A coalition of more than 500 rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders gathered in Washington, DC, this week as part of the annual Israel Advocacy Day initiative, developed jointly by Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI), the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation to transform interfaith solidarity into coordinated political engagement.
The initiative reflects a growing effort among Jewish and Christian leaders to move beyond statements of support and toward coordinated advocacy on issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, and faith communities across the United States. The delegations held 115 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, engaging senior staff and officials across both sides of the political aisle. The day concluded with remarks from Rep. Don Bacon and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, along with senior staff from House Republican and Democratic offices.
Bishop Robert Stearns, Founder and President of Eagles’ Wings, addresses a crowd of 500 Christian and Jewish leaders (credit: Courtesy of Eagles’ Wings)
“This moment calls on faith leaders and elected officials to transform words into meaningful action,” said Bishop Robert Stearns, Founder and President of Eagles’ Wings. “For years, many have stood with Israel in sentiment. This initiative is about translating that support into tangible engagement – meeting with policymakers, building relationships, and advancing solutions that can be seen, measured, and felt.”
A central and defining element of Israel Advocacy Day is the joint advocacy model, pairing rabbis and pastors in unified delegations, working side by side in meetings with congressional offices. The advocacy agenda focused on three main issues – strengthening US support for Israel, confronting the rise of antisemitism, and protecting faith-based communities.
The initiative included a gala in Washington attended by hundreds of leaders, featuring prominent voices from both communities, including Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America; Rabbi Pini Dunner of the Beverly Hills Synagogue; and senior pastors reflecting the breadth of Jewish-Christian engagement behind the initiative. During the gala, Dr. Susan Michael and Bishop Robert Stearns were presented with the White Rose Society Award, an honor presented to non-Jewish individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to the Jewish community at a time of rising antisemitism.
Leading Rabbis and pastors from over 35 states participate in over 100 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill (credit: Courtesy of Eagles’ Wings)
Bishop Stearns said, “At a time of rising violence against people of faith – especially in the United States – passive concern is no longer enough. We need direct, courageous engagement to confront hatred and harassment. When pastors and rabbis stand together in visible unity, elevating our shared concerns, real change begins, locally and across the nation. And in that unity, we don’t just respond to darkness – we overcome it.”
Dr. Susan Michael, President of ICEJ USA, added, “Our advocacy has much greater impact when we speak with one voice and stand in unity for truth, justice, and goodness. We demonstrate that support for Israel is not just a Jewish issue – it is important to Christians and to tens of millions of Americans.”
Jordanna McMillan, US Director of the Israel Allies Foundation, stated, “As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this July, this moment is about defining what the next chapter of this nation will look like. America must continue to affirm its historic relationship with Israel, and our leaders must protect the religious freedom of every American. We want the Jewish people to know that they will never walk alone. Christians across the country stand united with them against antisemitism.”
Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, noted, “We have been living through a period that feels like a plague. From the October 7 attacks to just this last year – when we experienced the murder of two beautiful young people in DC, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim – and just a month ago, a terrorist attack at one of the largest synagogues in America, this is what we’ve been living through together. But today, in Washington, with Jews and Christians sitting together, holding hands, determined to lift up the light for all the people of the world, the plague has lifted.