Key Facts
Key Information
About
Jews for Jesus is an international Christian missionary organization affiliated with the Messianic Jewish movement, structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, focused on proselytizing Jews to believe that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah, the Christ, and the Son of God. Founded in 1970 by Moishe Rosen as Hineni Ministries, a subsidiary of the American Board of Missions to the Jews (also known as Chosen People Ministries), it was incorporated under its current name in 1973 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The group employs bold and creative evangelism tactics, including street campaigns, street theater, music, tract and pamphlet distribution, media outreach, Liberty Bell-shaped vans emblazoned with their slogan, the mobile 'Liberated Wailing Wall' music team, and summer 'Behold Your God' campaigns, often sparking protests and legal clashes from Jewish counter-missionary groups who accuse them of deceptive practices, cultural appropriation, aggressive targeting of vulnerable Jewish communities, high-pressure tactics, false advertising of its Jewish authenticity, and misrepresentation of Judaism. Despite widespread condemnation from mainstream Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and Jews for Judaism, which view its activities as a form of spiritual coercion, Jews for Jesus reports having staff primarily composed of Jewish believers in Jesus and claims to foster Jewish communities centered on this faith while maintaining outward expressions of Jewish cultural identity. The organization operates globally with branches in multiple countries and major cities with significant Jewish populations, emphasizing Jewish evangelism through publications, events, and online resources. It has been controversial since inception, with critics alleging it is a Christian missionary body despite its self-identification as Jewish, though no major legal convictions are documented. Notably, Jay Sekulow served as general counsel for the organization.