Yad L'Achim
Yad L'AchimCourtesy

The counter-missionary group Yad L’Achim has stepped up its activity among Israel’s Russian-speaking Jewish population following reports of growing attempts by missionaries to target Russian speakers.

Among its newest ventures is a Russian-language magazine covering issues relevant to those who have been targeted by missionaries for conversion to Christianity. It is titled “Iyskaniya,” meaning “search.”

The magazine discusses some of Christian missionaries’ more common arguments, and presents the Jewish counter-arguments.

The first issue includes an interview with a Russian-speaking Jewish family that was previously involved in non-Jewish missionary groups. The family later discovered Judaism, and is now living a traditionally observant Jewish life.

Yad L’Achim activists say they will continue to print the new magazine.

The counter-missionary group has previously exposed Christian missionary groups that target immigrants from the former Soviet Union by presenting themselves as aid centers for the needy or for those in distress.