Updated and corrected on Oct. 21
Story by Miriam Gershenson; Photos by Albert Kreimerman
LA JOLLA, California – An inspiring event organized by the Christians & Jews Alliance (CAJA) along with a slew of sponsor organizations, titled “Christians & Jews United For Israel & Against Antisemitism” was held Sunday, Oct. 20. The gathering brought together community members, local politicians, religious leaders, and artists, all united by the shared goal of combating antisemitism, supporting Israel, and fostering strong bonds between Christians and Jews.
Everything was very well organized from easy parking, to quickly going through security. It was advertised that the event will be a standing one, many people brought picnic blankets to settle on the grass at the Lawrence Family JCC field. People were draped in flags or wearing blue and white clothing. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful event. As my husband and I found our spot, we were honored when Bill Wells, Mayor of El Cajon, came up to us to introduce himself and shake hands. We spoke about his amazing debate a couple of weeks ago against Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.
The event featured a powerful lineup of speakers, including Wells, County Assessor Jordan Marks, and other notable political figures like Congressman Darrell Issa; John Franklin, Mayor of Vista; and Kevin Faulconer, former Mayor of San Diego, now running for county supervisor against Terra Lawson-Remer. They all delivered impassioned speeches in defense of Israel and the Jewish people. Their addresses emphasized the importance of standing against antisemitism in all its forms and reaffirmed their commitment to the cause. They later joined the stage again for a panel discussion each responding reaffirming what was said in the speeches.
Three Chabad Rabbis participated in the program: Rabbi Moshe Leider of Chabad of University City; Rabbi Yossi Tiefernbrun of Chabad of Pacific Beach; and Rabbi Mendel Polichenco of Chabad of Carmel Valley.
The event was also marked by stirring performances from singers such as Montana Tucker (who I have followed on social media and admire very much), Carine Basili (you may recognize her for an Arabic version of “October Rain”), Shani Zamir, Ricky Jackson, and Jonathan Valverde whose music brought energy and emotion to the occasion. The performers inspired the audience, with their songs celebrating unity and resilience, complementing the event’s theme of strength in the face of adversity.
A diverse group of religious leaders and social media influencers took the stage, including Hananya Naftali, Shabbos Kestenbaum, and Emmy-winning journalist Stella Escobedo. Their speeches emphasized the growing need for solidarity between Christians and Jews, particularly in these challenging times. Various pastors and rabbis echoed this message, calling for communities to come together in unwavering support of Israel and against the rise of antisemitism globally.
While all the speeches were impactful, one stood out to me. Pastor Miles McPherson, Senior Pastor of The Rock Church, told us how he was in Israel for 12 days. He left on October 7, 2023. He was at the airport as he started getting notifications about rockets coming in. While on the plane, he could see the missiles and told us how his plane had to make a sharp right turn to avoid the bombardment. October 7th was incredibly personal to him because he was there, and he experienced it.
While the event drew a largely supportive audience, a small group of protesters attempted to disrupt the proceedings. However, their efforts were met with humor from the speakers, and they eventually disappeared without making much of an impact. The strength of the event and its clear sense of purpose overshadowed any attempts to detract from its mission.
The resounding message of the event was one of unity. Attendees were called upon to remain steadfast in their support for Israel and to actively combat antisemitism in their communities. The speakers urged participants to strengthen the bonds between Christians and Jews, not just through words but through continuous action. Frankly, what I witnessed today, our Christian brothers and sisters were cheering harder and louder for us than we were. For that, I can’t thank them enough.
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Miriam Gershenson and Albert Kreimerman are wife and husband, respectively freelance writer and freelance photographer.