Have you ever heard of "Wings of Eagles"?
"On Wings of Eagles" (OWE) is a project of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), headquartered in Chicago. OWE’s stated mission is to provide assistance to Jewish people who wish to leave the former Soviet Union and make Aliya (that is, immigrate under the Law of Return) to Israel. The governing board of the IFCJ consists of both Christians and traditional Jews; however, Messianic Jews (that is, Jewish people who believe in Jesus) are not represented, as far as we have been able to determine. In the past, we have requested information from the IFCJ regarding its policy toward Jewish believers in Jesus, but have received no response.
The president and founder of IFCJ (which was known originally as the Holy Land Fellowship of Christians and Jews) is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi named Yechiel Eckstein. Rabbi Eckstein is an eloquent and charismatic individual, and we have no reason to doubt his sincerity or financial integrity, or that of anyone else associated with his organization.
The fact is that Mr. Eckstein is an ordained Orthodox rabbi and a fundamental antagonism exists between traditional, Orthodox Judaism and Christianity (or, Messianism). The rabbis are unswerving in their conviction that Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah. The predominant rabbinic view, in fact, is that Messianic Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) are "apostates" and "idolators." They even teach that Jewish people who become believers in Jesus are no longer Jewish! The Supreme Court of the State of Israel, under pressure from Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox factions, ruled that Messianic Jews do not qualify to enter the country under the terms of the Law of Return. Consequently, Messianic Jews who immigrate to Israel do not receive the same benefits and treatment as others.
It’s sad but true—Jewish people who have become Buddhists, agnostics, or even atheists are welcome to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. They receive a comprehensive package of economic assistance and other services. However, Jewish believers in Jesus are excluded. The rabbis say that believers in Jesus are no longer Jews and therefore do not qualify. All of this is a reflection of the vast, theological divide that exists between Orthodox Judaism and the Messianic movement.
That is why we would like to know if Rabbi Eckstein shares the prevailing Orthodox opinion of Jewish believers in Jesus. If and when we receive an answer to our inquiries, we will make that information available in this fact sheet.
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"On Wings of Eagles" (OWE) is a project of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), headquartered in Chicago. OWE’s stated mission is to provide assistance to Jewish people who wish to leave the former Soviet Union and make Aliya (that is, immigrate under the Law of Return) to Israel. The governing board of the IFCJ consists of both Christians and traditional Jews; however, Messianic Jews (that is, Jewish people who believe in Jesus) are not represented, as far as we have been able to determine. In the past, we have requested information from the IFCJ regarding its policy toward Jewish believers in Jesus, but have received no response.
The president and founder of IFCJ (which was known originally as the Holy Land Fellowship of Christians and Jews) is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi named Yechiel Eckstein. Rabbi Eckstein is an eloquent and charismatic individual, and we have no reason to doubt his sincerity or financial integrity, or that of anyone else associated with his organization.
The fact is that Mr. Eckstein is an ordained Orthodox rabbi and a fundamental antagonism exists between traditional, Orthodox Judaism and Christianity (or, Messianism). The rabbis are unswerving in their conviction that Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah. The predominant rabbinic view, in fact, is that Messianic Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) are "apostates" and "idolators." They even teach that Jewish people who become believers in Jesus are no longer Jewish! The Supreme Court of the State of Israel, under pressure from Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox factions, ruled that Messianic Jews do not qualify to enter the country under the terms of the Law of Return. Consequently, Messianic Jews who immigrate to Israel do not receive the same benefits and treatment as others.
It’s sad but true—Jewish people who have become Buddhists, agnostics, or even atheists are welcome to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. They receive a comprehensive package of economic assistance and other services. However, Jewish believers in Jesus are excluded. The rabbis say that believers in Jesus are no longer Jews and therefore do not qualify. All of this is a reflection of the vast, theological divide that exists between Orthodox Judaism and the Messianic movement.
That is why we would like to know if Rabbi Eckstein shares the prevailing Orthodox opinion of Jewish believers in Jesus. If and when we receive an answer to our inquiries, we will make that information available in this fact sheet.
Back to FAQs
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