Rabbis Lash Out At Christian Funding For Assisted Living Facility For Holocaust Survivors

In past centuries Christians tried to convert Jews by force "now they want to buy us with money and by kissing, but we know what they want."

Rabbis hit out at Christian funding for Holocaust centre
Anti-missionaries claim evangelicals should not be paying for survivors   
By Nathan Jeffay • Jewish Chronicle

Leading Israeli rabbis are furious that a new residential facility for Holocaust survivors is being funded by evangelical Christians.

Last Sunday dignitaries and politicians attended the opening of the largest assisted-living facility for destitute Holocaust survivors in Israel.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, an umbrella organisation for evangelical groups, donated NIS 3 million (£517,000) to local non-Christian charity Yad Ezer L'Haver so that it could expand a 15-resident facility to accommodate 80 survivors.

It has now donated a further NIS 1 million (£172,000) for additional expansion.

It is encouraging to see Germans taking responsibility for their own tragic national history

David Parsons, the organisation's media director, said that it will maintain an involvement with the centre, including through provision of some running costs.

German Christians affiliated with the ICEJ were the primary givers. Some of the donors also flew to Haifa to volunteer for renovation work.

ICEJ International Director Juergen Buehler, who heads the embassy's branch in Germany, commented: "This gift will never make up for what they [survivors] suffered. But it does give hope for the present and for the future.

"It has been especially encouraging to witness so many Germans today who are willing to assume responsibility for their own tragic national history."

Open Eye, a newly-formed alliance of rabbis which seeks to draw attention to what is calls the "missionary enemy in Israel", has decried Christian involvement in catering for Holocaust survivors as "worrying".

The alliance, which attracted 500 people to its inaugural conference in Jerusalem last week, represents influential religious leaders including Beit El Chief Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Beer Sheba Chief Rabbi Yehuda Deri, and Rehovot Chief Rabbi Simcha Hakohen Kook.

Its raison d'être is to demand that Israeli organisations stop accepting money from Christian bodies.

The alliance's coordinator, former Jerusalem municipal councilwoman Mina Fenton, said that while it is opposed to all Christian funds, it considers funds directed at Holocaust survivors to be particularly "problematic" as they are vulnerable and an "easy prey" for the missionaries whom she believes will use their connection with the home to access residents.

Ms Fenton was highly critical of the fact that Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, attended the opening of the centre.

"If a rabbi goes there he gives a hechsher to the organisation," she said.

A source close to Rabbi Metzger denied this conclusion, saying that he attended only to "bless the survivors" and his presence should not be interpreted as endorsement for ICEJ.

Regarding concerns about missionarising, Mr Parsons said that his organisation is a "ministry of comfort but not a missionary organisation".

It donates to Israeli causes as a "humanitarian effort in the light of the history of Christian antisemitism" and has no desire to win converts as a result of the survivors' centre, he said.

But the rabbis in the alliance believe that whatever social action agendas Christian groups claim, the motivation is always missionary.

Rabbi Aviner said that while in past centuries Christians tried to convert Jews by force "now they want to buy us with money and by kissing, but we know what they want".

Rabbi Kook, citing similar logic, described the funding of the Holocaust survivor's facility as "terrible".

 

Comments

[RY]

Typical Israeli Schnorrer attitude. They should have never taken the money. They should have also never misappropriated the reparations fund. Instead of screaming let them get off their fat As*es and raise the money amongst the shnorrer Israeli public. It is time for Israel to support its Jews and the wider Jewish community. Never take money from those Evangelical groups. And Metzger, feh, chief something, not chief rabbi.

[Menachem Mendel lll]

As a son of Holocaust survivors I am delighted to see anyone support these people in any way.

May god bless them and may they be the first to enter into gan eyden with Yosseleh or not.

As far as help or money is concerned not a bracha or red cent from the Jewish community after arriving orphaned from Europe not knowing so much as a phoneme of English.

But the story does have a happy end to it.

My loving Jewish brother's who never experience the Holocaust beyond watching The World At War were never in short supply when it came bestowed upon my parents and their children Lashon Hara because even though we went to Yeshiva we were not frum nor did we fake it or pretend to be and were required to work on Shabos in order to survive.

Moschiach Uber Alles!

[Maverick]

Holocaust survivors are "easy prey" for missionaries? Lunatics.

Are they disparaging the fund to ease their shame about how they will spend millions of shekels supporting non-employment in the Charaidi world, while not responding adequately to the needs of Holocaust survivors?

[harold]

This is easy, offer them a better option. There is nothing like a bidding war with the destitute being the winners.

[joe k.]

Ah, so they take Christians' money and then backstab them and bad talk them later. i see how it is. This will have to be made common knowledge in my church and the churches in my community and beyond. maybe the money would be better spent for Palestinian causes. My mind is now made up.

[effie]

joe k: IOW, you never really gave a crap about helping the elderly Holocaust survivors, either. You are no better than the people you are complaining about.

[seymour]

instead of complaining come up with the money yourselves

[rj]

Almost from its beginning, Christendom has ridiculed, marginalized and murdered Jews. It seems now the tact is to throw money and support at Jews and Israel. Feelings of guilt? Or an attempt to bring on the “Last Days?” Whatever their tainted view is, it is clearly blood money.

So, Mr. Joe Shaygetz, “backstab?” Bring a pogrom to your “church” or even a bookburning and get back to us.

No interfaith dialogue, please. No money. Just leave us alone and find someone else to shower your gifts on.

“... maybe the money would be better spent for Palestinian causes...” Well, that’s truer to form.

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

Rabbi Kook, citing similar logic, described the funding of the Holocaust survivor's facility as "terrible".

Sour grapes?

[emmylou]

What are Israelis doing for the Holocaust victims? Why are there 80 survivors and only space for 15? Is the Israeli government willing to pick up the tab that the Christians are willing to pay?

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

There's a "halachic" workaround used by a kiruv rabbi in Chicago who insists that he does not take funds from גוים. Have the funds endorsed over to a Jew.

What a tzaddik.

[emmylou]

Please forgive me if I am wrong, but wasn't the whole point of "Israel" as to be a place for persecuted Jews to live? Why are there destitute Holocaust survivors at all? Shouldn't those survivors be treated like gold by "Israel"? Shouldn't they have all they need?

[effie]

rj: You can stuff it, too. No one needs permission to act charitable.

[David]

I have seen the literature, including the monthly magazine, of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and as far as I can see there is no way they into evangalising to Jews. Indeed, they are extremely pro-Jewish. The criticism of them is way off the mark.

[emmylou]

RJ, what have you done to help these Holocaust survivors? What has Judaism done? What has Israel done? Why are 80 people looking at 15 beds?

[Yochanan Lavie]

Some Christians believe in a "dual covenant" now, whereby non-Jews need Jesus, but Jews can be "saved" through adherence to Judaism. Maybe the Christian Embassy is into dual covenant theology.

[harold]

Why are there destitute Holocaust survivors at all?

Maybe they should attend a kollel? I thought all kollel people in Israel get government support, enough to support not only themselves, but their wife and children as well?

[emmylou]

Evangelical Christians believe that Jews are the "chosen" people of God. They totally believe that when you get your "Messiah", He will be Jesus Christ as well. They think Jews are holy, different from them (in a blessed way} and that somehow it will all work out, with them being on a footing with you. {after death}.

[rj]

I'm certainly not going to share my cheque register with you because it's really none of your festering business.

"What has Judaism done?" Not ghettoized, engaged in blood accusations, tortured other into conversion, kidnapped infants and baptized them (e.g. the Mortara case) or engineered a Holocaust.

[emmylou]

What is a kollel?

[Yochanan Lavie]

Emmylou: A kollel is an adult education center for theological studies. In Israel, they receive gov't subsidies.

[emmylou]

Rj, you avoided the question. I did not ask you for your cheque info. I asked, what has Israel done for these 80 survivors, other than provide 15 beds? Which some Christians seem to want to provide them with? Hmm?

[emmylou]

RJ, of course I don't expect an answer from you. You have none to give me.

[ruthie]

israel should treat the survivors like royalty.

[rj]

Moron...

Maimonides (know who he is?) take on charity-giving is that one engages in the lowest level by announcing it. Look it up.

Beyond that I will not respond to some blyad' apologist for Christendom's murderous treatment of Jews. And what so-called Evangelical Christians believe about Jews and Israel is largely a self-serving tub of dreck as you well know and is totally immaterial those whose families perished in the Shoah.

[emmylou]

RJ, what have you done for the Holocaust victims?

[rj]

Seems to me the question should be: what have the goyim done for the Jews for nearly 2 millenia? Is now catch-up time?

Oy! Discourse with a luetic bimbo is fruitless... OK, you win... now go and dust off your lampshades.

[Shmarya]

RJ –

There have been plenty of non-Jews over the centuries that helped Jews, all the way from an occasional Roman emperor, to an occasional Pope, to Christians in America that fed and clothed poor Jews in the 1880s, to the King of Denmark and thousands of Danes, to hundreds of Poles who risked their lives to save Jews in the Holocaust.

You might remember that the next time you feel like making a bigoted outburst.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Evangelical Christians have one and only one goal. That goal is to convert all Jews to Christianity. Any Jews who don't convert will be dealt with in the End of Days apocalypse, as illustrated by Michaelangelo on the front wall of the Sistine Chapel, by being sent to hell for eternity.

If you think the 'love' and support of evangelical Christians for Israel and for Jews is for any other reason than I just stated, you are kidding yourself.

[rj]

Shmarya, your main point is valid; I'm sure you don't need my validation for that. However, a restatement of historical fact is not bigorry.

[Shmarya]

Shmarya, your main point is valid; I'm sure you don't need my validation for that. However, a restatement of historical fact is not bigorry.

Go back and study that history again and you'll see it is not as black and white as you think.

[Menachem Mendel lll]

I respect and admire Reverand Hagee.

What he does and says about the Jewish people and the State Of Israel is so heartwarming I wish my father was alive to hear a non Jew speak that way.

He often praises Israel more than Jews do.

His ultimate Christian agenda in no way detracts from the kindness and sincerity he and his congreation has demonstrated towards the Jewish people.

[effie]

rj, you ignorant slut: Your response was non sequittur. Look it up.

Beyond that I will not respond to assholes like you who think the best defense to their own despicable behavior is to attack everyone else.

[kasha varnishkas]

I think it is awfully selfish for these yentas to be against this Christian group helping the Jews. Only Jews can give tzedukah?? They want to take away the mitzvah from these Christians??
Selfish bastards!
Idiots!! G-d forbid they think that maybe not every non-Jew wants to kill them.
Get with humanity and stop feeling so G-d damned special that everybody wants to just kill you. Lie a reverse grandiosity. Yes, grandiose, that's what that attitude is, grandiose, you just can't help us, you don't qualify. Idiots!

[kasha varnishkas]

"Like" a reverse grandiosity.

[Benyamin]

On the one hand, I typically agree that the we should not, as a people, associate with Christians. There are many good Christians, and so there is no reason to not make friends on an individual basis. But the evangelical groups do want to convert us, or use us to fulfill their "prophecies". We are not their puppets to manipulate, and the Jewish People should avoid associating with Christian organizations.

On the other hand, why aren't we sufficiently supporting our Holocaust survivors? They have done a Kiddush haShem, and we owe them everything!

Furthermore, in this particular case, if German goyim want to give tzedakah to atone for what their people had done in the past, I am touched. They are right in saying that they cannot make up for what has been done, but I do not think we should block them from doing what they can. To this I take exception. How would we look if we harden our hearts to the softening of theirs?

[Mr. Apikoros]

Funny, "Benyamin," there are people out there who believe they shouldn't, as a people, associate with Jews, even though there are "good" Jewish individuals. One such person was named Adolf Hitler, who gave safe-conduct passes to so-called "good" Jews, for instance, the doctor who treated his mother for breast cancer.

I don't believe it's necessary for any German who wasn't alive and of age during the Third Reich to apologize for what took place. They were not the ones who caused it, or allowed it to happen. Let those Germans over the age of say, 83, who were around and of age in 1945 and earlier, apologize for what happened.

By becoming the best of European democracies, and having been so for the last 60 years, Germany has made its collective apology with deeds, not words.

As for you, you're a racist bastard.

[Mr. Apikoros]

Same goes for the shmuck calling himself "rj," that stands for "Racist Jew." Or, "racist jackoff," take your pick.

[the usual chaim]

"Seems to me the question should be: what have the goyim done for the Jews for nearly 2 millenia? Is now catch-up time?"

when else would catch up time be? There is obviously a lot to be angry about when contemplating the history of cristian treatment of jews - exceptions mentioned by shmarya notwithstanding. But we also have to be open to that history ending - not being erased or forgotten, but atoned for in the revision of hateful theologies and in attempts to reach out to jews. how are they supposed to move forward if we regard everything they do with suspicion?.... that is not to say there are not evangelical groups trying to convert with their largess, but doing due diligence before becoming involved with any group should be standard and would avert the problem

[nachos]

Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | September 28, 2010 at 08:02 PM
WoolSilkCotton:
I am not trying to start anything with you. In response to your comment, I would like to respectfully ask you, so what.

Isn't it really up to the person to accept or reject the theological position for themselves. Let's take the Torah. Some Jews (like myself) believe that G-d told Moses what to write down. Others believe the Torah is bubemeises. Isn't it up to each person to ultimately accept or reject a theological claim.

The real scandal in this story is money was stolen from the Holocaust victims not just by Hitler, but by fellow Jews and these reparation funds. Those funds should have been used to build and take care of these holocaust victims.

A very long time ago, I read a book about this gentile Dutch woman that hid many Jews, saved many lives and ended up in the camps herself. I think her family was killed in the camps also. I am not sure if she was killed also. Maybe someone on this thread can refresh my senile memory as to her name. I think she was a Jeweler. In any event, would anyone question the fact that a gentile was risking their life to save a Jew.

Why would a gentile risk their necks to save a jew, unless they actually have a sincere faith and they are trying to live that faith. Nobody would want to risk their necks to save us, because of our manners. Thus, isn't it up to the person to figure out what's right.

I see through my life, that G-d sometimes works in mysterious ways. Maybe G-d is just using this group to help some of our holocaust victims, because he sees the Rabbis keep stealing the money.

Like I said earlier, no disrespect intended. Peace

[Teddy]

Me thinks you are talking about Corrie ten Boom, a strongly evangelizing lady. This is something a lot of Jews fail to understand: To a christian, telling the good news (i.e. gospel) to everybody, starting with the Jews is a mitzvah. One who does not, is not a good christian. Of course, before the war the Ten Booms did so, making more Jewish friends than converts, no Jew back then was so stupid to convert because some nice people told him a story about a long dead rabbi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrie_ten_Boom

[emmylou]

Why would you care where the money comes from to take care of these people? Take care of them already!!!! They've suffered enough. In fact, their suffering is the BASIS for ISRAEL. If Christians want to fund them, let them! Somebody's got to do it! It's a shame that Israel won't, and it's a shame that Jews won't. Let the Christians do it, as they seem to be wiling, but for God's sake, help these people out!

[emmylou]

RJ, before you decide to deny your fellow Jews the funding they desperately need, because you don't like the source, put your hand in your pocket and provide it yourself.

[nachos]

RJ, before you decide to deny your fellow Jews the funding they desperately need, because you don't like the source, put your hand in your pocket and provide it yourself.

Posted by: emmylou | September 29, 2010 at 02:29 AM
Amen!!

[effie]

Let's get real. Does anyone think that a Holocaust survivor who at a minimum would be over 65 years old but most likely be much older, is going to convert because some Christians helped build them senior housing? LOL

[effie]

In fact, their suffering is the BASIS for ISRAEL.

I wouldn't go that far. Israel would have been created with or without the Holocaust. Ever since I read Gitta Sereny's interview of Franz Stangl and his wife trying to take credit for the creation of Israel, hearing this false meme makes me want to vomit.

[emmylou]

Suffering Jews is the only credible excuse for what is called "Israel". Israel is a hostile, aggressive nation whose only possible saving grace is that it's supposed to be a refuge for persecuted Jews. And it doesn't live up to that. 15 beds for 80 Holocaust survivors, and they turn their nose up at financial help from others!

[effie]

emmylou: go fuck your self, you anti-semitic bitch.

[emmylou]

I am not anti-semitic whatsover. I am anti-Israel. There is a huge difference. Stop copping out with the anti-semitism excuse already. It's old and impertinent in this situation. Btw, I am Jewish by birth. On my mother's side. So there!

[emmylou]

And by the way, Effie, have you reached into your pocket to help
these destitute people out? Our fellow Jews?

[effie]

Demonizing Israel is antisemitism, dumbass. So, is your questioning of Israel's right to exist, you freak. And I don't give a damn what you claim to be. So, once again, go fk yourself.

[emmylou]

Calling Israel out for what it is, is neither demonizing nor anti-semitic. It's realistic. Take a good look at what Israel is. Good day, fellow Jew.

[emmylou]

PS... did you monetarily help out our fellow Jews? You never answered.

[effie]

One, don't try your phony bullshit on me. I make more donations to the elderly, both in time and money, including Holocaust survivors, than you could ever dream to on your salary as a McDonald's fry cook.

Two, you are an antisemitic piece of shit.

Three, don't even pretend to make demands of me.

Four, Stormfront is calling for you to come back.

[emmylou]

Hey Effie, I am glad that you make all those donations, especially including the survivors in question. Israel as a government isn't taking care of these people; it's good to know that you are picking up their slack.

As I said, I am not anti-semitic in the least. I am anti-Israel. Do you think that the two are identical?

You seem to think that I work at McDonald's. I don't. What makes you think that I do?

If I did work at McDonald's as a "fry cook", is that somehow a bad thing? You seem to use that phrase as a putdown. Why?

[effie]

Once, again, you are an antisemitic shit. Piss off.

[emmylou]

Effie, I asked you some questions, in a polite way. You have addressed me in a very rude manner. Is this the way you want to represent Jews? As a Jew, I am embarrassed by your responses. Do you want people to think that Jews are foul-mouthed?

[emmylou]

Effie, Do you believe that "anti-Israel" = "anti-semitism"?

[emmylou]

Do you even know what a Semite is? It is "a member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs." Merriam Webster. I am not against these people. I am against the nation of Israel, which was created in 1948, and has displaced many people including Semites, which, as you know, include Arabs as well as Jews. Please read the United Nations documents of that time to understand that the occupation attempts are not legal, and never have been.

Semites are Jews and Arabs. They are not Israelis, per se.

[effie]

Please go fuck yourself.

[David]

Maybe they should attend a kollel? I thought all kollel people in Israel get government support, enough to support not only themselves, but their wife and children as well?

Perhaps they can't get into a kollel because they don't wish to abandon their preference for blue shirts?

[Mr. Apikoros]

Emmylou: After you're done servicing Osama bin Laden, go take a trip to the West Bank and jump in front of a bulldozer.

Then you can join your fellow Jew-hater Rachel Corrie in hell.

Sieg heil, bitch.

[Mr. Apikoros]

It never fails to amaze me what the frumbags come up with when posting here.

Case in point: A paranoid anti-Christian fuckwad calling himself "rj" has a big, big problem with Christians, especially German Christians, supporting a Jewish nursing home in Israel.

If I didn't know better, and maybe I don't, I might have suspected you, "rj" of being a troll from Stormfront.org or a similar neo-nazi group trying to make Jews look ridiculous by posting this kind of idiocy.

As for Mina Fenton and the rest of her bunch, they are beneath contempt.

[emmylou]

Mr. Apikoros,

Why didn't your mother teach you some manners?

[Mr. Apikoros]

I'd rather be ill-mannered than a fucking anti-Semite, bitch.

[Mr. Apikoros]

I may have my differences with some of Israel's policies. Big ones, in fact.

But an enemy of Israel, which you are, bitch, is an enemy of mine.

My mother didn't teach me to be nice to my enemies.

[emmylou]

Mr Apikoros,

It is a shame that your mother raised you so illy. Your manners are atrocious. Surely you're not Jewish?

[emmylou]

Hey Effie, have you ever explored the way that Israel was created in 1948, and what the United Nations said about it? If you google the United Nations, it is all there. The settlements are ILLEGAL, and have been since the creation of "Israel".

I am not anti-Jewish (in fact I am Jewish), I am not anti-semite (semites are comprised of Arabs and Jews, and I have nothing in particular against either) .

Why are you so hostile? Are you Jewish? Do you live in the US? Or elsewhere? I am trying to figure out where your anger is coming from. Did you have loved ones that died in the camps?

[Shmarya]

Posted by: emmylou | October 02, 2010 at 08:25 PM

I think you need to study your history a little better.

West Bank settlements are generally considered to be illegal according to UN Resolution 242.

But that does not apply to Israel proper.

Past that, antisemitism does not mean anti all Semites – it exclusively means anti-Jewish. (See for example this.)

[Mr. Apikoros]

Emmylou, you stinking POS: I don't have to be civil to anti-Semites, nor do I have to be civil to trolls.

Now go to hell, and take your beloved UN with you.

[Mr. Apikoros]

When you put the word "Israel" in quotes, it shows your true colors: Red, black and white.

I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Frau Rottenweiler.

[emmylou]

Resolution242http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_242

Mr. Apikoros, you are a mysogonist. It's a crying shame that your mum didn't teach you some manners. She wasn't raised Jewish, I'm guessing?

[Mr. Apikoros]

You're a troll. End of story. Get lost.

[emmylou]

Mr. Apikoros, I will let you have the last, although foul-mouthed, word. May your mother never know how you talk to women. Peace.

[Mr. Apikoros]

You're not a woman, you're a womyn.

[emmylou]

That doesn't even make sense, but may your mum wash your mouth with soap someday. Pity she didn't do it sooner.

[emmylou]

actually I'm a little turned on by you Mr. Apikoros. I'm not a womyn. I'm a slut.