Jews for Judaism
Founded | August 2, 1985[1] |
---|---|
Founder | Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz |
95-4040781[2] | |
Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Location | |
Services | Counseling for hundreds of primary clients and family members; preventative education programs to thousands of students and adults; publication and distribution.[2] |
David Rifkind[2] | |
Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz[2] | |
Julius Ciss[3] | |
Rabbi Eli Cohen[3] | |
Revenue (2014) | $1,255,989[2] |
Expenses (2014) | $841,892[2] |
Employees (2014) | 0[2] |
Volunteers (2014) | 10[2] |
Mission | To strengthen and preserve Jewish identity though inspirational education, counseling, and religious services that counteract assimilation and deceptive proselytizing targeting Jews for conversion.[2] |
Website |
www |
Jews for Judaism, established in 1985[1] by Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, is an international organization that focuses on preventing Jews from converting to other faiths and reclaiming those who have already converted. It is the largest counter-missionary organization in existence. It provides counseling services, education, and outreach programs to all Jewish denominations.
The name Jews for Judaism was developed from Jews for Jesus, one of the principal missionary organizations it was founded to counteract. One of its prominent early members, Larry Levey, was a Jewish convert to Christianity who then converted back to Judaism and led the Baltimore office of Jews for Judaism for a number of years.[4][5] In addition to its activities in response to Christian missionaries, Jews for Judaism has also been noted for its critiques of the Kabbalah Centre.[6][7][8]
Offices
Jews for Judaism has three international offices located in: Los Angeles, California, United States; Toronto, Canada; and Sydney, Australia.[9]
Directors
- Los Angeles, California, United States: Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz.
- Toronto, Canada: Julius Ciss, a former Messianic Jew.[10]
- Sydney, Australia: Rabbi Eli Cohen.
Be-True
Jews for Judaism formed the student organization, Be-True as a response to missionary activity on university campuses. The organization runs primarily through student representative volunteers. There are currently Be-True representatives in the United States, Canada and Australia.[11]
Jews for Judaism forums
Jews for Judaism Forums served as a home for many observant Jews, Noahides, practicing Jews, non-practicing Jews, and converts. The forums discussed issues pertaining to interfaith couples and helped inquisitive minds answer their questions about Judaism. Additionally, there were frequent debates on the site between the members and visiting Evangelists. In 2007 Jews for Judaism decided to shut down the forum.
Jews for Judaism has recently started a blog which is now no longer active.[12]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Jews for Judaism International, Inc.". Business Entity Detail. California Secretary of State. Accessed on March 23, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Tax". Jews for Judaism International Inc. December 31, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Centers". Jews for Judaism. Accessed on March 23, 2016.
- ↑ Carol Brzozowski, "Former Convert Fights Christians Who Convert Jews", South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 04, 1988.
- ↑ Jan Hoffman, "Inside Jews for Jesus", New York, April 28, 1986.
- ↑ Tom Tugend, "Fraud Arrest at Kabbalah Centre", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, November 10, 2005.
- ↑ Gaby Wenig, "Against the Stream", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, July 25, 2002.
- ↑ Nadya Labi, "What Profits the Kabbalah?", TIME, November 24, 1997.
- ↑ Worldwide Centers, Jews for Judaism website, accessed November 14, 2010.
- ↑ Namm, Lesiah (9 February 2001). "Former Messianic Jew now battles [Christian] missionaries" (PDF). aztorah.com. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ↑ "Centers - Jews for Judaism". be-true.org. Be-True, Jews for Judaism. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ↑ "Jews For Judaism (Blog)". Jews for Judaism. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
External links and references
- Jews for Judaism website
- Jews for Judaism Twitter Feed
- Jews for Judaism Australian website
- Jews for Judaism Student website
- Judaism and Jewish Resources
- Kosher Judaism for Jewish outreach, education.
- Kosher Judaism forum the Kosher Judaism forum was created after the demise of the Jews for Judaism forum by former members and administrators with the permission of Jews for Judaism.