“Ringgold/Greater Chattanooga Night to Honor Israel”
Close to 550 participants gathered Thursday night, November 9, 2017 at the Colonnade in Ringgold, Georgia to celebrate the fourth annual “Ringgold/ Greater Chattanooga Night to Honor Israel.” Jews and Christians from Atlanta, Nashville, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Alabama, North Georgia and greater Chattanooga joined together in solidarity to show their support for Israel. Over 55 local churches were involved in preparing for the Event.
Participants described the Event as the “most wonderful night to Honor Israel” ever! Pastor Brandon Bishop, Central Avenue Baptist Church, Trion, Georgia and Pastor Bret Yaeger, Temple Baptist Church, Dalton, Georgia served as Co- Masters of the Ceremony. The Event opened with the Ringgold High School ROTC doing the Color Guard. A hush settled over the room as Pastor Lyndon Allen, Central Regional Coordinator for Christians United for Israel, blew the shofar. Boy Scouts of the Cherokee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America served as parking attendants and ushers.
Lee Singers directed by Dr. Brad Moffet of Lee University brought the participants to their feet with an incredible musical presentation that touched the hearts of everyone present. Watching the joyful, loving, talented, and dedicated students and Dr. Moffet as they glorified God and blessed the Jewish People and Christians created memories that will be treasured for years.
Rabbi Susan Tendler did the Invocation Prayer:
“Distinguished guests, remarkable speakers, fellow clergy, brothers and sisters, I am profoundly grateful for this invitation this evening as we join together united in support of the Holy Land, my homeland which generations have prayed for, the land in which God lead Abraham to, that my ancestors sojourned around the desert for 40 years for, the land where David desired to build a dwelling place for God, and the land in which Solomon built such a sanctuary, a safe haven for people to come together, as we come together this evening— in peace and in prayer, thankful for the many blessings which unite us, aspiring to overcome all that challenges to divide us. And so we pray, Avinu sh’beshamayim, Father that are in Heaven, that you see this evening as one of Holy Convocation and determination to ensure that your land 2 continues to flow freely and abundantly with milk and honey. That You look upon us, individuals who come from different backgrounds, and faith traditions, speak various languages, maintain numerous perspectives and yet each a reflection of Your divinity, ready to praise your name, and strive to do Your will on earth. God of Abraham to whom you promised this land, God of Isaac who was bound into the convent of this blessing, and God of Israel, this is a prayerful meeting of peace, offering support and strength to the weary who are relentlessly confronted by attacks, by threats, by a malicious twisting of facts, by unknown dangers, we pray that you comfort the bereaved, and enlighten the leaders and advisors, while strengthening all who hold on to their HOPE, HaTikvah, that one day Your Holy City will be able 3 to again live up to its’ name—Yeru- Shalayim, a city of peace, a city of wholeness and a city of Holiness. Let Your Will open up the gates of love and friendship, of faith Pastor Matthew Hagee, executive pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, second keynote speaker. Austin Center (on the left with a bowtie), Jewish Federation incoming board chair and winner of the “Spirit of Light Award.” Michael Dzik (right side), executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga. He is giving the award. Lee Singers with director, Dr. Brad Moffett, Lee University. and brotherhood, that exists here tonight, and let these truths, not only flourish and blossom, rather PREVAIL for We have come into being to praise, to labor and to love. Lord our God, God of our fathers, God of our Prophets, God of peace, shema koleinu, hear our prayer! Grant us peace, teach us to be instruments of peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Let there be no more innocent victims of war or terror. Keep alive within each and every one of us the flame of hope, that one day indeed love and justice will flow like a mighty stream and peace will fill the earth as the waters fill the sea. And let us say: Amen.”
Major Elliot Chodoff, gave the first Keynote Speech. He is a Major in the Israeli Defense Force and lives in Israel in a small village in the Galilee. Major Chodoff started his presentation by noting that gatherings like the “Night to Honor Israel” make problems of Israel’s past highly unlikely. He noted that “We are living in Revolutionary, miraculous times.” During his Keynote Speech, Major Chodoff explained the complexities and illfated components of the Iran nuclear deal. He emphasized how Israel is surrounded by enemies of all types. ISIS is on the verge of defeat; however, Iran, Turkey and Russia are trouble makers. Iran is on the rise and working to build a corridor to the Mediterranean Sea. Standing on the Northern border of Israel, you see Iranian flags flying. Hezbollah operates in the Northern Region and is building missiles to move into Israel: This terrorist organization will ultimately succeed in entering Israel. Major Chodoff described Israel as: “an island of tranquility in a sea of violence.” Chodoff expressed hope when he shared that with friends like America, he was optimistic.
Chen Dahon, Israeli Emissary from Tel Aviv, Israel at the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga shared about her life in Israel. Chen is in the Reserves of the Israeli Defense Force: Both girls and boys go to the Army for two years, no question about it! Chen described her homeland as a land of diversity, solidarity and connection. Jewish People have been connected to the land of Israel for thousands of years, and came back to it after 2000 years of exile and extermination. This year Israel celebrates 70 years since coming back to their homeland. The Jewish People are connected to Israel.
To emphasize Israel’s diversity, solidarity and connection, Chen asked everyone to stand if they believed in: “Diversity and the verse: ‘You shall love your neighbor…’ (Lev. 19:18), Solidarity between human beings, and Connection to the holy land of Israel and Jerusalem.”
In the second Keynote Speech, Pastor Matthew related Bible truths to the mandate to stand with Israel. He stated that we are gathered tonight in unity. We cherish the same scriptures and cherish the same God. Israel is the “Apple of God’s Eye.” We are commanded to walk around the walls of Jerusalem and tell the world that God lives there.
God said in Genesis 12:3 (His foreign policy for Israel), “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you.” America cannot afford to ignore that God has said this. What you do to Israel, God will do to you.
The first “Night to Honor Israel” started 36 years ago, in 1981, in San Antonio, Texas by Pastor John Hagee. Hundreds of Christians and Hundreds from the Jewish Community came together and when a small gift was given from Christians to the Jewish People for a needy project, a yolk was broken.
At the Tulsa “Night to Honor Israel” the First Lady of Cornerstone Church, Diana Hagee, had a doubt about whether these Events should continue. On that particular night after the ceremonies were completed, a lady came to Diana and shared that before this night, she had hated Christians. To explain, the lady pulled up her sleeve and exposed a tattoo received in a Nazi work camp when she was a child. The lady shared that after this Event, she no longer hated Christians. At the “Night to Honor Israel,” She had felt love and unity with Christian People.
Pastor Matthew concluded his speech with a brief update from his sister, Sandra Hagee-Parker. She is the Chairwoman of the CUFI Action Fund and testified earlier to the US House Judiciary Committee on the anti-Semitic atrocities occurring on college campuses in the United States. Pastor Matthew and Sandy inspired the audience by singing “Jerusalem of Gold” in Hebrew.
Michael Dzik, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, gives a recap of the “Night to Honor Israel “from his perspective:
“The first Night to Honor Israel occurred 36 years ago in San Antonio, TX. The inspiration, from Pastor John Hagee, was for Christians to show support and solidarity with the Jewish community and Israel. This unique idea was first questioned by many – What was the goal? What were the overall intentions? 36 years later, the Chattanooga and North Georgia chapter of CUFI (Christians United For Israel) held the 4th Annual Night to Honor Israel – most recently on Thursday, November 9.
The Ringgold Colonnade was filled with nearly 550 people from the community – waving American and Israeli flags while expressing their deep and unwavering support for Israel. There was beautiful music and inspirational remarks. As a Jew, the experience for me has a slightly different perspective and meaning. Let me explain.
I first got involved with CUFI about 8-9 years ago – attending my first event in Calhoun, GA. It was a powerful experience for me. Although I was paying attention and engaged to the speakers, I was actually more focused on the attendees, the people surrounding me. There was an indescribable feeling in the room. Hands were raised, people were vocally responding to the speakers and there were plenty of smiles. How is it that Christians were so fervently supportive of Israel?
As I became more and more involved over time I began to understand. Growing up in Chattanooga, I’ve always recognized the strength and deep faith of my Christian friends and neighbors. What I didn’t realize was that this faith also connected them to Israel. I’ve also learned that this faith speaks in both actions and deeds. When a Christian comes up to me and tells me how much they love the Jewish people and the State of Israel, I now get it. Christians travel to Israel and support the country and people, just like many in the Jewish community. Christians are working with legislations around the country as well as over 674 college chapters and activists fighting Anti-Semitism as well as the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. Although our paths might be different – Jewish and Christian – there are more similarities than differences. In fact, I’ve come to realize that we each have a faith in one G-d, the same G-d, with just different customs and approaches.
I’ve now been on the area CUFI planning committee for five years. I sit around the table with volunteers and Pastors, discussing ways we can bring even more people into the pro-Israel camp. It is inspiring for me personally to see how our CUFI chapter has grown and true impact that is beginning to occur.
One of the speakers talked about that first meeting 36 years ago – pastors and Jewish leaders. The Jewish community was skeptical. What is this about? But with every new friendship comes risks. The Jewish community accepted that invitation of friendship. In Chattanooga and North Georgia, I too extend my hand in friendship, with a shared love and commitment to the Jewish community and Israel.
There was power in the Colonnade Thursday night. There was enthusiasm, Ruach (spirit). And the message was very clear – The Jewish community has a friend in CUFI. Israel has a friend in CUFI. I am proud of my relationship with CUFI and am always eager to find new friends, friends of Israel and the Jewish community.”
Awards given during the “Night to Honor Israel” were the “Spirit of Light Award” and the “Khilla Award. Austin Center, Jewish Federation incoming Board Chair and a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee received the “Spirit of Light Award for outstanding support to the Planning Committee and for linking the Jewish and Christian communities together through their mutual support of the State of Israel.
Pastor Bret Yaeger, Temple Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia received the Khilla (Hebrew for community) Award for outstanding leadership and commitment as the Chair of the Planning Committee for three years. Pastor Yaeger has led the group with humility, knowledge, wisdom and Biblical Principles. Without Pastor Yaeger’s continued leadership, the “Night to Honor Israel” would not have happened. In three years, he has not missed one Committee meeting.
The Planning Committee would like to say a special thanks to the many Pastors, Churches and Volunteers who helped to make this Event one of excellence.