Photo courtesy of Getty Images Many in the Jewish community were stunned this week to learn that Orlando-based, Christian missionary “GOD TV” received a seven-year license to broadcast its television programs in Israel.
Although there already are numerous Christian programs available on Israeli cable TV, this one is different because GOD TV’s “Shelanu” channel will be exclusively in Hebrew, with content directed at Jews.
A spokesperson for GOD TV praised the decision to grant it a license as a historic accomplishment that will give a voice to the missionary work of hundreds of messianic (Hebrew-Christian) groups operating in Israel.
The messianic movement shares similar Christian evangelical beliefs with “Jews for Jesus”; however, its leaders are called “rabbis,” and their congregational churches are called “messianic synagogues.”
Despite rejecting historical rabbinic Judaism, they utilize rabbinic traditions to give themselves an air of legitimacy. This approach has attracted hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide, many of whom are intermarried and find it convenient to mix Christianity and Judaism. Sources estimate 30,000 Israeli Jews are part of this movement.
There is no doubt GOD TV’s Shelanu channel has an agenda to proselytize and convert Jews to Christianity.
The messianic movement shares similar Christian evangelical beliefs with “Jews for Jesus”; however, its leaders are called “rabbis,” and their congregational churches are called “messianic synagogues.”
Ward Simpson, the head of GOD TV, stated they intend to “take the gospel of Jesus into the homes and lives and hearts of the Jewish people.” This program will reach young and adult Jews with “the message that Jesus is the Jewish messiah and savior.”
This missionary activity is especially serious during a pandemic when Jewish individuals are more vulnerable because they are homebound, lonely and glued to their TVs and devices.
The fact that GOD TV, while describing the Shelanu program, intentionally avoids mentioning they believe Jesus is God demonstrates they have adopted a deceptive strategy implemented by the founder of Jews for Jesus. By avoiding mention of Jesus’ divinity — a belief rejected by all denominations of Judaism — they camouflage their Christian message to make it more palatable to Jews.
This missionary activity is especially serious during a pandemic when Jewish individuals are more vulnerable because they are homebound, lonely and glued to their TVs and devices.
For years, missionaries have used social media to reach Jews in the privacy of their homes. This tactic has proven to be more effective than standing on street corners or knocking on doors.
It’s no wonder that every week, more than 20,000 people turn to Jews for Judaism’s website, YouTube channel and social media outlets. Our dynamic education resources provide answers to missionary claims and an inspirational and relevant approach to Judaism.
Jews for Judaism has formally protested to the Israeli government and requested it reconsider and reverse the decision to grant these deceptive missionaries access to the homes of hundreds of thousands of Israelis. The Israeli Communications Minister already has expressed his opposition to GOD TV’s missionary programing.
The Jewish community must stand together to build a strong Israel and simultaneously keep Jews Jewish.
Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz is the executive director and founder of Jews for Judaism.
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