Dear Friends,

Did you know that the American holiday of Thanksgiving has its roots in the Jewish tradition of thankfulness to God for provision, specifically for the harvest? It does! The practice of giving thanks in what was to become America was initiated by the Pilgrims, who adopted the custom directly from the biblical festival of Sukkot - the celebration of the fall harvest. As serious Bible students, they likened their journey to the New World in search of religious freedom to the travels of the Israelites through the wilderness after leaving Egypt, and their arrival in a new land to the Israelites' entrance into the land of Canaan. Therefore, it was natural for them to make the biblical holiday an appropriate example for their celebration of thanksgiving for the fall harvest in the New World.

The influence of Israel's story on America began with the Pilgrims but it didn't end there. Rather, it continued to play an important role in the thinking of America's founding fathers. One of the initial designs for the official Seal of the United States, which was submitted by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, depicted the Israelites crossing the Red Sea with Pharaoh in pursuit. The proposed motto for the newly formed country of America was to have been: "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." As we know, another seal and motto were chosen instead. But the fact that such a scene was even considered demonstrates the significance of Israel's history in the minds of America's first leaders.

American Christian support for the millennia-old aspirations of the Jewish people to return to their ancient homeland also dates back to the colonial period, as demonstrated through the words of John Adams: "I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation for, as I believe, the most enlightened men of it have participated in the amelioration of the philosophy of the age." His belief was further demonstrated when, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson, he wrote, "I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation." John Adams' son, John Quincy Adams, wrote to Major Mordecai Manuel Noah (the most important Jewish lay leader in New York in the early 19th century) that he too believed in the "rebuilding of Judea as an independent nation."

Since the time of the Founding Fathers, America has had president after president who have recognized Israel's and America's shared values and demonstrated their belief in, and commitment to, Israel's right to exist.

This brief survey of American history merely scratches the surface of an even more extensive history of Christian support for the Jewish State, built on a historic and theological foundation as old as Christianity itself. This Thanksgiving, as we thank God for family, friends, and provision, let us also be thankful for the privileged opportunity we have to remain more steadfast than ever in our support of Israel and the Jewish people! 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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GOOD NEWS from the PARTNERSHIP!

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The Partnership of Christians and Jews is thankful for the addition of two highly qualified colleagues, both of whom started full time with the Partnership this month!

David Orenstein has been a CAMERA Senior Research Analyst since July 2021. He is already strengthening the work of the Partnership through his excellent research and writing capabilities. Prior to working at CAMERA, his academic career equipped him with an impressive depth and breadth of knowledge about Christian Zionism and Jewish-Christian relations. David holds a Ph.D. in the History of Judaism from Duke University and his doctoral dissertation dealt with the subject of contemporary scholarly reformulations of Christian Zionism. In one of many academic endeavors related to Christian Zionism, David presented “Rooting Christian Zionism in Scriptural and Scholarly Soil: A Response to Christian Anti-Zionism” at Indiana University’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism’s Conference titled "Antisemitism in Today’s America: Manifestations, Causes, and Consequences."

David also has meaningful experience with Christians, both in Israel and the US, which has equipped him for building bridges between Jews and Christians. The combination of his experience at CAMERA and academic background has prepared David to be an effective analyst of all efforts to delegitimize or demonize Christian support of Israel and the Jewish people, as well as antisemitism and anti-Zionism that originates within the Christian world. David can be reached at dorenstein@camera.org. 
 
AJ Rodriguez joins the Partnership as a Christian Outreach & Research Analyst. He is working from Tulsa, OK, where he is making strategic contacts with pastors, churches and Christian organizations to create opportunities for educational events and the use of resources from CAMERA and the Partnership. He has extensive experience and proven effectiveness speaking to groups of all sizes and is an important addition to CAMERA's outreach to the Christian world. AJ is also an accomplished researcher, analyst and writer and will add to the Partnership's ability to monitor Christian media and denominational meetings in the US to expose and refute Christian antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

AJ holds a B.A. in International Relations from Oral Roberts University and is completing his M.A. in Global Affairs at the University of Oklahoma. While a student at ORU, he was a CAMERA fellow and president of ORU United for Israel.  AJ brings a strong background in policy research and governmental affairs, with experience in congressional offices on Capitol Hill, at AIPAC’s Policy and Government Affairs Department, and in leadership roles focused on strengthening pro-Israel engagement within Christian communities. He brings a strong commitment to advancing the Partnership’s mission through well-grounded research, informed analysis, and strategic outreach. AJ can be reached at aj@camera.org.