Did you hear the one about the pastor and the rabbi?
Maybe you didnt, but last Sunday some 3,000 lovers of Israel did. At Faith Bible Chapels 31st annual Israel Awareness Day, a spirited throng witnessed a heartfelt display of friendship between evangelical Christian supporter of Israel Pastor John Hagee and Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, both of San Antonio. Both religious leaders are credited with establishing the first A Night to Honor Israel in 1981.
Pastor Hagee approached the San Antonio Jewish community. The idea was met with some trepidation and mistrust. The Orthodox Rabbi Scheinberg pressed the hesitant Jewish community into taking a chance and extending its hand toward friendship.
Since that moment not only have the Jewish and pro-Israel Christian communities grown closer, but the unlikely bond between Pastor Hagee and Rabbi Scheinberg has blossomed into a beautiful friendship that culminated Sunday evening in Denver when the pastor lovingly presented the rabbi with the Defender of Zion Award.
