10 | DECEMBER 3 • 2020 

I 

was interviewed by a jour-
nalist recently about the phe-
nomena of Christian support 
for Israel. As much as this is 
something that has been central 
in my life for most of my adult 
life, it’s something that most 
don’t understand.
The interview came up in 
light of two 
recent events, but 
needs to be dis-
cussed openly. It’s 
a revolutionary 
phenomenon, 
turning the tide 
on the history of 
Jewish-Christian 
relations since the early church 
1,700 years ago. 
The two catalysts were the 
appointment of Israel’s first 
Bishop, Dr. Glenn Plummer of 
Detroit, representing the larg-
est Black church in the world, 
the Church of God in Christ 
(COGIC), and the airing of a 
documentary on Israeli televi-
sion about Christian support. 
This also came on the heals 
of an incredible Detroit-area 
event in which I had the priv-
ilege to participate virtually, 
the 16th annual “Thank God 
for Israel” event co-sponsored 
by the Friends of Israel Gospel 
Ministry and the Michigan 
Jewish Action Council. 
For most of my career, and 
a significant part of my adult 
life, I have been centrally 
involved in building bridges 
among Christians of all back-
grounds. It’s the raison d’
etre of 
the Genesis 123 Foundation of 
which I have the privilege to 
be president. Together with a 
diverse board, we’ve pioneered 

a variety of programs that bring 
Jews and Christians together, 
building understanding with 
an emphasis on the things that 
unite us: the God of Israel, the 
Land of Israel, the People of 
Israel and the State of Israel.
I was always aware of per-
functory interfaith activities, 
such as model Passover Seders 
and the like. These make people 
feel good, but rarely engendered 
very much substantive per-
sonal or ongoing interaction, 
or genuine relationships. Over 
the decades, as I have spent my 
time building bridges anchored 
in meaningful personal rela-
tionships, I realize that despite 
how far we have come, there’s 
much more to be done. 
Too many Jews believe 
Christian support for Israel 
has a nefarious agenda. This 
was highlighted in the Israeli 
documentary, and in allegations 
about Bishop Plummer (see JN, 
Nov. 12, pg. 28). 
Indeed, Jews and Christians 
have some major theological 
differences. These shouldn’t 
be ignored. But we have much 
more in common, beginning 
from the foundational elements 
of the Torah, and all of Tanach, 
which represents some 80 per-
cent of the Christian bible. 
Yes, maybe there’s an agenda 
among some who don’t sup-
port the growing fellowship 
and healing of a breach that 
started when “the Church” 
defined itself by “replacement 
theology.
” Many, maybe even 
most Christians, don’t know the 
history of “the Church” includ-
ed horrific crimes against the 
Jewish people. For many who 

do understand, there’s a sig-
nificant element of repentance 
involved with their relationship 
with the Jewish people today. 
For most, Jews and 
Christians, there’s a centu-
ries-long breach that takes time 
to bridge. 
While I and many others are 
actively engaged in doing so, 
and we want everyone to see 
and understand things as we do, 
undoing this rift takes time. 
I explain to Christians that 
Jews carry millennia of baggage, 
including horrific persecution 
in the name of “the Church” 
and Jesus. Please give us time. 
Conversely, while aware of 
the phenomena of Christian 
support, most Jews don’t under-
stand, don’t trust or simply don’t 
care. 
Ironically, many Christian 
friends had never heard of 
“replacement theology.
” When 
it’s explained, they shudder in 
horror, disbelief and embar-
rassment that it was ever (and 
still is) prevalent. For many, it’s 
another thing for which they 
feel compelled to repent. 
So, what’s the significance of 
Christian support for Israel and 
why is that important? 
Of course, it’s true that 
financial support is important. 
Christian support positively 
impacts tourism to Israel and 
donations to a wide range of 
nonprofits. The significance of 
these are not to be taken for 
granted. However, personally, 
I hate the objectification of so 
many good Christians who 

are viewed as a faith-based 
ATM, with some just trying to 
get money out with very little 
relationship. This is common 
among too many, Christians 
and Jews, whose nonprofits 
make claims and take advan-
tage. Tourism professionals 
sometimes miss the boat by 
emphasizing the significance of 
tourism for the Israeli economy, 
but not the significance of visit-
ing Israel as a pivotal milestone 
in adding depth and dimension 
to one’s faith. 
Diplomatic and political 
support for Israel is also critical. 
Many are involved in this for-
mally, both among influencers 
in countries around the world 
and on a grassroots level. The 
latter is particularly important 
in democratic countries where 
Christians have influence. Israel 
has many natural resources, 
in addition to its special brain 
power that drives so much of 
the startup nation reality that 
benefits the world. Having too 
many friends has never been 
one of our challenges. When 
Christians support Israel on a 
grassroots level, that trickles up. 
An example of this is the 
recent Global Prayer for Israel 
and Virtual Pilgrimage in which 
thousands participated from all 
around the world. 
The third point that I 
answered the journalist as to the 
significance of Christian sup-
port for Israel is prayer. Most 
Jews and Christians believe 
in God and, in our respective 
ways, the value and importance 

Jonathan 

Feldstein

essay
Why Do Christians 
Support Israel?

VIEWS

A Jew and a 

Christian pass on 

an Israeli street.

KAREN AXELRAD/FLICKR VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

