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The Jewish Voice  – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

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Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Jewish Voice, a New York City-based newspaper, holds a prominent position in the world of Jewish media. It serves not only the Jewish community in Brooklyn but also provides news, opinion pieces, and cultural commentary for Jewish readers across the United States, Israel and around the world. Established as a voice for Jewish issues and perspectives, the publication offers content that is both locally relevant and globally significant.

The Jewish Voice was established over 20 years ago to meet the growing demand for a dynamic Jewish news outlet that would serve New York City’s vibrant Jewish population. New York is home to one of the largest and most diverse Jewish communities outside of Israel, needed a newspaper that would represent its unique voice—balancing local stories with international Jewish affairs, and focusing on the social, political, and cultural issues affecting Jewish people.

 

Moreover,  New York City is home to various Jewish denominations and groups, including Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews, as well as Hasidic communities such as those from the Chabad and Satmar movements. The Jewish Voice reflects this diversity in its reporting, offering stories that resonate with all segments of the Jewish population, regardless of their religious or cultural background.

Unlike many other local newspapers, however, The Jewish Voice embraced digital transformation early on, offering both a 52-page full color weekly printed edition and an online version. This helped the publication maintain its relevance in an increasingly digital world, attracting a younger, tech-savvy Jewish audience while retaining older readers who remained loyal to traditional print media.

At its core, The Jewish Voice seeks to serve as a platform for Jewish issues, providing a forum for the free exchange of ideas, reporting on events that shape the Jewish community, and offering perspectives on political developments that affect Jewish life both in the U.S. and abroad. Its mission is multifaceted:

The newspaper is committed to preserving and promoting Jewish heritage, values, and identity. This focus manifests in its coverage of religious observances, Jewish education, and the importance of Jewish community institutions such as synagogues and schools.

The Jewish Voice extensively covers political developments that impact Jewish communities. Its political reporting spans local, national, and international arenas, often with a strong focus on U.S.-Israel relations. The newspaper is known for its advocacy of policies that promote the security and well-being of Israel, while also offering nuanced perspectives on the challenges faced by Jewish people in the U.S.

As a cultural hub, The Jewish Voice provides rich commentary on Jewish arts, music, literature, and theater. The newspaper highlights the contributions of Jewish artists and intellectuals while discussing cultural events that celebrate Jewish life.

One of the pillars of the paper is its role in engaging the Jewish communities in New York City and beyond. It regularly publishes pieces on events such as fundraisers, religious celebrations, and community gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

The Jewish Voice frequently publishes pieces on local politics and how these policies impact Jewish residents. Topics such as housing, education, religious freedoms, and security are common, especially as New York City has seen rising incidents of anti-Semitism in recent years. The newspaper acts as a watchdog for the Jewish community, ensuring that issues such as hate crimes are reported and publicized, pushing for policy changes when necessary.

Jewish life in New York City is also rich in social events, cultural festivals, and charitable activities, and The Jewish Voice plays a role in promoting and covering these happenings.

The Jewish Voice has a structured layout that caters to various interests within the Jewish community. Key sections of the newspaper include:

The news section covers the most pressing political, social, and economic stories relevant to Jews in New York, the U.S., and around the world. It features reporting on local government decisions, national policies affecting Jewish life, and international developments, especially related to Israel.

The opinion section provides a platform for thought leaders, rabbis, and community figures to express their perspectives on key issues affecting the Jewish world. It is a space for intellectual and religious discourse, where debates on politics, ethics, and theology take place.

The community section is designed to engage readers by highlighting local events, celebrations, and announcements. It often features profiles of prominent community members, updates on synagogue life, and charity events.

The business section of the newspaper focuses on Jewish businesses and entrepreneurs. It reports on economic developments that impact Jewish-owned businesses and provides advice for Jewish professionals.

Like many newspapers, The Jewish Voice publishes obituaries and announcements, offering a place for readers to honor those who have passed and share important milestones like weddings, bar mitzvahs, and engagements.

The Jewish Voice has successfully transitioned to a digital-first model, expanding its reach beyond New York City borders. The newspaper’s website is updated daily, featuring news articles, opinion pieces, and videos. Through its online presence, The Jewish Voice is able to reach a global audience of Jewish readers. Its twice daily e-mail blasts, social media pDonatebalance of naturelatforms, and digital archives ensure that its content remains accessible to everyone. In terms of disseminating the news via social media platforms, The Jewish Voice has a highly impressive following on Facebook, X.com, Instagram, Telegram  and Gettr.

The publication’s online platform also allows for greater interactivity. Readers can comment on articles, share stories across social media, and engage in discussions on key issues. This engagement has helped The Jewish Voice build a more active and involved readership.

Jewish Voice for Peace

Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is a U.S.-based organization founded in 1996 that positions itself as a Jewish group advocating for human rights and peace between Israelis and Palestinians. While JVP presents its mission as supporting peace and justice, its activities and connections have generated significant controversy, particularly regarding its association with anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian causes.

JVP is a prominent advocate for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to pressure Israel to relinquish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria through economic, cultural, and academic boycotts. The BDS movement’s mission is to delegitimize and isolate Israel internationally and   its ultimate goal is to dismantle the Jewish state

JVP’s anti-Zionist stance, combined with its vocal support for Palestinian activism, has put it at odds with mainstream Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other pro-Israel advocacy groups. These groups correctly assert that JVP’s actions and rhetoric often cross into anti-Semitism, especially by portraying Israel as an illegitimate state and its founding as inherently colonialist​.

JVP has been rightfully accused by critics of aligning itself with groups that have ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas. Although JVP has not openly endorsed Hamas, it has repeatedly been involved in protests and demonstrations that have coincided with or supported Palestinian factions that are overtly hostile to Israel’s existence. For example, in recent years, JVP organized demonstrations calling for a ceasefire during the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict and has expressed support for Palestinian “resistance” against Israeli military actions​.

Moreover, JVP has collaborated with groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which has been linked  to Hamas-friendly organizations. SJP and JVP have jointly participated in campus protests and boycott campaigns that focus on promoting the Palestinian narrative in opposition to Israel.

JVP’s financial network has drawn attention, particularly for its ties to progressive charities and fiscal sponsors like the Wespac Foundation. Wespac provides administrative and financial support to a range of hardline pro-Palestinian organizations, some of which have been criticized for promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric or even supporting calls for the elimination of Israel​.

While JVP does not explicitly disclose many of its financial details, it has received donations through fiscal sponsorships, creating opacity around the flow of funds to allied organizations, including some accused of advocating violence against Israel.

In terms of direct funding, JVP has received contributions from several progressive advocacy foundations, including the Elias Foundation and other philanthropies known for supporting left-wing causes. These foundations are often associated with broader social justice movements but have been criticized for indirectly funding anti-Israel activities through their support of groups such as JVP​.

In recent years, JVP has faced growing criticism for supporting rhetoric and actions that endorse or excuse violence against Israel. For example, during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, some JVP-affiliated members  characterized the attacks as acts of “armed resistance” rather than terrorism, sparking outrage from both Jewish and non-Jewish communities.

JVP’s advisory board members have been involved in events where the destruction of Israel is openly discussed, further inflaming accusations that JVP’s agenda includes erasing the Jewish state.

Jewish Voice for Peace continues to be a polarizing entity within Jewish and pro-Israel circles. While it frames itself as a champion of human rights for Palestinians, its connections with anti-Israel movements, controversial statements regarding violence, and opaque financial dealings have led many to accuse the organization of having an agenda that ultimately seeks to undermine Israel’s existence.

Jewish Voice Ministries

Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI) is a U.S.-based evangelical Christian organization that, despite its use of the word “Jewish” in its name, is deeply rooted in a Christian evangelical agenda. Founded in 1967 by Louis Kaplan, a Jewish convert to Christianity, the organization’s primary mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus (referred to as Yeshua) to Jewish populations. Kaplan, who had a personal conversion experience in his youth, established JVMI to target Jews with a message that blends elements of Judaism with Christian theology, aiming to convert Jews to Christianity.

 

Louis Kaplan’s personal history as a Jewish follower of Jesus shaped JVMI’s mission. He saw the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the Six-Day War of 1967 as fulfillments of biblical prophecy and pivotal events in a broader Christian eschatological framework. Kaplan’s mission was to proclaim what he believed to be the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, positioning Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. This vision of combining Jewish identity with Christian belief forms the backbone of JVMI’s outreach​(

Following Kaplan’s death in 1999, leadership of JVMI was passed to Jonathan Bernis, under whose guidance the organization expanded its operations globally. Today, JVMI conducts humanitarian missions, medical outreaches, and mass evangelistic events, particularly targeting Jewish populations, including isolated communities referred to as the “Lost Tribes of Israel.” These efforts are framed as humanitarian aid but serve as vehicles to promote Christian beliefs.

One of the primary concerns raised about JVMI is its tactic of blurring the lines between Judaism and Christianity. By using Jewish symbols, references to Hebrew scriptures, and Messianic language, JVMI attempts to make its Christian message more palatable to Jewish audiences. This approach has been criticized as deceptive, as many Jews who encounter JVMI’s outreach may not immediately realize that the ultimate aim is to convert them to Christianity​

JVMI’s methods have been particularly effective in Israel, where evangelical missionaries have gained access to vulnerable populations, including Holocaust survivors and impoverished communities. These efforts have led to a significant increase in the number of Jewish converts to Christianity in Israel over recent decades. Critics argue that the organization preys on ignorance and vulnerability, capitalizing on a lack of education about Jewish traditions and theology​.

JVMI is funded primarily through donations from Christian evangelicals, particularly in the United States. It is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which tracks its revenue and expenditures. In 2023, JVMI reported revenues of over $30 million, the bulk of which comes from cash donations​

This funding supports not only its proselytizing efforts but also humanitarian programs, which often serve as a front for evangelism.

The organization receives financial backing from various evangelical groups and individual donors who are motivated by Christian eschatology, particularly the belief that the conversion of Jews is necessary for the Second Coming of Jesus. This theological framework is known as Christian Zionism and drives much of the evangelical support for Israel. However, while JVMI appears to support Israel, its ultimate goal is to replace Judaism with Christianity.

The activities of JVMI and similar organizations are seen as a direct threat to Jewish continuity and identity. Jewish leaders, both in Israel and the diaspora, have raised alarms about the aggressive tactics used by evangelical missionaries targeting Jews for conversion. This is viewed as a form of spiritual erasure, undermining Jewish identity by promoting a version of Judaism that incorporates Christian beliefs.

Organizations such as Beyneynu, which monitor missionary activity in Israel, warn that JVMI’s growing influence represents a long-term danger to the Jewish community, as its efforts could lead to an erosion of Jewish religious and cultural identity. Additionally, JVMI’s deceptive tactics, which present a Christian message under the guise of Jewish tradition, are harmful and exploitative.

 

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