This year, Flags of Fellowship saw a record turnout as more churches, synagogues, and institutions stood with Israel and the Jewish people three years after the October 7 attacks and rising anti-Semitism around the world. Here’s what some of these participants are saying.
This includes Temple Emanuel (Opelousas, LA) who went above and beyond by planting their Israeli flags at a Jewish cemetery, Jubilee Christian Church (Brockport, NY) who turned their grounds into a center for prayer and reflection, and First Christian Church (Princeton, IL) who urged purpose as a theme of this movement.
Temple Emanuel President M. Troy Weinstein says, “This visible tribute stands against anti-Semitism and offers a heartfelt message to the people of Israel and all who have lost loved ones: You are not alone. In this moral and spiritual struggle, we choose to answer hate with love, falsehood with truth, fear with courage, and despair with unwavering faith. May the memories of those who were lost be for a blessing, and may their families find comfort, strength and peace.”
Jubilee Christian Church stated, “Participating in Flags of Fellowship is an opportunity to create a visible place of remembrance in the Brockport community and to invite people to pause, reflect, and pray. The 1,200 flags will represent the individual lives lost on October 7, 2023, transforming the church grounds into a field of remembrance and prayer. Jubilee Christian Church invites members of the community to recognize the significance of this display and to join in prayer for Israel, the Jewish people, the families affected by October 7, and for peace.”
Pastor Steve Janning of First Christian Church said, “Its (Flags of Fellowship) purpose is to just remind people of what happened on October 7th, remind people of the tragedy but also to remind people to pray for the nation, to pray for the people of Israel and Jerusalem as Psalm 122 commands us to.”
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem’” (Psalm 122:1-2).