November 01, 2007

Jews, evangelicals join for peace rally
By Jim Haug- Staff Writer
News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- Sunday marks the sixth annual Peace for Israel rally, an event organized by Jews and evangelical Christians that former skeptics have come to embrace. This year's rally begins 6 p.m. Sunday at Peabody Auditorium.

"I was not a proponent in the past but I have come around," said Rabbi Barry Altman of Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach. "I have had a change of heart." In the past, Altman wondered if the rally had a social agenda but has decided that "life is much more than (politics)," he said. The rabbi has told other Jews they should not have preconceptions "if we don't want preconceptions about us." He said he liked the Christian organizers. "They are talking about love and brotherhood. They don't proselytize."

The Rev. John Jeyaseelan of Bethel Ministries in Daytona Beach said the rally is "not a political event, but a spiritual event." Jeyaseelan said the Bible teaches that if there "is peace in Jerusalem, there will be peace in the world." Research by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that evangelical Christians were more likely to support Israel than other religious groups besides Jews.

Almost 60 percent of white evangelicals believe Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Mainline Protestants and Catholics are less likely to "see a religious dimension to the establishment of Israel." The 2006 survey also found that one in three Americans believe Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy about the second coming of Jesus.
jim.haug@news-jrnl.com