Yom HaShoah is a solemn day. We remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the communities destroyed, and the families who never had the chance to rebuild. But we also remember something else that matters just as much today as it did then.
We remember the Christians who stood with the Jewish people when it was dangerous to do so. They were a minority, but they acted with conviction. They sheltered Jewish neighbors, protected children, and refused to accept hatred as an unjust inevitability.
Today, as Israel faces war and Jewish communities around the world confront rising anti-Semitism, we are fortunate to see an even larger community of Christians standing with us. Their support is not just symbolic; it is essential. And it is needed now more than ever.
In recent months, I’ve spoken with pastors, church leaders, and Christian families who have reached out with a simple message: “We are here, and we are not going anywhere.” Their commitment has allowed us to respond quickly and effectively to the needs created by the current conflict.
Because of this support, we have been able to help protect vulnerable communities across Israel with bomb shelters. We have been able to deliver food, medicine, and emergency aid to elderly Holocaust survivors, families displaced by violence, and children living under constant threat. These efforts are not abstract; they are tangible examples of how The Fellowship is helping to keep people alive.
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And they are possible because Christians and Jews are working together.
Yom HaShoah is not only about remembering the past. It is about recognizing the responsibility we carry in the present.
Anti-Semitism is rising at a pace we have not seen in decades. We see it in vandalized synagogues, harassment on college campuses, and rhetoric that dehumanizes Israel and the Jewish people. These trends are not isolated. They are connected. And they demand a clear response.
Christians have been stepping forward in meaningful ways—speaking out, advocating, and refusing to let hatred go unanswered. Initiatives like Flags of Fellowship have helped to strengthen relationships between Christian and Jewish communities, creating visible, public expressions of solidarity. These efforts are critical—they send a message that hatred will not go unchallenged.
The Fellowship was founded on the belief that Christians and Jews can accomplish more together than either can alone. That belief has guided our work for more than 40 years, and it remains just as relevant today.
This year, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, it is worth remembering that the values we all share—religious freedom, human dignity, moral responsibility—are the same values that shaped America’s founding. And those same values are the ones that guide our partnership.
When Christians stand with the Jewish people, they are not only honoring history. They are strengthening the future.
On Yom HaShoah, we honor the memory of those who were lost. But we also honor those who stood with them, even under the threat of losing everything. And we honor those who stand with us now. Their courage reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of history, there were always people who chose to do what was right.
Today, as Israel faces war and Jewish communities confront fear and uncertainty, that same courage is needed again. And, once again, Christians are stepping forward.
To every Christian who has prayed, spoken up, or supported our work: your partnership is making a real difference. It is saving lives. It is pushing back against hatred. And it is helping ensure that “never again” remains a promise we uphold—not just in memory, not just as an empty platitude, but through our actions.
Robin Van Etten is a seasoned nonprofit professional with 25 years of experience in direct response marketing and fundraising. She is currently the US CEO and Global Chief Operating Officer at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, a nonprofit humanitarian organization serving the needs of the Jewish population around the world. In 2025, she was named a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by Crain’s Chicago Business.
