Cantor Daniel Benlolo was shocked to see so many people in the seats at Montreal’s Shaare Zedek Congregation, midway through Sukkot.
The synagogue’s ranks were swelled by other Jews and Christians who had come to sing together in support of Israel.
The event, which was held to celebrate the state’s 70th anniversary, was initiated by Benlolo and Rev. Dean Bye, the founding director of the Christian Zionist organization Return Ministries.
They took their cue from Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who urged everyone to “sing together – religious, secular, Arabs, Jews, soldiers, women, men, children.… Let’s put aside everything that divides us and do together what connects and brings us together.”
More than 12,000 Israelis have thus far heeded his request, as part of a project called Koolulam.
“I was filled with pure joy,” said Benlolo. “It was a privilege to lead them during this special Sukkot evening.”
As Rabbi Alan Bright told the gathering: “Song … has the ability to traverse all religions; it has the ability to bring people together. You don’t even have to understand the language, when you hear the music, you are touched by it.”
He said the evening was all about “sanctifying God’s name … with a pure heart and soul.”
Rev. Bye said, “We are so grateful for the very warm welcome from the Jewish community of Montreal that we received as Christians representing a mix of cultural and denominational backgrounds.”
Shaare Zedek, which describes itself as “Conserva-dox,” has about 550 member families. Return Ministries, which is based in Plattsville, Ont., “encourages Jews and Christians to work together to fulfill God’s plans and purposes for Israel and the nations,” notably by supporting aliyah, in co-operation with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Referring to the Hebrew song, Shir Ha Ma’alot, Danielle Theriault of Return Ministries said the Christians were honoured to be invited to the synagogue during the festive holiday.
“We are blessed to have the opportunity, through interactive song, to fulfill our part in the words of Psalm 126:2-3, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ To which the Jewish people respond, ‘Ha-Shem asah nifa’ot lanu’ – ‘The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.’ ”
A video was shown of Kibbutz Beit Zera, which is situated on six hectares of land in the Jordan Valley, where Return Ministries and other Christians from abroad help young people who are preparing for, or completing, their military service.
“Canadian Christians join with millions of others from the nations, as we do our God-given part in assisting our Jewish friends who are ready to fulfill their God-given calling, to make their aliyah, to live and prosper in their promised land,” said Rev. Bye.
Return Ministries plans to hold similar events, dubbed “Sing Together,” in other locations throughout Canada over the coming year, in the hope of “breaking any and all walls that divide us.”
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The first song of the evening was dedicated to Ari Fuld, the American oleh and West Bank activist who was murdered in a terrorist attack in September.
The evening closed with a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.