For the first time in two millennia, 200 Jews were invited to 50 influential churches, each with hundreds, if not thousands of members. But the churches were not pressuring them to come in order to proselytize or to have them defend their tradition – but as honored guests, speakers, and teachers to their Christian friends. It took place on January 26th at churches spanning the country – and one in Spain! – having grown from a smaller effort with just a handful of communities the year before.
From Baltimore, Maryland to Phoenix, Arizona; Decatur, Illinois to Urbandale, Iowa, these Evangelical and non-denominational communities opened their doors, embraced their Jewish friends, and blessed them with solidarity against antisemitism and in support of the State of Israel.
Some pastors denounced replacement theology from the pulpit, while others affirmed that Christians were grafted onto the Jewish family tree; some gathered in a circle with hundreds of faithful Christians to bless their Jewish guests with protection and safety, while others taught about the need for Christians to stand with Israel in its moment of need.
This was the second annual Solidarity Sunday, an initiative of Eagles%u2019 Wings, which brings leading pastors to Israel, in collaboration with the Moral Hearts Alliance. Next year, Solidarity Sunday is poised to take place in over 200 churches across the United States. While numbers never tell the whole story, this means that thousands of Christians joined in solidarity with their Jewish siblings in faith and that tens of thousands of Christians could do so in the year ahead – with significant growth thereafter.
More than those numbers is the meaning of Solidarity Sunday for those who participated. Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan spoke at the Calvary Tabernacle in Cranfield, New Jersey, reflecting, “For centuries, Jews felt alone. They didn’t have friends. And since October 7th, so many that we thought were friends turned their backs on us. But not you.” He continued, “The Evangelical Christian community is a true friend of the Jewish community and has stood by our side for the last 16 months.”
Liz Becker-Growing, a Jewish lay leader who serves as an ambassador for Growing Wings, noted how emotional her experience was: “As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, speaking at the Calvary Church in Orlando to such a warm and welcoming Pastor and congregation was an incredibly moving experience.” Further, she affirmed, “The unwavering support shown in standing in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people reinforced my belief in the vital need to build bridges between our communities and to continue nurturing and educating this essential alliance.”
Bishop Robert Stearns, the Christian leader who spearheaded Solidarity Sunday nationally, explained, “The Holocaust happened in Christian Europe, so the moral and ethical responsibility to educate and work against anti-semitism rests upon the Church. The growing global alliance between Jews and Christians, particularly evangelicals, ensures that ‘Never Again’ is not just a slogan, but a commitment.”
The implications of a more vibrant alliance between Evangelical and Jewish communities is profound and goes well beyond the personal and relational. Imagine Jewish students facing down protesters on campus – not alone, but alongside their Christian counterparts. Imagine Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions resolutions getting struck down in city councils, following fierce opposition from a coalition of Christians and Jews. Imagine the same in unions, professional associations, and K-12 schools.
While significant theological and social differences remain, Evangelicals and Jews readily are coming to see that their shared histories point to collaborative possibilities today. Our different faiths are more united than ever in our love of Israel and willingness to face down anti-Jewish hate – and more aware of the blessings that learning together can bring.
If Jews went to church on Solidarity Sunday, perhaps we will soon find occasion for Christians to come as honored guests to synagogues, as well. We read in the book of Zechariah (4:10) that we should not “scorn small beginnings.” Indeed, this could well be the start of something transformational.
Rabbi Joshua Stanton is Associate Vice President for Interfaith and Intergroup Initiatives at the Jewish Federations of North America.