For the first time in Zionist Rabbinic Conference history, Christian leaders joined a portion of the two-day event’s proceedings to support Israel and oppose antisemitism.
About 70 rabbis, lay leaders and rabbinical students from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition’s fourth annual conference on May 4 and 5 to hear from leading experts and government officials. The ZRC is chaired by Bethesda resident Stuart Weinblatt, the rabbi emeritus of Congregation B’nai Tzedek.
“The ZRC is the only independent collective voice of Zionist rabbis, so the fact that we come together is significant because it helps to fortify us in our efforts and give[s] us ammunition, so to speak, through the sessions that we hold,” Weinblatt said in an interview.
Unique this year is the fact that Weinblatt and the ZRC partnered with about 250 Christian pastors and ministers for a Sunday night program with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
When Weinblatt first announced the ZRC conference date, he was approached by representatives from “several pro-Israel Christian groups,” including Eagles’ Wings and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, who wished to partner for the event and advocacy efforts. The Christian leaders and ministers joined the ZRC’s conference on May 5.
“As a believing Christian, [Johnson] told us about his experience in Israel,” Weinblatt recalled from the event. “He wanted to go and visit the valley where David defeated Goliath, and he spoke very movingly about the trip that he took when he was a brand-new member of Congress. … He spoke about the connection that he felt to the land.”
Booker similarly spoke to his connection to the land of Israel and to the Israeli people.
“Part of it comes from the religious faith that both of these men have, even though they are [of] different parties and different beliefs,” Weinblatt said. “This is something that’s kind of common.”
The solidarity between members of the Christian and Jewish faiths is significant to Weinblatt, something he alluded to in his remarks at the event.
“Throughout Jewish history, there were many times when Jews were persecuted by Christians,” Weinblatt said. “This time, we were being protected by Christians who want to stand with us.”
Attendees heard from students from four different colleges who shared their personal experiences with antisemitism and anti-Zionism, discussing specific incidents carried out by fellow students and professors and how students are responding.
“[Some of the students] came from places where there are considerable Jewish populations and programs,” Weinblatt said. “It’s so surprising to know that even there, students are encountering antisemitism. What was surprising was the illuminating evidence that [antisemitism] is so, so pervasive.”
He added that although anti-Zionist student demonstrations have largely declined as of late, “that doesn’t mean the antisemitism and intimidation has disappeared.”
Following the student panel, Columbia University Professor Shai Davidai, who was outspoken against the pro-Palestinian encampments on campus, and Lee Yaron, the author of “10/7: 100 Human Stories,” shared about how the past 19 months have affected their Jewish identities.
On May 5, Daniel Kochavi, the chief of staff of American Friends of Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, gave a report from the frontlines of Oct. 7, 2023.
Attendees learned about antisemitism in the health community and medical profession with the executive director of the American Jewish Medical Association, and Alyza Lewin of The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law spoke about the latest trend in antisemitism — the “denial of Jewish history and peoplehood,” according to the conference itinerary. The speakers provided the clergy with material information to help them in their work advocating for and supporting Israel, Weinblatt said.
After, attendees took this knowledge to Capitol Hill in another unique feature of this year’s event: lobbying on behalf of Israel. Groups of seven to eight ministers banded together with two to four rabbis to carry out nearly 100 appointments with members of Congress or their staffers. The four advocacy topics were the unequivocal release of the hostages held by Hamas, the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, the dismantling of Hamas as a governing force in Gaza and action and legislation to curb antisemitism, Weinblatt said.
The two-day conference concluded with a reception on the Hill with members of ZRC, Israel Allies Foundation, Combat Antisemitism Movement, American Christian Leaders for Israel, The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem-USA and Eagles’ Wings.
The group heard from speakers including Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the chair of the Committee on Education and the Workforce; and Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, who all helped inform attendees about what’s currently being done to counter antisemitism and anti-Zionism on the governmental level.
“[The annual ZRC conference] is significant because of the access it offers rabbis to leading policymakers,” Weinblatt said. “We had a chance to delve into in depth, to study and learn these important issues.”
Not only was the conference a learning experience for many, it allowed Zionist rabbis to feel a sense of togetherness. Weinblatt said the purpose of the event was “so that rabbis who are supportive of Israel realize that they are not alone, but they are in fact mainstream.”
“The rabbis in attendance came away from our two and a half days in Washington with a greater sense of what needs to be done and what can be done and what we can do to strengthen support for Israel in our communities,” he added.
