Former President George W. Bush
Former President George W. BushArutz Sheva photo: Flash 90

Former US President George W. Bush will deliver the keynote address at a fund raising event for the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (MJBI), which trains people in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere “to work towards convincing Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah,” according to Canada's ShalomLife.

Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism said in reaction, "It's disappointing that he would give his stamp of approval to a group whose program is an express effort to convert Jews and not to accept the validity of the Jewish covenant."

In 2012, the president of the Anti-Defamation League, Abraham Foxman, told Politico that then presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s appearance at an event organized by another messianic Jewish organization, the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, was “insensitive and offensive.”

Rabbi David Wolpe tweeted about Bush’s appearance, saying “This is infuriating.”

ShalomLife reports that the messianic group’s website has a weekly Torah portion,” and hosts links to purchase Judaica and books like Christ in the Old Testament.

Bush’s keynote on November 14 is expected to cover his White house experience, and will “share his passion for setting people free.”

The ticket packages for the event run from $100 to $100,000, and include 20 invitations to a VIP reception and photo-op with Bush, as well as ten signed copies of his book Decision Points, and passes for the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.