In the Islamic textbooks, contradictory content was found – some call Jews "people of the book" and describe shared origins, but others call them "idol-worshipping and hypocrites." In the Christian books, claims were found about the collective guilt of Jews in Jesus' death. The Holocaust is mentioned only superficially, without reference to the Jewish identity of the victims, and the books contain incorrect maps describing "Palestine in the time of Christ" or describing Abraham's migration to "Palestine" instead of Canaan.

The problems are not limited to content about Jews. "Homosexualism and lesbianism" are described as "strange and immoral cultures," and women receive stereotypical treatment. Minority religions are described as "cults," and immigrants as "economic saboteurs."

Marcus Sheff, CEO of IMPACT-se, emphasized the importance of the findings. "Africa is the fastest-growing continent in the world, and Nigeria is its most populous country. The education that Nigerian children receive today will shape not only the future of the country, but the entire continent," he said. He added that when Israel works to expand its relations in Africa, it is important to understand how perceptions of Jews and Israel are formed among the younger generation.

Despite the criticism, the report also notes positive aspects in the Nigerian textbooks. Calls for mutual respect between religions, condemnation of gender violence and forced marriages, recognition of the Jewish-Igbo community in Nigeria, and a positive description of the Israeli parliamentary system as a model government alongside Britain were found.

The organization announced that it would work with policymakers in Nigeria to implement the report's recommendations, while emphasizing the importance of quality education for global understanding and international cooperation.

The post A look inside Nigerian textbooks: Jews are idol-worshippers, Jesus-killers appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The New York Post reported Monday that the bus driver stopped his vehicle along the roadside while transporting students to Prospect International Elementary School in Brooklyn and launched into a speech about his religious beliefs to a group of students, some of whom were Jewish. The driver told the children that only Jesus could save them, not religion itself, according to a parent who spoke to the newspaper.

When one student asked whether Jesus was Jewish, the driver made antisemitic statements about Jewish responsibility for Jesus' death. "Yes, he was Jewish and actually Jews – his own people – killed him," the driver said, according to the parent's account.

NYC bus driver allegedly held students captive on way to school and claimed Jews killed Jesus in antisemitic rant https://t.co/7SakCFIbA8 pic.twitter.com/NvuIlEw6WG

— New York Post (@nypost) May 26, 2025

 Some students sent real-time text messages to their parents about the incident, and one Jewish student broke down crying during the driver's speech, the parent claimed. At one point, the driver asked the students to pray while distributing white hats bearing the message "I am with you always" with a black cross engraved between the words.

"What upset me was that the children were late to school," one parent said. "The driver definitely held the children hostage. The Jewish parents were certainly the most upset."

The driver has been suspended pending investigation of the incident, though school officials have not provided additional details about disciplinary measures or whether criminal charges might be filed.

The post NY bus driver holds Jewish kids 'hostage,' tells them 'Jews killed Jesus' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

To explore this, we spoke with two experts on religions and their connection to the city – Professor Eyal Ben Eliyahu from the University of Haifa and Dr. Daniella Talmon-Heller from Ben-Gurion University.

Judaism: Holiness developed gradually

Professor Ben Eliyahu begins by noting that even in Judaism, Jerusalem became sacred later than commonly believed, and the process was slow.

"In the Bible, in the Five Books of Moses, Jerusalem is not mentioned at all. This is an interesting point where the Torah and the Quran are equal – because the city is not mentioned in either. The first place Jerusalem is mentioned is in the Book of Joshua, but even there, there is no special relationship to the city. The first time it becomes sacred is when King David brings the Ark of the Covenant to it. After him, King Solomon builds the Temple there. Later, in the Book of Chronicles II, it is mentioned that the Temple was built on Mount Moriah. This note throws us back to the story of the binding of Isaac and adds to the city's holiness," Professor Ben Eliyahu said.

Professor Ben Eliyahu adds that after the biblical period, the question arose of why Jerusalem is barely mentioned in it. Maimonides answered that the city was hidden to prevent quarrels between the tribes and so that the nations of the world would not want to conquer it. The sages during the Second Temple period and afterward also intensified the city's holiness and established circles around it – the Temple Mount as the holiest, then the entire city, and finally all of the Land of Israel.

Christianity: Problematic, political, and complex holiness

Professor Ben Eliyahu emphasizes that Jerusalem's holiness for Christianity was established from political motives.

"When examining the Christian attitude toward Jerusalem, you see that it is very complex. Jerusalem rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and he also prophesied its destruction. Jesus was crucified in the city and did not even sleep there when he arrived. Christianity was shaped in the Galilee – which is why to this day the Pope does not sleep in Jerusalem when visiting the land. Christians speak of the heavenly Jerusalem. The one who nevertheless sanctified the city, mainly for political reasons, was the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, during whose time the place of Jesus's crucifixion was discovered at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher," Professor Ben Eliyahu said.

Dr. Talmon-Heller adds that the process of sanctifying the city began because Jesus acted and was crucified there.

"Helena, the mother of Constantine, discovered through a miracle the place of the crucifixion and the cross on which he was crucified. She built the church at the site. During this period, Christianity was not interested in the Temple Mount, but when the Crusaders arrived, they saw the Islamic buildings on the Temple Mount – the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque – and appropriated the place for themselves. Initially, the King of Jerusalem resided there, and later the Templar order. Additionally, Christian holiness was also strengthened with the establishment of the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus walked to the crucifixion, by the Franciscan order during the Mamluk period," Dr. Talmon-Heller said.

Islam: Immediate but different holiness

Regarding Islam, Dr. Talmon-Heller notes that Jerusalem's holiness was immediate from the beginning of Islam.

"Jerusalem is indeed not mentioned in the Quran, but it was Muhammad's first direction of prayer for the first 12 years. Already in 692, the Dome of the Rock was built, and later Al-Aqsa Mosque as well – both in great splendor. Jerusalem is third in holiness in Islam, after Mecca and Medina, so there is an Islamic pilgrimage and continuous investment in its development by Muslim rulers," Dr. Talmon-Heller said.

However, among Shiites, the attitude is different.

"Among Shiites, there is concentration around the graves of the Imams, descendants of Muhammad. The burial place of Ali's son, in the city of Karbala, is considered more sacred than Jerusalem in their eyes, and there are even hints that it is holier than Mecca. Therefore, Shiites devote less attention to Jerusalem," Dr. Talmon-Heller said.

Additional religions and sects

Beyond the three monotheistic religions, it turns out there are additional streams, mainly those that broke away from Christianity, that sanctify Jerusalem.

Professor Ben Eliyahu explains that the Mormons, a half-Christian, half-pagan sect with multiple deities, sanctified Jerusalem.

"They tried to settle there over the years, partly because, according to their tradition, the founders of the religion left Jerusalem for the United States. Therefore, the city symbolizes a spiritual idea for them. Additionally, there is also a practical consideration – parties that had a foothold in the city received many donations and pilgrims," Professor Ben Eliyahu said.

Ben Eliyahu adds that there was also an American-Swedish Protestant utopian sect that operated in the city during the Ottoman period – the American Colony.

"This group, which operated in the 19th century, advocated for equality of property and a strict internal regime. Later, it disbanded, and its descendants now own the famous American Colony Hotel in the city," Professor Ben Eliyahu said.

The post How Jerusalem became a symbol for all Abrahamic religions appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Australian actor Nathaniel Buzolic from "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals" is known as a strong supporter of Israel who has been doing advocacy work for the country for a long time. In a new interview with "The Sanity" podcast from The New York Sun, the star revealed the price he has had to pay in Hollywood because of his open support for Israel.

.@natebuzz risked his career and safety to defend Israel. Hear his powerful story about faith, sacrifice, and standing up for what matters on The Sanity Interview.

: https://t.co/JxP1Jgu9b7 pic.twitter.com/tyzGrjMAhh

— The New York Sun (@NewYorkSun) April 28, 2025

The actor first described his path to the Christian faith at the age of 27. He shared about his dream of more than 11 years to reach stardom in Hollywood, and how, when he achieved it, he realized, "It was empty. There was nothing there. I went on a journey to discover what would actually satisfy my soul," Buzolic confessed in the interview.

The Australian actor Nathaniel Buzolic met with Yarden Bibas and shared his thoughts:

"Yarden has a calm and brave soul. He will recover. I believe in that, and I will make it part of my daily prayer. Yarden, my friend, I am here for you forever." pic.twitter.com/m7yZgy4ZFa

— Vivid. (@VividProwess) March 2, 2025

When the host asked him about the price he paid for his Israel advocacy, he explained, "I get death threats, and I think my career in Hollywood has probably come to a complete halt. For me, I take it as an honor and a joy that I can actually give something up for a people I consider a friend, which is the Jewish identity. Whether you love me or hate me, I'll do it."

The post 'An honor and a joy': Hollywood star says supporting Israel cost him his career appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Remains of a woman buried while bound in 30 iron rings were discovered in an ancient Byzantine monastery near Jerusalem. This is the first archaeological evidence in the world of extreme asceticism among female nuns – a phenomenon previously known only from historical writings.

Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Weizmann Institute of Science revealed the rare finding using innovative technology that enables identification of the biological sex of the buried person through analysis of proteins from tooth enamel. The examination was necessary due to the poor condition of the skeleton and revealed that the bound monk was actually a woman.

"The woman was discovered in an individual grave, dedicated to her beneath the church platform as a sign of honor," explain researchers Zubair Adawi, Kfir Arbiv, and Dr. Yossi Nagar from the Israel Antiquities Authority. "She was bound with 12 to 14 rings around her arms or hands, four rings around her neck, and at least 10 rings around her legs. Iron plates or discs on her abdomen, which were connected to the rings, gave her skeleton the appearance of armor."

The site where the nun was discovered is located about three kilometers northwest of the Old City of Jerusalem and has been identified as a Byzantine monastery that operated between the 5th and 7th centuries CE.

It is important to emphasize that carrying the heavy iron rings was not a method of torture or punishment imposed on monks and nuns, but was done voluntarily. Historical sources indicate that this was one of the extraordinary ways in which monks – and apparently nuns as well – practiced self-mortification. The prevailing concept at that time was that the more a person abstained from pleasures, and even tortured the body, the more the soul would rise to lofty spiritual heights.

According to excavation directors Adawi and Arbiv, "The nun is an expression of a phenomenon that was common among Byzantine monks in ancient times, which was individual in nature and accompanied by excessive extremism." They detail that monks forced self-destruction and self-harm on their bodies through various methods: "Among the described torture methods were prolonged fasting, wrapping iron chains and various accessories around the body or tying the body to rocks, loading heavy weights, tying the body and putting it in a device to force it to stand and prevent it from sleeping, self-imprisonment, and confinement to a narrow and isolated living space."

The researchers note that the new discovery strengthens the understanding that extreme asceticism began in northern Syria and Anatolia, expanded to Asia Minor, and reached Western Europe while simultaneously heading south – to Jerusalem and Egypt.

Dr. Amit Ram, Jerusalem region archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, emphasizes the importance of the discovery in its historical and gender context: "Ascetic nuns are a fascinating phenomenon. These women lived and operated in a rigid patriarchal male environment that restricted their movements. In order to take part in the noble religious ideals of monastic life and asceticism of that time, which were mostly the domain of men only, they were forced – according to traditions and legends – to disguise themselves as men, and thus lived until their death."

From historical writings, many women are known to have arrived in Jerusalem, settled there and in its surroundings, and some even established monasteries there. It is possible that the "ring nun" who was discovered was a nun who came to Jerusalem from Syria after being exposed to the phenomenon there, or she was a local nun who adopted the method.

Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, concludes: "This is a fascinating discovery, which will require further research by Israel Antiquities Authority researchers to better understand the role of women in religious and monastic life during that period."

The post Nun in chains: Archaeological dig in Jerusalem reveals proof of self-mortification appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

A Nativity Scene crafted in Bethlehem and displayed at the Vatican's Paul VI hall features a distinctive and controversial addition this year – a cloth that appeared to be a Palestinian keffiyeh (traditional head dress) covering the baby Jesus' manger, donated by the Palestinian Embassy to the Holy See. The inclusion of the traditional Arab scarf has sparked discussion.

The display has drawn particular attention for its connection to Jesus' historical Jewish identity, as he was born to Jewish parents in what was then the Roman province of Judea.

One online commentator wrote, "Does the pope think Jesus wasn't a Jew either? Did he even read the Bible?" Another outraged X user wrote, "The pope is exploiting Christmas to advance the ridiculous effort to rebrand Jesus as Palestinian rather than what He was – a Jew who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of a Messiah."

The pope was previously under fire for suggesting that "What is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide" in excerpts from an upcoming book published by La Stampa.

The post Outrage after Vatican hosts 'Jesus in keffiyeh' nativity scene appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

1.

We seldom, if ever, discuss the enormous American Christian support for Donald Trump, driven by Zionist motives. That's a mistake. In political science and international relations departments, as well as in the Foreign Ministry, relationships with other nations are examined almost exclusively through the lens of economic, security, and political interests. Westerners are taught to think rationally and to regard religious beliefs as either relics of the past or private matters unrelated to state affairs. Similar attitudes exist regarding myths, the founding narratives of nations. Cultural dimensions are relegated to the background in the analysis of considerations that determine policy decisions.

This is not so when analyzing individual personalities. In personal psychology, we account for the subconscious aspects of a person's character, their dreams and desires, relationships with parents, past traumas, and other hidden elements of personality that can be more significant than openly visible traits. So why do we ignore these factors when engaging with other nations? Think of Israel: can one truly understand the State of Israel without considering the core element of Jewish faith, without acknowledging our cultural calling card – the towering textual "skyscraper" we've constructed over thousands of years? Or without recognizing the long history we carry, filled with all the traumas and hopes that inform our collective consciousness?

When I assumed my role as ambassador to Italy, I filled an entire wall in my office with foundational Jewish texts: a Bible with commentaries, the six orders of the Mishnah, the Talmud, Midrashim, the Zohar, Jewish philosophy, ethical works, and halachic responsa – this alongside contemporary Hebrew literature, poetry, prose, and scholarly works. I would introduce these books to my interlocutors – politicians, diplomats, and intellectuals – and explain their contribution to modern-day Israel. The fact that we speak an ancient language and can understand texts thousands of years old is not merely a folkloric curiosity; it sheds light on how we have walked through the "valley of the shadow of death" of history, both in the past and today. I would tell them that, to understand Israel, they must consider – among other things – the incredible historical and cultural heritage that underpins our identity as a society and a nation.

I adopted the same approach in seeking my understanding of my host nation, Italy, delving into its foundational texts, especially Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, published in the early 14th century and marking the start of a centuries-long journey toward an Italian national consciousness. I studied Italy's unique history, which continues to influence its internal politics and foreign policy. In a broader context, although Europe is largely secular, Christianity remains part of the infrastructure of Western life, not necessarily as a religion but as a culture. The crucifixion is a profound trauma within the European collective unconscious, as is the place of the Jewish people and the Bible. A statesman who approaches the West focusing solely on material interests, without factoring in the cultural elements within the Western collective identity, may draw erroneous conclusions and misunderstand their interlocutors' intentions.

In the US, Christianity plays an even more central role, shaping American society to a far greater extent than in Europe. We must understand this in order to manage our political, military, and diplomatic relations with the US effectively. Material interests, including economic and security interests, are essential, but so too are shared values, faith, and, of course, the foundational narratives that we both share.

3.

Last weekend we marked 107 years since the Balfour Declaration (November 2, 1917), which called for a national home for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. When examining the reasons behind the Declaration, many emphasize that Britain sought a friendly presence near the Suez Canal – the gateway to India, then under British rule – and hoped for Jewish support in the US and Russia (with the hope that Jews would encourage the US to enter World War I and prevent Russia from pulling out of the Allied coalition). Another often discussed factor is the significant contribution made Dr. Chaim Weizmann, head of the Zionist movement and a scientist, to the war effort with his work in the field of munitions, which gave him influence to lobby the British and helped secure the Declaration.

However, Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, a member of the Church of England, and Prime Minister Lloyd George, a Baptist, were also motivated by religious considerations. From childhood, they had been raised on biblical stories, interpreting them literally, unlike the Catholic reading, which saw the Church as the new "Chosen People" following the Jewish rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Puritanism in the 17th century and Evangelicalism in the 19th century ingrained in British Christian culture a belief in the Jews' return to Zion. Balfour wrote that without the idea of a Jewish homeland, England would never have conceived the idea of a protectorate – or mandate – in Palestine."

Lloyd George acknowledged the strategic and interest-based motivations behind the Balfour Declaration but admitted that the Declaration was also inspired by the fact that "we studied Hebrew history more than that of our own country. I can name all the kings of Israel, but doubt I could remember the names of half a dozen English kings." He recounted how in his meetings with Weizmann, when the Zionist leader spoke of the Land of Israel, he would mention place names "more familiar to me than those of the Western Front."

4.

Balfour's biographer, Blanche Dugdale, who was also his niece, writes that his mother taught him the Hebrew Bible, and he maintained a lifelong interest in Jews and their history. As he grew older, his intellectual admiration and sympathy for aspects of Jewish philosophy and culture deepened. He saw the Jewish problem as being of immense importance. Dugdale recalls that as a child, she absorbed from Balfour the idea that Christian religion and Christian culture owe an "incalculable debt to Judaism," and to their shame, they have repaid it with ingratitude. Every Sunday, Balfour read a chapter from the Bible to his family; he favored the Hebrew prophets, especially Isaiah.

In the face of calls in the British Parliament to reject the mandate, Balfour defended the Declaration. He stated that while it had material benefits, "we have never pretended – certainly I have never pretended – that it was purely from these materialistic considerations that the Declaration of November 1917 originally sprang." He called for a message to be sent to every land "where the Jewish faith has scattered."  Christendom, he said, "is not oblivious of their faith, is not unmindful of the service they have rendered to the great religions of the world… and that we desire to the best of our ability to give them that opportunity of developing in peace and quietness under British rule, those great gifts which hitherto they have been compelled to bring to fruition in countries that know not their language and belong not to their race… that is the ground which chiefly moves me."

5.
It was not only the British who were inspired by religious motivations; so too was the American President, Woodrow Wilson. The Zionist movement (and Balfour himself) sought Wilson's support for the Balfour Declaration, as the British depended on American support in the war. They enlisted Justice Louis Brandeis, who was close to Wilson. Brandeis did not argue politically or electorally but instead appealed to the President's Christian faith. A petition signed by leaders from various Christian denominations was presented, advocating for a Jewish state in Palestine. Indeed, about a month before the Balfour Declaration, the president allowed Brandeis to convey his "full sympathy" to Lord Balfour and the British Cabinet regarding the proposal for a Jewish homeland. Later, Wilson was thrilled by the historical opportunity that had come before him, saying that as the son of a Presbyterian minister, it was "a privilege to restore the Holy Land to its rightful owners."

The post Not by bread alone appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

CNN reports that organizers of the Paris Olympics have issued an apology following backlash over a scene in the opening ceremony that some critics likened to a parody of "The Last Supper." The controversial segment, which featured drag artists and dancers, drew sharp criticism from the Catholic Church and Christian groups.

The 2024 Paris Olympics has gone full Woke dystopian.

The opening ceremony was filled with transgend*r mockery of the Last Supper, the Golden Calf idol, and even the Pale Horse from the Book of Revelation.

The Olympics has made it clear that Christian viewers aren't welcome. pic.twitter.com/LgawyE6YRX

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) July 26, 2024

The French Catholic Church expressed its displeasure, claiming the festivities "included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity." Elon Musk agreed with that sentiment, saying, "This was extremely disrespectful to Christians."

C Spire, a Mississippi-based wireless internet provider, even pulled their funding from the Olympics, as they shared on X, "We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics." Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves commented, "I am proud to see the private sector in Mississippi step up and put their foot down. God will not be mocked. C Spire drew a common-sense, appropriate line."

Anne Descamps, spokesperson for Paris 2024, addressed the issue at a news conference on Sunday. "There was clearly never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group," Descamps stated. "On the contrary, I think we tried to celebrate community and tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we're, of course, really sorry."

However, the ceremony also received widespread praise, with some observers noting that the scene bore a closer resemblance to other artistic works, such as "The Feast of the Gods" by Johann Rottenhammer and Jan Brueghel. Thomas Jolly, director of the opening ceremony, refuted claims that the scene was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" in an interview with CNN affiliate BFMTV. "Dionysus arrives at the table because he is the Greek God of celebration, and that sequence is called 'festivity,'" Jolly explained. He emphasized that the concept was to create a "big pagan party" linked to Greek mythology, asserting, "You will never find in me, or in my work, any desire of mocking anyone."

Some are angry about the "anti-Christian depiction of the last supper" at the Olympic Opening ceremony. (@elonmusk and @realDonaldTrump among others)

A Dutch art historian explains it's not the last supper but a Dutch painting of the Olympic gods.
And I explain what I loved.
pic.twitter.com/ZMftlt7dTO

— AukeHoekstra (@AukeHoekstra) July 28, 2024

 The official Olympics account on X offered further context, stating that the "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings."

The post Olympics organizers apologize for 'Last Supper' mockery appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The man who said he would burn the Torah and the Bible outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm gave up his plan and instead held a one-person demonstration on Saturday against the burning of holy books, the media reported.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
At the scene, he said he was a Muslim and threw a lighter he held in his hand to the ground, saying he never intended to burn holy books.

Video: A resident of Sweden talks with Israel Hayom on the recent controversy / Israel Hayom

The man, who is in his 30s and had been issued a permit for the protest by Stockholm police, said such an action would be against the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and that he "will not burn," according to the Swedish news agency TT. The man, who resides in western Sweden, also said that "no one should do that," the report said.

Israeli officials had called on the Swedish government to stop the protest and the burning of the holy books on Saturday afternoon outside the diplomatic mission. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the World Jewish Congress condemned the action in advance as did Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Israel's Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

The Times of Israel reported that the man arrived outside the Israeli diplomatic mission on Saturday afternoon holding a copy of the Quran and saying that it was never his intention to burn Jewish or Christian holy books, only to protest the recent burning of the Quran.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT said the man threw a lighter in his hand to the ground and said he didn't need it.

"I'm a Muslim, we don't burn (books). I want to show that we have to respect each other," the man said, according to SVT, adding that he had no intention to realize his original plan.

Sweden has recently faced strong criticism from Muslim countries for allowing protesters to burn the Quran at small anti-Islam demonstrations.

The man who filed the request for Saturday's protest, said he wanted to burn the Torah and the Bible outside the Israeli Embassy in response to a Quran-burning outside a Stockholm mosque last month by an Iraqi immigrant.
The right to hold public demonstrations is strong in Sweden and protected by the constitution. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police give permissions based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or risks to public safety.

Last month, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey's Embassy earlier this year, complicating Sweden's efforts to convince Turkey to let it join NATO.

On Wednesday, the top UN human rights body overwhelmingly approved a measure calling on countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of the Quran-burnings. It was approved despite objections of Western countries who fear tougher steps by governments could trample freedom of expression.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Canceling Bible-burn protest in Sweden, man cites need for tolerance appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem was shocked to find out this week that Jen Komo, an American woman who has lived in Israel for several years working in the community by providing alternative medicine services and helping transport pregnant women to the hospital on Shabbat, might be a Christian missionary.  

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

A week ago, a Haredi man turned to the Yad L'Achim organization, which works to spread Jewish values and battles attempts to convert Jews, and explained that for weeks his wife seemed troubled and "not herself" and finally admitted she was considering converting to Christianity. When he pressed to find out more details, his wife shared that Komo pressured her to do so. 

Video: Yad L'Achim

"Jen convinced me that I was living a lie and said that Jesus gave up his life for all of mankind and that all my sins would be forgiven as soon as I accept him as my messiah," the Haredi woman said. "She took advantage of my emotional state and past traumas to push, pressure and convince me to convert." 

According to the woman, Komo also asked her to keep their meetings secret. "I was worried my husband would begin to suspect, and she suggested I tell him that I meet with her to study Psalms and the Bible."

Yad L'Achim said Komo might indeed be a missionary. After the organization began looking into the matter, it found a video of her from 2014 giving a speech at a missionary church in the United States about her work in Israel. 

"That's what I do with these people. I love on them, I teach them, be an example. They don't know that I'm shining Jesus' love all over them and through them. But it works. It works, because he works," Komo said in her speech. 

In a conversation with Israel Hayom, she defined all claims: "I am not a Christian missionary. I have maybe spoken with one or two women about Christianity, but they are adults, over the age of 18. The video you mentioned was recorded a long time ago. I am not interested in getting anyone to convert. In any case, I mostly speak about the prophets in the way they are described in the Bible." 

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Haredi community in shock after 'Shabbos goy' reported to be Christian missionary appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.