Warning: Do Not Convert with “Rabbi” Andrew “Binyamin” Sheldrake and Adat Yeshua “Synagogue”

Not Every Conversion Program Is Legitimate. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.

Not every conversion program is legitimate. Some are scams designed to mislead, exploit, or even to push an entirely different religion onto unsuspecting candidates. Here’s some important information you need to know to protect yourself.

Conversion is like everything else – there are scammers and charlatans. Always trust your gut and don’t discount red flags. Read below for some of these red flags!

This shocking article from the Jewish Chronicle details a Christian cult mascarading as a legitimate Jewish conversion source: Synagogue of shame: The converts being coerced and exploited by the British ‘rabbi’ who follows Jesus

They detail a disturbing case: A supposed rabbi in Britain named Andrew Sheldrake has been luring people into a false conversion process, coercing them into following Jesus while exploiting them financially and emotionally. This is not an isolated case – it’s part of a pattern of deception by those trying to co-opt Jewish identity.

If something feels off, dig deeper. Here are some red flags to watch for when looking into a conversion program or teacher:
✅ They reference “Yeshua” or any belief in Jesus.
✅ They claim to be Jewish but have unclear or unverifiable credentials.
✅ They discourage you from connecting with mainstream Jewish communities.
✅ They require secrecy or discourage outside questions.
✅ Their teachings contradict established Jewish beliefs and practices.

Messianic “Judaism” Is Not Judaism. Here’s Why.

Messianic “Judaism” is not Jewish – it is a form of Christianity. Jews do not believe in any role for Jesus. It’s not a general word for G-d, and any group using it is Christian, not Jewish, even if they claim otherwise.

Messianic “Judaism” is completely incompatible with Judaism, but leaders such as this mislead and often knowingly hide their affiliations in order to appear Jewish. There is a widespread attitude of cultural appropriation and disrespect for Judaism, stemming from a pervasive philosophy of “the ends justify the means.”

Many Messianic leaders deliberately hide their true beliefs to appear more Jewish. They might wear kippot/yarmulkes, use Hebrew words, or even claim to be rabbis, all while secretly promoting Christian theology. They wait until after you’ve already built a relationship – exploiting the “sunk cost” fallacy. Some groups will say they “accept Torah” or “observe Shabbat,” but their core belief system revolves around Jesus/Yeshua, which is completely incompatible with Judaism.

Next Steps

If you’re ever unsure about a conversion program, ask mainstream Jewish leaders for verification. And if you want to learn more about how Messianic groups operate, I highly recommend checking out Jews for Judaism, which has resources on identifying and responding to these deceptive tactics.

👉 Have you ever encountered a questionable conversion program? Share your experience in the comments – it might help someone else avoid a harmful situation.