Rabbi Eric Yoffie doesn't like Pastor John Hagee. That is clear after the president of the Union for Reform Judaism blasted the founder of Christians United for Israel specifically and Christian Zionists generally April 2.
That much of his speech at the Central Conference of American Rabbis convention in Cincinnati was unsurprising. Rabbi Yoffie has long tried to drive a wedge between Christian Zionists and at least Reform Jews, if not all American Jews. At the Reform biennial in Houston in 2005, he spent a portion of his State of the Movement sermon decrying the political ascendancy of the religious right and reminding the world that the left has its religiously motivated activists as well, led by the Reform movement's Religious Action Center.
Having watched Christian Zionists draw ever closer to the Jewish community the past two years, Rabbi Yoffie tried a different tactic. The problem with befriending Christian Zionists, he argued in Cincinnati, isn't their political positions, as repugnant as they may be (he cited their opposition to gay rights and abortion), but their nasty comments about other religions and their wrongheaded positions on the peace process.
Rabbi Yoffie's argument for spurning the friendship offered by Christian Zionists and for avoiding Hagee's Nights to Honor Israel is laughable. It's hard to take seriously the Reform leader's distinction between engagement and dialogue, which he supports with Muslim groups that don't like Israel or Jews, and friendship and alliance, which he opposes with Christian Zionists. What is the point of dialogue if not ultimately to build friendship? And, as a tiny minority in this world, what is more valuable to us - an alliance with people who seek atonement for the anti-Semitic sins of their ancestors, or a dead-end conversation with people who will not condemn the terrorist actions of their co-religionists?
Just to be clear on motives, as Rabbi Yoffie was not, the members of Christians United for Israel, Israel Always and other Christian Zionist groups are not driven by a desire to convert Jews or to bring about the messianic age. They are fervent supporters of Israel - the state and the people - because Genesis tells them to be. If you don't believe them, perhaps the problem is that your belief in an omnipotent God isn't as strong as theirs.
Unlike Rabbi Yoffie, I have attended three Nights to Honor Israel in Cobb County. Hagee spoke via a recorded message in 2007 and in person this year. He did not say one word disparaging Catholics or Muslims, though he warned the crowd to be vigilant against radical Islam and the expansionist exploits of Iran, as well he should.
(Speaking of Catholics, it's a common point of theology along the Protestant-Catholic divide to see the people on the other side of that schism as doomed to hellfire. I'm sure Hagee believes that Catholics have strayed from the true church, just as I'm sure believing Catholics see Hagee the same way. That doesn't mean either side condones applying God's justice in this world; the Christians had more than enough of that during the violence that tore Europe in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.)
Hagee spoke with passion and self-deprecating humor, an approach Rabbi Yoffie could learn from. He left no doubt whatsoever that he and the millions of Americans who back him will never stop doing all they can for Israel, including donating tens of millions of dollars each year.
The Christian Zionists I know are not the demons Rabbi Yoffie would conjure in our nightmares. They are honest, loving people who believe in the Bible. They offer us friendship and give Israel endless support and ask nothing from us in return. They visited the front lines during the Second Lebanon War. They have taken shelter from missiles in northern Israel and from rockets in the western Negev. They trust in God, which perhaps is their biggest sin for some Reform Jews on the political left.
If you doubt their sincerity or want to meet them on our turf, I urge you to attend the Jewish National Fund's free Jack Hirsch Memorial Breakfast of Honor at Ahavath Achim Synagogue at 7:30 a.m. May 8, when the keynote speaker will be Bishop Jim Bolin of Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs. Listen to Bishop Bolin and talk with his church members that morning, then decide for yourself. (Call the JNF office at 404-236-8990 for details.)
Like Hagee, the members of Trinity Chapel will continue to work for Israel with or without us because it's the right thing to do. And Rabbi Yoffie will oppose them, no matter what.
What is most disturbing about Rabbi Yoffie's speech, therefore, isn't his rejection of Christian Zionists, who don't need his approval. Instead, look at his ultimate justification for rejecting them: Their support hurts Israel because of their extremist views on the issue of trading land for peace.
Hagee and most other Christian Zionists oppose dividing Jerusalem and don't support a two-state solution, particularly when the Palestinians have shown no inclination to live in peace with Israel. That's also a typical view among Orthodox Jews, and it's hardly outside the mainstream in America or Israel.
But to Rabbi Yoffie, that's extremist. Where does the administrative leader of one stream of American Judaism get the chutzpah to define the parameters of the Mideast debate for all of us? How long until he rejects Orthodox Zionists as well as Christian ones?
For that matter, if, as Rabbi Yoffie said in Cincinnati, support for abortion rights is fundamental to a proper reading of our tradition, aren't there more than a few Reform Jews whose views put them in danger of being cast out?
Given a choice between the pastor and the rabbi, the Jew in this case might not be better for the Jews.
Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Article comment by:
Emmanuel Hapuarachchi
Israel is the strongest nation on earth because the God who watches over it neither sleeps nor slumbers. Have'nt Israel ever wondered how it won all its wars and continues to survive against all odds. As a CUFI member I know that America is blessed because of Israel and the mercy of our God is upon us because of them. So let us give thanks to God for Israel and continue to bless them.
Posted: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Article comment by:
Fred Hayward
As a Jew, I have been working with CUFI members for several years. I have never had better friends.
They have not only never tried to convert me, but they have encouraged and inspired me to be more JEWISH.
By the way, I am also an activist for "choice" and "gay rights," and these differences have proven irrelevant to their love for me, support for me, and our work together.
It is time that Rabbi Yoffie and his ilk wake up to the threat that Islamofascism and the rise of anti-Semistism pose to our very existence. If Rabbi Yoffie were fleeing the Nazis and were offered refuge by a Christian family, I seriously doubt that his response would be, "Do you support legalized abortion? 'Cause if you don't, I'd rather face the Nazis chasing me than take one step inside your home!"
Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Article comment by:
Sheila Hartsell
It is time for all true Christian believers to wake up. The Bible which is the infallable word of God tells us to support Israel. It is all very clear. We will be blessed if we bless His chosen people. I am afraid American is on the verge of electing a president that will not support Israel. This will be the final nail in our coffin so to speak. God has had his hand on American because we are prophetically linked to Israel. If we now turn our back on them we turn our back on God. May God have mercy on our nation. Praise God for people like Rev. John Hagee who have the guts to stand firm for his beliefs and to give clear direction to other Christians who also believe in Israel. May the Holy Spirit continue to direct CUFI and the Hagee team, supporters and workers for the Kingdom of God.
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008
Article comment by:
Chuck Udell
Michael -
I am politically conservative Reform Jew from Leawood; Kansas (with family in Savannah) who is absolutley embarrased by Rabbi Yoffie's comments. And, I have called CUFI and spoke to a staffer apolizing for them and that his comments do NOT represent my beleifs.
Your article is excellent and very well written. I have heard Pastor Hagee speak and have had the honor of meeting him. He is a true friend of Israel and Jews. I only wish more of our fellow Jews would see that. As you said in today's world we American Jews and Israeli's need all the friends we have.
Best regards,
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008
Article comment by:
francis hanson
My daughter and I have just returned from a trip with CUFI to Israel. In 2002, at the height of terrorist bombings,my husband and I went with our church to Israel to support Israel morally and financially when hardly any Jews would go. Why would we spend thousands of dollars to go there in person? I was also dealing with a newly injured back. Moreover, we have continued to send money to Israel. Our pastors have suffered great loss of church members and thus their financial support but have staunchly stand by their conviction to stand with our Jewish "kin". Actually my ethnic background is Chinese, I am a first generation Christian so I am not doing any of these out of a sense of guilt to repay the sins of my ancestors. I am very naiive. In the past when I came across some Jews I was very happy and was drawn to them like kin but was met with cold reception, I was puzzled. Now after reading your article I am saddened but I learn that some of the Jews hate us although I still don't know why. However my love and appreciation for the Jews are not predicated on how we are are received or perceived. I truly believe the scripture. I love the Jews because God tells me to and because they are our spiritual "fathers" so to speak. A child will respect and honor his father disregard if his father is nice to him or not. I just pray that one day soon as God promised in His Holy Word that He will turn the hearts of the children toward the fathers and the hearts of the fathers toward the children. We love the Jews with all our hearts. We will stand with them and die for them if need be. We will never leave them without help....never again! Sincerely, F.H.
