Last month, I attended the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Summit. The event was a powerful demonstration of solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people, bringing together thousands of supporters from diverse backgrounds.
From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of support for Israel. Attendees proudly displayed their solidarity through various means, including Bring Them Home Now dog tags, yellow ribbon pins, and apparel bearing messages such as Proud Friend and I Stand with Israel.
The summit featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists, including Lt. Col. (IDF ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Dr. Sheila Nazarian, and Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Israel Today speaker. These experts addressed issues such as the fight against rising antisemitism, media bias, the importance of American engagement, and the hope for a new era.
One of the most moving aspects of the conference was hearing from the families of Israeli hostages Romni Goren, Or Levy, and Omer Neutra. They shared their heartbreaking stories, putting a human face to the ongoing crisis.
Being at the CUFI conference, surrounded by 3,000 Christians and Jews from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and races – all with one common goal of making their support for Israel known and heard – felt like a beacon of light during this dark time. Seeing so many people who understood that you don’t have to be Jewish or Israeli to fight for what is right was incredibly uplifting and inspiring.
For many Jews worldwide, including myself, life has irrevocably changed since October 7th. The shift in our collective consciousness is tangible and affects all aspects of our lives. While we continue to grapple with the harsh realities of war and global antisemitism, we have also found strength in our values, unity, and connection to Judaism and Israel.
The CUFI Summit exemplified the power of interfaith solidarity and the importance of standing together against hatred and injustice. It reinforced the idea that support for Israel and the Jewish people extends far beyond the Jewish community itself, offering a glimmer of hope in these turbulent times.