Israeli Rabbinate Fears Conversion Efforts During Sukkot Festivities

In Israel, many celebrations and events are scheduled during the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot that begins this year on the evening of September 26. One of these is the annual parade in Jerusalem that attracts thousands of foreign tourists as well as Israelis. According to YNet News (Sept. 12), this year an official committee appointed by the Chief Rabbinate says that Jews should not participate in the parade, or in various Feast of Tabernacle activities planned by International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. The Rabbinate fears that the events will be used by Christian missionaries to attempt to convert Jews. The Jerusalem municipality however issued a statement saying that "participation (in the parade) is planned in advance and approved by the city, whose inspectors wouldn't allow a missionary group or any other political group to attend the parade." Christian Embassy also says that it is not a missionary organization.