Missionaries Set to Hold Huge Convention in Jerusalem
May 08, 2015In the wake of their successful mass baptism in the city of Ra’anana, the missionaries have set their sights on a bigger catch: a four-day event to be held in Jerusalem over the upcoming Shavuos holiday.
The event is scheduled to open on Wednesday, May 20, at the Orna Hall and will bring together leading missionaries to discuss how to upgrade their efforts to “spread the word.” These activities, aimed at getting Jews to convert, will be held throughout Israel and in Jewish communities around the world.
The missionaries have set up two new web sites to publicize the conference, indicating the importance they assign to its success.
Yad L’Achim has learned that the missionaries have rented hundreds of rooms in Jerusalem hotels for the event. It has succeeded in obtaining a list of the well-known missionaries scheduled to take part in this unprecedented gathering.
The list includes: Avi Mizrachi, a Jew who converted out and became one of the leaders of the “Messianic Jews” cult and head of a missionary congregation in Tel Aviv; Avner Boskey, a former associate editor of MISHKAN: A Theological Journal on Jewish Evangelism; Shira Sorko Ram, a leader of the Messianic Jewish congregation Tiferet Yeshua (The Glory of Yeshua) in Tel Aviv and of the Maoz Israel ministries; Kobi Ferguson, a leader of the international Yeshua Israel missionary organization; Morris Cerullo, head of the Inspiration Network and responsible for many missionary events throughout Israel; Dennis Lindsay, head of the J. for the Nations and responsible for many events around the country; Wayne Hilsden and Anne Hilsden, heads of the King of Kings missionary cult.
Yad L’Achim warns that the event poses a particular danger because it aims to upgrade missionary activities among Jews in Israel and Jewish centers abroad. The missionaries who are scheduled to appear at the four-day conference are to present state-of-the art techniques for improving and expanding their message.
Upon learning of the planned conference, Yad L’Achim sent an impassioned appeal to those in charge of the Orna Hall, clarifying the seriousness of the matter. A copy of the letter was also sent to members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, the Chief Rabbis of Jerusalem, chareidi Knesset members and members of the Jerusalem City Council.
The letter presents the goals of the missionary conference, including the names of the senior figures who will be featured.
“It is tragic that a conference hall that was built for use by the broader public, has been leased to a group that acts against the interests of that public,” Yad L’Achim said in its letter. “It is doubly tragic that this conference is being held in the holy city of Jerusalem, in a building that belongs to the municipality.
“It is important for us to clarify that this is not an ‘internal’ even being held for Christian leaders, but a general conference that is open to the broader public, who will be able to purchase tickets. In light of all this, we ask that you act to cancel this dangerous event.”
Yad L’Achim notes that some chariedi MKs have already gotten involved in the matter and are holding talks to try and block the holding of the event.
Yad L’Achim stresses that if it should to get the event cancelled via its legal appeals, it will not rule out organizing a public protest against the Orna Hall, with all the implications for the future of the hall.