SOS Monthly Newsletter - March 2002

The Jewish Messiah

Dear Christian friends,

I was raised in a Jewish home. My family is not religious. In my teen years, I was allowed to believe whatever I wanted as long as I didn't believe in Jesus.

Jewish rabbis often justify their rejection of Jesus by quoting Moses Maimonides' statement from the 12th century: "If a king arises from the house of David...defeats all the nations surrounding him, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, then he is surely the messiah. But if he does not succeed to this extent, or is killed, it is evident that he is not."

The vast majority of Jews today are not religious. Many are atheists, agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists, and pagans. Among the observant Jews, the most dynamic group is the Lubavitch or Chabad movement. This movement began in 18th century Poland. Today they are found wherever there is a large community of Jews. In many places, at least half of the Orthodox (religious) rabbis are part of this group. They actively seek to recruit other Jews into their movement. They are active on many college campuses.

The Lubavitch believe that the Messiah is coming very soon. Most believed that their latest leader, a Brooklyn, NY rabbi named Menachem Schneerson, was the Messiah until he died in 1994. At that time, half decided he wasn't the Messiah. The other half now believe either that his supposed death was an illusion or that he will be resurrected. Many also believe that he is God incarnate. At least 150 Jewish rabbis, including the Chief Rabbi of Russia and other prominent Jewish leaders, have signed a statement calling on all Jews to acknowledge Schneerson as the Messiah.

Last September, an article called "The Rebbe, the Jews, and the Messiah" was published in Commentary magazine. This is a highly respected Jewish publication. The author, David Berger, is professor of history at Brooklyn College. In this article, Berger asserts that the Jewish community must speak out against anyone who claims that Schneerson is the Messiah. They must remove these people from any position of leadership in the Jewish community. Otherwise, they will lose all credibility when they say that Jews cannot believe in Jesus and when they exclude believers in Jesus from leadership (or even membership) in Jewish synagogues and organizations.

"By continuing to recognize open messianists as Orthodox Jews in good standing," Berger wrote, "we hereby affirm the full legitimacy of this belief. We award victory to Christianity in a crucial aspect of its millennial debate with Judaism....For Christian missionaries, Lubavitch messianism--and its effective legitimization by mainstream Orthodox Judaism--is an unanticipated, unearned, but priceless gift."
Berger's article has caused quite a stir in the Jewish community. However, as he admits, it is unlikely that Jewish leaders will take his advice. Instead, they will try to ignore the problem and their own double standard.

Today, if a Jew believes that Menachem Schneerson is the Messiah, God incarnate, who died but will be resurrected, he can be a leader in the Jewish community, even the Chief Rabbi of Russia. However, if he believes these same things about Jesus, he is a traitor to Judaism.

On the Streets

We began the New Year by witnessing at a new location. The new Sony Metreon at 4th St. and Mission is a combination shopping center and entertainment complex. Hundreds of people, mostly youth, walk in and out of the place on weekend nights. We took our Friday night witnessing team there on January 11.

We set up our Maximouse amplifier by the parking lot across the street from the Metreon. We didn't have a musician so we began preaching. An aggressive beggar told me that this was his corner, and we couldn't be there. He tore our signs off the poles where we had taped them. But we kept preaching and eventually he quieted down. We were more concerned with the police, but they didn't cause us any problems. A band with a large PA system played across the street, and the police also left them alone. We gave out hundreds of tracts and witnessed to several people that night. It is a good location, and we plan to witness there regularly.

On January 12, Action Ministries, a youth mime team from Marin County, ministered at Powell and Market St. Paul and Noreen Coca and Children of the Rock ministered at U.N. Plaza. We prayed with several people that afternoon, including Abraham and Brian.

San Francisco area weather is wonderful for outdoor witnessing. Our only problem is the frequent winter rain. We get loudspeaker permits and schedule music groups all year round. However, we cannot use our permits on rainy days. Most music groups cancel when it rains.

So far, we have been blessed with good weather for most of our outreaches this year. However, it rained on Saturday January 26. Instead of bringing our PA system, we brought our Maximouse amplifier and witnessed under an awning on Market Street. Paul and Noreen Coca played music and several people preached. About 2 PM, the rain stopped so we decided to move to Powell and Market St. There were a lot more people there and we ministered there the rest of the afternoon. In the past, the police have threatened us with arrest for using a Maximouse at Powell and Market, but they left us alone this time.

	Action Mime Team at Powel & Market St.
	Praying with people at U.N. Plaza
	Jeff & Linda witness to Berkeley Youth

Coming Events

Note: All outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531

Friday March 1, 8, 15, April 5 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in various S. F. neighborhoods. (On March 15, the New Life Drama Team from Tennessee will join us at the Sony Metreon, 4th St. and Market. Call for other meeting locations.)

Sat. March 9, April 6 San Francisco "Church on the Street" worship rallies. 12-1 PM. Powell and Market St. 1:30-5 PM. United Nations Plaza (7th St. and Market)

Sat. March 2, 16 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30
Ministry Needs
Last week I was reading a tract about Satanism someone had mailed me. It quoted from the man who wrote the introduction to the Satanic Bible. It was the same person who had written letters to the Police Department complaining about our ministry. One of his complaints led to Eric Livingston being arrested.
Perhaps we should consider it an honor to be attacked by such a prominent satanist. Still, it reminds me how much we need your continued prayers as we seek to reach the people who live in this satanic stronghold.

We still need a mature Christian to live in our ministry house in Oakland. Call or write us if you are interested.

Our newest house member, Sophie (see picture), won't be ready to witness for a few years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!
Benjamin, Andrew, Christie and David in Hospital with mother Cammie and baby Sophia Joy Livingston, born Wed. Jan.16 6 PM 9 lb. 5 oz.

We also need Christians who can witness with us on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. We especially need musicians to sing and lead worship on the streets on Friday nights.

Please pray for those we have witnessed to this past month, or have written us in response to tracts, including Aladrian and Jessica (SF), Pat (Tracy, CA prison), Maria (Corona, CA prison), Margret (Chowchilla, CA prison), Jose (San Diego prison) and Bobby (Brandon, MS prison). David wrote from a Sacramento prison, "Could you please send me whatever info you have so that I may better live my life for the Lord? Also could you please pray for me? I'm about to be sentenced to 33 months in the federal prison system for possession of a firearm. I've given my life to the Lord." I'm not sure how all these prisoners get our tracts. Perhaps they get them in San Francisco, put them in their pockets, and read them when they end up in prison.

Rick wrote me from Minnesota, "I just returned from my 4th journey to North India. The Lord is doing a wonderful work there.... My wife and I are grateful for the small part we have played in His plans there. I got my start and call into evangelism at SOS-San Francisco six or seven years ago when River of Life Church came from Cambridge, MN to help your effort. I haven't been the same since!"

We have scheduled our 23rd annual SOS-San Francisco outreach for June 21-29. Please set aside these dates. Ask your boss to give you the week off, or use some of your vacation time. Please pray for us as we prepare for this important outreach. Pray that God will provide our needs and guide us in planning the outreach.

Our Tape of the Month is Using Drama on the Streets by Kirk Henneberry. Drama, mime, and dance are effective ways to draw unbelievers and communicate the gospel to them. Please let us know of any teams that might want to join us on the streets.

Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum Coming Events