Missionary Group Expands Covert Coffee Shop Network Across Israel to Promote Christianity

The missionary organization "Jews for Jesus" has recently expanded its operations in Israel by establishing a covert network of coffee shops in various cities, including Haifa and Jerusalem. These coffee shops serve as "third spaces", neutral social environments distinct from home or work, where the group aims to engage Jewish visitors in personal conversations and introduce them to New Testament teachings. The organization openly describes this strategy on its website and social media as a way to reach Jews who would not attend church or invite missionaries into their homes.

The coffee shops are not typical businesses focused on profit; instead, they operate with low prices designed to cover costs and primarily function as platforms for missionary outreach. One such location, Cafe Basemta in Jerusalem, has drawn public attention due to protests by ultra-Orthodox groups against its operation on the Sabbath. The owner, Yoel Ben David, a certified Anglican priest and former Orthodox Jew who served in the Israeli military rabbinate, is a key figure in the missionary effort to influence Jerusalem.

The organization highlights successes in its newsletters, including reports of visitors being baptized after exposure to the New Testament and the group's activities within these coffee shops. Critics, including the anti-missionary group Yad L'Achim, warn that the coffee shops' non-religious appearance makes them particularly effective tools for missionary work, urging the public to be cautious about participating in events held there. "Jews for Jesus" did not respond to requests for comment.