Re: [Fwd: Jewish Groups Angered Over Film]

[Lori Cahan-Simon <l_cahan...>]

Okay, here's something else to piss us all off (pardon the vernacular):


> From: C-ap (at) clari(dot)net (AP / DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer)
> Newsgroups: clari.news.religion,clari.living.tv,clari.news.issues
> Subject: Jewish Groups Angered Over Film
> Organization: Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press (via ClariNet)
> Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 15:50:06 PST
> Expires: Fri, 7 Apr 2000 16:40:38 PDT
>
> NEW YORK (AP) -- A Jewish organization is angry about what it calls
> deceptive advertising about a television film, ``The Rabbi,'' that
> reportedly ends with the lead character converting to Christianity.
> The film is scheduled to be broadcast on the 43 Pax-TV affiliates across
> the country at midnight on Saturday. It was advertised this week in several
> Jewish publications, including The Jewish Press and The Jewish Week. A TV
> Guide ad about ``The Rabbi'' describes it as ``the unforgettable story of
> an Israeli rabbi and his struggles in modern society. The drama of this
> family relationship will move and inspire you.''
>
> The film was produced by a San Diego-based Christian organization, Morris
> Cerullo World Evangelism, according to the Jewish Community Relations
> Council of New York.
>
> ``It's nothing other than a proselytizing tool attempting to deceive Jews
> to abandon their own religion,'' said Michael Miller, the council's
> executive vice president.
>
> He said the film ends with the lead character converting to Christianity.
> Telephone calls to the Cerullo organization were not returned on Friday.
> Nancy Udell, a spokeswoman for Pax-TV, said ``The Rabbi'' was airing as a
> paid program, like an infomercial.
>
> ``It does not reflect any of the views or opinions of Pax TV,'' Udell said.
> The film was broadcast Wednesday in Syracuse, where the Syracuse Jewish
> Federation called it ``an outrage to the entire Jewish community.''
>
> ``Cerullo has a long history of engaging in attempts to convert members of
> our community,'' Miller said. ``With this latest manifestation of his
> missionary tactics, he has stooped to a new low. If Rev. Cerullo believes
> his message is so powerful, why does he resort to deceit.''
>
> The TV Guide ad for ``The Rabbi'' contains a coupon that people can use to
> receive a free ``priestly blessing plaque.'' The coupon is to be sent to a
> San Diego post office box.

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