When it comes to Evangelical Christianity’s self-professed love for the State and People of Israel, many Jews understandably retain a healthy dose of cynicism. That understandably comes from nearly two millennia of Christian antipathy and violence toward us. With Evangelicals in specific, their heavy emphasis on conversion is anathema to nearly every Jew – secular or otherwise. Others, however, argue that we desperately need friends these days. As Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said a few years ago, “This is no time to say `You’re not our perfect friend.’”

One annual manifestation of Evangelical support is taking place in Jerusalem these days. Among the city’s visitors this Sukkot holiday are some 7,000 Evangelical tourists, according to the JTA Wire Service. They were celebrating the 29th annual Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The event, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, was expected to pump $18 million to $20 million into the economy of the Jewish state.

We must keep an open mind to all this while not letting down our guard. In short, we need more dialogue with Evangelical Christians. In doing so, we will learn – mirroring our community – that the Evangelicals are split on how to deal with Jews and Judaism. Some wings continue to single us out for proselytizing; others willingly supplant that to the proverbial back burner, freeing themselves to forge partnerships with us on issues such environmental concerns. Such diversity should not be surprising; there are an estimated 60 million and 80 million Evangelical Christians in this country alone. They are no more of one mind than are some 6 million American Jews.

The process of interfaith dialogue with other Christian groups, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, has brought profound rewards. Likewise with Protestant sects, despite some recent pushes for divestment in companies doing business with Israel – which other Protestants rose up against.
Mainly, in a world where hostile forces seek more than our souls, we need more talk and less preconceived notions.