Meeting with the rabbi

Joined a meeting in the house of prayer in Utrecht with rabbi Aryeh Heintz and his family (more specifically his wife and one of their ten kids). Over the last six months a relationship has developed between the house of prayer and the Jewish community in Utrecht, which is quite special.

The rabbi and his wife shared their concern about the increase of antisemitism and biased media reports about Israel. And of course taught some of their insights in the Torah. The Jews have a strong tradition of study, teaching and wisdom, and it has carried them through the diaspora. It's actually a historic miracle that the Jews are still around. Any other people group would already have been assimilated, but the (orthodox) Jews kept their unique identity, they have a strong sense of being set apart for God.

The 'Jewish issue' is quite important for the church as well. I posted about it back in February. Like many other nations the Netherlands has a long history of antisemitism (see also my short history of the Jews in Utrecht). It's something the church has to deal with at some point, if we don't want to ignore God's principles of covenant and blessing.