Friendships that Mean Something : Israeli-Christian Cultural and Social organizations

By Tom Brennan

Since its founding in 1948 a host of people who sympathized with the Diaspora of Israel have supported the Nation in many ways. Although the media has reported an increase in boycotts by academics and some international groups, support has been steady in many quarters. Two organizations stand out as vocal, financial and proactive supporters’ of Israel’s right to exist maintain its borders and have an undivided Jerusalem as its capital. Many American Evangelicals and people of conscience in other groups with international chapters have been unwavering in their visible and vocal backing of The Land.

Feast of Tabernacles – Photo by Ian Norton

In the United States, Christians United for Israel maintains a constant stream of responses to threats to Israel, even when official diplomatic declarations about issues are considered negative. Lobbying with the Congress and State Department, these people of conscience number among them influential individuals whose voices will be heard above the chatter of media “personalities” and commentators and celebrities. Long ago relationships were forged on the basis of faith that is unshakeable by waves and shifts in popularity. These are the veterans of many campaigns and have these relationships have withstood the tests of time and risk.

One of the more disturbing occurrences of late was the intended boycott of Israel by an organization of academics. A response by supporters in America deterred the furthering of this successfully. Over the years Christians have learned that turning the “other cheek” does not mean passivity but rather an appropriate response, a thoughtful one delivered with firmness. Telling Israel’s story and getting a fair hearing has become more of a task in today’s slanted media. The ability to use social media, internet sources and place an effective spokesman in touch with message delivery systems has helped deter much damage and fact check many distortions and outright lies.CUFI has many pastors, leaders and persons of influence as spokesmen and women. There are active campus chapters as well.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem supports Israel directly from its headquarters in Jerusalem and has representatives in virtually all countries which have some type of relationship, formal or informal with Israel. The ICEJ supports charitable events and funds groups within The Land, organizes tours and promotes general tourism and has a wide variety of media and internet resources.

Israel is a home to many denominations which have churches in The Land. The men and women who care for these houses of worship number in the thousands and come here from many homelands. They all share a common place of origin for their faith: here in Israel. Many of the priests, nuns, monks and ministers are citizens of Israel and are respected and considered equals. Many of Israel’s Christian citizens (161,000 totals) are Arab as well. They maintain their traditions as Bedouin or village dwellers and also they serve in the IDF.

Very often the friendships that mean something begin as personal and then extend far beyond. Obed Shimoni is an extremely talented horseman. He rides and shows in the ancient art of dressage. Briefly, dressage is the descendant of the drills and training that the cavalry men did with their horses to prepare them for battle in ancient times. A horse was a comrade in battle. It was expected not only to carry its warrior into battle but to fight as well. Kicks, strikes, turns and jumps were weapons to disable an enemy or his horse. These maneuvers were taught and practiced until the two were ready to take their place in the battle line. Those who have seen the historic Spanish Riding School’s Lippizaners have looked back in history to those practices. Today’s dressage riders and their magnificent horses, performing exacting maneuvers and gait changes are their descendants. Shimoni’s reputation and record of success is a statement of dedication and talent.

Israel has fielded an equestrian team within the European Federation for some time but not under Israel’s own flag. For the first time, Israel will compete in the 2016 games as an Israeli team. Shimoni was sponsored by an American couple who saw talent and supported it in the person of Obed Shimoni. The Cantrells not only supported the Israeli-born horseman but Deborah was doing intense and ground breaking work on the place within the Kingdom of Solomon and his heirs of horses and chariots. Scripture says “trust not in princes nor in horses”, Solomon did and his solitary reign broke down in rebellion, invasion and civil wars after his death. Perhaps his departure from God’s instructions had more than salutary effects. His trust in princes, Pharaoh’s’ daughters and their temples and idols and treaties replaced the sole reliance that had been a condition of success as king. Mrs. Cantrell’s dissertation became a unique book of interest to Bible scholars, teachers, students and horsemen and women alike.

Israel has no proper facility to train horses for Olympic competition as yet. Perhaps the visibility and success of these talented riders will move a supporter or group of them to fund horsemanship to continue and encourage others on the field of excellence. Often what begins and sponsorships of talented athletes, artists and musicians and scientists leads to the investment in many others and the reinvestment dividends are unlimited for all concerned.

The contributions of Israeli persons of talent, many of who were assisted in education and support by those whose belief in Israel and the individual concerned, have been felt worldwide in the form of technological advances, medical discoveries and advances and unique and dramatic artworks. Israel’s complex mix of cultures and capabilities under one flag has assembled a rich talent pool of people ready to flourish and return benefits many times over. After almost 2,000 year of dispersal the 1948 birth of Israel began a celebration of a people that goes on and continues. Friendships that mean something run deep in Israel and endure.