“Don’t touch that! You might become a Christian!” And other ideas Israelis have about Yeshua
Updated: Sep 8, 2022
In Israel, there are a lot of misguided and misinformed ideas that Jewish people have about Yeshua and the New Testament. Granted, almost 2,000 years of persecution and antisemitism at the hands of those who claimed to be followers of Yeshua hasn’t helped the cause—but still, most Israelis won’t even pick up a New Testament and check out the truth for themselves.
Before I became a follower of Yeshua, I believed what my rabbi, family, and community around me believed about Jesus—He was for the Christians, not the Jews. I once even told my best friend that I knew something he said wasn’t in the New Testament like he claimed—but I had never read it!
In Israel, Yeshua’s name isn’t even Yeshua—it is shortened to “Yeshu,” which is used like a curse (it’s an acronym for “may his name and memory be blotted out.”)
So, we at Shelanu TV (a digital TV channel sharing the good news of Yeshua 24/7 in Hebrew) have our work cut out for us, just trying to engage our people in an honest discussion about who Yeshua is.
Thankfully, our highly creative team at Shelanu (led by Evan Santoro, our station manager) has produced a new series of short videos aimed at restoring the name of Yeshua to His people.
I am so excited about a new short video they recently released (it has English subtitles)—it starts off with a “controversial” New Testament on a park bench, with a sign above it, “Warning: New Testament.” The crowd (of actors) represents the views of most Israelis.
And evidently, Israelis are really connecting with this short film! Since it aired two weeks ago, we have had 31,000 views between all our platforms and LOTS of comments. Some secular Israelis weighed in, saying that the Jewish people’s negative view of Yeshua needs to change.
This is huge! A shift is happening! We pray that this is the beginning of a wave of tens of thousands of Jewish people coming to see and believe in their Messiah, Yeshua.
Videos like this are possible through our partnership with GOD TV and several Messianic and Arab ministries and because of the generous support of partners like you. Please help us continue to produce content that is reaching Israelis with the gospels.
The High Holy Days are coming up at the end of this month. Lots of Jewish people will be in Israel for the holidays. It is a time when people reflect on their lives and relationship with God (especially on Yom Kippur).
With your financial support, you play a key role in sharing the gospel with all of Israel. One day, the word of God promises that all Israel will be saved, and the blinders will fall away—you are playing a role in that prophesy coming to pass as you support Shelanu TV.
