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"there are many Christians who appreciate Judaism, who seek no converts from
among Jews, and who only want to live alongside their friends in mutual respect."
Donald A. Eagle, National Conference of Christians and Jews
"Virtually all Christian groups acknowledge their roots within historic Judaism. They revere the Hebrew scriptures and the personages portrayed as sincerely as they do their own. Similarly, many Christian denominations and their leaders view Judaism as a vibrant, living faith which very effectively brings Jews into a close relationship with God. Christians of this type do not engage in proselytization activities directed toward Jews. They are as distressed as are Jews by unwarranted and deceptive missionary activities."
Rabbi Albert Plotkin, Spiritual Leader - Temple Beth Israel
.
"The Jewish Community defines its own integrity and what is legitimately Jewish - those who have left is or wish to imply that our faith is 'incomplete' do not have the right or legitimate authority to define the parameters of Judaism.
Given the fact that in 2,000 years of historical experience Jews have been harassed, prosecuted and often killed for remaining loyal to their ancestral faith, the visceral reaction of Jews to the effort of even well-meaning evangelists is easily understandable. Many do not appreciate the anti-Semitic implications of evangelism aimed at Jews."
Rabbi Maynard Bell, Temple Solel
.
The Jewish Voice
In the Phoenix area there has been a group attempting to convert
Jews. They are called "The Jewish Voice." They are
both a television and radio broadcast. Led by Louis and Chira
Kaplan, their only purpose is to convert Jews.
Founded on November 4, 1968, by Louis Kaplan, an ordained Assembly
of God minister with forty years of evangelical experience, its
purpose according to its founder is "We're trying to reach
Jewish people to indoctrinate and enlighten them." A
more concise definition can be found in Article Five of their
Articles of Incorporation… "This purposes and objects
of this corporation shall be to propagate the Gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ." It goes on to detail the corporation projects
as "…to prepare, produce, and present radio and television
programs for presentation around the world; to produce and distribute
and show motion pictures and otherwise engage in the dissemination
of the Gospel of Christ by any means of communications and the
media."
PROSELYTIZING JEWS - A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS…
According to corporation records, the Jewish Voice Broadcast started
with as asset statement of $8,095.00. By 1975, they had collected
almost 1.5 million dollars, while spending in excess of 1.3 million
dollars. By December 31, 1980 the Jewish Voice Broadcast had
assets to $389,467.20. Recent reports put the monthly budget
of the corporation at $65,000 per month, totaling $780,000.00
per year.
A staff of 15 handle correspondence and program production at
their new building at 16001 North 34th Street in Phoenix.
The building is valued in excess of a quarter of a million and
is virtually free and clear.
THE JEWISH VOICE AND VALLEY CATHEDRAL…
The connections between the Jewish Voice Broadcast and Fundamentalist
and Charismatic churches is strong. In 1974, Dennis Phillips,
recently a full time employee of the Valley Cathedral, was listed
as board director. He was still listed as such as of 1980. Dennis
Phillips has acted not only as board director but also, from 1976-78
as treasurer of the Jewish Voice Broadcast. During this period,
the corporation changed both its statutory agent and accounting
firm to the same as those used by the Valley Cathedral.
The Jewish Voice Broadcast has other links to Valley Cathedral.
Teaching tapes are played of Pastor Don Price of Valley Cathedral
on the Jewish Voice Broadcast. Dennis Phillips, while an administrative
supervisor at the Valley Cathedral, announced and often sat in
for Louis Kaplan as host of the broadcast. Gilbert Kaplan has
taught there on "Jewish Evangelism."
The penetration of the Jewish Voice Broadcast is great. Through
more than 50 radio affiliates and two satellite cable networks,
they are reaching almost every major Jewish population center.
They have Bible Witnessing teams in Israel and maintain a center
there. Recently they signed contracts for further broadcasts
in Australia and Argentina. The Jewish Voice Broadcast, based
in Phoenix, Arizona, is worldwide.
HOW CAN AN ASSEMBLY OF GOD MINISTER LIKE LOUIS KAPLAN CLAIM
TO BE A JEW?
How can his broadcast be a Jewish voice?
According to a recent interview, Louis Kaplan stated: "By
accepting Jesus, I haven't lost my Jewish identity. You don't
lay aside that - you still remain a Jew."
Is Louis Kaplan trying to re-define the meaning of being Jewish?
When asked to define the meaning of the term "Messianic
Jew," Louis Kaplan replied: "It's a Jewish person who
believes Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah and has become a Christian,
but they haven't changed their Jewish identity." In a pamphlet
produced by Jewish Voice Broadcasts, Inc., Louis Kaplan states:
"In reality, a person becomes a real Jew only when he accepts
Yeshua, (Jesus) the Jewish Messiah, as his Savior."
What are Kaplan's plans for the future: In a recent statement
on his broadcast he said the following: "the Messianic Jewish
Movement is now in its infancy, but wait 'til it gets really started.
Praise the Lord. Wait 'till some of these young Messianic Jews
come out of Bible School. I want to tell you they'll conquer
even the biggest rabbis in this country."
SOME POSELYTIZING TECHNIQUES
Jews for Jesus and the Jewish Voice Broadcast are
not the only missionary efforts directed towards Jews…Young
Life is another group that focuses exclusively on high school
students… In college campuses, there are such groups as
Campus Crusade and Here's Life…
If your name even "sounds Jewish" and you are listed
in the phone book, you are a target for receiving some type of
literature…
If you are a resident of Kivel, you might be expected to receive
unsolicited mail from some groups seeking to proselytize…
If you are around the swimming pool at the Jewish Community Center,
it is highly probable that some soft spoken individual will approach
you in "friendship" and go about talking how you might
be "unfulfilled" in your Jewish beliefs…
Certain churches even conduct in how to carry on missionary activities
directed toward Jews…
While missionaries approach the Jew with "love," the
true Christian respects the Jew for his beliefs and his
commitment to his faith and heritage.