David Nekrutman

David Nekrutman was born on 28 November 1973 in Brooklyn, New York, to Natalie (née Bell) and Allen Nekrutman. He is the younger brother of Joseph Nekrutman.

Throughout his elementary and high-school years, Nekrutman attended a Yeshiva, where he adorned, in his words, "a black hat", which is significant of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish denomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD8sMPGjPiY|title=A New Dawn on Jewish-Christian Relations|website=YouTube 5:40–8:30|date=27 August 2012|access-date=13 November 2015}}

Nekrutman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishpostandnews.ca/features/2311-yeshiva-graduate-david-nekrutman-helping-to-break-new-ground-in-jewish-christian-dialogue|title=Yeshiva graduate David Nekrutman helping to break new ground in Jewish-Christian dialogue|first=MYRON|last=LOVE|publisher=Jewish Post & News|access-date=25 September 2017}}

In 2013, Nekrutman was accepted into Oral Roberts University's theology program, taking a Master of Arts in Biblical Literature, with a concentration in Judaic–Christian Studies.{{cite web|url=http://daytopraise.com/staff/|title=Day to Praise – Staff|website=Day to Praise|access-date=10 November 2015}}

In May 2018, Nekrutman became the first Orthodox Jew to graduate from Oral Roberts University with a master's degree in Christian Studies.{{cite web|url=https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/107449/building-bridges-orthodox-jew-graduates-evangelical-university/|title=Building Bridges: Orthodox Jew Graduates Evangelical University|website=Breaking Israel News|first=Adam Eliyahu|last=Berkowitz|date=10 May 2018|access-date=10 May 2018}}

In the early 2000s, prior to his work with CJCUC, Nekrutman served initially as Director of Political Affairs, and later on as Director of Christian Affairs, for the Consulate General of Israel in New York, a position he acquired after attending a Christian "Night to Celebrate Israel" event at a local community church in Brooklyn. Initially, it was Nekrutman's boss at the consulate, Alon Pinkas, who was intended to take part in the event, but an emergency situation in Israel at the time prevented him from going, and he asked Nekrutman to take his place. After placing a call to his rabbi, Gerald Meister, Nekrutman received the necessary dispensation to attend the event at the church.{{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Simon |title=David Nekrutman Interview: The Middle East Report - Why Jewish -Christian relations are vital for the defence of our Judeo-Christian civilisation? |url=https://revelationtv.com/watch-video/the-middle-east-report-why-jewish-christian-relations-are-vital-for-the-defence-of-our-judeo-christian-civilisation-49878 |publisher=Revelation TV |access-date=3 April 2023 |date=31 March 2023}} After attending the event, Nekrutman was later approached by Pinkas and his director of media affairs, Ido Aharoni, and informed that they are changing his portfolio from Director of Political Affairs to Director of Christian Affairs. After hesitation in regards to whether or not he wanted to accept the position, Nekrutman turned once again to Rabbi Meister, who told him that he had been entrusted with a sacred responsibility, and that he could go by way of two paths: "Covenant Theology", in which both Jewish and Christian communities believe they are covenanted; or by way of a "Kodak Moment", and get his picture taken in the paper. Meister told Nekrutman that he preferred he go by way of the first option. Nekrutman eventually accepted the position. While serving as Director of Christian Affairs, he was instrumental in the launching of The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, The Israel Experience, The Christian Jerusalem Day Banquet, and The Watchman on the Wall program with Reverend Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings, resulting in millions of Christians praying for and supporting Israel and the Jewish people.

In March 2022, Nekrutman published Your Sabbath Invitation: Partnership in God's Ultimate Celebration, a book in which he expounds on the origins and history of The Sabbath and its role in biblical prophecy.{{cite web |last1=LAMBERT ADLER |first1=RIVKAH |title='In the future, all of humanity will celebrate Shabbat' |url=https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-700622 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=8 March 2022 |date=8 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=BERKOWITZ |first1=ADAM ELIYAHU |title=NEW BOOK TEACHES CHRISTIANS HOW (AND WHY) TO KEEP SABBATH ACCORDING TO THE TORAH |url=https://www.israel365news.com/270907/new-book-teaches-christians-how-and-why-to-keep-sabbath-according-to-the-torah/ |publisher=Israel 365 News |access-date=29 June 2022 |date=28 June 2022}}

In 2023, Nekrutman was appointed as an adviser for the television series "The Chosen" about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.{{cite web |last1=McGuigan |first1=Patrick B. |title=Orthodox Jewish Theologian David Nekrutman is chosen -- as an adviser to 'The Chosen' |url=https://www.city-sentinel.com/community/orthodox-jewish-theologian-david-nekrutman-is-chosen----as-an-adviser-to-the/article_00580d06-d87c-11ed-9611-5b4ac4f51732.html |publisher=The Oklahoma City Sentinel |access-date=12 April 2023 |date=11 April 2023}}

File:Day to Praise Jerusalem 2015 Nekrutman.jpg event at "HaZvi Israel" synagogue in Jerusalem, 23 April 2015.]]

File:Blessing Bethlehem - 2019.jpg volunteers, 2019]]

File:Riskin Nekrutman Pope.jpg, and CJCUC Executive Director, David Nekrutman, meet with Pope Francis in Rome, Italy, 26 October 2016]]

File:The Isaiah Projects - Evacuees from Moshav Mash'en.jpg, with evacuees from Moshav Mash'en during the Gaza war, 16 October 2023]]

{{main|Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation}}

Since 2008, Nekrutman, under the auspice of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, heads The Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation, or CJCUC, an educational institution at which Christians who tour Israel can study the Hebrew Bible with Orthodox rabbis and learn about the Hebraic roots of Christianity. The center was established in Efrat in 2008 by Riskin, who has developed a reputation as "the most prominent rabbinic spokesperson to Christian Zionists".{{cite journal|title=The Messiah and Rabbi Jesus: Policing the Jewish-Christian border in Christian Zionism|journal=Culture and Religion|first=Faydra L.|last=Shapiro|year=2012|volume=12|issue=4|pages=463–477|doi=10.1080/14755610.2011.633537|s2cid=143392018}} CJCUC partners with major Christian interfaith organizations such as Christians United for Israel and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Its mission is rooted in Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord."

In 2011, Nekrutman spoke to Korean Christians at a pro-Israel rally held in Seoul.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/columns/2011/09/25/thousands-celebrate-israel-in-seoul-korea.html |title=Thousands Celebrate Israel in Seoul, Korea |year=2012 |access-date=10 November 2015 |publisher=The Jerusalem Connection |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024022334/http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/columns/2011/09/25/thousands-celebrate-israel-in-seoul-korea.html |archive-date=24 October 2014 |df=dmy }} Nekrutman was the first Orthodox Jew to speak at the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) conference and discuss the importance of visiting Israel. In April 2012, he was the main speaker at CUFI's first international event in Nairobi, where over 1,500 Africans attended to support Israel.

In 2013, Nekrutman, was accepted into the Oral Roberts University online Graduate Theology program.{{cite journal|url=http://www.oru.edu/pdfs/excellence-magazine/excellence-vol-26-no-1-spring-2014.pdf|title=Online Learning Reaches into Holy Land|first=Mckensie|last=Garber|journal=Excellence Magazine|date=Spring 2014|page=13}}

In October 2013, Nekrutman published a controversial appeal for funds from Jews to support the purchase of a permanent site for the Christian-Arab church of Pastor Steven Khoury.{{cite web|url=http://jewishisrael.ning.com/page/cjcuc-s-executive-director-david-nekrutman-appeals-for-funds-to-b|title=A Call to Action|first=David|last=Nekrutman|publisher=The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition|date=October 2013|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222085159/http://jewishisrael.ning.com/page/cjcuc-s-executive-director-david-nekrutman-appeals-for-funds-to-b|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://jewishisrael.ning.com/profiles/blogs/director-of-rabbi-riskin-s-interfaith-center-appeals-for-funding-|title=Director of Rabbi Riskin's Interfaith Center Appeals for Funding to Build Church in Jerusalem|work=Jewish Israel|date=27 October 2013|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012222709/http://jewishisrael.ning.com/profiles/blogs/director-of-rabbi-riskin-s-interfaith-center-appeals-for-funding-|url-status=dead}}

In a September 2015 piece for The Times of Israel, Nekrutman appealed to the Israeli Ministry of Education in regards to budget cuts and equal funding for Christian schools in Israel, citing these budget cuts as "collateral damage" of internal political issues and stating that these issues "should never oppress minority populations".{{cite web |url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/collateral-damage/|title=Collateral Damage|first=David|last=Nekrutman|publisher=The Times of Israel|date=12 September 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}} Later, together with The Pave the Way Foundation (PTWF) and the Galilee Center for Studies in Jewish-Christian Relations (CSJCR), CJCUC initiated an international campaign urging the Israeli Prime Minister and Education Ministry to Save Christian Education.{{cite press release |url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/1492376713.html|title=International Campaign Urges Israeli Prime Minister to Save Christian Education|first=|last=|publisher=Christian News Wire|date=17 September 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}

Since Rabbi Shlomo Riskin's retirement as president of Ohr Torah Stone in 2018, Nekrutman has taken over as head of all CJCUC activities.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Interfaith-Relations-Evangelical-Jewish-relations-after-Eckstein-582099|title=INTERFAITH RELATIONS: EVANGELICAL-JEWISH RELATIONS AFTER ECKSTEIN|first1=JEREMY|last1=SHARON|first2=EYTAN|last2=HALON|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=28 February 2019|access-date=1 March 2019}}

On June 13, 2021, Nekrutman was recognized as a Goodwill Ambassador for Jewish-Christian Relations by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of World Religions.{{cite web |title=CJCUC's David Nekrutman Recognized as Goodwill Ambassador for Jewish-Christian Relations by Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.cjcuc.org/2021/06/13/cjcucs-david-nekrutman-recognized-as-goodwill-ambassador-for-jewish-christian-relations-by-israeli-ministry-of-foreign-affairs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624193721/https://www.cjcuc.org/2021/06/13/cjcucs-david-nekrutman-recognized-as-goodwill-ambassador-for-jewish-christian-relations-by-israeli-ministry-of-foreign-affairs/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=24 June 2021 |publisher=Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation |access-date=16 June 2021 |date=13 June 2021}}

In September 2021, Nekrutman ended his fourteen-year tenure as Executive Director of CJCUC and later continued his life-long calling in the field of Jewish-Christian relations.{{cite web |last1=Berkowitz |first1=Adam Eliyahu |title=The Sabbath of Isaiah's Final Redemption: Why Christians should keep Shabbat|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCxUkDFnKk |publisher=Israel 365 News |access-date=2 February 2023 |date=2 February 2023}}

{{main|Day to Praise}}

In April 2015, Nekrutman along with CJCUC Chancellor and Founder, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, launched the Day to Praise global initiative.{{cite press release |url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/3821175639.html|title=Rabbi Riskin Launches 'Day to Praise' Initiative|date=3 March 2015|access-date=20 March 2015|publisher=Christian Newswire}} The initiative takes to form in an annual event on Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) in which Christians world-wide are called on and invited{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/33579/day-to-praise-calls-christians-jews-worldwide-unite-prayer-biblical-zionism/|title="Day to Praise" Calls on Christians, Jews Worldwide to Unite in Prayer|first=Raphael|last=Poch|publisher=Breaking Israel News|date=23 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}} by Rabbi Riskin to recite Hallel (Psalms 113–118) with the Jewish People in a celebration to praise God for the State of Israel.{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/33498/calling-on-christians-and-jews-to-recite-hallel-on-israeli-independence-day-israel-radio/|title=Calling on Christians and Jews to Recite 'Hallel' on Israeli Independence Day|publisher=Breaking Israel News|date=22 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170536/http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/33498/calling-on-christians-and-jews-to-recite-hallel-on-israeli-independence-day-israel-radio/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/standing-with-israel/48788-a-day-to-praise-join-israel-in-thanking-god-for-his-continuous-protection|title=A Day to Praise: Join Israel in Thanking God For His Continuous Protection|first=David|last=Nekrutman|publisher=Charisma Magazine|date=23 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://blogs.cbn.com/jerusalemdateline/archive/2015/03/23/day-of-praise-initiative.aspx|title=Day to Praise Initiative|first=Chris|last=Mitchell|publisher=CBN News|date=23 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/il/news/article/initiative-unites-christians-and-jews-to-praise-god-for-the-miracle-of-isra |title=Initiative Unites Christians and Jews to Praise God for the Miracle of Israel |first=Ilse |last=Posselt |publisher=Bridges for Peace |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327024341/http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/il/news/article/initiative-unites-christians-and-jews-to-praise-god-for-the-miracle-of-isra |archive-date=27 March 2015 |df=dmy }}{{cite web |url=http://jerusalemchannel.tv/historic-day-praise-calls-christians-jews-worldwide-unite-prayer/|title=THIS IS HISTORIC! "Day to Praise" Calls on Christians & Jews Worldwide to Unite in Prayer|first=Christine|last=Darg|publisher=Jerusalem Channel|date=29 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.voiceofisrael.com/the-difference-between-prayer-and-praise/?auto=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150404114000/http://www.voiceofisrael.com/the-difference-between-prayer-and-praise/?auto=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 April 2015|title=The Difference between Prayer and Praise|publisher=Voice of Israel|date=24 March 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web|language=zh |url=http://www.krtnews.com.tw/world/item/15614-%E4%BB%A5%E8%89%B2%E5%88%97%E7%8D%A8%E7%AB%8B%E6%97%A5-%E5%85%A8%E7%90%83%E7%8C%B6%E5%9F%BA%E8%A6%81%E9%BD%8A%E8%AE%9A%E7%BE%8E%E7%A5%9E |title=以色列獨立日 全球猶基要齊讚美神 |publisher=Kingdom Revival Times |date=25 March 2015 |access-date=10 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721140706/http://www.krtnews.com.tw/world/item/15614-%E4%BB%A5%E8%89%B2%E5%88%97%E7%8D%A8%E7%AB%8B%E6%97%A5-%E5%85%A8%E7%90%83%E7%8C%B6%E5%9F%BA%E8%A6%81%E9%BD%8A%E8%AE%9A%E7%BE%8E%E7%A5%9E |archive-date=21 July 2015 |df=dmy }}{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=15749|title=INSPIRED BY PSALM 117: "DAY TO PRAISE" CALLS ON CHRISTIANS AND JEWS TO THANK GOD FOR ISRAEL'S PROTECTION|first=Raphael|last=Poch|publisher=Breaking Christian News|date=8 April 2015|access-date=17 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://tconews.com/inspired-by-psalm-117-day-to-praise-calls-on-christians-and-jews-to-thank-god-for-israels-protection/|title=Inspired by Psalm 117: "Day to Praise" Calls on Christians and Jews to Thank God for Israel's Protection|publisher=The Christian Observer|date=9 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525220638/http://tconews.com/inspired-by-psalm-117-day-to-praise-calls-on-christians-and-jews-to-thank-god-for-israels-protection/|archive-date=25 May 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |language=zh|url=http://www.taiwanbible.com/web/main/blogView.jsp?ID=157315|title=以色列獨立日 全球猶太人基督徒要齊聲讚美神|publisher=TaiwanBible.com|date=5 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/36676/praise-hashem-all-nations-opinion/|title=Praise Hashem All Nations|first=Rabbi Pesach|last=Wolicki|publisher=Breaking Israel News|date=19 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/36868/realization-biblical-prophecy-gods-promise-life-israel-biblical-zionism/|title=Realization of Biblical Prophecy, God's Promise Coming to Life in Israel|first=Tuly|last=Weisz|publisher=Breaking Israel News|date=20 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}

{{main|Blessing Bethlehem}}

In the autumn of 2016, Nekrutman along with CJCUC associate director, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, founded Blessing Bethlehem, an initiative with the purpose of providing humanitarian aid to the persecuted and impoverished Christian Arabs of Bethlehem and the surrounding communities.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/David-Nekrutman-Connecting-Christians-610505|title=David Nekrutman: Connecting Christians|first=PAUL|last=CALVERT|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=10 December 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}}

{{main|The Isaiah Projects}}

In 2022, Nekrutman, along with Janet Cain, Pastor Donna Taylor, and Marsha Conrad founded The Isaiah Projects, a ministry dedicated to helping Christians discover the Hebraic roots of their faith. The organization focuses on three main topics; The first is Shabbat (The Sabbath) as a movement, its fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy and how it can be adopted and incorporated into one's life. The second is creating written resources about the Hebraic roots of Christianity. And the third is providing food packages and humanitarian aid to those in need.[https://www.theisaiahprojects.com/ The Isaiah Projects]

• {{cite book |last1=Nekrutman |first1=David |title=Your Sabbath Invitation: Partnership in God's Ultimate Celebration |date=2022 |publisher=The Isaiah Projects |isbn=978-0578262512|url=https://www.yoursabbathinvitation.com/}}
• {{cite book |last1=Nekrutman |first1=David |title=Your Sabbath Invitation: Decoding Scripture Using Ancient Hebraic Methods - Home Bible Fellowship Study |date=2024 |publisher=The Isaiah Projects |isbn=979-8321221310|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6LWLDSL}}
• {{cite book |last1=Nekrutman |first1=David |title=Biblical Excavations Volume 1: For Such A Time: A Study of Esther 4:14 & The Greatest Commandment |date=2025 |publisher=The Isaiah Projects |isbn=979-8310076853|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZNWCRXZ}}
• {{cite book |last1=Nekrutman |first1=David |title=Biblical Excavations Volume 2: First Fruits: A Thanksgiving Study & My Book Of Hebrew Letters |date=2025 |publisher=The Isaiah Projects |isbn=979-8312729498|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F14862RT}}

From 2006 to 2013, Nekrutman worked in e-marketing for a major high-tech company in Israel.

• The Isaiah Projects
• Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC)
• Day to Praise
• Blessing Bethlehem

{{commons category|David Nekrutman}}

• {{Official website|https://www.theisaiahprojects.com|The Isaiah Projects official website}}
• {{Official website|http://cjcuc.com|CJCUC official website}}
• {{Official website|http://daytopraise.com|Day to Praise official website}}
• {{Official website|http://blessingbethlehem.com|Blessing Bethlehem official website}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/David-Nekrutman-Connecting-Christians-610505|title=David Nekrutman: Connecting Christians|first=PAUL|last=CALVERT|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=10 December 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}}
• {{cite web|url=https://jerusalemchannel.tv/video/an-orthodox-jewish-man-dedicated-to-understanding-christians/|title=An Orthodox Jewish Man Dedicated to Understanding Christians|first1=Bob|last1=O'Dell|first2=Christine|last2=Darg|publisher=Jerusalem Channel|date=12 December 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}}
• {{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Simon |title=David Nekrutman Interview: The Middle East Report - Why Jewish -Christian relations are vital for the defence of our Judeo-Christian civilisation? |url=https://revelationtv.com/watch-video/the-middle-east-report-why-jewish-christian-relations-are-vital-for-the-defence-of-our-judeo-christian-civilisation-49878 |publisher=Revelation TV |access-date=3 April 2023 |date=31 March 2023}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Judaism|Journalism|Israel}}

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