Holy Week, indeed.

               The past few days were a complex pattern of emotions for me. The thrill of speaking once again at the AIPAC Policy Conference. Seeing my youngest daughter meet the grandson of President Harry Truman. Reuniting with dear friends, childhood and college, who I rarely see anymore. Participating on a panel with two inspirational leaders. Being in the same auditorium with a sitting Vice President of the United States.

               And the speech. Oh, dear G-d, the speech that everyone was talking about.

               It is remarkable looking back at how much time, energy, and emotional discomfort and distress was devoted to one man's appearance before a group of pro-Israel supporters. How much anxiety was created by that one moment. Before. During. After.

               Before the speech, I wasn't quite sure what I would do (As many of you guessed, I stayed). During the speech, I wasn't sure how I would react (I listened; politely, but silently). After the speech, I wasn't sure what the fallout would be but I was impressed by how strongly the AIPAC leadership and officers came forward the very next morning before the entire conference and vociferously condemned his inappropriate comments and the crowd reactions of the night before (both the ad hominem attack levied by the speaker on the President and that so many people applauded that sentiment, comments that AIPAC neither agreed with nor condoned).

               The speech injected itself into every part of the conference for me and, talking to others, negatively affected them as well. In many ways, it made some of us forget why we were even in Washington.

               Until late Tuesday morning, that is.

               That morning eased my conflicted heart and soothed my troubled soul. On Tuesday, Marilyn, Zahava and I went on the Hill to lobby for the US/Israel friendship. That wasn't the salve that healed my hurt. Nor was there comfort seeing only a handful from our own West Virginia Jewish community at our congressional appointments. Not as many as I hoped joined our delegation this year and that added to the emotional distress I was feeling this week. Why were so few members of our own people, who believe so strongly in the Zionist enterprise, not with us?

             No, what ultimately comforted me was who did join us and in impressive numbers; numbers so large, we had to move to bigger venues to meet with our elected officials. We had so many at each of our meetings because joining us were an incredible number of treasured friends. Christians. Young and old. Ministers and their spouses. Pastors and their congregants. Students from across West Virginia.

               They did all the heavy lifting.

               And they also eased the burden and the angst of the past few days.

               One couple drove to Washington despite their flight being cancelled at the last minute. One pastor had difficulties walking and needed a cane. Every step he took pained him greatly. He joined us. Another couple came, though the trip set them back financially. Students missed days of school and tests they could not make up just to be with us.

               And then it dawned on me. 

              These friends not only took time to be with us, but on one of their most sacred weeks. They not only came but my Christians neighbors came to Washington on Holy Week.

               They came on what should have been a time of spiritual preparation. They came with no anguish and with no anxiety. For them, the speech was a side show that barely interested them. They came to help the Jewish state. Time away was a mere inconvenience. This was a small sacrifice to help our people. Money? Well spent in their eyes. They came focused on one issue: making sure the US/ Israel relationship remains a top priority for our members of Congress. They prepared for their lobbying appointments, taking notes and rehearsing their roles for our meetings. Memorizing ideas and facts. Adding the right tone and texture to our lobbying. Absolutely focused and staying on message.

               Their reasons for being there? They told me: "We love the Jewish people". "We love Israel and what she means to the world." "We want to make sure the Jewish people never have to endure another Holocaust." "It is important for our elected officials to understand that support for the Jewish state runs deep and strong in the hearts of not just Jews but Christians all across our state."

               "Never again."

                Wow.

                All this past week, since Palm Sunday, Christians have celebrated the first joy of their season, celebrating the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. How he spent time in the Temple, left for the Mount of Olives, foretold his demise to his followers, shared the Last Supper with his apostles, then arrested and crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem by Friday.

                 But as Christian leaders teach their faithful: out of great tragedy and sorrow, there will come hope and inspiration. Out of despair, they will celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday.

                 Hope and inspiration. I may not experience it as Christians do but I felt it when they were with us on Tuesday. Standing with us on this, their holiest of weeks, moved me and reminded me of why I went, why I am glad I went, and why I cannot wait to be there again.

               As Easter Sunday approaches, I want my Christian friends to know how much their support means to me. As they celebrate hope and inspiration this weekend, may they know how much their kindness and devotion to us and Israel brings hope and inspiration to our people. On Holy Week, they joined in helping us maintain Israel's security interests and yes, her very survival. Of all the events of these past few days, that can and must be the most important and treasured of all memories.

               A blessed Easter to my cherished Christian brethren and a Shabbat shalom to all my friends and to all who are not yet my friends!