CAFE Kehillah
The CAFÉ Kehillah Discussion Board exists because community is important. Feel free to visit the discussion board to explore your concerns and voice your fears. We cannot promise to respond immediately but we will answer AND we will be honest with you!
The concept behind the CAFÉ Kehillah Discussion Board is based upon these four principles:
C = Compassion
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- You are on a journey where you are looking for truth and maybe even to answer the question of just who is the Messiah
- The search forces Jewish people to go outside where you have been told “it is safe and/or acceptable to go”
- We are not here to “push you” but to walk the thousand-mile journey with you because many of us were once there as well.
A = Acknowledgement
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- We acknowledge that our perspective for the Messiah, who we believe is Jesus, includes confronting both personal sin and a personal Messiah … and this is something that is often different from what you have been taught in Rabbinic Judaism
- We acknowledge that you might have a lot of questions for us, your rabbi, and even yourself … and we want to be here for you throughout the process even if and when it becomes confusing.
F = Forgiveness
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- We believe forgiveness for and of sins is only available in Messiah Jesus and while we know that this is a concept that is often only considered on Yom Kippur
- We want to ask — should it be considered more often.
E = Empathy
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- We were once on the journey that you are now taking — it is frightening
- So … we are not here to pressure you. We do not consider you a statistic, a trophy or a convert – regardless of what you might have heard. If you choose to walk away … just know we will be here if you choose to come back.
Discussion Board
Prophecies — Unknown Prophecies
Which of the three prophecies that are unknown in the synagogue did you find most intriguing?
Hell — What Is It Like?
Does it surprise you that while we affirm the truth of “fire and brimstone,” that Explore Messiah…? has a broader concept of Hell that includes emptiness and loneliness? Which terrifies you more - fire...
Original Sin — What Does Modern Judaism Believe?
Modern Judaism argues that Christians cannot be individuals if we believe in “Original Sin.” When you look at “us,” do you see robots or individuals working on developing their relationships with God while grateful...
“RIGHTEOUS” GENTILES” — Imperfect Options
It would be easier if the “Righteous Gentiles” were all flawless characters; HOWEVER, Explore Messiah…? purposely chose three examples of imperfect and not-so-well-known Christians who did the right thing because it was the Christian...
CHRISTIANITY — Anti-Semitic Baggage
Is the anti-Semitic baggage too much and too large to overcome even if you will admit that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah? Why or why not? What must “Christianity” do to overcome this baggage...
CHRISTIANITY — New Testament Passages & Questions
Were your questions about the wrongly misinterpreted New Testament passages answered or do we still need to talk? Which ones are still confusing to you?
JESUS/GOD — Jesus & Hanukkah
Was your mind blown to discover who Jesus really claims to be according to the Hanukkah account in John 10 and the rest of the “I Am” Statements of John? How does this change...
RESURRECTION — Jewish Idea?
Are you surprised by all the “Jewishness” connected to Jesus and a belief in the Resurrection? Have you been told that such a thought was Christian-only? What is your response to this new information?
JESUS’ EXISTENCE — Is He Real?
Why would anyone want to deny that Jesus existed? What would be the motivation for such a view? Is it fear that He could be Messiah? Is it anger? What would be the emotion?
JESUS’ EXISTENCE — Is He Real? (Part 2)
What is your initial response to the arguments of those who deny Jesus’ existence? What level of merit do you give them? What do you think of the counter-arguments? Which is stronger and why?
VIRGIN CONCEPTION — Do Miracles Still Exist?
Can hope exist in a world without the possibility of the miraculous? Does the shadow of Auschwitz create the doubt that miracles still take place?
GOD/EARTH — Biblical Judaism vs. God
Who created the distance in the first place – God or Israel (Exodus 20:18-22)? Has Modern Judaism created a religion that is more Deistic in design that Judaism was ever intended to be? Would...