Israel's Black Jews
In Netanya, the group visited a nursery
school that is part of the PACT (Parents
and Children Together) program spon-
sored by the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit. The school helps
Ethiopian children integrate into Israeli
society. Participants sat on the floor with
children putting together puzzles, looked
over their shoulders as they played com-
puter games and delighted in their art-
work.
The black evangelicals felt immediate
connections to the Ethiopians, whose par-
ents trudged on foot across the Sudan to
be taken to Israel, the land of their dreams.
The color of their skin and the connection
to Africa were not lost on the evangelicals.
"At the nursery center, one boy reminded
me of my grandson," said Esther Keeling
of Westland, one of several first-timers to
Israel on the trip. "I feel a part of them."
Later, after listening to some of the
Ethiopian adults working with the PACT
program, Gibson said, "It was wonderful to
hear them tell their story of the authentic-
ity of being Jews. I never thought of Jews as
being black, that our race had Jews. I began
to think about minorities and how things
are happening in big cities back home.
Thank God the Israelis got them out."
FIB/6 s Plummer "saw the natural affin-
ity between African Americans and the
Ethiopians',' said Linda Olmert of Ra'anana,
FIBA vice president and an in-law of Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. "He envi-
sions a Martin Luther King Center in Israel
that would research programs to help
Ethiopians and African Americans. They
share many of the same problems. He'd like
to see parallel programs running here and
in the U.S. — based in social research!'
Linda Olmert says fundraising is well
under way and represents cooperation
between African Americans, Jews and the
State of Israel.
"My parents are Holocaust survivors,
and I've always identified with the issues
of civil rights, slavery and the search for
freedom; the joining of the two [causes] is
the thing I most identify with in the world':
she said, explaining her involvement in
FIBA.
The Chosen People
Often during the trip, reference was made
by the evangelicals to Jesus being a Jew and
to Jews as God's Chosen People.
"I know as a Christian that we accept
the fact we owe a debt to the Jewish people
who were chosen by God," Gibson said.
"They are always special to us!"
"I have a love in my heart for Jews, and
I never knew why," Keeling said. "I have
always been comfortable around Jews. My
name is Esther, and that's not a coinci-
dence. God gave me that name. I feel good
about the opportunity to learn more about
Jews and their beliefs. I appreciate them
sharing their culture and beliefs with us to
Matter Of Education
Love of Israel
overcomes any
uncomfortable
moments.
Christian member to protect the bus
with sprinklings of Jesus' blood, it was
clear the common ground was a love
for Israel and a desire for its continued
existence.
"It was their way of being genuine,"
said Eugene Driker of Detroit. "I was
moved and not offended by it. They
are very genuine people who came to
Keri Guten Cohen
religion in a far different way than I did.
Story Development Editor
Judaism is very important to me in a
cultural, nationalistic, family
istorically, there
and community way, more
has been hesitance
among Jews to
so than religiously.
"At Peres' residence for
come together with evangelical
the awards, a woman from
Christians, even though they
show strong support for the
the American Embassy said
Israel needs all the friends it
State of Israel.
can get," said Driker. "That's
Trepidation comes from
Tony
Eugene Driker
evangelicals' strong belief that
how I felt about it. These are
they should "save Jewish souls" before
people who admire Israel and find it an
inspiration in a different way from me,
the "end of days."
and I'm willing to accept it as it is. It's
Jews who elected to go on this
comforting we have people interested in
groundbreaking mission had faith that
Israel who are not American Jews."
the Christian support for Israel was
Twice Pastor Glenn Plummer of FIBA
worth exploring on a one-on-one basis.
(Fellowship of Israel and Black America)
They were not wrong.
reiterated to the group that proselytiz-
Though some of these Jews may have
winced at a daily prayer or two said in
ing was not the goal, but that each per-
Jesus' name or a sincere wish by one
son should feel free to express personal
H
1:
New friends: Vivian Dykes, Vivian Henoch, Francine Wunder and Marilyn Castro
bring understanding!'
After a moment of silent prayer on the
boat on the Sea of Galilee, Gibson, who
became a spiritual presence on the trip,
was moved to speak.
"God chose the Jewish people to reveal
himself;' he said. "I still marvel at tradi-
tions that continue after thousands of
years. Certain prayers said certain ways
— that's how it's supposed to be: solid,
sure and constant over the ages to declare
the only true and living God.
"That's one reason this land is so special
to me. It's a testament to these people who
are still working for peace. We owe you
a dept of gratitude. We love you Jewish
emotions and feelings.
On the bus, he recounted a conversa-
tion with FIBA's vice president Linda
Olmert of Ra'anana, who wanted him to
meet a black friend who had converted to
Judaism. She made sure to let him know
that his conversion was not her goal.
"I thought it was precious and cute,
but it ain't gonna happen," he said. "I
know who I am in the Lord."
And so do the Jews on the mission,
though they come from many levels of
observance.
"It's not about color of skin or reli-
gion," said Tony Keeling of
Westland at the group's last
dinner together. "We are all
human beings. We may dis-
agree, but we are coming
together because of what we
agree on. We are no longer the
same because of this trip."
Keeling
Attorney Ken Neuman, who
serves on the boards of the Jewish
Community Relations Council and FIBA,
said, "The dream is to see if Jews and
black evangelicals coming together
could be a reality. If this trip is an indica-
tion, the sky's the limit."
Back in Detroit, JCRC director Robert
Cohen sees any uncomfortable moments
as a "matter of education."
"The relationships built on this trip
people. I am privileged to pray for peace of
the Jews!"
Keeling's husband, Tony, agrees. "I know
Jews are the Chosen People. Through bap-
tism, we are made Jews in spirit. Now we're
chosen, and we can stand side by side now"
"It's very touching and fabulous to share
in their experience," said Ken Neuman of
Bloomfield Township, a member of the
JCRC and FIBA boards. "I toured Israel
with a buddy after law school on our own.
Going with this group and its leaders, with
so much knowledge, is like a 24-hour his-
tory lesson. It's an incredibly educating
Holy Land Ties on page A14
Ken Neuman an
Micki Grossman
r.
through trust, honesty and advocacy will
enable us to have those conversations
about the moments we felt uncomfort-
able, and I feel they will have an 'Aha!'
moment if they listen to us," he said.
Already alliances are surfacing.
Plummer spoke to a recent JCRC board
meeting about the trip and future
work together. JCRC volunteer Micki
Grossman of Farmington Hills recruited
Randy Harris of Detroit to come with
her to tutor young children at a Detroit
elementary school. And several Jewish
group members contributed photos so
Vivian Dykes of Redford could do a slide
presentation on the trip for her church.
A reunion is being planned.
"There are differences with the two
groups and we have some work to do,"
said Allan Gale, JCRC associate director.
"When you build relationships, it's not
always smooth. When we see potential,
we roll up our sleeves and work at it." ri
February 21 • 2008
A13