Posted on 04/13/2011 8:46:44 PM PDT by ChicagoHebrew
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.
The Christian group's representative, Baruch Abramovich, said he was hopeful that MK Shemtov would be able to elicit the government's support for the initiative.
Ironically, the venture received a boost through the help of priests at some 70 different churches in the US, who last summer urged their followers to boycott Abramovich and his new community. The broad media coverage attracted many new participants to the initiative.
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.
"They manage collective kibbutz life and aspire to create such community in Samaria, or in any area that would like to absorb people who truly love Israel and the Jewish religion," he said.
MK Shemtov expressed her support for the idea, noting that "bringing hundreds of educated, established people to Israel will help in developing Samaria and reinforcing it as an inseparable part of the State of Israel. We are dealing with people who wish to undergo Orthodox conversion, contribute to the economy, and even to serve in the IDF."
Officials at the Samaria Regional council confirmed that they were approached about the initiative, but noted that according to the Law of Return, only Jews can move to Israel and receive citizenship.
"If families from this group undergo proper conversion and move to Israel in line with the Law of Return, we'll of course be happy to welcome them in Samaria," one official said.
Are they “Messianic Jews” - i.e. Christians who define themselves as part of Judaism? They may be.
I wish all these settlers well, they know America is in danger of tearing its self apart (or worse) and they want to live in a free country. I have seriously considered moving to Israel as well, and this is just one more on the "go" tally
True Christians wouldn’t convert. Now if they’d let Christians come in, join IDF and fight for Israel as Christians, I’d be all over that. I’d see it as an honor. But deny my Lord? Oi Vey!
True Christians wouldn’t convert. Now if they’d let Christians come in, join IDF and fight for Israel as Christians, I’d be all over that. I’d see it as an honor. But deny my Lord? Oi Vey!
Palin got this one right: More Jews going to Israel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2679580/posts
I mean if there is no homestead kibbutz, they are not wanting to join the tribe anyway are they?
I know nothing about the group. It may well have started as a "Messianic" group, for all I know But they are seeking to undergo Orthodox Jewish conversions. That's real Judaism.
Your comment actually got me curious. A significant number of Christians already serve in the IDF, but they are all Israeli citizens or permanent residents. Largely, its Russians who immigrated under the Law of Return because they had a Jewish grandparent or a Jewish spouse. But smaller numbers of Armenians and Israeli Arab Christians also serve.
True Christians wouldnt convert. Now if theyd let Christians come in, join IDF and fight for Israel as Christians, Id be all over that. Id see it as an honor. But deny my Lord? Oi Vey!
Agreed.
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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For sure the Muzzies will be very happy that now Christian settlers are moving next door
Googling “Baruch Abramavich” brings up an organization called “Zion International” and another site called “The Slavic Voice of America.”
As near as I can guess, Zion International is seeking RUSSIAN cultural “Christians” (really Agnostics and Atheists...) to convert to Judaism for a chance at free land and better life (life in Russia, for most, is still pretty grim, actually) in Israel. Zion International is all about travel and Real Estate... so who knows what this “group” is ...perhaps only a business venture.
Something’s missing here. If they are converting from Christianity to Judaism, why are (Catholic?) priests supporting this? And since when are Christians forbidden to move to Israel? About becoming citizens, I’d have to look it up. My instincts tell me it’s allowed, but a lot of hunches have been proven wrong. There are Christians of every conceivable denomination living in Israel. We have Russian and Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian, Ethiopian...
Christians can move to Israel, but they aren’t entitled to automatic citizenship, and have to jump through hoops like everyone else. It’s roughly equivalent with the troubles that say, a Frenchman would have immigrating to America, if he wanted to do it legally.
Thanks ChicagoHebrew.
The Christian group's representative, Baruch Abramovich, said he was hopeful that MK Shemtov would be able to elicit the government's support for the initiative.
Who are these people? Everything I'm finding points to this original article.
Are they related to these people: Rabbinate Confronted With 60 Missionary Converts ?
That’s what I thought. And brother, there are hoops. I’m Jewish, and “automatically” became a citizen after knocking my head against the “miserable panim” (Ministry of the Interior) for nine months.
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