence. a serious impact on our political life and Others felt that Communism provided an help to explain many of the events that opportunity to find solutions to the problem took place during 2006. of anti-Semitism or to take revenge for After 1990 new opportunities opened Nazi crimes against their families. Later up for Jewish people. They were able to they came to see that the Soviet type of live openly and confess their identity. Communist rule raised new questions and Diplomatic relationships with Israel were brought new types of anti-Semitism. Many restored and Jewish organisations were of these well-educated Jewish people able to contact Jewish communities became important personalities of the outside the country. Jewish community life revolution in 1956 and Jewish people were was re-established with new schools, over-represented in Communist community centres and clubs. Today the concentration camps, prisons and among old Jewish district is being reclaimed as a Hungarian martyrs executed between 1957 centre of Jewish activity. After forty years and 1960. Of 100,000 Hungarians who left of unity, Orthodox communities have the country in 1956, around 20,000 were formed their own denomination. Having Jewish. operated successfully in Budapest for During the decades in which the new many years, the Lubavitch movement Communist rule took hold, Jewish people motivated the reorganisation of their

181 denomination. This decision was criticised relatives, so they were attracted to the by those communities that had been capital with its large Jewish community and members or even centres of this old opportunities for a new life. The newer denomination before the War, but who now generation has started moving out of the chose to stay with the main Jewish former Jewish areas to the suburbs or to denomination, MAZSIHISZ. A Reform the surrounding villages and towns. Jewish Community, Sim Shalom, was also In 1999, further research was carried formed in Budapest and became popular out concerning the Jewish population in among young people as did Pesti Shul, a Hungary. 4 It showed that 51% of married modern orthodox community. Jewish people had married non-Jews. Amongst 26-35 year-olds, this figure Jewish life today increased to 63%. Despite these numbers, According to the registers of Jewish the research gave some hope that the communities and organisations, there are younger generation was developing a new about 100,000 Jewish people living in interest in their Jewish heritage it showed Hungary, 80% of whom are in Budapest. that amongst those who are under 25, These numbers were not reflected in the there was less intermarriage, and this 2001 census in which only 12,871 people group are more likely to practise Jewish declared themselves as being Jewish. 3 customs. This can be seen in the following This can be partially explained by the fact table 5: (See next page) that the census form related Jewish identity to religion rather than to ethnic or Anti-Semitism in Hungary today national distinctiveness. So many secular Let us also have a look at the statistics of Jewish people defined themselves as non- anti-Semitism in Hungary. According to the religious. Also, as it was not obligatory to research of the Hungarian Gallup give answers to the questions about Institute, 6 in the early 1990s there were 14- religion or nationality, many people may 15% saying that they generally didn't like have elected not to disclose such Jewish people. It has been changing from information. Because of these factors, we the middle of the decade and today it is need to realise that the 2001 census only around 5-6%. However, this research gives us information about those who didn’t contain any specific questions about openly uphold their Jewish religious anti-Semitism or the state of Israel. The identity. Anti-Defamation League's research about However, the census gave a few anti-Semitic attitudes in Europe (2005) 7 insights about the distribution of Jewish gives a more realistic picture about the people across Hungary. 73.6% of the views and prejudices of people in our group mentioned live in Budapest, 11% country. 37% of Hungarians believes that live in other major cities, 8.8% in smaller Jewish people are more loyal to Israel than cities and towns, and 6.6% in villages. to their own country (the European There are nearly 300 villages or towns average was 43%). 55% of our people where only one person declared being think that “Jews have too much power in Jewish. Budapest is divided into 23 international financial markets” and also “in districts and 71.7% of Jewish people live the business world” (European averages within eight of these districts, including the were 30% and 32%). 46% of Hungarians former ghetto. think that “Jews still talk too much about There are historical reasons for this what happened to them in the Holocaust” large concentration of the Jewish (the European average was 42%.) 20% of population. Often survivors returned to Hungarians answered “probably true” for their villages to find that there were no the statement “The Jews are responsible opportunities for them to stay. They had for the death of Christ” (20% was also the lost their homes, their jobs and their European average).

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Full 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66-75 Over 75 assay years years years years years years years In child Now Ch. N Ch. N. Ch. N. Ch. N. Ch. N. Ch. N. Ch. N. hood Shabath 30 14 8 11 6 18 11 14 20 14 38 10 49 14 58 19 Yom Kippur 52 34 33 44 14 34 23 33 41 38 60 26 80 27 84 40 Fast Seder 41 29 24 37 13 35 20 34 33 35 46 24 61 21 49 24 dinner Kosher house- 20 8 5 13 6 14 10 9 13 8 19 5 32 3 42 10 hold Cooking 59 38 44 50 40 31 50 38 57 43 64 38 73 34 77 35 Sholet Mezuza 37 21 25 31 13 26 17 25 24 26 37 11 59 13 66 22 Bar mitzvah 36 15 20 25 10 12 16 17 21 16 37 11 59 13 69 16 of the boys Funeral in Jewish 64 44 58 51 46 41 58 44 59 50 68 34 79 40 80 45 cemetery Circum- 41 17 21 23 13 18 19 17 29 12 47 13 65 15 72 22 cision Cha- 43 32 27 39 13 41 22 38 33 36 47 26 67 23 69 28 nukkah

The Holocaust has made the local receiving questions about the political role Jewish community very sensitive about of Jewish people or the state of Israel. any kind of prejudice or exclusion. Due to It is not my task to declare who is right the discrimination and persecution that the and who is wrong in modern politics. Jewish community experienced in the 20 th However, Christians need to recognise and century, this is very understandable. make one another aware of the fact that Jewish people are generally committed political opponents use anti-Semitism as a to building a tolerant, liberal society. They tool for building up their own power bases. are often wary of any kind of “Christian” or Some right-wing politicians hesitate to “national” renewal. Their political and condemn anti-Semitic incidents, as they social inclinations seem to be in contrast are trying to win the votes of those who with the values of conservative Christianity support radical national parties. Socialist and this affects the attitude of our churches (former Communist) governments use the as well. In my experience, it is difficult to charge of “anti-Semitism” as a means of teach about the role of Israel or about the justifying any measures that they take Jewish roots of our Christian faith without against their political opponents.

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Recent anti-government protests expressing their views and their activities organised by extremists and nationalists have became more intensive. often turned into violent demonstrations It is impossible to overcome the anti- whilst those organised by the main Semitism of this minority. Instead we need opposition parties attracted huge number to oppose anti-Semitism wherever it is of people without any violence. However, found. This is our responsibility, to preach, Jewish people were shocked at seeing teach and educate; to share truthful some protesters holding flags which are information about Jewish people. strongly nationalist. (These are red-and- Whatever we think about politics, the white striped flags that remind holocaust Jewish people are our fellow citizens, and survivors of those used by the fascist have given heroes, martyrs and great Arrow Cross regime. However the “Arpad- personalities to our nation. They suffer with stripes” are actually a medieval historical the rest of our society because of bad symbol of the Hungarian state – the two politics and they enjoy the benefits of good are not the same). politics. For us as Christians, the Jewish On 15 th March, about a week after people remain God's own people, who Peter Feldmajer had made his have faithfully preserved God's word and controversial announcement, Hungary held have shared it with all the nations, and its annual national festival. A small group amongst whom the Messiah and Saviour, of anti-Semites aggressively protested Jesus, was born. against government representatives and Ferenc Kozma threw eggs at the liberal mayor of [email protected] Budapest while he was speaking. In the Notes evening approximately a thousand young 1. http://www.reuters.com/article/ nationalists fought against police on the latestCrisis/ idUSL08535928; streets of Budapest. The main opposition See reflections to this in Hungarian at party was able to organise it's own protest. http://www.zsido.hu/hirek However many of their fans took flags 2. http://www.nol.hu/cikk/440964/; containing Arpad stripes to the meeting http://www.nol.hu/cikk/440183/ (in and many Jewish people found that very Hungarian) disturbing. 3. See these numbers at In my opinion, Hungary is a peaceful http://www.nepszamlalas.hu country. However we are gradually 4. Kovács András: Számszaki jelentés – growing closer to mainstream European Statisztika a magyarországi zsidóságról, in politics. The number of radical nationalists Szombat March 2000. is not growing, and although we may find See at http://www.zsido.hu/stat anti-Jewish prejudices in many sections of 5. http://www.zsido.hu/stat/stat4.htm the society, the vast majority of our people 6. http://www.gallup.hu/Gallup/release condemn violent anti-Semitism. Since the /eloitelet030919.htm start of anti-government protests last 7. http://www.adl.org/anti_semitism/ September, the number of anti-Semites european_attitudes_may_2005.pdf has not grown although small anti-Semitic groups have been more open in

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Jewish evangelism through the eyes of the media Susan Perlman, Director of Communications, Jews for Jesus, USA

In the United States alone, businesses a psychedelic Jesus. While I didn’t spent over 53 billion dollars on print ads recognize this as important at the time, it this past year, another 57 billion on did establish Jesus as a real person for me television ads, 12 billion on Internet ads and the shortly afterwards meeting an and 8 billion on radio. Such expenditures unconventional looking Christian would seem to indicate that the world has strengthened the connection. How many no trouble seeing the importance of Media times have you heard a testimony where a in effectively getting a message across. person indicated one or more media Yet, as powerful as paid advertising can messages had a place in his or her journey be, earned media coverage surpasses it. of faith? Unlike advertising, earned media often 2. Media provides enablement. It gives carries more weight and is more credible to you the opportunity to do something about those who view, read or hear it. After all, it, whether it is to vote for or against a the person or organization who is the candidate, buy a product or consider a new subject of the piece does not control it. idea. When it comes to faith, we recognize Instead it is conveyed through a reliable that we are incapable of convincing third party, whether it be a reporter, another individual of the truth claims of columnist or broadcaster or talk show host. Jesus apart from the work of the Holy Spirit In both cases, earned and paid media doing the persuading. However, there are exposure, we have a very powerful tool in Jewish people who are out there seeking conveying the greatest message of all to know more or already asking the times – the good news of Y’shua. burning question, “what must I do to be The subject matter of Jews and Jesus saved?” and it just might be that media has had unprecedented coverage in the such as paid evangelistic ads with earned media over the past three decades. response devices or stories of faith told on No one, including those who oppose our a news broadcast might be the opportunity efforts, contest that. for them to move forward. With over twenty-five thousand articles, 3. Media offers a marketplace for social thousands of radio interviews, more than interaction. In every culture the market 600 television newscasts, well over 175 offers a special place in society. It’s not feature television interviews, hundreds of merely where we buy or sell goods. It’s pod casts, and tens of thousands of bogs where we encounter other people and on our movement, the idea that there are socialize. We exchange ideas and we gain some Jews who believe that Y’shua is their information that helps us develop the promised Messiah is being communicated attitudes and the actions we need. The loud and clear. Add to this the paid media Internet is rapidly becoming the largest in the form of print, broadcast, outdoor and media marketplace. By the end of the Internet advertisements and the potential 2005, just over 1 billion people were reach of this combined media extends to online—1/6 of the world. About 7,200 blogs hundreds of millions of people – among are created every hour. More than ten them, the thirteen million Jews in the world. million people listen to pod casts. Over 100 Media is important to our movement for million videos are viewed every day on several reasons. YouTube. More than 140 million people in 1. Media can educate by making things the world have a broadband connection. to be known whether these things are Social media is very important. ideas, products or celebrities or politicians. 4. Media as a lens. If you know how Before I became a believer I remember people see you then you know how to reading an article in Time Magazine about shape your message and you know how to

185 interact to a degree. If you know what has dismiss us. This begs the question that if been observed by the media, it can also we are so ineffective, why go to such give you some idea of where you have had lengths? One can only speculate on the an effect. For example, while the secular degree of pressure that is being brought to press almost ignored the distribution of bear on these leaders by congregants and Survivor Stories, the video which other constituents who are demanding that recounted the stories of seven Holocaust something be done about the Jewish survivors who came to faith in Y’shua, believers in Jesus or who perhaps have there was hardly a Jewish newspaper that raised concerns of a spiritual nature that did not comment on it, being careful not to their leaders don’t want to or are incapable attack the survivors featured, only those of grappling with. who produced the film. 7. Media as a tool to inform our 5. Media as an expander of your vision. strategic thinking. As communicators, we Oftentimes we have been extremely need to be well informed on what is parochial in how we view the Jewish happening around us and its implications missions world. Our interest is centered on for Jewish evangelism. In April, the our own organization or congregation or Jerusalem Report did a story on the geographical area or those who hold to the political power struggle here in Hungary same theological distinctive as us. Media between Prime Minister Gyuresany and can help us to expand our own vision. For opposition leader Viktor Orban. The article example, to hear the media talk about a went on to say that this conflict has work in another city or another country escalated into riots, which has brought out shows us something of the potential in that neo-Nazis. As a result the 80,000 member place. It also shows us that we are not Jewish population of Hungary are not necessarily alone and that while it may not looking to draw attention to themselves, be “happening” with us at this time, praise the implications for whs5doing Jewish God, it is happening with another who is evangelism at such a time and in such laboring in this same field of Jewish context. evangelism. What a vision expander it was for all of us to see the Israeli Channel Two Media is important but not everyone can feature on Jewish believers at Yad get it. I believe God has blessed us asa HaShmona. A favorable full-length feature movement with not only the means to pay interview in Israel in our generation for a place in the media, but more stretches us and gives us cause to hope importantly, a subject matter that continues for more for the whole movement as a to be controversial and therefore result. newsworthy to be reported on. 6. Media can be an important gauge of Early on, the attraction was in our our effectiveness by what the Jewish novelty as a movement, our newness as a community is saying about us. I often find concept and the sheer “chutzpah” of it all. the articles by anti-missionaries or those The media interest has ebbed and flowed who oppose Jewish evangelism to be over the years, but there are no doubt the helpful to some extent. The Jewish subject is still newsworthy. And for this, we community spokespeople finds it very are all thankful. difficult to remain quiet over our movement Susan Perlman and instead seek media platforms to [email protected] defame us, discredit us or simply to

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Afternoon Session

Jewish evangelism in Bulgaria Stanislav Alexiev, Pastor, Christian Witness to Israel, Bulgaria

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, only two countries in Europe – the other I am grateful for the invitation to address being Denmark – whose entire Jewish this session of the conference and it is a population was saved from extermination. great privilege for me to share with you Not one Jew who lived under the jurisdic- some aspects of my work among the tion of the Bulgarian state was deported to Jewish people in Bulgaria. any of the Nazi concentration camps. Indeed, it has been noted that during the Historical background Second World War the Jewish population Bulgaria is situated in the southeast of of Bulgaria actually increased in number by Europe. It is a beautiful country, rich in more than a thousand. natural resources, where the dominant In 1948, when the world recognized the religion is Eastern Orthodoxy. Bulgaria is a establishment of the new State of Israel, former Communist country and was very many Bulgarian Jews wanted to settle loyal to the Soviet Union but its there and to give of their best for the government and economy are now based building up of the nation. So between 1949 on democratic principles. and 1951, 45-48,000 Bulgarian Jews made Bulgaria was established in 681 A.D. aliyah, leaving only 4-5,000 in Bulgaria. when the Bulgars conquered the country Those who emigrated to Israel were but there were Jewish people living in this Zionistic and anti-Communist; those who part of Europe long before that. History remained were secular and convinced tells us that the first Jewish settlements Communists. were established in our land after the During the Communist era, Bulgaria destruction of Jerusalem and the Second broke off diplomatic relations with the Temple in 70 A.D. Since then there has Jewish state because of Israel’s links with always been a Jewish community in the USA on the one hand and Bulgaria’s Bulgaria. ties with the USSR on the other. During The largest Jewish migration to that time, there was discrimination against Bulgaria occurred in 1492 when Ferdinand the Jews; although they were not II expelled the Jews from Spain. At that persecuted they were not allowed to time Bulgaria was under the yoke of the occupy high positions in the government. Ottoman empire and during the Ottoman After the fall of Communism in 1989, so reign the Jews lived a very peaceful and many younger Jews left Bulgaria that the free life. The price of freedom, however, average age of the 3,000 who currently live was high taxation but the Jews enjoyed in the country is now 80. The Jewish their liberty and classified their 500 years community is diminishing steadily and it is under Ottoman rule in Bulgaria as an not easy to reach these elderly Bulgarian “earthly Zion”. Jews with the gospel. During the Second World War, although Bulgaria was allied to Germany, the My approach Bulgarian people and the Orthodox Church I shall describe my evangelistic approach resisted Hitler’s attempts to deport its to under three headings: (1) Individual, (2) Jewish community. Bulgaria was one of Scriptural and (3) Communal.

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1. Individual ah insisted on coming to church with me Because the Jewish population of Bulgaria and said that he would like to believe in Je- is spread thinly throughout the country and sus as his Messiah. I am now almost cer- there are no so-called “Jewish” areas tain that Mr Mashiah has been born-again. where one might engage in door-to-door visiting or organise special evangelistic 3. Communal events, my approach to Jewish people is My approach is community orientated. mainly individual and personal. That is why Although Bulgaria is now a member of the I try to establish friendships with individuals European Community, the standard of and, in most cases, they then introduce me living for most people in the country is to their friends and relatives. This is how I modest and many live in poverty. The develop most of my contacts. Through this Jewish people are no exception. Although approach, my Jewish friends are able to some Jews are reasonably wealthy, others observe both my character and the way I do not even have daily bread. That is why I live for the Lord, Messiah Jesus. It is have developed a small programme for interesting to see their reactions; even delivering humanitarian aid to the needy. though I make many mistakes, they see This way of reaching the community has God at work in my life and the difference proved to work well and through it I have He makes. For me, this is the most made many contacts. powerful way of sharing the faith. Due to the influence of the Orthodox Church Bulgarian society has many 2. Scriptura traditions. These traditions are so deeply My approach involves using the Word of rooted that they have found their way into God. I enjoy making friends but my Jewish minds also. I try to be sensitive to concern is to take my friendships with that and on one occasion Mathilda called Jewish people to a higher level. I buy to ask me to visit her and her husband. copies of the Bible and give them as When I arrived at their house, Mathilda told presents to my friends and so far no one me that many bad things were happening has refused this gift! Then, when my to her family and asked me to consecrate Jewish friends experiencing difficulties I try the house because she believed that some to explain God’s perspective on their evil spirits were probably in control of problems and also his solution from their them. Consecrating a house is an Bible. By this means they will hopefully see Orthodox tradition but I decided to use the that they have the answer to their occasion to share the gospel with Mathilda problems in their homes! and her husband. I said I would consecrate As I mentioned before, the Jewish the house but not in the way an Orthodox people in my homeland are quite elderly. priest would. Instead, I read Psalm 91 to When I ask them if they ever read the them and told them that if they would like Bible, they usually say something like, “I to have peace in the house, they must am very old and cannot see well”. That is have peace with God first. They asked me why I offer to read the Bible to my friends how to do that and I explained that the only when I visit them. With some this approach way this could happen was through Jesus works, with others it does not but, gene- the Messiah. I then asked Mathilda the rally, it yields results. For example, when I question, “What do you think of Jesus? In began to read the Bible to the Mashiah your opinion who is He?” She gave me the family, Mr Elijah Mashiah was very suspici- most unexpected answer: “He is the Son of ous. However, after a few weeks of read- God.” When I asked if she really believed ing from the Gospels, whenever I visited what she had told me Mathilda replied, the family, he would ask me to read the “Yes!” Then we prayed and she and her Bible right away and after that we would husband received the Lord into their speak about other things. Then Mr Mashi- hearts. It all started with a simple tradition!

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Conclusion God’s story in such a way that it reached When I first discovered that Jesus was a the hearts of many people. Jew and that He lived and preached as a We are called to do the same; to live in Jew, it amazed me! The discovery turned this world but never to forget that we my world upside down. I realised that belong to another Kingdom and are Jesus had lived in history and was like commanded to tell the story of Jesus “to many other Jewish people in the first- the Jew first”. century world. But, being the Lord in flesh, Stanislav Alexiev He was so devoted to God and knew His [email protected] will so well that He was able to explain

Jewish evangelism among Russian Jews in Germany Vladimir Pikman, Executive Director, Beit Sar Shalom, Germany

On the last LCJE Conference in Finland I Evangeliumsdienst für Israel (EDI), Licht have reported about the miraculous, im Osten, and Beit Sar Shalom were unique and unprecedented revival of the ongoing involved in the Russian Jewish Jewish life and the messianic community in outreach in Germany from the very Germany. I would encourage you to beginning. In 2000 Jews for Jesus joined consider reading my paper submitted to the group. Although most of the churches, the conference the last time and to get both official and free, were abstaining or encouraged by the mighty work of God in rejecting the Jewish evangelism due to the the country where so much evil was done post-Holocaust sensitivity, there has been to the Jewish people. If you would like I growing number of churches (especially can also e-mail you an electronic copy of it. Russian speaking) making successful Although I am involved in the outreach attempts to reach out to the Russian Jews. since almost the beginning, it still seems Many different types of outreaches unbelievable to me that since 1991 the have been done so far. Among others are Jewish community in Germany is in congregational planting, “from door to percentage the fastest growing Jewish door,” visiting people, street evangelism, community in entire Jewish history and special