A Match Made in Heaven: American Jews, Christian Zionists, and One Man's Exploration of the Weird and Wonderful Judeo-Evangelical Alliance

It's hard to give an opinion on this entertaining little book. Why? Well, the subject is one everyone gets touchy on, and practically anything the author says is going to be misinterpreted or ignored. Almost anything one says to build bridges will not prosper. This author tries it, though. And if I give his book 5 stars it's because, whatever the results may be, and even if I myself don't agree with some things, I have to admit that the book is fun. Bottom-line is: Jews and Christian Evangelicals should get along. Issues separating us are trivial in comparison to the gains we can make if we stay together in the grand issues that both concern us. Just quit fuming about the Inquisition. That was in Europe, not America, by the way. Quit blaming Christian America for every evil: the Holocaust took place in Europe too. Christian America is Your friend, not Your enemy. Give us a break. A multitude of Christians are stretching out their hands to Israel. So why not take it? It seems so simple. Well obviously it ain't that simple when a lot of high class East Coast American Jewry still feel very prejudiced towards the average American of middle class. That they are disconnected with real America -not the America of their cocktail parties- doesn't seem to register with them. And if I say that they shouldn't be afraid of a Christian America because it's always been Christian from its inception and they got along pretty well, I won't be contributing much to mellowing the situation. But that's true. Judeo-Christian values made America possible. Maybe it ain't anymore so, but it sure was in the past. So what else do these Christian-hating Jews want? Christians are willing to stay with Israel and honest Jews through whatever it takes, but are not willing to deny their own Christ -the best Jew that ever was. I guess well-intentioned books like this one are doomed to fail mainly because there's too much resentment, pride, hate, etc that corrupts any efforts done. What I didn't like much was the common denominator used to explain the reasoning why this alliance should go on. Convenience and utilitarianism do not appeal to people who are spiritually minded and really believe in God. But I let it fly. On the other hand the book is a wealth of information: The who is who of the Evangelical and Jewish worlds. Divide and conquer has always been the devil's favorite sport.

This absorbing book examines Jewish-Christian relations under the headings: Among The Christians; Is It Good For The Jews? and Afterword: Wartime. The variety in the narrative which jumps from history to current affairs to personal experiences and interviews, all infused with the author's witty and irreverent style, makes it a highly enjoyable read. In chapter 1 Chafets recounts his hilarious childhood experiences with religion in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1967 he moved to Israel where he lived for 9 years before settling in New York with his family. The rest of Part One deals with subjects as diverse as the first Jews to come to America, the philo-semitism of the Puritans, the history of Christian Zionism with reference to William Blackstone and the Balfour Declaration, and US foreign policy towards Israel after World War II. It was interesting to learn that there are warm relations between Israelis and Christian Zionists, where the issue is not even controversial. This contrasts sharply with the political divide between Jewish Liberals and Evangelical Christians in the USA. Chafets provides outspoken but sympathetic portraits of Christian leaders and institutions like Jerry Falwell and Liberty University, and Pat Robertson and Regent University. His description of a pilgrimage in Israel with a group of Christians is moving and sometimes quite hilarious, and includes several thought-provoking interviews where the Israelophile Christians speak for themselves. There is no stereotyping and the perspectives and opinions of the individuals concerned are presented with empathy. In the chapter Revenge Of The Mainline, the author explores the history of the World Council Of Churches and its hostility to Israel, liberation theology and the conflicting attitudes of the evangelicals and the liberal mainstream churches towards the Jewish homeland, including the divestment attempts within the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches. Part 2 opens with the history and work of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein's International Fellowship Of Chistians and Jews and then looks at Abraham Foxman of the Anti Defamation League and his hostile stance against the Christian Right. Next Chafets investigates the rising tide of anti-semitism worldwide and the recent spate of books attacking Evangelical Christianity with their scaremongering theme of a "theocracy" in the USA. In the chapter titled The Iraq War And Its Aftermath, he points out the convergence of views between people like Walt & Mearsheimer, Jimmy Carter and David Duke. He could also have mentioned Pat Buchanan. Other topics include AIPAC, relations between US administrations and Israeli leaders since the 1970s and the aforementioned partisan divide. As the author puts it: "Jews are Democrats, Israelis are Republicans." The main policy differences seem to be abortion, gay marriage, the issue of proselytising and the idea of Armageddon. I found the account of the visit of Rabbi Eric Yoffie to Liberty University

Since we are both high-value targets for radical Islam, an alliance would seem to make perfect sense. Nonetheless, Christian Evangelicals will always be seen by some liberal Jews as a more dangerous enemy than radical Muslims. Why this is - who knows? It must be their warped worldview or something... Zev Chafets does an outstanding job of explaining (to those Jews who will listen) that most Christians have come to acknowledge that G-ds covenant with the Jews is still valid just as they believe their own covenant is. This is essence of the "dual covenant" theology. With this belief, there is no reason to convert Jews to Christianity and therefore no "danger" for Jews from evangelicals. The true danger comes from another world religion which will not try to convert Jews, just kill them. Unless you truly believe Christians are more dangerous than radical Muslims, you should read this book. Evangelical Christians have been warmly accepted in Israel and they are, in some cases, more supportive of the state of Israel than many Jews. Zev explains all this, and much more, with incredible wit and humor. Great book! Read it with an open mind.

Zev Chafets has written an important analysis, told through anecdotes and first-hand observations, of the relationship between Israel and the Evangelical Christian movement in the U.S. Many Jews in the U.S., especially those from the liberal-left, object to Evangelical influence in U.S. politics, especially the desire of Evangelicals like the Rev. Jerry Falwell to establish a "moral majority" to suppress phenomenon such as gay marriage, pornography and so forth. That's why the Jewish community is uncomfortable or opposed to Evangelical support for Israel. Obviously American Jews also are uncomfortable with the proselytizing tendencies of the Christian right. Yet Chafets argues persuasively that Israel needs friends and that accepting the friendship of Evangelical Christianity doesn't mean accepting the group's tenets. He does so with wit and humor. Chafets has a funny, funny writing style -- well worth anyone's time, even if the subject isn't particularly close to one's heart. I highly recommend.

Chafets' book does not provoke, as some reviewers have alleged; it explains the relationship between Evangelicals and Jews/Israelis and does so with marvelous wit and understanding. Chafets is a subversive writer drawing in the reader with personal (and very funny) anecdotes before getting down to serious business. His of course is not a topic for every reader but if it comes close to your interest zone, you will be informed and entertained. Highly recommended.