We have all witnessed the recent drama of pro-Palestinian and anti-Semitic protests on college campuses. A recent discovery from one protest speaks volumes about the movement as a whole.
In the tent of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at New York University. police Those who cleared the opposition den found signs reading “Death to Israeli Real Estate” and “Death to America.”
surprise. surprise.
Those interested in America’s pious roots as a nation, yes, its Judeo-Christian roots, believe that the principles revealed in the Bible are America’s experiment in its own freedom under God. I know how it’s connected.
In contrast to our nation’s founding, the sentiment held by many young Americans today is “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”
There is a sense in both America and the land of Israel that Jews and Christians are united in the cause of freedom.
I have interviewed Rabbi Daniel Lapin several times for Christian Television. He is the founder and president of the American Jewish and Christian Alliance.
He once said to me: “For the past 2,000 years, no country has provided more havens of peace and prosperity for Jews than the United States, and this is because, not in spite of, Americans are Christians.America’s Bible Belt You might say it’s a safety belt for the Jewish community.”
He added: “Jews need to understand that our safety and security in America depends on the health and vitality of American Christianity.”
Therefore, the very safety of Jews (and others) is at risk when the Christian faith is undermined in America, the rabbis say. That is certainly increasingly borne out in the protests and the rise in anti-Semitic violence we see today.
Recently, as Executive Director of Providence Forum, I had the opportunity to participate in the Faith and Freedom Tour in Philadelphia. Dr. Peter Lilbach, founder of Providence Forum, was our tour guide. Providence Forum is now part of Coral Ridge Ministries, led by Dr. Robert J. Pacienza, host of this memorable weekend.
At one of the places we stopped, Dr. Lilbach highlighted an old synagogue there. Thanks to the Christian attitude of the city’s founder, Quaker minister and lawyer William Penn, people (including Jews) freely practiced their religion in his settlement without harassment. This was unusual at the time.
As Dr. Lilbach said in one of our videos, Penn cared deeply about the rights of conscience, and it shows in the colonies and cities he created in America. “Philadelphia, named after the Bible, founded on brotherhood, freedom founded on the Golden Rule, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington looked at Philadelphia rather than Virginia, where they imposed their views of conscience and religion on others. They say the freedom is extraordinary.
One of the Jews came to Philadelphia nearly a century after Penn supported the American cause in a pivotal way, and for that he should be remembered. Haim Salomon was a highly successful Jewish investor who fled Europe due to anti-Semitic persecution.
“Washington and the Continental Army were actually , there was a permanent lack of financial resources.” Fortunately, a young freedom-loving Jew, Chaim Salomon, was being raised even before the War of Independence began. ”
Thankfully, Scott Powell was able to join our tour and provide information about Salomon to which America is indebted. Powell noted that Salomon was not only an intelligent and successful financier, but also had an “impeccable reputation for integrity.” Perhaps that was an important factor in his success.
Powell writes in his book: “After the war, Haim Salomon’s fundraising and personal loans provided more than $650,000, according to financial records.” [which would translate to a staggering amount of money in today’s dollars] …for Washington and the war effort. ”
One interesting footnote about Haim Salomon is that Haim Salomon was played by the great actor Claude Rains in the 1939 short feature film “Sons of Liberty” made by famed “Casablanca” director Michael Curtiz. That’s it.
Although this film may not be as relevant today, the man named Haim Salomon deserves to be remembered by a whole new generation of Americans.
America was built through the sacrifices of many Christians and Jewish friends like Chaim Salomon, who modern Americans have almost completely forgotten.
So, we fast forward to today and we see modern-day nihilist protesters with mottos like “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.” Indeed, our nation is ripe for a true spiritual revival.
Democrat Jerry Newcomb is the executive director of the Providence Forum, an outreach of Democrat James Kennedy Ministries, where Jerry also serves as senior producer and on-air host. He is the author of “The Sacred Fire of George Washington” (co-authored with Providence Forum founder Dr. Peter Lilbach) and “What if Jesus had never been born?” He has authored/co-authored 33 books, including (in collaboration with Dr. James Kennedy). Read Jerry Newcombe’s report — learn more.
