JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS LAUNCH COUNTER-MISSIONARY CAMPAIGN

Response to Jews for Jesus Activities in Toronto

Toronto, August 25, 2003

For Immediate Release

Toronto, August 25, 2003… B’nai Brith Canada today announced the launch of a major campaign to inform members of Toronto’s Jewish community about the activities of “Jews for Jesus”. This is a Christian missionary group dedicated to converting Jews to Christianity under the guise of Judaism. Calling it the “Proud to be Jewish” Campaign, B’nai Brith’s goal is to warn unsuspecting members of the Toronto Jewish community about the presence and methods of the missionary group and to advise them of their rights.

“This isn’t about free speech,” said Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada “Targeted missionizing, especially when done in a manner calculated to deceive the unsuspecting, is offensive to our community. Christianity is not a branch of Judaism — it’s a different religion altogether, and any attempt to portray it as anything but a different religion is subterfuge. The term ‘Jews for Jesus’ makes about as much sense as ‘Baptists for Buddha’ or ‘Catholics for Krishna’.”

“We didn’t want this to be just another lesson in how to answer,” said Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President. “Some in our community are simply not capable of countering missionaries because they have received little formal Jewish education. We want members of our community to know that they don’t have to defend Judaism to Christian missionaries — they have an absolute right to not be subjected to these ministrations in the first place.”

Also speaking at the press conference to launch the campaign were Dr. Charles McVety, President of Canada Christian College and a respected leader in Canada’s Evangelical Christian community, and Rabbi Moshe Stern of Shaarei Tefillah Congregation and immediate past president of Toronto’s Orthodox Council of Rabbis.

“As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong,” observed Dr. McVety. “Today we, who are not Jewish, stand shoulder to shoulder with B’nai Brith and with our Jewish bothers and sisters. We unequivocally denounce any and all deceptive tactics and declare that our friends have every right to be ‘Proud to be Jewish’.”

Rabbi Stern spoke about the need for those who are confused by the Jews for Jesus propaganda and are looking for answers to call the Hotline manned by B’nai Brith staff. “Call the Hotline at 1-800-892-2624,” advised Rabbi Stern, “which will put you in touch with people who can help you find the answers you are looking for.”

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For further information call Rochelle Wilner at (416) 254-1010 or Frank Dimant at (416) 802-1057.

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.