MAOZ NEWS

September 20, 2001. Volume 3.57

An electronic periodical on the Jewish Christian scene in Israel,written from a Reformed point of view.

RENEWED ATTEMPT TO STOP CONSTRUCTION

"We demand that you revoke the building permit accorded Grace and Truth Christian Congregation, the missionary and anti-Semitic organisation, henceforth 'the anti-Semitic organisation', and that you file charges against that organisation". Such is the sum of the demand made on the local municipality by Adv. Yoram Sheftel on behalf of the semi-governmental anti-Christian organisation, Yad Le'Achim. Adv. Yoram Sheftel, (successfully) defended Ivan Demjanjuk before Israel's Supreme Court against the accusation that he is the notorious Butcher of Treblinka.

PLANS APPROVED

As readers of MaozNews will recall, Grace and Truth obtained a permit to construct a building designed to serve as a community centre for our congregation as well as a place of worship and that the permit was granted with no hassle or delay upon our first application. Readers will also remember that we were taken by surprise. We had expected strong opposition after having made it very clear upon application for a building permit both the nature of our faith and the nature of the building in view. It was to serve for the gathering of members and friends of our congregation, as well as for the use of other bodies who would wish to use its facilities for conferences, seminars, study days and the such like. Many congregations, particularly in Europe, have a separate building for worship, with a congregational house, a community centre or a fellowship hall nearby. This we cannot afford and therefore have opted for a community centre that will serve us and the larger Christian community for its and our various needs, as well as serving our community as a place of worship. The building would also be rented out to various bodies in order to assist us in paying the municipal bills and keep the building in good order. Parts of the administrative section would also be rented out.

ANTI-CHRISTIAN OPPOSITION

As indicated above, Yad Le'Achim has initiated proceedings to force the licensing authority to issue a restraining order, forbidding us to continue construction, on the grounds that we obtained the building permit by deceit because, they now say, we did not declare the true intent of the use to which the building was to be put. They then wish to have the building permit revoked.

We firmly deny such an unfair and unfounded accusation. We insist that "the gathering of members and friends of our congregation, as well as for the use of other bodies who would wish to use its facilities for conferences, seminars, study days and the such like" (as described in our brochure, Building for the Future) is a true and faithful description of the purposes to which the building will be put. The fact that it will be used for worship is included in the terms we have described, although worship will not be the primary use made of the building. It is a primary in terms of our own standards of evaluation, but these are not within the gamut of the Licensing Authority's considerations. These have to do, rather, with the relative amount of time and space any one activity takes up in relation to other activities in the building.

The Licensing Authority, intimidated by Yad Le'Achim, is presently seeking ways to revoke its original approval. It has threatened to issue a retraining order that would forbid us to build, and to withdraw the building permit issued to us, on the grounds that we have misled them as to the nature of the building. The Authority knows full well that such is not the case and is itself being deceptive by claiming otherwise.

THE PRESENT SITUATION

On Monday, September 3rd, we met with the Licensing Authority, its legal counsel and our legal counsel. We assured the Authority that we have every intention to be strictly true to the terms of our building permit. We further reminded the representatives of the Authority that we had made very clear from the outset who we were and what "the gathering of members and friends of our congregation " meant. On that basis the building permit had been granted. Indeed, the granting of a permit for a swimming pool is further evidence of the truth of our claim that the building was not planned exclusively for conferences. To force us to stop construction at the present stage is to impose on us considerable financial loss, and we will have no choice but to demand that the Licensing Authority accept responsibility for this loss. Moreover, we will insist that the withdrawal of the building permit has been done under false pretences and is, therefore, illegal.

It was agreed that the Authority and its legal counsel would propose a legal undertaking which we would sign, assuring the Authority that we would limit the use of the building to those purposes allowed by the permit, on the basis of which construction will be allowed to continue. Obviously, such an undertaking will seek to define specifically what activities are allowed. It should be no less obvious to anyone who knows us that we will refuse to sign anything that we cannot, in good conscience, keep. Neither will we accept any undertaking that we do not intend to keep. However, as a democracy which affirms the freedom of its citizens to congregate as they wish and to practise whatever faith they choose, there are no legal grounds to forbid the distinctly Christian activities which will constitute the purpose for which we are constructing the building in the first place.

We have now received from the Licensing Authority its list of demands. Unbelievably, these forbid any form of religious activity, distribution of literature, publishing, instructional activity for children, youth or adults, and any social activity. Under such stipulations, no building could be constructed anywhere in Israel. This is an obvious attempt to stymie the construction of a Christian congregational home, for no reason but that it is meant to serve a local Christian congregation. It is a clear attempt at religious discrimination.

Pray with us for wisdom and for the grace to continue to our dealings with the authorities. To date we have received sufficient funds to bide us by the end of October, perhaps November. This would enable us to complete the skeleton of the building, but then leave it exposed to the wrath of those who wish us ill. We must continue to build. Legal fees will now add significantly to our burden and reduce our ability to pay construction fees, but we continue to trust the Lord and to do our utmost to proceed. Please stand with us and recommend this project to the concerned and earnest prayers of all you know.

BOOK ON MESSIANIC JUDAISM

Just a reminder that Baruch's book on Messianic Judaism is scheduled for publication towards the middle of 2002. The book is a review of the Messianic Movement in light of its goals and of the biblical data.

Material includes running expositions of Galatians, Hebrews and extensive portions of Acts, Romans, Corinthians and Philippians, a discussion of the place of scripture vis a vis rabbinical tradition, a brief historical review and a discussion of the uniqueness of Christ and of the nature of sanctification.

We are in a position to make a pre-publication offer of 5.50 pounds GBP ($9.00) for orders of up to 15 copies and 4.5 founds GBP ($7.50) for orders of 15 and more (including post and packing). Please send your order with a cheque written to HaGefen Publishing at POBox 75, 75100 Rishon LeTsion, Israel. Do not forget to provide us with your full postal address. Quantity discounts available.

Offer open for first 1000 copies.

MaozNews A periodic report from Israel.

Tel. +972 8 869 2542, Fax. +972 8 869 2532,

To subscribe or to terminate your subscription please write to maozsec@attglobal.net Visit our website at www.puritanhope.com/gtb