By Jodi Green

What happens when hundreds of Christian leaders gather in Ottawa to listen, learn, and stand alongside their Jewish neighbours? You get a powerful show of solidarity that seeks not only to pray, but to act.

On May 6 and 7, over 200 Christian allies — including 150 pastors and clergy from across Canada — came together for a two-day Israel Conference to deepen their understanding of how to support Israel and the Jewish community in Canada.

Chris and Marilyn Byberg, founders of the National House of Prayer, conceived the idea for this event as a complement to the annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. When the breakfast was cancelled, the Bybergs pressed forward, believing the moment was too important to let pass. They were right: allies came to Ottawa to pray, to partner, and to learn.

“Many Christians may not fully grasp the challenges our Jewish communities are facing. Even those of us who seek to offer support often don’t fully understand, which is why hearing your stories again and again is so important,” said Marilyn Byberg, explaining why the conference mattered so deeply.

The conference aimed to move Christian allies from the silent majority to the active majority — from prayer to action.

“Prayer is a person-to-G-d-communication. It can strengthen our resolve and reassure us that G-d is standing with us. But reducing Jew-hate requires action, person to person. We encouraged conference participants, with G-d by their side, to actively work to reduce hate for the betterment of all those facing oppression and for all of Canada,” said Jodi Green, Advocacy and Interfaith Relations Specialist at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and a member of the conference planning committee.

The program began at Peace Tower Church with a prayer service that aligned participants' hearts and minds with the conference’s purpose. Through prayer and song, Christian allies reflected on their connection to Israel and the Jewish people.

The next morning, Christian leaders gathered at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC) for breakfast and keynote addresses by the Honourable Stockwell Day, Founder of Stockwell Day Connex and former CIJA board member, and Richard Marceau, Vice President of External Affairs and General Counsel for CIJA.

Following the keynotes was a compelling panel discussion featuring Jewish and Christian leaders on the front lines of combating hate. Speakers included Major-General Ed Fitch (retired), and Melodie Greyeyes, President of The Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People and a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

Their messages were powerful, but it was Rabbi Idan Scher of Congregation Machzikei Hadas whose personal story moved the room. His testimony about the antisemitism he has faced in Ottawa served as a stark reminder of the work still ahead.

In the evening, the full conference reconvened at Kehillat Beth Israel (KBI) to hear from Stockwell Day and Yifah Mivtach-Greenvald, First Secretary of Public Diplomacy for the Embassy of Israel in Canada.

“Amidst the darkness of the last year and a half for Jews around the world, Christian solidarity has shone through. Each message, every prayer, every gesture of support you offered to your Jewish friends were deeply felt. Every Jewish friend you reached out to remembers it. We hold your kindness dearly in our hearts.

“Sadly, not everyone acknowledges the pain and suffering of our community. Many choose silence, others condemnation and denial. That is why your compassion and your willingness to stand with us, means so much more. You see our pain, and you do not turn away. You remind us that we are not alone.

“Together, as Jews and Christians, we share a deep connection to the land of Israel and to the values that it represents. This shared spiritual heritage and history, eternally bonds us together,” said Mivtach-Greenvald in a powerful message to allies and on behalf of the State of Israel.

The conference concluded with prayers for peace, for Israel, for the hostages, and for everyone in the room, led by Cantor Jason Green of KBI.

Planning is already underway for next year’s conference — with the hope that the prayers and partnerships forged this year will lead to real progress, and that Jew-hate will be returned to the fringes of Canadian society where it belongs.

-- Jodi Green is the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's Interfaith and Advocacy Specialist