Staff photo by Keri Guten Cohen

Genesis 12:3 is a key reading: Here God
declares He will bless those who bless the
nation of Israel and curse those who curse
Israel. The declaration is that simple and
that clear for the evangelicals. And it's that
real.
At one point, after some particularly
moving moments for the evangelicals,
Plummer stood before the group to say
the Christians were not here to proselytize
their Jewish friends, but to share the land
of Israel with them. He urged people to be
themselves, to feel what they were feeling
without judgment.
It was a good reminder, allowing all to
feel comfortable.
Friendships developed naturally.
Individuals began changing their seats at
meals or on the bus to get a chance to talk
with everyone. People who were strangers a
few days earlier began drifting off in pairs
or little groups to explore a bit. Hugs were
doled out regularly and genuine affection
was apparent. Well before the departure
date, people started asking for a roster with
e-mail addresses and plans were percolat-
ing for a reunion back home.

Graffiti on
the security

"The goal of this mission is to go to
Israel and celebrate its 60th anniversary
year and also to build stronger relations
with Christians who support Israel — and
they are a large untapped source of sup-
port in the U.S.," said JCRC's president
Todd Mendel of Birmingham. "We have
suspicions about them and we clearly dif-
fer on domestic issues and other issues;
but regarding support for Israel, we're very
much on the same page.
"The Jewish community should feel
confident in who we are and shouldn't run
away from a group because of differing
views on some issues. People don't always
agree. And we find such solid common
ground on Israel.
"Back home we will continue to work
with Pastor Plummer as leader of FIBA
to outreach to other Christian groups in a
real concrete way. That visible support for
Israel can be contagious.
"This is a rare trip; there aren't many
joint Jewish-Christian missions. We
learned a lot about each other. We could
be planting seeds today that make a big
difference:" ❑

fence inside

Bethlehem in

the West Bank.

Please join us on the 60th anniversary of Israel's Independence Day for a Gala Celebration featuring...

AT

WITH

THE DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ISRAELI SINGING SENSATION

N OA

THE MAX M. FISHER MUSIC CENTER

INCLUDING THE DEBUT OF A SHORT FILM BY ACADEMY AWARD' WINNING FILM MAKER SUE MARX

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Max M. Fisher Music Center • 3711 Woodward Avenue • Detroit

Tickets from $18.00
$500 Patron Ticket includes: Valet Parking and Pre-Glow

Israel sixty

To purchase tickets contact the Max M. Fisher Music Center Box Office (313) 576-5111
or online at www.detroitsymphony.com

1948 — 2008

Celebrate at a post concert party in The Music Box sponsored by Federation's Young, Adult Division

Questions? Contact Dale Alpert Rubin at (248) 203 1520 or rubin@jfmd.org

-

With support from

I 1 1 p y Jewish

tion
;;MSC rviaMF1Sher powered by I1 F.:9 of Federa
Metropolitan Detroit

M. &

jorie S. Fisher Foundation

1323160

February 21 • 2008

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