Jewsus: NYC Billboards Direct Jewish Drivers to Jesus in Unorthodox Way
The Jerusalem Post has labeled Rabbi Kirt Schneider a “fake rabbi” in a headline attacking his Billboard campaign to introduce Jews to Jesus by boldly directing passers-by in New York City to visit Jews.com. This is a strikingly loaded characterization that says as much about the visceral reaction his message provokes as it does about Schneider himself. As tempting as it may be to focus on that reaction, Schneider says doing so misses the much more important point.
- Rabbi Schneider endured an attempted professional deprogramming after embracing Jesus.
- His parents secretly arranged for Ted Patrick to take him to California.
- The Jerusalem Post’s “Fake Rabbi” headline reveals the controversy surrounding his Billboard message.
- Schneider believes Jesus’ message remains powerful enough to challenge Jewish traditions on Billboards.
- His story demonstrates the extraordinary conviction behind his lifelong ministry.
As a young Jewish man in Ohio, Schneider’s decision to follow Jesus after a powerful supernatural experience so deeply disturbed his parents that they sought to have him professionally deprogrammed. They lured him to a hotel room, where he discovered Ted Patrick—the man widely known as America’s most famous cult deprogrammer—waiting with two bodyguards. Schneider was told he was going to be deprogrammed.
The men then drove Schneider from Ohio to California, likely seeing a lot of billboards, where the effort continued for roughly two to three weeks. The irony was almost surreal: the supposed “deprogramming” consisted largely of taking Schneider to the beach during the day and bars at night. Eventually, when Schneider asked to go home, he was allowed to return.
The experience never changed his conviction.
Today, Schneider is once again confronting an intense reaction to his message. His Discovering the Jewish Jesus ministry explicitly argues that Jesus—Yeshua—is the Jewish Messiah, and his new Jews.com campaign is designed to challenge Jews to reconsider what they have been taught about Jesus. The Jerusalem Post reports that the campaign has generated billboards across New York City and surrounding Jewish communities.
Schneider can discuss what it is like to have your own parents become so distraught over your faith that they resort to professional deprogramming—and then decades later watch a major Jewish publication essentially make the case for just how provocative that same message remains.
But Schneider’s story isn’t ultimately about being called a “fake rabbi.” It’s about conviction.
As painful as it was to see his parents react so strongly, Schneider believed he had encountered something greater than family expectations or religious convention. And after everything that followed—from being forcibly taken across the country to being subjected to attempted deprogramming—he never abandoned his belief in Jesus.
Now, decades later, the controversy surrounding his message may offer a powerful opportunity to ask a deeper question: What is it about the New Testament’s message that can provoke such a profound reaction—and why has Schneider devoted his life to proclaiming it to his own people?
About Discovering the Jewish Jesus
Discovering the Jewish Jesus is an international ministry led by Rabbi Kirt Schneider, dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, revealing the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and helping people encounter God through biblical teaching and international media outreach.
Relevant Article(s):
Fake rabbi advertises website promoting Jesus to Jews with NYC billboards | The Jerusalem Post
Hear, O Israel: Is Jesus the Jewish Messiah? | Jews.com
Massive Billboard Sparks Outrage: “Missionary Campaign In Public Space” – The Yeshiva World
OPTIONAL Q&A:
- What went through your mind when your parents told you they wanted to deprogram you?
- How did discovering Jesus radically change your understanding of your Jewish faith?
- What do you remember about Ted Patrick and the attempt to deprogram you?
- Why do you believe your parents were so desperate to change your beliefs?
- What did those two to three weeks in California ultimately teach you about your faith?
- Why do you think your message about Jesus continues to provoke such visceral reactions?
- What does being called a “fake rabbi” by the Jerusalem Post reveal about the controversy surrounding your message?
- Why do you believe the New Testament message remains powerful enough to challenge generations of Jewish tradition?
ABOUT RABBI KIRT SCHNEIDER…
Messianic Rabbi Kirt Schneider is a Jewish believer in Jesus and servant of the LORD.
At the age of 20 the LORD supernaturally appeared to him revealing that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. Rabbi Schneider imparts the revelation of Jesus’ Jewish heritage, how He fulfills messianic prophecy and how the Old and New Testaments tie together.
Through understanding the Old Testament and its prophetic nature, God’s people become better equipped to live in victory. There is an anointing of breakthrough on Rabbi Schneider’s life that can quicken your faith and equip you to live in greater victory.
Central to the LORD’s plan are the Jewish people. As this message of Yeshua is brought back to, and received by, the Jewish people, they will say, “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai” – “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!” and in so doing, usher in Messiah’s return (Matthew 23:39). Visit www.Jews.com
TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW, CALL OR TEXT 512-966-0983 OR EMAIL BOOKINGS@SPECIALGUESTS.COM
