Visitors to the Ein Keshatot archaeological site in the Golan Heights were recently surprised to discover a monument featuring a hallmark of Messianic Judaism.
Speaking to Israel National News, one of the visitors said, "Something seemed strange to me, so I decided to investigate the matter and I was amazed to find out what it was all about. I believe that the members of the Golan Regional Council naively approved this."
The monument contains three symbols, including the Star of David and the menorah from the Jewish side and a symbol of a fish from the Christian side. The symbol of the fish is associated with Christianity for a variety of reasons.
The person who donated the monument is Pastor Curt Landry, known for his many donations to Israel.
A quote by the priest explaining the meaning of the monument is engraved on one of the stones and says, "One new man. The symbol that combines a menorah, the Star of David and a fish, represents the friendship and brotherhood between Christianity and Judaism. Our shared love for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob unites us."
The priest explains in the quote that the three symbols have a closeness and unity between Jews and Christians. But in practice the three symbols together symbolize the hallmark of Messianic Judaism, a Jewish cell in Christianity.
Rabbi Binyamin Vulcan from the Yad L’Achim organization, which fights missionaries, spoke to Israel National News and said, "Many are mistaken about the three symbols. People tend to think that it is indeed a symbol of unity between Jews and Christians when in practice it is a symbol of Messianic Judaism."
Vulcan called on the Golan Regional Council and the Golan Religious Council to come to their senses and act to remove the monument from a site that is a national park.
The Golan Regional Council said in response, "Several months ago, sculptor Sam Philipe, who prepared the statue which stands at the entrance to Ramat Trump, contacted us and asked to place, at the point which overlooks the Sea of Galilee, another statue."
"To the best of our knowledge, the statue was supposed to contain the symbol of the menorah that was found in Ein Keshatot, and indeed the statue was erected in Ein Keshatot about two weeks ago."
"In recent days, we have received inquiries wondering about the theological meanings of the statue. As a result, the statue was immediately covered. In the coming days, in agreement with the sculptor and the donor, the statue will be moved to another location."