Jews make up just 0.2% of the world’s population. For all the conspiracy theories about Jewish power, the real power in the United States lies with Evangelical Christians. I’ve only recently reluctantly admitted to myself that to get anything done, a partnership with them is necessary. This is the major takeaway from most of my interviews as I research my upcoming book, From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.
Does it bother me that their support for Israel is part of some apocalyptic prophecy? Yes. Do I have a problem with their coopting of Jewish rituals and “Christianizing” them? Absolutely. But they’re not in the streets screaming for our genocide, so that’s something.
Could alliances with Evangelicals just prove to the left wing that we’re the enemy? Left-wing antisemites already believe Zionism is a right-wing, white supremacist movement despite its socialist roots, and that perception isn’t going away. Antisemitism has little to do with Jewish behavior. Meanwhile, I'm all in favor of getting things done that align with our interests.
This is a major turnaround for me and not one that came easily. I spent my early elementary school years in Augusta, Georgia, where classmates would tell me, “My daddy says Jews killed Christ.” My first real experiences with antisemitism were with the Christian variety. My family was targeted. You can read more about my experiences in this piece I wrote for The Forward about five years ago.
Fast-forward half a century later, Georgia is helping to lead the way in Jewish-Christian cooperation to get real things done. That’s where Esther Panitch, a Jewish state representative, enters the story.
In January, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 30, which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This bill, co-sponsored by Panitch and Rep John Carson, a Christian, received strong bipartisan support, passing the House 129-5 and the Senate 44-6. The adoption of the IHRA definition is significant as it provides a comprehensive framework to identify and address antisemitism, helping to protect Jewish communities from discrimination and hate crimes. This definition includes examples of antisemitic behaviors, making it a crucial tool for law enforcement and educational institutions in understanding and combating antisemitism effectively. You can read more about the IHRA definition here. And, no, it does not outlaw criticism of Israel, as its detractors claim.
In our interview for my book, Panitch highlighted the need to speak to people "where they are" and explain the bill's significance through a Christian lens. This approach helped pass the bill in the Georgia House.
In this current crisis, we need to rethink our alliances since the old ones have broken down. We are not Democrats or Republicans, conservative or liberal. In the end, we are Jews—a people apart—and we must do what it takes to survive.
"I wish we were as powerful as they say we are, but we're not,” Panitch told me. “So we need to bring in like-minded people of all faiths to understand what we're dealing with." She recounted a significant event last year when Nazis marched in Macon, and then the next day, they came up to East Cobb. Panitch noted that neighborhood churches organized the community responses.
"One of our rabbis mentioned that this was the first time Jews didn't have to plan their own response. It really meant something because it showed that they got it and wanted to help. It wasn't just the pastors or leadership; it was moms in the churches saying, 'We're not going to be okay with this. We need to stand with our Jewish friends and neighbors.'"
Panitch worked to educate both Jewish and non-Jewish communities about the importance of this bill. Panitch partnered with Christian groups like Christians United for Israel (CUFI) to advocate for the bill. She spoke at churches to explain the importance of supporting the Jewish community. She emphasized the need to speak to people "where they are" and explain the bill's significance through a Christian lens to influence Christian politicians.
One of Panitch's key strategies was to educate Christian groups on why the bill mattered to the Jewish community.
"If people only understand Israel through a Christian lens, you have to be able to explain to them why it's important to support not just Israel, but the Jewish community as a whole," she said. This effort was crucial in gaining their backing and influencing Christian legislators.
Through this partnership, Panitch was also able to explain to Christians that Jewish Voice for Peace, an ostensibly Jewish organization that opposes these bills in state after state, does not actually speak for the majority of Jews. In a speech on the House floor, Panitch directly compared Jewish Voice for Peace to another extremist group that Christians are familiar with.
“You should all know that 90 to 95 percent of Jews are Zionist; we believe in the right of Jewish self-determination. That is Zionism. The fringe of the fringe don't believe in it and actively work against it. They are essentially the Westboro Baptist Church to Christians."
Frankly, I still cannot believe I’m writing this because if you asked me a year ago whether a Jewish-Evangelical Christian alliance was advisable, I’d have warned that we should not go anywhere near a movement that has historically been antisemitic, but are now outwardly philosemitic—either way, bad news. In this current crisis, we need to rethink our alliances since the old ones have broken down. We are not Democrats or Republicans, conservative or liberal. In the end, we are Jews—a people apart—and we must do what it takes to survive.
My understanding is that not all Evangelical Christians only support Israel because of "apocalyptic prophecy." Many genuinely see the justice of Israel's cause and the shared values of Israel and the US.
Well said! While I used to focus on the worst statements and actions of Evangelicals, my deep experience among them actually reveals that most want to support Israel and Jews, and don't recognize how their beliefs and actions undermine that desire. Most people don't carry their theology to its logical conclusions, and that's a good thing.