“Are Christian missionaries really a problem?” After 27 years of involvement in the Jewish counter-missionary field, this frequently asked question tells me that there’s still a lot more work that must be done. It’s difficult to help our community deal with a problem when so many are convinced we don’t have one.  

As with most issues, it is important to clarify our terms. When we assume that all missionaries wear identifying T-shirts or come knocking at our doors at the most annoying times – there probably isn’t much of a problem. But when we realize that anyone who seeks to sway us to their religion is a missionary, that’s another ballgame as they say.

Recent estimates reveal that 25% - 40% of Americans are evangelical Christians.

They firmly believe that everyone on the planet will spend their eternity in hell unless they get saved. They also believe that the most important thing they can do in their lives is help to bring the message of salvation to all people – relatives, friends, neighbours, roommates, co-workers, patients, clients and others, including and especially the Jews.

In a recent survey conducted by Jews for Judaism of over 1,000 high school and university students, 81% reported that someone had tried to share their faith with them.

This is why the book you are holding is so important. Rick Halpern has produced an invaluable resource for the Jewish community. His Choose Life: A Counter-Missionary Study Guide explains the motivations of those who seek to convert us, the reasons why so many Jewish people are vulnerable, and most importantly, what needs to be done to ensure that we always keep Jews Jewish.

Choose Life – the title says it all. This book broadcasts the critical message that the stakes are very high for those Jews who embrace Christianity. The missionary message does to our souls what smoking 10 packs of cigarettes a day does to our bodies.

This book also contains a passionate call for all Jews to take hold of the Torah, our Tree of Life, and let it nourish our souls. Although missionaries try to use our Torah against us by twisting its meaning and injecting their religion, Choose Life allows the Torah to speak for itself.

Louis Pasteur, renowned 19th century scientist, stated, “Fortune favours the mind that’s prepared.” Choose Life is an invaluable resource that firstly, helps to inoculate the Jewish community against the missionary threat and secondly, introduce countless Jews to the sweet and profound spiritual treasure that lies buried in their own backyards – our G-d given Tree of Life, the Torah.

Rabbi Michael Skobac

Director of Education, Jews for Judaism, Toronto

סופי

And everything that Sarah tells you, listen to her voice. Bereshit (Genesis) 21:12