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Messianic Judaism

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
Pastor Chad Holland Messianic congregation Kings of Kings in Jerusalem honors Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 25, 2025, after their murder in an antisemitic attack in Washington DC. Lischinsky used to belong to the congregation’s youth group. (Rossella Tercatin/Times of Israel)
May 28, 2025, 4:20 pm
For Messianic Jews in Jerusalem, Yaron Lischinsky’s murder was a personal loss  
Marginalized in Israel, adherents of the controversial movement maintain the holiness of both the Bible and the Christian Gospel, placing an emphasis on the Jewish identity of Jesus
By Rossella Tercatin
Author Haim Be'er at his home in Ramat Gan, October 6, 2024. (Tamar Mor Sela)
October 20, 2024, 7:05 am
Haim Be’er believes, in perfect faith, that change is coming for Israel, but it may tarry
Despite eulogizing Zionism, the 79-year-old literary icon urges public to transcend social divides between right and left, religious and secular, and acknowledge limitations of power
By Tamar Mor Sela
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
Sgt. First Class Urija Bayer, 20, was wounded fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza on December 14 and succumbed to his wounds on December 17 (Facebook)
December 18, 2023, 2:07 pm
Sgt. First Class Urija Bayer, 20: Messianic Jew died fighting Hamas
Injured while fighting in Gaza on December 14 and died of his wounds December 17, after volunteering to serve in the IDF
By ToI Staff
Jubal Most, 3, inspects his mother Stefani Most’s new Star of David necklace while his family is prayed over at Congregation Beth Israel on August 17, 2023 in Paradise Valley, Ariz. The formerly Messianic congregation led by Richard Cortes converted to Judaism at Beth Israel where there is a Mikveh. (Caitlin O’Hara via JTA)
November 6, 2023, 12:54 am
How an Arizona pastor parted with Jesus and led his congregation to Judaism
From Messianic leader to Jewish convert, Richard Cortes marks decades-long spiritual journey with ‘Torah-based homestead community’ in remote corner of the Grand Canyon State
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Jonathan Dade is the leader of the congregation Messiah Echad. (YouTube screenshot/ used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
August 5, 2023, 5:57 am
​​New US reality show features a Messianic ‘rabbi’ who says ‘I’m Jewish, too’
Cast of Discovery/Max series ‘Survive the Raft’ includes leader of congregation from religious community that is at odds with mainstream Jewish belief
By Andrew Lapin
Jewish activists clash with police during a protest against a conference of Christians outside the Davidson Center in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 28, 2023. (Arie Leib Abrams/ Flash90)
July 7, 2023, 5:55 am
Christians worry growing protests against ‘missionaries’ will soon turn bloody
Deputy Jerusalem mayor leads extremists’ campaign against evangelists they believe are trying to convert Jews, as Messianic Jews and others fend off attacks and missionizing claims
By Lazar Berman
Jewish extremists from the Or l'Achim and Lehava organizations scuffle with police outside a Messianic Jewish convention in Jerusalem, June 22, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
June 23, 2023, 11:28 am
Jewish extremists try to interrupt Messianic Jewish event in Jerusalem
Protesters attempt to break into main hall, block participants from getting to convention; police arrest activist for allegedly attacking officer
By Michael Horovitz
Lena Epstein greets guests during her campaign for Congress, May 5, 2018. (Rachel Woolf for The Washington Post via Getty Images via JTA)
February 9, 2023, 12:08 pm
Raised Jewish, Michigan GOP leadership candidate now says she’s a Messianic Jew
Lena Epstein, who previously presented herself as Jewish but faced criticism after hosting Messianic ‘rabbi,’ admits she has been baptized ‘into the Christian faith’
By Andrew Lapin
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
Congregation Emanu El in Houston is reassessing its security protocols with security nonprofits and consultants. (Jewish Herald-Voice/via JTA)
January 24, 2023, 11:47 am
A year after Colleyville, Houston synagogue is harassed by agitated Messianic Jew
Synagogue tightening security after a woman broke in twice, damaging a Torah and scaring children; she targeted synagogue after being turned away ‘because of her belief in Jesus’
By Matt Samuels
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
The title page of the Henry Einspruch Yiddish translation of the New Testament. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)
February 17, 2022, 2:07 pm
Daily Briefing Feb. 17: Yiddish New Testament; virtual Chabad house; good COVID news
Health reporter Nathan Jeffay offers some rays of light from a waning Omicron wave; news editor Luke Tress dives into messianic Jewish missionaries and a virtual Chabad house
By ToI Staff
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
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