Faydra L. Shapiro

Jews might not like the idea of Jewish Christians. But at a time when the mainstream Jewish community finds it so challenging to get Jews to live active Jewish lives, this gathering an inspiration.

The last 10 to 15 years have witnessed a remarkable surge of new alliances between the State of Israel and evangelical Christians.

When Israelis think about American Evangelicals, they imagine 60 million enthusiastic, flag-waving Israel supporters who look, well, like Mike Pence.

We Jews know our own story well – occupation, persecution, exile, genocide, but always remembering and believing in the promise of rebirth.

Christian Zionism is undoubtedly a controversial topic.

Haiel Stawi reminds us, in life and in death, that this country is a place more diverse, more complex and more beautiful than even I knew. This is all of our Israel. May his memory be a blessing.

Ancient traditions. Ethnic and religious minority. Distinctive culture. Ongoing persecution. Any of that sound familiar?

A basic principle of good Jewish-Christian relations needs to be respectful acceptance of the others’ tradition and self-understanding.

As the children went back to school, we parents greeted September 1 with great eagerness, and not just because the summer vacation was beginning to get on everyone’s nerves.

The argument that the situation of Christians in Israel is not as bad as it is in Syria is hardly adequate.