By lbert J. McCarn
It’s ironic that people who should be allies often do not connect until adversity throws them together. Jews and Christians, for example, should get along on the basis of shared reverence for the God of Israel and the Hebrew scriptures. The history of Jewish-Christian relations, however, has more often been combative rather than cooperative.
Jewish-Christian panel at the Israel Conference addresses action points for combating antisemitism in Canada, May 7, 2025. From left to right: Jodi Green and Rev. Adam Gabelli, facilitators, CCI Network of Jews and Christians; Rabbi Idan Scher, Congregation Machzikei Hadas; Rabbi Erin Polansky, Congregation Beth Israel; Ali Siadatan, Tafsik; Maj. Gen. (Ret) Ed Fitch, Canadian Army; Melodie Greyeyes, Indigenous Embassy, CMJ Canada.
Is that trend changing? Many Christians and Jews hope so, as indicated recently in Ottawa, Canada. Over 200 Christians from across Canada convened in the national capital city on May 6-7, 2025, to meet with Jewish counterparts at the first annual Israel Conference for the purpose of confronting antisemitism in Canada. Sponsors of the conference included Canada’s National House of Prayer (NHOP), the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Canada Celebrates Israel (CCI), Tafsik Organization, Tikkun Ministries Canada, Return Ministries, Messianic Jewish Alliance of Canada, and Global Awakening Canada. BYNA was represented by Elders Michail and Melanie Bantseev and Admin Council members Al McCarn and David Altman.
The conference began with a prayer meeting at Peace Tower Church facilitated by Brad Fidler of NHOP. The first prayer point was repentance for replacement theology and Christian inaction toward the Jewish community. From there, the prayer focus shifted toward waking up Israel’s watchmen so that the Spirit of Truth would come upon the church regarding Israel. The prayer time ended with intercession regarding the One New Man, a manifestation of which if Christian assistance to Jews making Aliyah (returning home to Israel). The pattern for the evening was worship followed by a short presentation on each prayer point, then prayer in small groups of two to five. The meeting closed with prayers over the pastors and rabbis in attendance.
Prayers for pastors at rabbis at the Israel Conference, Peace Tower Church, Ottawa, May 6, 2025.”
Wednesday, May 6, began with a gathering at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC) for breakfast and special presentations about antisemitism and Christian support for the Jewish community. The Honourable Stockwell Day, former Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister, spoke about the lessons of October 7, 2023, noting that those who suffered so brutally in the Hamas-led attacks were targets simply because they were Jews – just like the multitudes of Jews who have been persecuted and killed throughout history. He was followed by Richard Marceau, former MP and current Vice President for External Affairs of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). He explained that Jews in Canada comprise about 1% of the population, but are victims of over 70% of the hate crimes. This is not simply a Jewish problem because Canada and Canadian values are at risk. Antisemitism, he said, is a symptom of the decline of Western Civilization.
These presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring Rabbi Idan Scher of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa; Rabbi Erin Polansky of Congregation Beth Israel, Kingston, ON; Major General (Ret) Ed Ritch, Canadian Army; Ali Siadatan of Tafsik, and Melodie Greyeyes of the Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People (CMJ)-Canada.
The Jewish panel members shared personal examples of the impact of antisemitism on their families and communities. Rabbi Scher related that his son for a time would not wear his kippa to school because of bullying. He also noted that he had processed more applications for Aliyah since the attacks of October 7 than at any time before that. Rabbi Polansky thanked the Christian community for their prayers and expressions of support, and asked that Christians be more proactive, perhaps by running for local school board or other political offices where they can influence legislation and local policy. Maj. Gen. Fitch related that he had grown up under the “protective umbrella of the Holocaust,” in which the world was still horrified at what had happened to the Jewish people of Europe, but that umbrella no longer functions as it once did. That is why he has determined to focus on the silent majority of people who are sympathetic to Israel and the Jewish people and help them become allies of the Jews.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian community, Melodie Greyeyes emphasized that Indigenous believers of Canada must be part of this ministry, along with every other segment of the church. Ali Siadatan, an Iranian-born Christian activist, exhorted the audience to action with his assertion that the battle for the Middle East has come to Canada.
During the afternoon, the Peace Tower Church was once again the venue for a seminar on how to pray for Israel, led by Brad Fidler and featuring teachings by Dean Bye of Return Ministries and Tim Heikoop of the Altar of Prayer. Their powerful presentations from Romans 11, John 17, Isaiah 49, and Isaiah 14 emphasized the role of Christians as adopted members of Israel’s Commonwealth and grafted in branches of the olive tree of Israel to serve the Jewish people (the natural branches) and in that way please the heart of our Heavenly Father and our Jewish Messiah.
The conference concluded with a rally at Kehillat Beth Israel (KBI) to hear from Stockwell Day and Yifah Mivtach-Greenvald, First Secretary of Public Diplomacy for the Embassy of Israel in Canada. Their messages emphasized the importance of and appreciation for Christian support for the Jewish community. The rally ended with prayers for Israel, including the return of all the hostages still held in Gaza, led by Cantor Jason Green of KBI.
Canada’s Israel Conference happened at just the right time. The fact that it took place as a Jewish-Christian event, in both Jewish and Christian spaces, indicates the level of trust that is building between these two faith communities. One might ask why this did not happen before the escalation of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment and actions in Canada and around the world. Perhaps it could not have happened earlier. Now, however, as both Jews and Christians are targeted for their belief in the God of Israel and expectation of His final redemption of Israel and the nations, it is time to build lasting relationships based on mutual respect and our shared Judeo-Christian values.
