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Jews for Jesus

Adir Schwartz talks with Jerusalem municipality inspectors as they shut down a temporary cafe set up by the Hitorerut movement in central Jerusalem after Cafe Basimta closed following weeks of protests by ultra-Orthodox extremists (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 5, 2026, 2:21 pm
Jerusalem municipality shuts down Shabbat coffee stand near cafe that caved to Haredi protests
Inspector tells volunteers from Hitorerut that they ‘received orders from higher up’ to close stall; head of liberal group: ‘Violence closed Cafe Basimta, but failed to close Jerusalem’
By ToI Staff
Protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the Basimta cafe in central Jerusalem, August 29, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 4, 2026, 5:56 pm
Activists set to open Shabbat coffee truck at site where Jerusalem cafe buckled to Haredi protests
Organizers vow to oppose religious coercion, say that the cart will be operated by volunteers next to the cafe so that ‘Jerusalemites can continue to drink coffee on Shabbat’
By ToI Staff
Haredi men protest outside the Basimta cafe for opening on Shabbat while secular counterprotesters stand in front of them, in Jerusalem on August 8, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 3, 2026, 7:05 pm
Jerusalem cafe targeted by Haredi protesters says it will no longer open on Shabbat
Owners of Cafe Basimta, an official project of Jews for Jesus, say months-long ‘friction’ is contrary to their faith; local politician calls decision a win for ‘terrorism’
By Zev Stub
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against Cafe Basimta operating on Shabbat and clash with police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 15, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 2, 2026, 6:15 pm
As weekly Haredi protests take a toll, Jerusalem cafe says it may close on Saturdays
Spokesperson for Cafe Basimta says business will make decision in coming days as some fear ultra-Orthodox rallies hounding the coffeehouse may escalate out of control
By Zev Stub
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat and clash with Israeli police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 1, 2026, 1:12 pm
Haredi protesters try to force their way into Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat
Police said to use batons to disperse demonstrators after they clash with secular patrons, attempt to enter Cafe Basimta, amid largest turnout since 5-week campaign began
By ToI Staff
Long lines of secular customers gathered to patronize Cafe Basimta in Jerusalem on Shabbat, July 18, 2026. (Theia Chatelle/ JTA)
July 24, 2026, 7:03 am
Jerusalem cafe symbolizes secular defiance – until people learn it’s run by Jews for Jesus
One of few coffee houses in the city center to open on Shabbat, Cafe Basimta draws rowdy Haredi protesters and tenacious customers – many of whom find the new revelation grounds for concern
By Theia Chatelle
Jewish service members hold a torah scroll while wearing tefillin at the Aleph Institute's Military Symposium in February. 2026 (Yisroel Teitelbaum/Aleph Institute)
March 7, 2026, 3:06 pm
US Jewish groups ask Pentagon to stop Messianic chaplains from wearing Jewish insignia
In combat and remote postings, patches function as a quick signal of religious identity. Mainstream Jews say a group known for Christian proselytization is deliberately misusing them
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Jesus and his disciples in a still from Season 2 of 'The Chosen.' (Courtesy)
March 28, 2025, 1:22 am
Just in time for Passover, Jesus biopic ‘The Chosen’ premieres Season 5 in US cinemas
Launching March 28, hit show doesn’t downplay Christ’s Jewish roots but takes advice from a Messianic rabbi. Season Five: Last Supper to see a theatrical run before heading to streaming
By Rich Tenorio
Aaron Abramson has taken over as CEO of Jews for Jesus, the third leader of the group and the first with an Israeli background, replacing David Brickner who led Jews for Jesus since 1996. (Courtesy of Jews for Jesus)
June 15, 2024, 1:53 am
With a new leader and revamped strategy, it’s a second coming for Jews for Jesus
This month, Aaron Abramson becomes the third to hold the title – and the first Israeli – since the controversial organization was founded in San Francisco some five decades ago
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Supporters for the freedom of Soviet Jewry rally in front of the Soviet consulate in San Francisco in a undated photo. (Courtesy of American Jewish Historical Society)
February 7, 2023, 4:17 pm
FBI memo: Bay Area Soviet Jewry protest leaders secretly sought Jews for Jesus’ help
Freedom of information request yields stunning revelation that leadership recruited the well-organized but widely loathed proselytizing group to help organize and bolster crowds
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Passengers wait at the platform inside Lviv railway station in western Ukraine, February 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
March 25, 2022, 4:28 am
Anti-missionaries cry foul as Messianic Jews aid Ukraine refugees, Bibles in hand
Jews for Jesus, other groups, step into war relief, saying religious message is ‘part of the package,’ but opponents call outreach ‘sinister’ exploitation of vulnerable people
By Luke Tress
A copy of the New Testament in Yiddish at the New York Public Library. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)
February 9, 2022, 5:12 am
Seeking converts, Christian missionaries pitch Yiddish Bibles to NY ultra-Orthodox
Missionary group is revamping New Testament in Yiddish for the first time in 80 years, part of a broader outreach effort aimed at the most insular Jewish communities in the US
By Luke Tress
Illustrative: HaOgen Cafe, in central Tel Aviv, is an outpost of a Messianic Jewish organization. (Abby Seitz/ JTA)
September 28, 2021, 7:38 pm
Baristas at this Tel Aviv cafe serve up espresso — and let you know about Jesus
Trendy HaOgen coffee house in the White City’s central Dizengoff Square is outwardly unassuming, causing some to ask why it feels the need to hide its mission of Messianic outreach
By Abby Seitz
Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore stands behind his wife Kayla Moore as she speaks during a campaign event at Jordan's Activity Barn on December 11, 2017, in Midland City, Alabama. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP)
January 6, 2018, 2:48 am
Why Jews care that Roy Moore’s ‘Jewish lawyer’ is actually Christian
Reference to Martin Wishnatsky by wife of defeated Senate candidate invokes age-old debate: Is Judaism primarily an ethnicity, a religion or a culture?
By Ben Sales
Young Jewish adults from all over the world participating in the Taglit Birthright program celebrate 10 years of the Birthright program at an event held at the International Conference Center in Jerusalem on January 7, 2013. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 1, 2017, 10:26 pm
Jews for Jesus poll: 1/5 of Jewish millennials believe Christ was God
Survey of Jews born between 1984 and 1999 shows more identify as religious but unaffiliated; 42% of respondents say they celebrate Christmas
By Ben Sales
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