THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 4, 1994 TAG: 9408040211
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT SUFFOLK
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
WHAT DO THE JEWISH Passover and Jesus' Last Supper have in common?
Steve Silverstein of Jews for Jesus will answer that question in a presentation called ``Christ in the Passover'' Sunday at First Baptist Church.
Silverstein hopes the program will promote an understanding and appreciation of the Jewish background of the Christian Communion.
Jews for Jesus has made the presentation in more than 5,000 churches. It was originally written in 1956 by the late Moishe Rosen, the founder and executive director of the organization.
The presentation was adapted from the writings of the late Rabbi Leopold Cohn, who professed his faith in Jesus Christ in 1894.
Rosen said that some of the most important elements of Christian doctrine, such as the Trinity, the principle of substitutionary atonement and salvation through a personal relationship with the Messiah, are implied in the seder (Passover feast) as observed by Orthodox Jews.
A table set with traditional Jewish Passover items for the presentation will include representative foods, the ceremonial seder plate, the three-compartment pouch in which the matzo (unleavened bread) is kept, and the cup of Elijah.
``The `Christ in the Passover' presentation is one way Jews for Jesus can help churches appreciate the Jewish roots of the Christian faith,'' Rosen wrote.
In keeping with the Jewish context of Christianity, Rosen and his wife co-authored the book, ``Christ in the Passover.'' It focuses on Passover, demonstrating the continuity of the Old and New Testament scriptures.
Jews for Jesus is an evangelistic organization with permanent branches in nine North American cities and more than 70 chapters in 30 states.
The group has international offices in Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, London, the Ukraine and Paris.
Its literature deals with contemporary themes, including subjects such as current films and chemical waste.
The organization's booklet, ``Broadsides,'' uses humor and illustrations to promote its belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah for both the Jews and Gentiles.
Jews for Jesus also has published an illustrated edition of a messianic ``haggadah.''
That service book enables Christians to experience a traditional Passover celebration, complete with songs, while also expressing their faith in Jesus.
Jews for Jesus also communicates through original Jewish gospel music and drama, which is presented by mobile teams such as the Liberated Wailing Wall.
``Our message is not new, but we're telling it in a new way,'' Rosen wrote. ``For too long the Jewish roots of Christianity have been forgotten.'' MEMO: The ``Christ in the Passover'' program will be presented at 7 p.m.
Sunday at First Baptist Church, 237 North Main St. in downtown Suffolk.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call
the church office at 539-4152.
ILLUSTRATION: Steve Silverstein will present ``Christ in the Passover'' at 7
p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church in Suffolk. He is a member of
Jews for Jesus, an evangelistic organization.
by CNB