Jews and Christians in LA & NY Join in Songs of Unity
Through the years we have seen many beautiful collaborative efforts take place between Jews and Christians, as we have stood together for the peace of Jerusalem. Just days ago, two new and heartfelt songs were released as Jews and Christians, impacted by the ministry of Eagles’ Wings, joined efforts to sing the songs of Zion.
The genesis of the first musical number began in June 2019, when Bishop Robert Stearns was invited to bring a group of pastors to visit Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan the day before the annual “Salute to Israel” parade down Fifth Avenue.
One of the pastors who joined us at the congregation that morning was Freddy Washington, Jr, who we brought to Israel through the generosity of our partners. After this event, Freddy – who is an internationally recognized Christian composer, recording artist, and singer – began to work on a musical collaboration with congregation’s Chazan, Chaim Dovid Berson, and created the song “Prayer for Jerusalem” which premiered at the KJ Virtual Dinner. This inspiring song reminds us that the city of Jerusalem is a place, as the Book of Psalms describes it, that brings the hearts of many together as one.
“Prayer for Jerusalem”
by Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson & Pastor Freddy Washington, Jr.
The second song recording came about through the relationship between two synagogues and one church in Los Angeles, a relationship cultivated by Eagles’ Wings initiatives. Rabbi Erez Sherman of Sinai Temple and Jacqueline Rafii of Shomrei Torah Synagogue, in partnership with Pastor John Paul Foster and Chris Cave of Faithful Central Bible Church, composed a united tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., known as “Illumine our Lives”, which debuted on MLK Day on January 18 and featured a virtual choir as part of the beautiful composition.
Like Freddy Washington, Pastor John Paul Foster was a part of one of our Israel pastors’ trips, which was a catalyst for deeper relationships with the Jewish community.
“Illumine Our Lives”
Composed by Rabbi Erez Sherman and Cantor Jacqueline Rafii
in partnership with Faithful Central Bible Church
We are thankful for the fruit of these relationships and anticipate that these stories of friendship and unity between our communities are only the beginning of many more to come!
