The new Christian settlers

[azurnoir]

Will US Christians settle in Samaria? About 1,000 Americans have signed a document requesting to convert to Judaism, move to Israel, and settle in Samaria.

The group members are seeking to serve in the IDF and later establish communities based on the Kibbutz movement model.

The document was presented to Yisrael Beiteinu Knesset Member Lia Shemtov, who met with the group's representative last week and promised to offer her help in facilitating the initiative.

<snip>

The Christian group seeks to purchase land in Samaria, and Abramovich says that in Missouri alone a community of some 400 people is already keeping the Shabbat.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4056696,00.html

[xxqqqzme]

1. Is there a jim jones character

leading this cult?

[King_David]

2. Lucky for Israel

Even the ultra right wing Rabi's will say no.

[azurnoir]

4. They say they'll under go conversion

it's towards the end of the article

[DCKit]

3. "...seeks to purchase land in Samaria..."

See, they've already got it wrong.

[shaayecanaan]

5. presumably a messianic Jewish group?

Abramovich isnt exactly a name from the Protestant heartland. Many Israeli media sources refuse to refer to these groups as "messianic Jewish" and refer to them as Christian instead.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. that would be my guess - probably one of these "end times prophesy" groups

[bemildred]

7. Boy, you just don't know what to say.

:popcorn:

[pelsar]

8. i know what to say...

oh christ another bunch of looneys to join the crowd......

[azurnoir]

9. well...........

they have to under go conversion, not just conversion but orthodox conversion which would mean they'd have to give up the Jesus thingy all in all I found myself thinking 'geez I know the real-estate situation in the US is bad but???? perhaps Utah has a place for them

[shaayecanaan]

13. they just don't mention Jesus for a few weeks...

apparently quite a few Protestants have undergone Orthodox conversions and then joined Messianic (ie Christian) Jewish congregations. In a lot of instances they were participants of Messianic Jewish congregations before, but wanted to become fully paid-up members. Makes them feel closer to Jesus, I suppose.

Quite bizarre. I must admit the term "self-hatred" gets thrown about quite a bit in these kinds of circles but in this case I think it is probably warranted.

There was a book about "messianic Jews" by a lady called Carol Harris Sharpiro, cant remember the name but it really shed light on the mindset of these sorts of people.

[pelsar]

14. they're just confused...

in israel there are infact quite a few of these groups and they really 'dont like each other" since they've all take different parts of the religions/bibles to make one of their own...which means they all see the others as heretics..

its not enough we have christian, muslims, jews, druze...now we have to add a new ingredient that mixes up jews and christians....

personally, i cant wait for that earth killing meteor to arrive, so that this place can start all over and try again.

[bemildred]

15. They ought to fit right in. nt

[provis99]

10. if they are Jewish converts then they are not Christian.

But this is typical of Israeli suspicion that all Christians are loonies.

[pelsar]

12. no...not all christians are loonies....but

christians who convert to Judaism to go start a kibbutz (which as an economic and social model has largely failed-exceptions noted), to live in the westbank.....

yes i will standby my initial reaction.....no good can come out of this little addition to an already complex conflict/society.

_____________________

i've served (serve) with christians/muslims in the IDF (as do my kids)......thats not an issue, though the IDF isn't too fond of the messianic jews and follows a "dont ask, dont tell" kind of attitude.

[Scurrilous]

11. Haredi group takes on Christian converts

Yad L'Achim launching struggle against 1,000 Christians' intent to convert to Judaism, make aliyah, establish cooperative kibbutzim beyond 1967 lines – and settle in Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4084613,00.html

<snip>

"Haredi organization Yad L'Achim is launching a struggle against 1,000 Christians' intent to convert to Judaism, make aliyah, establish cooperative kibbutzim beyond the 1967 lines – and settle there.

Following the publication of a Ynet article outlining the initiative, the organization's chairman Rabbi Sholom Ber Lifshitz claims that those involved in the initiative are missionaries whose goal is to bring Jews closer to the Christian faith and belief in Jesus, and called on the government to fend off the attempt.

According to Yad L'Achim, hundreds of Christian missionaries use a similar method to infiltrate the country every year but this time the plan is "destructive and concerning on a much greater level".

Yad L'Achim activists claim that they have a thick dossier with information on the man behind the initiative; Baruch Abramovich from Portland which they believe proves that the man is unequivocally an "active veteran missionary".

The activists quote Abramovich saying that his declared goal is to bring Jews closer to believing in Jesus, during his local radio show. They also note that his wife is the editor of various Christian publications.

Jewish publications published ads over the weekend with pictures of Abramovich showing him covered in a Jewish prayer shawl, holding a Shofar with a caption stating the picture was taken after a baptism ceremony."