By Bracha Ebriani
The second annual Be True Conference brought together Jewish students from across Southern California as well as students from Arizona to “understand, promote and strengthen Jewish identity” against missionary activities and challenges to their faith. As an extension of Jews for Judaism, Be True serves as a resource, for students and by students, to forcefully respond against subtly deceptive techniques to convert Jews. Conference highlights included dynamic speakers, leading experts in comparative religions, in addition to community leaders and students sharing accounts of deceptive proselytizing on-campus.
Jesse Cooper, keynote speaker for the conference, was challenged to keep his faith after moving from a highly Jewish populated Miami to the Kirksville, Missouri where there are virtually no identifiable Jews. Interestingly enough, Kirksville’s literal translation is Churchtown.Cooper attended Truman University on a scholarship to play for their ramped fooball team, the Bulldogs. Before his first game as a freshman, Cooper had the courage to refuse to kneel and pray with the rest of the team. Most of his team members were surprised with his Jewish identity since they had never previously seen a Jew. Facing jeering stereotypes and quiet remarks from his teammates like “Those fools are going to hell” for students who did not attend mass, Cooper quickly encountered what he calls “some of the hardest times of my life.” Cooper stood separate and alone those four years when his team members prayed. Eventually his teammates became more accepting and respectful of his decision. In his senior year he became captain of the football team. Cooper soon observed Passover with a friend, and his dedication to his religious faith fortified him throughout his four years in Kirksville.
There are many students for whom college can be a lonely or novel experience. Eager to gain friendship and respect, highschool and college students are oftentimes the most vulnerable targets of missionary activity. Because during these years, students are removed from their home communities and immersed in an alternative environment, their understanding and practice of their faith becomes formative and volatile. Therefore, it is not without reason that peer to peer proselytizing has become increasingly common on college campuses. You may be targeted by those who you least suspect.
Students not actively seeking Jewish involvement need to protect themselves from becoming passive targets. Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, founder of Jews for Judaism, insists on the necessity of being on guard even when an innocent friend asks “Why don’t you believe in Jesus?” Knowing your own Jewish beliefs is the first step. However, even students who feel confident in their Jewish faith and pride can feel doubt and anxiety when confronted by a friend who is trained to prosletyize. The reason for this is, says Kravitz, quoting psychologist and expert on the science of persuasion, Robert Cialdini, human nature is “to be on auto pilot.” A missionary, like a tele-marketer or cult recuriter, has been trained to insinutate misleadingly subtle thoughts.
Students who do not have answers themselves should not be afraid that no answers exist. Students need to know that is healthy to get a second opinion and take the time to check into any missionary claim. Instead of being helpless targets, students need to be prepared to respond, understanding the other side’s deceptive techniques. Be True fights doubt and anxiety with truth. Support someone who is feeling pressured by their friends, peers or mentors to practice Christianity. Become a part of Be True. To access Be True’s web resources or to apply as a campus representative, visit www.Be-True.org.
Bracha Ebriani is a Campus Rep at The University of Southern California |
