Owner of Jerusalem Café Linked to Jews for Jesus Organization

The Basima Café, a new establishment in Jerusalem’s Agripas Street, has become a focal point of recent protests. On 4 July, dozens of ultra-orthodox individuals gathered at the café to express dissatisfaction with its operations on Shabbat. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the café’s affiliations and its connection to Messianic Jewish organizations.

According to an audio recording from Arutz 7, representatives of Or La Ahim and the café’s owner, Joel Ben David, discussed the café’s relationship with Jews for Jesus. Ben David clarified that the café is not directly owned by the organization but by a limited company called Ariel 23. He stated that “the company’s actions are owned by the organization,” indicating a close link between the café and the Messianic Jewish group.

Ariel 23 is co-located with Jews for Jesus in Tel Aviv, on Rackevette Street, 58. Ben David, when questioned by Arutz 7, explained that he was introduced to the organization by a man named Dani, who claimed to be associated with a New York newspaper. Ben David emphasized that the café’s operations are separate from his faith and that the protests were primarily due to the café’s work on Shabbat, not its religious affiliations.

Ben David further noted that the café, like “Kafe Nahmani” in Tel Aviv, has been previously linked to Messianic faith. He stressed that the protesters’ concerns were rooted in the observance of Shabbat, and attributing the conflict to the café’s religious identity could escalate tensions. He warned that such misinterpretations might lead to serious violence from radical groups.

Or La Ahim, an organization critical of Messianic Jewish activities, has accused Ben David of misleading the public and the media. They claim the café is not an innocent establishment but a front for missionary work by Jews for Jesus. The organization alleges that the café was created and financed by a company owned by the missionary group and is intended to serve as a hub for spreading Messianic beliefs in Jerusalem. Or La Ahim calls for the media and public to be vigilant against what they describe as a premeditated manipulation of societal sensitivities regarding Shabbat observance.

The situation highlights the complex interplay between religious identity, public perception, and the role of media in shaping narratives. As the debate continues, the café’s true purpose and the extent of its ties to Messianic Jewish organizations remain under scrutiny. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public discourse, reflecting the biblical call to pursue justice and peace, as seen in Micah 6:8.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)