In a powerful demonstration of faith-based unity in action, a coalition of more than 500 rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. this week as part of the annual Israel Advocacy Day- an initiative developed jointly by Eagles’ Wings, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation to transform interfaith solidarity into coordinated calls to action. 
 

The initiative reflects a growing effort among Jewish and Christian leaders to move beyond statements of support and toward coordinated advocacy on issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, and faith communities across the United States. The delegations held 115 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, engaging senior staff and officials across both sides of the political aisle. The day concluded with featured remarks from Rep. Don Bacon, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yehiel Leiter, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Yehuda Kaploun, and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Leo Terrell, along with senior staff from House Republican and Democratic offices.  
 

"At a time of rising violence against people of faith- especially in the United States- passive concern is no longer enough,” said Bishop Robert Stearns, Founder and President of Eagles’ Wings. “We need direct, courageous engagement to confront hatred and harassment. When pastors and rabbis stand together in visible unity, elevating our shared concerns, real change begins- locally and across the nation. And in that unity, we don’t just respond to darkness- we overcome it." 
 

A central and defining element of Israel Advocacy Day is the joint advocacy model, pairing rabbis and pastors in unified delegations- working side by side in meetings with congressional offices. The initiative reflects a growing movement of deep, operational partnership between Jewish and Christian leaders, rooted not only in shared values but in coordinated action. 
 

“Our advocacy has much greater impact when we speak with one voice and stand in unity for truth, justice, and goodness,” said Dr. Susan Michael, President of ICEJ USA. “We demonstrate that support for Israel is not just a Jewish issue – it is important to Christians and to tens of millions of Americans.” 
 

The advocacy agenda focused on three key priorities: 
 

• Strengthening U.S. Support for Israel – Reinforcing bipartisan commitment to Israel’s security and stability  
• Confronting the Rise of Antisemitism – Addressing the alarming increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and globally  
• Protecting Faith-Based Communities – Advancing resources and policies to safeguard synagogues, churches, and religious institutions facing growing threats 

“As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this July, this moment is about defining what the next chapter of this nation will look like,” said Jordanna McMillan, U.S. Director of the Israel Allies Foundation. “America must continue to affirm its historic relationship with Israel and our leaders must protect the religious freedom of every American. We want the Jewish people to know that they will never walk alone - Christians across the country stand united with them against antisemitism.” 
  

The advocacy initiative included a high-level gala in Washington attended by hundreds of leaders, featuring prominent voices from both communities, including Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America; Rabbi Pini Dunner of the Beverly Hills Synagogue; and senior pastors reflecting the breadth of Jewish-Christian engagement behind the initiative. During the gala, Dr. Susan Michael and Bishop Robert Stearns were presented with the White Rose Society Award, an honor presented to non-Jewish individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to the Jewish community at a time of rising antisemitism.  
 

Building on an initial post-October 7 gathering of dozens of leaders, Israel Advocacy Day has rapidly evolved into a large-scale, structured platform with growing impact- positioning faith leaders as an active voice engaging with elected officials to discuss U.S. policy related to Israel and the global fight against antisemitism and extremism. 
 

"We have been living through a period that feels like a plague. From the October 7 attacks to just this last year- when we experienced the murder of two beautiful young people in DC, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim- and just a month ago, a terrorist attack at one of the largest synagogues in America, this is what we’ve been living through together,” said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. “But today, in Washington, with Jews and Christians sitting together, holding hands, determined to lift up the light for all the people of the world, the plague has lifted."  
 

Photos from Israel Advocacy Day are available at this Dropbox link, courtesy of Eagles’ Wings. 
 

Captions for the photos are as follows (L to R):  
 

1. Bishop Robert Stearns, President of Eagles Wings; Dr. Susan Michael, President of ICEJ USA; Jordanna McMillan, U.S. Dir., Israel Allies Foundation. 
    
2. Christian and Jewish leaders from over 35 states participate in over 100 congressional meetings on Capitol Hill. 
    
3. Dr. Susan Michael, President, ICEJ USA; Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, U.S. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism; Yechiel Leiter, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.; Bishop Robert Stearns, President of Eagles’ Wings.