- Israeli soccer players: Activists for working on Shabbat;
- Secular Jewish Israelis: Activists for working on Shabbat;
- Jews for Jesus: Activists for working on Shabbat;
At first, there seemed to be a lot of agreement between the Israeli Jewish soccer club and the cafe which wants to work on Shabbat.
However, that was before it was known that the cafe is owned and operated by Jews for Jesus organization.
Once the soccer club realized the Jews for Jesus connection, they withdrew their support. Go figure: Shabbat-breaking soccer culture had a knee-jerk reaction to support secular shabbat breakers, which they later regretted.
But why should the Jews for Jesus organization be so keen on breaking Shabbat?
“…Klugger said he is mystified about why the same secular Jerusalemites who are uncomfortable with the growing Haredi character of the city are willing to buy coffee from someone who wants them to stop being Jewish altogether…”
—
It is also a mystery to me.
Perhaps the anti-Shabbat position is the most lucrative way for Jews for Jesus to fundraise from Sunday-keeping Christians. And all the better if there are protests and controversy to boot.
—
Source: Photographed from Times of Israel on 17 Aug 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-cafe-symbolizes-secular-defiance-until-people-learn-its-run-by-jews-for-jesus/#openwebComments