People of Faith CT

Two Faiths Join in Display of Love for Israel
by Abbe Smith, New Haven Register
October 22, 2007

WEST HAVEN - Hundreds of Christians and dozens of Jews gathered Sunday night at the Gateway Christian Fellowship church in a show of unity over their common roots and common love of Israel. Attendees of the "Night to Honor Israel," sponsored by Christians United for Israel, waved American and Israeli flags and listened to speakers who called for protecting the homeland and who denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new Hitler of the Middle East.

The Rev. Brian Simmons, pastor of Gateway and state director of CUFI, introduced the many Jewish and Christian leaders present for the event and then asked all of the Jewish people in the audience to stand up.

"Your Christian friends tonight are standing with you in brotherhood," he said, drawing applause.

Roz Rothstein, national director of the Israeli advocacy group Stand With Us and the daughter of Holocaust survivors, criticized Hamas and said now is a critical time to stand up for Israel as violent attacks continue to plague the country.

"I am outraged and concerned that Nazi-type training of children is still going on in Palestinian territory," she said.

Outside the event, which included heavy security, a group of nine protestors held signs criticizing CUFI as extremist and calling for an end to the war in Iraq.

"We are opposed to this group CUFI because they literally want massive war in the Middle East as part of their religious ideas," said Stanley Heller, head of the Middle East Crisis Committee.

"They are trying to get us into war with Iran," he added.

Several speakers at the event compared Iran's president to Hitler and warned of his hatred of Israel.

Frank O'Gorman of People of Faith held a sign that read: "Christian fundamentalism supports U.S.-Israeli terrorism."

"As a Christian, Jesus challenged us to liberate the oppressed and be peacemakers in the world. The Christian fundamentalism of this church is diametrically opposed to that message," he said.

The protestors drew honks of support and shouts of opposition. One woman yelled at the protestors, calling them cowards, and was escorted away by police.

Those who attended the event drove past the protestors and were greeted at the door by ushers handing them American and Israeli flags.

Woodridge resident Dora Verlezza said she came to "help Israel."

"As a Christian, Jesus was a Jew," she said, adding: "We have to help."

Mike Romeo, who is Jewish and lives in West Haven, also came to support Israel. He called the crisis in the Middle East a battle between good and evil.

"The evil ones are those who strap bombs to their children and try to kill the innocent," he said.

Much of the night focused on a new push to set aside differences and grow a friendship between Jews and Christians. Rabbi Eric Silver of Temple Beth David in Cheshire read a prayer at the start of the event.

"We call ourselves by different names - Christians and Jews. These are just names for your children," he said.

"Bless the land of Israel and make her safe," he added.