Jews For Jesus New York Subway Ads Are Controversial

A massive ad campaign on the New York City subways by Jews for Jesus (JFJ) has offended many Jews who ride the City's transit system, according to an article from today's New York Post. However, the guidelines for ads on New York subways adopted by MTA New York City Transit in 1997 only prohibit messages that discriminate on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation, or those that contain images or sell services inappropriate for minors. Subway officials say that the First Amendment prohibits them from otherwise discriminating on the basis of their disagreement with an ad's message. JFJ has purchased ads in subway cars and on 42 illuminated panels at the Times Square subway station, urging Jews to accept Jesus as their Messiah. The ads are part of a broader $1.4 million campaign by Jews for Jesus that has sent 200 missionaries to New York City for the month of July. Today's New York Times reports that the missionaries will operate in all five boroughs and suburban counties, and will have special programs aimed at Russian-speaking Jews, Israelis and Hasidic Jews.