Jerusalem Institute of Justice

History

Our organization was founded by Calev Myers, who is a licensed attorney and a partner at Yehuda Raveh & Co. Law Offices, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Israel.

Throughout the early years of his professional experience, Calev became acutely aware of the inferior state of the civil rights of Israeli Evangelical believers, Messianic Jews and families of mixed (Jewish-Christian) marriages (“Judeo-Christian Minorities”).

Calev realized that the illegal mistreatment of Judeo-Christian Minorities in Israel was more a result of ignorance and misinformation than of pre-meditated, systematic discrimination. Since the foundation of the State of Israel, the local Judeo-Christian Minorities have been the victims of ongoing vicious propaganda from radical, marginal, ultra-religious groups in the Israeli society. Such groups have used the media to paint a picture of a community whose sole goal is to convert Jews to orthodox Christianity and detach them from their Jewish roots and Jewish heritage, a picture which could not be farther from the truth.

This misinformation and ignorance has affected many leaders in the Israeli government. Unfortunately they have failed in many cases to treat the local Judeo-Christian Minorities with equality and justice, based on standards which the state set for itself in its Declaration of Independence and various international conventions to which it has become an official party.

Because of a lack of proactive lobbying on behalf of Judeo-Christian Minorities in Israel, most of the general public, including our government, our courts and our legislature – the Knesset, have been unaware of the upstanding nature of this community – devoted citizens who fulfill their civil obligations, pay their taxes, send their sons and daughters to serve in the IDF and educate their children with the highest level of Judeo-Christian ethics.

The Jerusalem Institute of Justice was formed in 2004 in an effort to combat and eradicate the aforesaid phenomenon. Over the first four years, since its inception, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice has successfully handled well over 230 cases, including successful petitions to the Supreme Court of Justice. It has combated the unequal application of the Law of Return and the Law of Citizenship, prevented revocation of citizenship and residency rights, safeguarded freedom of worship, and prevented unlawful termination of employment based on religious affiliation. Today, our organization consists of a staff of lawyers and legal activists from both a traditional Jewish and Judeo-Christian background who fight together for a more pluralistic and democratic Israeli society.

The Institute has also taken it upon itself to help educate and inform the local Judeo-Christian Minorities as to their legal and political rights. Through its annual “Know Your Rights Seminars”, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice educates current and future leaders of the Israeli Judeo-Christian community regarding crucial rights of individuals and congregations, and helps members of the community navigate difficult issues such as freely practicing one’s faith, while being careful not to transgress the anti-proselytizing laws in Israel.

Furthermore, the Institute initiates and oversees ongoing social justice advocacy, namely facilitating humanitarian/social projects for the poor and needy in Israel, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation, in cooperation with government organizations and independent NGOs. We feel that dedication to justice, in the broader sense of the term, obligates us to help meet the needs of underprivileged sectors in Israel, who due to their age, place of residence or socio-economic background lack the means to break out of the poverty cycle without assistance from their friends and fellow-citizens.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne.” Psalms 97:2

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