Rekindling an Old Friendship: Black and Jewish Americans reunite on behalf of Israel
Monday, February 20, 2006

Pastor Glenn Plummer and Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein Launch New Effort to Reengage Black Americans with their Spritual Homeland

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2006 -- During the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Jews around the world stood with Black Americans in their struggle for their most basic rights. In order to renew this once-strong alliance, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is reaching out to Black Christians, encouraging them to stand with Jews around the world on behalf of a safe, secure Israel through the newly-launched Fellowship of Israel and Black America (FIBA).

The project will be co-chaired by IFCJ Founder and Chairman Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and former NRB Chairman & CEO Pastor Glenn Plummer. Pastor Plummer will direct FIBA’s efforts.

“Black Americans and Jews have a shared interest in a safe, secure Israel,” said Eckstein. “Through FIBA, we will work together to strengthen ties to and support for Israel.”

Pastor Plummer is looking forward to the work ahead for FIBA. "It is an honor to co-chair this very important effort with Rabbi Eckstein. He and I embody what this project will do—bring together Jews and African Americans in a very significant relationship. Yechiel is an Orthodox Rabbi and I am a Pastor…he is white and I am black…he is Israeli and I am American…he is Jewish and I am Christian. Although others see these as significant differences, we see them as strengths,” said Plummer. “Together with our mutual staffs, and along with other Black and Jewish leaders around the world, we will bring Israel and Black America together as natural and spiritual allies. We will also see a significant positive shift in the relationship between Black and Jewish Americans through such diverse strategies as student exchanges between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Israeli universities and discussions with the media about the portrayal of African Americans in film and television. Because God has promised blessing to those who bless Israel, Black Americans will find themselves at a new level of blessing as a people, as we bless Israel. By the grace of God, this will happen!!"

Rabbi Eckstein believes the launch of the Fellowship of Israel and Black America marks a new chapter in the history of Black-Jewish relations. “We are seeking to assist Black Americans in reconnecting to the Jewish roots of their Christian faith. We know that, standing together, we can make a significant difference for Israel and for Jews in need,” said Eckstein. “I am confident that, under the leadership of Glenn Plummer, we will strengthen the bonds between Black Americans and Jews around the world and rekindle their fellowship.”

The Fellowship of Israel and Black America will seek to:

• Develop and advance relationships with African-American leaders and churches to commit to support Israel.
• Work with the Israeli government to:
• Establish a new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Israel Award honoring Jewish and Black leaders who have helped further the friendship between these communities
• Create a permanent memorial in Israel to the work of the Civil Rights movement
• Create a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, evangelical colleges and universities and Jewish/Israeli schools to sponsor high-level academic research including the role of Jews in America's Civil Rights movement
• Explore the relationship of Blacks and Jews in media and entertainment with the intention of fostering partnerships and opportunities to develop positive programming for television and the screen.