Jews for Judaism

Jews for Judaism International Inc
Founded August 2, 1985 (1985-08-02)[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.jewsforjudaism.org

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

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. 1 2 "Jews for Judaism International, Inc.". Business Entity Detail. California Secretary of State. Accessed on March 23, 2016.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 3 "Centers". Jews for Judaism. Accessed on March 23, 2016.
  4. ↑ Carol Brzozowski, "Former Convert Fights Christians Who Convert Jews", South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 04, 1988.
  5. ↑ Jan Hoffman, "Inside Jews for Jesus", New York, April 28, 1986.
  6. ↑ Tom Tugend, "Fraud Arrest at Kabbalah Centre", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, November 10, 2005.
  7. ↑ Gaby Wenig, "Against the Stream", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, July 25, 2002.
  8. ↑ Nadya Labi, "What Profits the Kabbalah?", TIME, November 24, 1997.
  9. ↑ Worldwide Centers, Jews for Judaism website, accessed November 14, 2010.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ "Centers - Jews for Judaism". be-true.org. Be-True, Jews for Judaism. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Jews For Judaism (Blog)". Jews for Judaism. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

External links and references

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