Peggy Shapiro
September 15, 2009

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest…” Isaiah 62:6-7

Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest American Zionist organization with over 150,000 members, has assumed the duty of being today’s watchmen. Its members are not silent and they do not rest as they pursue multiple channels to support the Jewish state. In addition to weekly email updates and action alerts, individual member pledges to support Israel, sales of Israeli-made products, moving pro-Israel sermons, CUFI is reaching out to millions of American Christians through Nights to Honor Israel, Pastor Luncheons, and A March of Remembrance.

One of the most public demonstrations of support is “A Night to Honor Israel.” There have been over 100 of these lavish events celebrating Israel, its history and its modern achievements, and mobilizing Christians to take action for Israel.  This year, these Nights to Honor Israel have drawn thousands across the nation from including Salt Lake City, Utah, Spring, Texas, Pendleton, Oregon, Mt. Vernon, WA,  Boise, ID, Barnhart, MO, Columbia, MO, Lubbock, TX,  West Texas, Miami, Florida, Lancaster, PA, and more are planned in Seattle, WA, Burlington, VT, Little Rock, AK, San Diego, CA, New York, NY, and Cranford, NJ.

The outpouring of support for the Nights to Honor Israel is possible because local clergy are brought into the Zionist community by CUFI-sponsored Pastors’ Luncheons. Ministers who attend learn how and why Christians are tangibly standing with Israel share the message with their congregants. With the cooperation of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, some pastors take their first trips to Israel and others receive educational packets to prepare them to lead their congregants on trips to the Holy Land.

CUFI also brings the Zionist message to college campuses and takes students on a March of Remembrance, a journey from Poland to Israel. Prior to departing the US, the students met with several educators including Irving Roth, a Holocaust survivor and Director of the Holocaust Resource Center at Temple Judea in Long Island, and JoAnn Magnuson, the U.S. Director of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem. Students like Natalia Martinez, Harvard University, who returned from the most recent March of Remembrance on August 15 developed an understanding of the complexities facing Israel and a commitment to pro-Israel activism. 

The CUFI March of Remembrance Trip has simultaneously been one of the most  disturbing, educational, and faith-affirming experiences I have ever had. I have  walked away from it armed with the knowledge, the first-hand experiences, the  memories, to become a more active advocate in the pro-Israel movement…
Natalia Martinez
Harvard University

Nights to Honor Israel, Pastors’ Luncheons and Marches of Remembrance are only three of many dozens of projects undertaken by CUFI’s tireless watchmen at the walls of Jerusalem. As we Jews prepare for the New Year, assessing our blessings and facing our shortcomings, we remember the watchmen with gratitude.