Resisting Hate
How knowing Jesus calls us to confront antisemitism and be in solidarity with our Jewish Neighbors
Earlier this week, a violent and antisemitic attack took place in Boulder, Colorado. A man entered a peaceful event organized by members of a local Jewish community in support of hostages still being held in Gaza. And in the aftermath six people were injured, including a Holocaust survivor. This attack is the third in a recent string of violent acts against Jewish people in just the past two months.
Christianity has a long and painful history of antisemitism. From theological teachings that have wrongly blamed Jewish people for the death of Jesus, to attacks on Jewish communities during the Crusades, several historical persecutions and massacres, and ultimately the Holocaust, Christians have too often been complicit in, or silent about, the persecution of our Jewish siblings.
Yet ironically at the heart of our faith is a man named Jesus, who was a practicing Jew. His teachings came from within the Jewish tradition. His scriptures were not the yet to be written Gospels or Paul’s letters, but the Hebrew Scriptures— the sacred texts of Judaism. His earliest followers called him Rabbi. And he was Jewish in every way, through and through. To forget this is not just to forget history; it’s to misplace the very roots of our faith.
“He was Jewish in every way, through and through. To forget this is not just to forget history; it’s to misplace the very roots of our faith.”
Remembering this is to remember that Christianity is not, nor ever was meant to, be a replacement for Judaism, but is a faith tradition born within it. Our right relationship with the Jewish community should begin with a sense of humility, acknowledging the harm our faith has caused, and refusing to repeat it in new forms. And it continues with our commitment to listen, to learn, to speak out against antisemitism in all its varying forms, and to build bridges toward interfaith solidarity.
Being in right relationship with people of the Jewish faith also means holding a certain nuance. That we can and should mourn the violence happening in Gaza, grieve the loss of Palestinian life that is occurring, and advocate for their justice, without giving antisemitism a platform or an inch. We must be willing to criticize our governments and those who have the power to cease the violence and suffering in Gaza, but that criticism must never come at the expense of violence or hatred toward a particular people.
What our Jewish neighbors need right now is not our pity, but our partnership. They need us to show up when they are threatened, to educate ourselves, and to denounce all forms of antisemitism whether it shows up in extremism or everyday societal micro-aggressions. They need us to remember that faithfulness to Jesus includes solidarity with the people he belonged to.
In a time of rising hate, let us be the kind of Christians who stand firmly on the side of love and truth. Let us be the kind of church that knows its historical roots, listens deeply to others, and seeks to live in right relationship, both with God and with our neighbors.
Thanks for reading Rev. Christopher Czarnecki’s Substack! Subscribe to receive new posts and support my work. Rev. Christopher Czarnecki serves as Senior Pastor of Holy Covenant United Church of Christ (UCC) in Charlotte, NC. To learn more about Pastor Chris and Holy Covenant UCC, you can visit us at our website, on Facebook, or Instagram.