When I was in my synagogue youth group back in the 1970s, in what used to be called the Bible Belt part of the Midwest, we visited a bunch of churches as a kind of outreach program, and one or two of their groups visited us.
People were generally friendly, but given that Christianity is evangelical, there were bound to be issues. Indeed, …
When I was in my synagogue youth group back in the 1970s, in what used to be called the Bible Belt part of the Midwest, we visited a bunch of churches as a kind of outreach program, and one or two of their groups visited us.
People were generally friendly, but given that Christianity is evangelical, there were bound to be issues. Indeed, after we experienced a service at the big Baptist church, we all went into the activity hall, everyone took a seat, we 10-15 Jews were lined up in front of them, and they handed each of us a book about Jesus. Then there were refreshments and socializing, during which people attempted to make small talk ("So, you think you might start coming to our church?").
Today, it appears that interfaith organizations don't bother trying to experience each others' ceremonial traditions, but focus instead on common SJW causes like gun control, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, LGBT rights, etc.
Given this political partisanship, when my synagogue leadership excitedly announced that we were going to join the local interfaith organization (the membership fee for which was in the tens of thousands of dollars), several of us including an accomplished lawyer objected. The lawyer met with the leadership and explained that such partisanship would threaten the synagogue's 503(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt non-profit.
Consequently, the leadership backed down, and stated in the next newsletter that "some members had objected" and so they were not formally joining the interfaith organization, but that there would be an involvement based on the rabbi's discretionary fund. We'll be watching like a hawk to make sure this remains unofficial and off the books.
I believe that modern day anti-semitism is politically motivated; Jews who are perceived as pro-Zionist, moderate, pro-capitalist, or (God forbid) pro-Trump are anathema, deserving of the very ostracism and cancellation that Jews have suffered for thousands of years.
On the other hand, Jews who clearly demonstrate through words and deeds that they are with the program, are on the Leftist side of the fence, and preferably atheistic, are acceptable. But they can be thrown under the bus at any time, for example if they do not loudly condemn the Zionist occupation whenever possible.
We live in a fresh new era of anti-Semitism and the young generation's detachment from Israel can only make it worse. The exception is those who visit Israel for free courtesy of the Birthright program; many young people I know came back having fallen in love with the place.
When I was in my synagogue youth group back in the 1970s, in what used to be called the Bible Belt part of the Midwest, we visited a bunch of churches as a kind of outreach program, and one or two of their groups visited us.
People were generally friendly, but given that Christianity is evangelical, there were bound to be issues. Indeed, after we experienced a service at the big Baptist church, we all went into the activity hall, everyone took a seat, we 10-15 Jews were lined up in front of them, and they handed each of us a book about Jesus. Then there were refreshments and socializing, during which people attempted to make small talk ("So, you think you might start coming to our church?").
Today, it appears that interfaith organizations don't bother trying to experience each others' ceremonial traditions, but focus instead on common SJW causes like gun control, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, LGBT rights, etc.
Given this political partisanship, when my synagogue leadership excitedly announced that we were going to join the local interfaith organization (the membership fee for which was in the tens of thousands of dollars), several of us including an accomplished lawyer objected. The lawyer met with the leadership and explained that such partisanship would threaten the synagogue's 503(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt non-profit.
Consequently, the leadership backed down, and stated in the next newsletter that "some members had objected" and so they were not formally joining the interfaith organization, but that there would be an involvement based on the rabbi's discretionary fund. We'll be watching like a hawk to make sure this remains unofficial and off the books.
I believe that modern day anti-semitism is politically motivated; Jews who are perceived as pro-Zionist, moderate, pro-capitalist, or (God forbid) pro-Trump are anathema, deserving of the very ostracism and cancellation that Jews have suffered for thousands of years.
On the other hand, Jews who clearly demonstrate through words and deeds that they are with the program, are on the Leftist side of the fence, and preferably atheistic, are acceptable. But they can be thrown under the bus at any time, for example if they do not loudly condemn the Zionist occupation whenever possible.
We live in a fresh new era of anti-Semitism and the young generation's detachment from Israel can only make it worse. The exception is those who visit Israel for free courtesy of the Birthright program; many young people I know came back having fallen in love with the place.
It always amuses me when people complain that upon attending a church, they were pressured to believe in Jesus.